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HISTORY 



OF 



MEDINA COUNTY 



O FI I O . 



Confainini^ a History of tlic Stale of Ohio, from its earliest settlement to tlie present time, embraeim^ 

its topography , geological, physical and climatic features; its agrieiilti/ral, stock-groiving, raii- 

foad' interests, etc.; a History of Medina County, giving an account of its alioriginal 

inhabitants, early settle?nent by the whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its 

improvements, organization of the County, its judicial history, its 

business and industries, churches, schools, etc.; Biographical 

Sketches ; Portraits of some of the Early Settlers and 

Prominent Men, etc., etc. 



ILI-,USTR.^TEir). 




CHICAGO : 

BASKIN & BATTEY, HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, 
i86 Dearborn Street. 



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PREFACE. 

— • — 
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^l^'iHE work that has engaged om- historians, \V. H. Perrin, J. H. Battle and W. 
^^r^l A. Goodspeed, for some time past, is now closed. On these pages they have traced 
**'> F the tedious jom-ney of the pioneer fi-om homes of comfort and refinement to the 
untouched wilds of the West; they have noted the rising cabin, the clearing of the for- 
ests, the privations of the early settlements, the heroic fortitude with which the pioneer 
sm-moiinted these obstacles, and the patient toil that has "made the wilderness to blossom 
as the rose;" they have marked the coming of the schoolmaster, and that gi-eater teacher 
— the preacher — the rise of the schoolhouse and church, and their influence in molding 
society. This work wo have undertaken in the belief that there is a proper demand that 
the events which relate to the early times should find a permanent record, and with what 
fidelity to facts and with what patience of research this has been accomplished, we shall 
leave to the judgment of om- patrons, in whose keeping the traditions of that day remain, 
and for whom the work was undertaken. 

Advantage has been taken of such historical works as were foimtl; but the chief 
resoiu'ce for information has been the traditions which have been handed down from one 
generation to another. These have generally been verified fi'om other soiu'ces ; ))ut in some 
not essential particu.larH, om- writers have been obliged to depend upon tradition alone, and 
may thus have sanctioned some errors. These, we trust, will l)o foiuid of trifling impor- 
tance; and we gi'ound om- hope of the favorable judgment of the public upon the essential 
coiTectness and completeness of this volume as a history of Medina County. 

We desire, also, to thank the citizens everywhere in the county, who have so cordially 
aided oi;r ■^Titers in gathering the materials for this volume, and especially to acknowledge 
om" indebtedness to the gentlemen who have been associated with them in the various parts 
of the work; to Hon. Aaron Pardee, of Wadsworth; Judge Samuel Hotiphkeville (now 
deceased), and Dr. E. G. Hard, of Medina; J. T. Graves, of Seville, and others whose 
names appear with their contributions. 

March, 1881. Fublishees. 



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CONTENTS. 



PART I. 

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF OHIO. 

PAGE. 

CHAPTER I. — Introductory — Topography — Geology —Primitive 

Races- Antiquities — rndi:in Tribes 11 

CHAPTER II.— Explorations in the West 19 

CHAPTER III— Enjilish Explorations— Traders— French nnd 

Indian Wiir in t lie West — English Possession ;i7 

CHAPTER IV. — Pontiac'8 Conspiracy— Its Failure — BoiKjuet's 

Expedition— Occupation by the English 48 

('HAPTER V. — American Exploration — Dunmore's War — Cam- 
paign of George Rogers Clarke — Land Trun bits— Spain in 
the Revolution — Murder of the Moravian Indiana 52 

CHAPTER VI. — American Occupation — Indian Claims — Early 
Land Comiiaiiies- Compact of 1787 — Organization of the 
Territory — Early American Settlements in the Ohio Val- 
ley — First Territorial Officers — Organization (.f Counties... CO 

CHAPTER VII.— Indian War of 1795— Harmar's CumpaigD— 
St. Clair's Campaign— Wayne's Campaign— Close of the 
War 73 

CHAPTER Vni.— Jay's Treaty— The Question of State Righta 
and National Supremacy — Extension of Ohio Settlements 
— Land Claims — Spanish Boundary Question 79 

CHAPTER IX. — First Territorial Representatives in Congress 
— Division of tlje Territory — Formation of States — Mari- 
etta Settlement — Other Settlements — Settlements in the 
Western Reserve — Settlement of the Central Valleys — 
Further Settlements in the Reserve and Elsewhere 85 

CHAPTER X— Formation of the State Government— Ohio a 
State — The State Capitals — Legislation — The " Sweeping" 
Resolutions 121 

CHAPTER XT.— The War of 1812— Growth of the State- Canal, 
Railroads and other Improvements — Development of State 
Resources 127 

CHAPTER XII.— Mexican War— Continued Growth of the State 

—War of the Rebellion— Ohio's Part in the Conflict 132 

CHAPTER XIII.— Ohio in the Centennial— Address of Edward 

D. Mansfield, L.L D., Philadelphia, August 9, 1S76 1.38 

CHAPTER XIV.— Education— Early School Laws— Notes— In- 
stitutions and Educational Journals — School System — 
School Funds— Colleges and Universities 148 

CHAPTER XV.— Agriculture— Area of the State— Early Agri- 
culture in the West — Markets — Live Stock — Nurseries, 
Fruits, etc. — Cereals, Root and Cucurbitaceous Crops — 
Agricultunil Implements— Agricultural Societies — Pomo- 
logical and Horticultural Societies 151 

(CHAPTER XVI.— Climatology— Outline— Variation in Ohio— 

E.-;tiniate in Degrees — .\mount of Variability in:i 

CHAPTER XVII— Public Lands— Early Contest on Right of 
Soil and Jurisdiction — The Western Reserve— Origin and 
Organization— Social and Material Growth 165 



PAKT IT. 
HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 

PAOE 

CHAPTER T.— Physical Geography of thelCounty- Geological 
Formation — Material Resources — Grain Culture — Stork 
Raising — Dairying Interest — Agricultural Sooietie** 181 

CHAPTER n.—PiehititoriclUces— Ancient , Earthworks-In- 
t'iau Traditions — Pioneer Settlements — Erection and Or- 
ganization of the County- History of the Public Build- 
ings — TheGrowth of Political Parties 212 

CHAPTER III— The Learned Professions— Early Courts and 
Practice — Reminiscences of the Early Bench and Bar — 
Tlie Bar of the Present — The Medical IFraternity — Prac- 
tice in ye Olden Time — Doctors of the Past'and Preaent.. 242 

CHAPTER IV. — Social Development of the County- Chftr«cter 
of thi> Early Churches — The Rise of Denominational 
Influence — Temperance Wc»rk — Early Schools— Growth 
of Higher Education — Academies — The Press— Railroad 
Operations 275 

CHAPTER V.-War Activities— Stampede of 1812- Volunteers 
for the Mexican Struggle— The County's Contributions to 
the War of the Rebellion — Medina's Volunteers in the 
Army — Soldiers' Association 308 

CHAPTER VI.— A Retrospect— The Railroad Jnbilee— A News- 
paper's History of the Day — A Memorable "Fourth "—A 
CentenniarOration 355 

CHAPTER VII.— Medina Township— Its Settlement— Early 
Privations— Social Development — Growth of Villages— 
Weymouth and Medina — Church and School 375 

CHAPTER VIII.— Medina Village— Ita Incorporation- Inter- 
nal Improvements — Manufacturing Enterprises — Fire 
Department — Chiirch and School Interests — The Ceme- 
tery 394 

CHAPTER IX.— Wadsworth Township— Coming of the Whites 
— Incidents of Early Settlement — Beginnings of Township 
Government — Origin of Church and Schools 414 

CHAPTER X.— Wadsworth Township -Notable Epidemic- 
Coal Mines— The N. T., P. & 0. R. R.— Village of Wads- 
worth — Growth and Incorporation — Family Genealogies 435 

CHAPTER XI.— Guilford Townshii>— Topography and Bound- 
aries — The Pioneors — Their Journey to the West— Early 
Industries — Seville — Growth and Incorporation of the 
Village — Churches and Schools 454 

CHAPTER XII.— Harrisville Township— Physical Features— 
The Pioneer Settler of the County — Incidents of 1812 — 
Hardships in the Wilderness — Growth of Villages — Or- 
ganization of the Township — Social Development 483 

CHAPTER XIII.— York Township— Natural Attractions- 
Pioneer Families of the Township— Social CuHtoms- 
Commercial Activities — York Center — Manufacturing 
Interests — Cluirch and Schoolhouse 609 



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VI 



CONTENTS. 



PAOE. 

OHAPTER XIV.— Litchfiold TuwnBhip— Surface, Drainage and 
Material Beaources— Early Settli'nient— Experiences in 
the Wilderness— Petrolenm Excitement— Early Manufact- 
ures— Religious and Kducatioual Efforts 62.') 

CH.^PTER XV. — Liverpool Township— Configuration of Land 
—The Discovery of Salt— Karly Blanufactnriiig Activity 
—Growth of the Community — Moral and Mental Develop- 
ment -^'36 

CHAPTER XVI.— Spencer Township- Topographical Features 
-Fii-st Settlement of the Township — Primitive Customs 
—Incidents of Life in the Wilderness— Brjiinnings of 
Church and School— Their Development 5,56 

CHAPTER XVII.— Chatham Townshili— Geological Structure 
—Pioneer Beginnings— Early Efforts at .-Vgriculture — 
Story of the Old Log C.Hhin— Progress in Politics, 
Churches and Schools 61)9 

(flAPTER XVIII.— Brunswick Townshili— Bocks and Rivers 
— Making a Homo in the Wilderness — Incid.-nts of Pio- 
neer Life — Early Maiuifai-ture.s — .Social Customs and 
Development 68(1 

CHAPTER XIX.— Wcstfleld Township— The Lay of the Laml 
— Agricultural Advantages — Early Selection of Sites — 
Pioneer Pleasures — Preachers ami People — Schoolmasters 
and their Scholars -694 

CHAPTER XX.— Hinckley Township— A Hunter's Paradise — 
The Coming of the First Settlers— The Great Hunt— In- 
cidents of the Early Hunters and Trappers— Growth of 
Civilization — The Church and School f>07 

CHAPTER XXT.— .Sharon Townshil^— Its Topographical Sur- 
vey — Its Early Settlers— Sketch of Pioneer Homes — 
Early Rise of School Interests— The Academy— Material 
Prospects of Sharon *J-0 

CHAPTER XXII.— Granger Townshi))— Cont<uir of the Sur- 
face — Agricultnrai Resources- Early Settlements and 
Incidents- Political Organization — Beginnings and De- 
velopmentof Churtdi and School tl'l" 

CHAPTER XXIII.— Montville Township— Character of the 
Surface — Soil and Drainage — Karly Survey— First Settle- 
ments — Beginnings of Agriculture— Snakes and Game — 
The Turnpike and Early Roads — A Fourth of ,Iuly — 
Churches and Schools 647 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Homer Township— Its Boundaries and 
I'hysicjil Attractions- The C.jming of the Whil.-s- Eaily 
Organization and Political Belalious— ('haiiges in its 
County Kel.'itions — Cliurch and School Interests G5G 

(^HAI'TKU XXV.— La Fayette Township— Origin of the Name 
—Early Settlement— Pioneer Inciilent-s— Frontier Indus- 
tries—Social Development — Beginning of Clniiches and 
Schools GG6 



PART III. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. p^Q^ 

Brunswick Townt^liip 764 

Chatham Township 798 

Guilford Township 718 

Granger Township 904 

Harrisville Township 8G2 

Hinckley Towiihhip 770 ■ 

Homer Township 920 

Litchfi.ld Township 743 

Liverpool Township 748 

La Fayette Township 829 

Medina Townwhip B81 

Muntville Township 784 

Sharon Township 790 

Spencer Towusliip 754 

Wadeworth Townwhip 706 

Wesltifld Townsliip 883 

York TowiiHhip 7'il 



ILLUSTRATI0K8. 

PORTRAITS. ^ . 

B:i(Ig*>r, AuBtin (Biography on page 687) 381 

Clark, W. P. (Biography on page 784) 285 

Coulter, O. M. (Biography on page 884) 369 - 

Dowd, I>. D. (Biography on page 885) 309 ■ 

Freeman, Rnfus (Biography on page 889) 603 ■ 

HarriH, Josepli (Biography on page 481) 485 

Harris, Rachel 495^ 

Harris, Albert (Biography on page 870) 507- 

Hatch, Huel (Biography on page 911) 631 

Hatch, Saloma 635 

Hosmer, Henry (Biography on page 724) 459 "" 

Iloughtnn, Ambrose (Biography on page 890) 279 

Lindley, Ephraini (Biography on page 706) 585 

Looinis, T. G (Biograjihy on page 871) 351- 

MunsoM, A. (Biography on page 696) 243 

Morton, Oliver (Biography on jtage 895) 595 

Parker, L. B. (Biography on page 752) 649 ■* 

Pearson, Arza (Biography on page 739) 513 " 

Strong, Dyer ( Biography on page 882) 333 

Van Dcuaen, R. L. (Biography on page 7Sl) 207- 

VaTi IJeusen, Orpha (Biogniphy on page 780) fil9 ' 

Witter. W. H. (Biography on page 704) 405-- 

Willey, A. G. (Biography on page 271) 555 . 

V I EWS. 

The Medina County Ci>urt House IM 

ADDENJ)ITM. 

Obituary of Judire S. Ilumphrevillo 922 



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HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY 



-TOPOGRArHY -GEOLOGY —PRIMITIVE-RACES —ANTIQUITIES —INDIAN 
TRIBES. 



THE present State of Ohio, comprising an 
extent of country 210 mi'e:i north and south, 
220 miles cast and west, in length and breadth— 
2.5,570,969 acres— is a part oi'thc Old Northwest 
Territory. This Territory embraced all of the 
present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, 
Wisconsin and so much of Minnesota as lies east 
of the Mississippi Kiver. It became a corporate 
existence soon aller the formation of the Virginia 
Colony, and when that colony took on the dignity 
of State government it became a county thereof, 
whose exact outliuc was unknown. The county 
embraced in its limits more territoiy than is com- 
prised in all the New England and jMiddle States, 
and was the largest county ever known in the 
United States. It is watered by the finest .system 
of rivers on the globe ; while its inland seas are 
without a parallel. It.s entire southern boundary 
is traversed by the beautiful Ohio, its western by 
the majestic Mississippi, and its northern and a 
part of its eastern .arc bounded by the fresh-water 
lakes, whose clear waters preserve an even temper- 
ature over its entire surface. Into these reservoirs 
of commerce flow innumerable streams of limpid 
water, which come from glen and dale, from 
mountain and valley, from forest and prairie — all 
avenues of health, commerce and prosperity. 
Oliio is in the best part of this territory — south 
of its river are tropical heats ; north of Lake Erie 
are ]iolar snows and a polar climate. 

The territory comprised in Ohio has always re- 
mained the same. Ohio's history difl'crs somewhat 
from other States, in that it was never under Ter- 
ritorial government. When it was created, it was 
made a State, and did not pass through the stage 
incident to the most of other States, i. e., exist as 
a Territory before being advanced to the powers of 



a State. Such was not 'the case with the other 
States of the West ; all were Territories, with Tcrii- 
torial firms of government, ere they became States. 

Ohio's boundaries are, on the north. Lakes Eric 
and Michigan , on the west, Indiana; onthesovith, 
the Ohio Kiver, separating it from Kentucky; 
and, on the east, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 
It is situated between 38^ 2.5' and 42° north 
latitude ; and 80° 30' and 84° 50' west longitude 
from Greenwich, or 3° 30' and 7° 50' west from 
Washington. Its greatest length, from nortli 
to south, is 21 miles ; the extreme width, from 
east to west, 220 miles. Were this an exact out- 
line, the area of the State woukl be 40,200 square 
miles, or 29,568,000 acres ; as the outlines of the 
State are, however, rather iiregular, the area is 
estimated at 39,904 square miles, or 25,570,960 
acres. In the last census — 1870 — the total num- 
ber of acres in Ohio is given as 21,712,420, of 
which 14,469,132 acres arc improved, and 6,883,- 
575 acres are woodland. By the last statistical 
report of the State Auditor, 20,965,371? acres arc 
reported as taxable lands. This omits many acres 
untaxable for various reason.s, which would make the 
estimate, 25,576.900, nearly correct. 

The face of the country, in Ohio, taken as a 
whole, presents the appearance of an extensive 
monotonous plain. It is moderately undidating 
but not mountainous, and is excavated in places by 
the streams coursing over its surface, whose waters 
have forced a way for themselves through cliffs of 
sandstone rock, leaving abutments of this material 
in bold outline. There are no mountain ranges, 
geological uplifts or peaks. A low ridge enters the 
State, near the northeast corner, and crosses it in a 
southwesterly direction, emerging near the inter- 
section of the 40th degree of north latitude with 



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13 



nisTor.Y OF OHIO. 



the western boundary of the State. This "divide" 
separates the lake and Ohio River waters, and main- 
tains an elevation of a little more than thirteen 
hundred feet ahove the level of the ocean. The 
hijvhest part is in Logan County, ■where the eleva- 
tion is 1,550 feet. 

North of this ridge the surface is generally level, 
with a gentle inclination toward the lake, the inc- 
(jualities of the surface being caused by the streams 
which empty into the lake. The central part of 
Ohio is alnio.st, in general, a level plain, about one 
thousand feet above the level of the sea, slightly 
inclining southward. The Southern part (>f the 
Htate is rather hilly, the valleys growing dec]]er as 
they incline toward the great valley of the Ohio, 
which is several hundred loot below the general 
level of the State. In the southern counties, the 
surface is generally diversified by the inequalities 
product>d by the excavating power of the t)hio 
Jiiver and its triljutaries, exercised through long- 
periods of time. There are a few prairies, or plains, 
in the central and northwestern parts of the State, 
but over its greater portion originally existed im- 
mense growths of timber. 

The '• divide," or water-.shed,refeiTed to, between 
tlie waters of Lake Erie and the Ohio River, is 
less elevated in Ohio than in New York and Penn- 
sylvania, though the difference is small. To a per- 
son pas.sing over the State in a balloon, its surface 
presents an unvar^ang plain, while, to one sailing 
down the Ohio River, it appears mountainous. 
On this river are blufl's ranging from two hundred 
and fifty to six hundred feet in height. As one 
ascends the tributaries of the river, these bluffs 
diminish in height until they become gentle undu- 
lations, while toward the sources of the streams, 
in the central part of the State, the banks often 
become low and marshy. 

The principal rivers are the Ohio, Muskingum, 
Scioto and Miami, on the southern .slope, emptying 
into the Ohio; on the northern, the ]Maumee, 
Sandusky, Huron and Cuyahoga, emptying into 
Lake J'^ric, and, all but the first named, entirely in 
Ohio. 

The Ohio, the chief river of the State, and from 
which it derives its name, with its tributaries, drains 
a country whoso area is over two hundred thousand 
sipiare miles in extent, and extending from the 
water-shed to Alabama. The river was first dis- 
covered by La Salle in 1 Gdll, and was bv him nav- 
igated as fiir as the Falls, at Louisville, Ky. It is 
formed by the junction of the Alleghany and 
Monongahela rivers, in Pennsylvania, whose waicrj 



unite at Pittsburgh. The entire length of the 
river, from its source to ifs mouth, is t)50 miles, 
though by a straight line from Pittsburgh to Cairo, 
it is only 015 miles. Its current is very gentle, 
hardly three miles per hour, the descent being only 
five inches p(!r mile. At high stages, the rate of 
the current increases, and at low stages decreases. 
Sometimes it is barely two miles per hour. Tlie 
average range between high and low water mark is 
fifty feet, alth<iugh several times the river has risen 
more than sixty feet above low water mark. At 
the lowest stage of the river, it is fordable many 
l<laces between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The 
river abounds in islands, some of which are exceed- 
ingly fertile, and noted in the history of the West. 
Others, known as '• tow-heads," are simply deposits 
of sand. 

The Scioto is one of the largest inland streams 
in the State, and is one of the most beautiful riv- 
ers. It rises in Hardin County, Hows scmtheast- 
crly to Columbus, where it receives its large.st 
atiiuent, the Olentangy or Whetstone, after which 
its direction is southerly until it enters the Ohio at 
Portsmouth. It flows through one of the rich- 
est valleys in the State, and has for its com])an- 
ion the Ohio and Erie Canal, for a distance of 
ninety miles. Its tributaries are, besides the ^\'llet- 
stono, the Darby, M'alnut and Paint Creeks. 

The Muskingum River is formed by the junc- 
tion of the Tuscarawas ami Waldhoning Rivers, 
wliich rise in the northern part of the State and 
unite at Coshocton. From the junction, the river 
flows in a southeastern course about one hundred 
miles, through a rich and populous valle}', to the 
Ohio, at Marietta, the oldest settlement in the 
State. At its outlet, the jMuskingum is over two 
luuidrcd yards wide. By improvements, it has 
been made navigable ninetj'-five miles above Jlari- 
etta, as far as Dresden, where a side cut, three 
miles long, unites its waters with these of the Ohio 
Canal. All along this stream exist, in abundant 
profusion, the remains of an ancient civiliza- 
tion, whose history is lost in the twilight of anti<|- 
uity. Extensive mounds, earthworks and various 
fortifications, are everywhere to be found, inclosing 
a nuite history as silent as the race that dwelt here 
ami left these traces of their evistence. The same 
may be said of all the other valleys in Ohio. 

The Jliami River — the scenes of many exploits 
in pioneer day.s — rises in Hardin County, near the 
headwaters of the Seioto, and runs southwesterly, 
to the Ohio, pa.ssing Troy, Dayton and Hamilton. 
It ii a beautiful and rapid stream, flowing through 



■\*- 



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HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



13 



a highly productive mid populous valley, in which 
limostono and hard timber are abundant. Its total 
length is about one hunared and fifty miles. 

The Maumee is the largest river in the northern 
p:irt ot" Oliio. It rises in Indiana and flows north- 
easterly, into Lake Erie. About eighty miles of 
its course are in Ohio. It is navigable a:i far as 
Perrysburg, eighteen miles from its mouth. The 
otiior rivers north of the divide are all small, 
rapid-running streams, affording a largo amount of 
good water-power, much utilized by mills and man- 
ufactories. 

A remarkable feature of the topography of 
Ohio is its almost total absence of natural lakes or 
ponds. A few very small ones are found near the 
water-shed, but all too small to be of any practical 
value save as watering-places for stock. 

Lake Erie, which forms nearly all the northern 
boundary of the State, is next to the last or lowest 
of America's " inland seas." It is 290 miles long, 
and 57 miles wide at its greatest part. There ai'c 
no islands, except in the shallow water at the west 
end, and veiy few bays. The greatest depth of 
the lake is oft' Long Point, where the water is 312 
feet deep. The sliores are principally dril't-clay or 
hard-pan, upon which the waves are continually 
encroaching. At Cleveland, from the first sur- 
vey, in 179G, to 1842, the encroachment was 218 
feet along the entire city front. The entire coast 
is low, seldom rising above fitly feet at the water's 
edge. 

Lake Erie, like the others, has a variable sur- 
face, rising and falling with the seasons, like great 
rivers, called the " annual fluctuation," and a gen- 
eral one, embracing a series of years, due to mete- 
orological causes, known as the "secular fluctua- 
tion." Its lowest known level was in February, 
1819, rising more or less each year, until June, 
IS.jS, in the extreme, to six feet eight inches. 

Lake Erie has several excellent harbors in Ohio, 
among which are Cleveland, Toh^do, Sandusky, 
Poit Clinton and Ashtabula. Valuable improve- 
ments have been made in some of these, at the 
expense of the General Government. In 1818, 
the first stciunboat was launched on the lake. 
Owing to the Falls of Niagara, it could go no 
farther cast than the outlet of Niagara River. 
Since then, however, the opening of the Welland 
Canal, in Canada, allows vessels drawing not more 
than ten feet of water to pass from one lake to 
the other, gi-eatiy facilitating' nuvi<;atioa. 

As early as 183G, Dr. S.'P. Ilildreth, Dr. John 
Locke, Prof. J. H. Riddle and Sir. I. A. Lapluim, 



were appointed a committee by the Legislature of 
Ohio to report the " best method of olDtaining a 
complete geological survey of the Stat<!, and an 
estimate of the probable cost of the same." In the 
preparation of their rcjiort, Dr. Ilildreth examined 
the coal-measures in the southeastern part of the 
State, Prof. Riddle and Mr. Lapham made exiun- 
inations in the western and northern counties, 
while Dr. Locke devoted his attention to chemical 
analyses. These investigations resulted in the 
presentation of much valuable infonuation con- 
cerning the mineral resources of the State and in 
a plan for a geological survey. In accordance 
with the recommendation of this Committee, the 
Legislature, in 1837, pas.sed a bill appropriating 
$12,000 for the prosecution of the work during 
the next year. The Geological Corps appointed 
consi-sted of W. W. Mather. State Geoloaist, with 
Dr. Hildreth, Dr. Locke, Prof. J. P. Kirtland, J. 
W. Foster, Charles Whittlesey and Charles Brings, 
Jr., Assistants. The results of the first year's 
work appeared in 1838, in an octavo volume of 134 
pages, with contributions from Blather, Ilildreth, 
Briggs, Kirtland and Whittlesey. In IS'dS, the 
Legislature ordered the continuance of the work, 
and, at the close of the year, a second report, of 
286 pages, octavo, was i.ssued, containing contribu- 
tions from all the members of the survey. 

Succeeding Legislatures failed to provide for a 
continuance of the work, and, save that done by 
private means, nothing was accomplished till 
181)9, when the Legislature again took up the 
work. In the interim, individual enterprise had 
done much. In 1841, Prof. James Hall pas.sed 
through the State, and, by his indcntification of 
several of the formations with those of New York, 
fiir the first time fixed their geological age. The 
next year, he issued the first map of the geology 
of the State, in common with the geological maps 
of all the region between the Alleglianies and the 
Jlississipjii. Similar majis were published by Sir 
Charles Lyell, in 1845; Prof. Edward Hitchcock, 
in 1853, and by J. Mareon, in 1850. The first 
individual map of the geology of Ohio was a very 
small one, published by Col. Whittlesey, in 1S48, 
in Howe's History. In 1856, he published a 
larger uiaj), and, in 1865, another was issued by 
Prof. Nelson Sayler. In 1867, Dr. J. S. Newberry 
published a ge<ilogical map and sketch of Ohio in 
the Atlas of the State issued by H. S. Stebbins. 
LTp to this time, the geological knowledge was very 
general in its character, and, couse(|uently, eiTone- 
ous in many of i'.s details. Other States had been 



V 



1-1 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



accurately turveyeJ, yet Ohio rcmuincd a kind ( f 
terrii {ncognlta, of ^vliicli the geolosy was lets 
known tlian anj" part of the suiToundinj^ area. 

In 1809, the Legislature apj)ropriat-3d, for a new 
survey, 81 0,900 for its support duvinu; one year, 
and appointed Dr. Newberry Chief Geologist ; E. 
B. Andrews, Edward Orton and J. H. Kiippart 
were appointed Assistants, and T. G. Wonnley, 
Chemist. The result of tin; first year's work 
wa.s a volume of 1<)4: pages, octavo, published in 
1870. 

This report, aeeonipanied by maps and charts, 
for the fii'st lime aeenrately defined the geologi(al 
formations as to age and area. Evidence was given 
which set at re.st questions of nearly thirty years' 
.standing, and established the fact that Ohio in- 
cludes nearly double (lie number of furmations be- 
fore supposed to exist. Since that date, the sur- 
vej's have been regularly made. Each county is 
being surveyed by itself, and its formation ac- 
curately determined. ]"]lsowhere in these pages, 
these results are given, and to them the reader is 
refen-cd for the specific geology of the county. 
Only general results can be noted here. 

On the general geological map of the State, are 
two sections of the State, taken at each ncirthern 
and southern extremity. These show, with the 
map, the gen^-al outline of the geological features 
of Ohio, and are all that can hi given here. Both 
sections show the general arrangements of the 
formation, and prove that they lie in sheets resting 
one upon another, but not horizontally, as a great 
arch traverses the State from Cincinnati to the 
lake shore, between Toledo antl Sandusky. Along 
this line, which extends southward to Nashville, 
Tcnn., all the rocks are raised in a ridge or fold, 
once a low mountain chain. In the lapse of 
ages, it has, however, been extensively worn 
away, and now, along a large part of its course, 
the strata which once arched over it are re- 
moved from its summit, and are found resting in 
regular order on cither side, dipjiing away from its 
axis. Where the ridge was highest, the erosion 
has been greatest, that being the reason why the 
oldest rocks are exposed in the I'egion about Cin- 
cinnati. By following the lino of this great arch 
from Cincinnati northward, it will be .seen that the 
Ilelderberg limc.stono ( No. 4 ), midway of the State, 
is still unl)roken, and stretches from side to side ; 
while the Oriskany, the Coniiterous, the Hamilton 
and (he IIuroTi formations, though gt'nerally re- 
moved from the crown of the arch, still renie.in 
over a limited area mar Bellefontaine, where they 



f^~r;;i an island, wliich proves the former continuity 
of the strata which compose it. 

On the cast side of the great anticlinal axis, the 
rocks dip down into a basin, which, for several 
hundred miles north and south, occupies the inter- 
val between the Nashville and Cincinnati ridge and 
the fii-st fold of the Alleghany Mountains. In 
this basin, all the strata form trough-like layers, 
their edges outcro[ipiiig eastward on the fianks 
of the Alleghanies, and westward along tlie anti- 
clinal axis. As they dip fi-oni this margin east- 
ward toward the center of the trough, near its 
middle, on the eastern border of the State, the 
older rocks are deeply buried, and the surface is 
here uuderlaid by the highest and mo.st recent of 
our rock formations, the coal measures. In the 
northwestern corner of the State, the strata dip 
northwest fiom the anticlinal and pass under the 
Michigan coal basin, precisely as the same forma- 
tions east of the anticlinal dip beneath the Alle- 
ghany co;d-field, of which Ohio's coal area forms a 
part. 

The rocks underlying the State all belong to 
three of the gi-cat groujis which geologists have 
termed -systems," namely, the Silurian, Devonian 
and Carboniferous. Each of these arc again sub- 
divided, for convenience, and numbered. Thus 
the Silurian system includes the Cincinnati group, 
the Medina and Clinton groups, the Niagara 
group, and the Salina and Watcr-Linc groups. 
The Devonian .system includes the Oriskany sand- 
stone, the Carboniferous limestone, the Hamilton 
gi-ouj), the Huron shale and the Erie shales. The 
Carboniferous system includes the Waverly group, 
the Carboniferous Conglomerate, the Coal Meas- 
ures and the Drift. This last includes the surface, 
and has been di^-ided into six parts, mimbcring 
from the lowest, viz.: A glacialed surface, the Gla- 
cial Drift, the Erie Clays, the Forest Bed, the Ice- 
berg Drift and the TeiTaces or Beaches, which 
mark intervals of stability in the gradual recession 
<;f the water surface to its present level. 

'■The liist<iry we may learn from these forma- 
tions," says the geologist, " is s( mcthing as fol- 
lows : 

'■ First. Subsequent to the Tertiary was a period 
of continual elevation, during which the t(i])og- 
rapl'.y of the country was much the .same as now, 
the draining streams following the lines they now 
do, but cutting down their beds until they flowed 
sometimes two hundred feet lower than the}' do at 
Jiresent. In the latter part of this peril d of cle- 
vaticai, glaciers, descending from the Canadian 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



15 



islands, excavated and occupied the valleys of the 
great lakes, and covered the lowlands down nearly 
to the Ohio. 

'^Second. By a depression of the land and ele- 
vation of temperature, the glaciers retreated north- 
ward, leaving, in the interior of the continent, a 
great basin of fresh water, in which the Eric clays 
were deposited. 

" Third. This water was drained away until a 
broad land surface was exposed within the drift; 
area. Upon this surface grew forests, largely of 
red and white cedar, inhabited by the elephant, 
mastodon, giant beaver and other large, now ex- 
tinct, animals. 

^■Fourth. The submergence of this ancient land 
and the spreading over it, by iceberg agency, of 
gTavel, sand and bowlders, distributed just as ice- 
bergs now spread their loads broadcast over the 
sea bottom on the banks of Newfoundland. 

^'Fi/th. The gradual drainiug-off of the waters, 
leaving the land now as we find it, smoothly cov- 
ered with all the layers of the drift, and well pre- 
pared for human occupation." 

" In six days, the Lord made the heavens and 
the earth, and rested the seventh day," records the 
Scriptures, and, when all was done. He looked 
upon the work of His own hands and pronounced 
it "good." Surely none but a divine, omnipotent 
hand could have done all this, and none can study 
the "work of His hands" and not marvel at its 
completeness. 

The ancient dwellers of the Mississippi Valley 
will always bo a subject of great interest to the 
antiquaiian. Who they were, and whence they 
came, are still unanswered (juestions, and may 
remain so for ages. All over this valley, and, 
in fact, in all parts of the New World, evidences 
of an ancient civilization exist, whose remains are 
now a wonder to all. The aboriginal races could 
throw no light on these questions. They had 
always seen the remains, and know not whence 
they came. Explorations aid but little in the solu- 
tion of the problem, and only conjecture can be 
entertained. The remains found in Ohio equal 
any in the Valley. Indeed, some of them arc vast 
in extent, and consist of forts, fortifications, moats, 
ditches, elevations and mounds, embracing many 
acres in extent. 

"It is not yet determined," says Col. Charles 
Whittlesey, " whether we have discovered the first 
or the original people who occupied the soil of 
Ohio. Modern investigations are bringing to light 
evidences of earlier races. Since the presence of 



man has been established in Europe as a cotenipor- 
ary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros 
and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period, 
we may reasonably anticipate the presence of man 
in America in that era. Such proofs are already 
known, but they are not of that conclusive charac- 
ter which amounts to a demonstration. It is, how- 
ever, known thai, an ancient people inhabited Ohio 
in advance of the red men who were found here, 
three centuries since, by the Spanish and French 
explorers. 

" Five and six hundred years before the an-ival 
of Columbus," says Col. Charles Whittle.soy, "the 
Northmen sailed t'rom Norway, Iceland and Green- 
land along the Atlantic coast as iiir as Long Island. 
They found Indian tribes, in what is now New ICn- 
gland, closely resembling those who lived upon the 
coast and the St. Lawrence when the French and 
English came to possess these regions. 

" These red Indians had no traditions of a prior 
people ; but over a large part of the lake country 
and the valley of the Missis.sippi, earth-woi'ks, 
mounds, pyramids, ditches and forts were discov- 
ered — the wcjrk of a more ancient race, and a peo- 
ple far in advance of the Indian. If they were 
not civilizL'd, they were not barbarians. They 
were not mere hunters, but had fixed habitations, 
cultivated the soil and were possessed of consider- 
able mechanical skill. We know them as the 
Muund Builders, because they erected over the 
mortal remains of their principal men and women 
memorial mounds of earth or unhewn stone — of 
which hundreds remain to our own day, so large 
and high that they give rise to an impression of 
the numbers and energy of their builders, such as 
we receive from the pyramids of Egypt." 

Might they not have been of the same race and 
the same civilization ? IMany competent authori- 
ties conjecture they arc the work of the lost tribes 
of Israel ; but the best they or any one can do is 
only conjecture. 

" In the burial-mounds," continues Col. Whit- 
tlesey, " there are always portions of one or more 
human skeletons, generally partly consumed by 
fire, with ornaments of stone, bone, shells, mica 
and copper. The largest mound in Oiuo is near 
Miamisburg, IMontgomery Count}'. It is the 
second largest in the AVest, being nearly seventy 
feet high, originallj', and about eight hundred feet 
in circumference. This would give a superficial 
area of nearly four acres. In 1864, the citizens 
of Miamisburg sunk a shaft; from the summit to 
the natural surface, without finding the bones 



IG 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



cr aslics of tlie great mnn for 'wliom it was 
intended. The exploration has considerably 
lowered the mound, it being now about sixty leet 
in height. 

" Fort Ancient, en the Little Mi;uiii, is a good 
specimen of the military defenses of the Mound- 
Builders. It is well located on a long, high, nar- 
row, precipitous ridge. The parapets are now 
from ten to eighteen feet high, and its perimeter 
is sufficient to hold twenty thousand fighting men. 
Another prominent example of their works exists 
near Newark, Licking County. This collection 
presents a great variety of figures, circles, rectan- 
gles, octagons and jiarallel banks, or highways, 
ciovering more than a thousand acres. The county 
fiir-ground is permanently located within an 
ancient circle, a quarter of a mile in diameter, 
with an embankment and interior ditch. Its high- 
est place was over twenty feet from the top of the 
moat to the bottom of the ditch." 

One of the most curious-shaped works in this 
county is known as the "Alligator," fi-i>m its sup- 
posed resemblance to that creature. When meas- 
ured, several years ago, while in a good state of 
preservation, its dimensions were two hundred 
and ten feet in length, average width over sixty 
feet, and height, at the highest point, seven feet. 
It appears to be mainly composed of clay, and is 
overgrown with grass. 

Speaking of the writing of these people. Col. 
"Whittlesey says : " There is no evidence that they 
hud alphabetical characters, picture-writing or 
hieroglyphics, though they must have had some 
mode of recording events. Neither is there any proof 
that they used domestic animals for tilling the soil, 
or for the purpose of erecting the imj)Osing earth- 
works llu'y have left. A very coarse cloth of 
hemp, flax or nettli's has been found on their 
burial-hearths and around skeletons not consumed 
by lire. 

'■ The most extensive earthworks occupy many 
of (he sites of modern towns, and are alwa3's in 
the vicinity of excellent land. Those about the 
lakes are g(>nerall3' irregular earth forts, while 
those about th.c rivers in the southern ))art of the 
State arc generally altars, pyramids, circles, cones 
and rectangles of earth, among which fortresses or 
strongholds arc exceptions. 

" Those on the noitii may not have been cotcm- 
porary or have l)een built by the same people. 
Tlicy arc far less prominent or extensive, which 
indicates a people less in numbers as well as indus- 
try, and whose jirincipal occupation was war among 



themselves cr against their neighbors. This .stylo 
cf works extends eastward along the south shore 
of Lake Ontario, through New York. In Ohio, 
there is a space along the water-shed, between the 
lake and the Ohio, where there are few, if anj', 
ancient earthworks. It appears to have been a 
vacant or neutral ground between different nations. 

" The Indians of the North, dressed in skins, 
cultivated the soil very sparingly, and manufactured 
no woven cloth. ()n Lake Superior, there arc 
ancient copper mines wrought by the Slound- 
Builders over fifteen hundred years ago." Copper 
tools are occasionally found tempered sufficiently 
hard to cut the hardest rocks. No knowledge of 
such tempering exists now. The Indians can give 
no more knowledge of the ancient mines than they 
can of the mounds on the river bottom.s. 

" The Indians did not occupy the ancient earth- 
works, nor did they construct such. They were 
found as they are now — a hunter race, wholly 
averse to labor. Their abodes were in rock shel- 
ters, in caves, or in temporary sheds of bark and 
boughs, or skins, easily moved from place to place. 
Like most savage races, their habits are unchange- 
able ; at least, the example of white men, and 
their efforts during three centuries, have made 
little, if any, impression." 

AVi'.cn white men came to the territory now cm- 
braced in the State of Ohio, they found dwelling 
here the Iroquois, Djlawarcs, Shawanees, JMiamis, 
^Vyandots and Ottawas. Each nation was com- 
posed of several tribes or clans, and each was 
often at war with the others. The first mentioned 
of these occupied that jiart of the State whose 
northern boundary was Lake Erie, as far west as 
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River, where the city 
of Cleveland now is; thence the boundary turned 
southward in an in'cgular lino, un'.il it touched the 
Ohio Iiivcr, up which stream it contiiuicd to the 
Pennsylvania State lino, and thcnie northward to 
the lake. This nation were the implacable foes of 
the French, owing to the fact that Chamjilain, in 
KiOi), made war against them. They occupied a 
large part of New York and Pennsylvania, and 
were the most insatiate con |:u'r(;rs a'uong the 
aborigines. When the French first came to the 
lakes, these monsters of the wilderness were engaged 
in a war against their neighbors, a war that ended 
in their conquering them, p issessing their terri- 
tory, and ab.sorbing the remn.uits of thp tribes into 
their own nation. At the dale of Champlain's 
visit, the southern shore of Lake Erie was oecujiied 
by the Erics, or, as the orthography of the word is 



V 



-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



17 



sometimes given, p]rigo.s, or Erricnoas.* About ,! 
forty years afterward, the Iroquois (Five Nations) 
fell upon them with such fury and in such force 
that the nation was annihilated. Those who 
escaped the slaughter were absorbed among their 
con (uerors, but allowed to live on their own lands, 
])aying a sort of tribute to the Iroquois. This was 
the policy of that nation in all its conquests. A 
few years after the conquest of the Eries, the 
Iroquois again took to the war-path, and swept 
through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, even attacking 
the Mississippi tribes. But for the intervention 
and aid of the French, these tribes would have 
shared the fate of the Hurons and Eries. Until 
the j-ear 1700, the Iroquois held tlie south shore 
of Lake Erie so firmly that the French dared not 
trade or travel along that side of the lake. Their 
missionaries and traders penetrated this part of 
Ohio as early as 1650, but generally suffered 
death for their zeal. 

Having completed the conquest of the Ilurons 
or Wyandots, about Lake Huron, and murdered 
the Jesuit missionaries by modes of torture which 
only they could de\Tse, tliey permitted the residue 
of the Hurons to settle around the west end of 
Lake Erie. Hero, with tlie Ottawas, they resided 
when the whites came to the State. Their country 
was bounded on the south by a line running 
through the central part of Wayne, Ashland, 
Richland, Crawford and Wyandot Counties. At 
the western boundary of this county, the line di- 
verged northwesterly, leaving the State neai' the 
northwest corner of Fulton County. Their north- 
ern boundary was the lake ; the eastern, the Iro- 
quois. 

The Delawares, or " Lcnni Lenapes," whom the 
Iroquois had subjugated on theSusi|uehanna, were 
assigned by their conquerors hunting-grounds on 
the iMuskingum. Their eastern boundary was the 
country of the Iroquois (before defined 'i, and their 
northern, that of the Hurons. On the west, they 



* Father Louis nentippin, in bis work imlilisheil in lGS4,thiis 
ftllu'Ips to 11)6 Kri.s; '''I'lifse uoiirt lrtthei-.s," r- lerriiig ti Ihr^ 
jn-i.-sts, " wen; gr< at frioiiU-t cf the Hurons, wiio told tlleui that the 
Iroquois w.-nt to war lieyonil Yir;:inia, or Nhw Swfil-ii, near a lake 
winch they callcj 'i?rij',' or * Krie.,^ which Bienifips ^ 'h" cit',' or 
' ti'Uion ni the ro',' anil bt'Causg these s-ivagcs bronpht captives from 
tliiH natori in retnrni-g lo their r.anlont* .alooR this lak". tho 
Jlnrona named it. in their langna-^e, ^ Erit/f,' o- ^Eriltf,^ Ht>e lih- <\f 
tlf c"t.^ and wliieh our Canadians, in softening the word, havo 
called ' Lake Erie.' " 

Charlevoi.x. writ'nR in 1721, says: "The name it bears ii that 
of an Indian natio ' of the Hmnn i Wyandot) lanixuage. which was 
f-irmerly penteil on it* banks, and who have bc-n entirely destroyed 
by Iho Iroquois. Kr/r, in that lansjnas^e. signifies ^cal,^ and, in 
po'ne aconirs. this niiion is called the ^ car. nniirm.^ This name, 
p-ob:il'ly. <-i'mes Irom the larj^e numbers of that animal found in 
this re 'ion." 



extended as far as a lino drav,-n from the central 
part of Richland County, in a semi-circular direc- 
tion, south to the mouth of Leading Creek. Their 
southern boundary was the Ohio River. 

West of the Delawares, dwelt the vShawanccs, a 
troublesome peo|)le ;us neighbors, whether to while? 
or Indians. Their country was bounded on tho 
north by the Hm-ons, on the east, by the Dela- 
w^arcs ; on the soutli, by the Ohio River. On tlic 
west, their boundaiy was determined by a line 
drawn southwesterly, and again southeasterly — 
semi-circular — fi-om a point on the southern 
boundary of the Hurons, near the southwest corniir 
of Wyandot County, till it intersected the Ohio 
River. 

All the remainder of the State — all its western 
part from tho Ohio River to the jMichigan line — • 
was occupied by the Jliamis, Miueamis, Twigtwees, 
or Tawixtawes, a powerful nation, whom the Iro- 
quois were never i'ully able to subdue. 

These nations occupied the State, partly by per- 
mit of the Five Nations, and partly by inheritance, 
and, thougli eompo.sed of many tribes, were about 
all the savages to be found in this part of the 
Nortliwest. 

No sooner had the Americans obtained control 
of this country, than they be,gan, by treaty and 
purchase, to acquire the lands of the natives. 
They could not stem the tide of emigration ; peo- 
ple, then as now, would go West, and hence tho 
necessity of peacefully and rightfiilly acquiring the 
land. " The true Ijasis of title to Indian territory 
is the right of civilized men to the soil for pur- 
poses of cultivation." The same maxim may bo 
applied to all uncivilized nations. When acquired 
by such a right, either by treaty, purchase or eon- 
quest, the right to hold the same rests with the 
])ower and development of the nation thus possess- 
ing the land. 

The English derived title to the territory 
between the Alleghauies and the Mi-ssissippi jiavlly 
by the claim that, in discovering the Atlantic coast, 
they had possession of the land from "ocean to 
ocean," and partly by the treaty of Paris, in Feb- 
ruary, 17().?. Long before this treaty took place, 
however, she had granted, to individuals and colo- 
nies, extensive tracts of land in that part of Aiiut- 
iea, based on the riglit of discovery. The Frencii 
had done better, and had ac(|uired title to tho land 
by discovering the land itself and by consent of 
the Indians dwelling thereon. The right to pos- 
sess this eountiy led to the French and Indian 
war, ending in the supremacy of the English. 



^ 57 



v 



A 



18 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The Five Nations claimed tlie territory iu Cjues- 
tion by right of conquest, and, tliough professing 
friendship to tlie English, watched them with jeal- 
ous eyes. In 1684, and again in 172(j, that con- 
federacy made cessions of lands to the English, 
and these treaties and cessions of lands were re- 
garded as sufiieicnt title by the English, and were 
insisted on in all subsequent treaties with the 
Western Nations. The following statements were 
collected by Col. Charles Whitilesey, which 
show the principal treaties made with the red men 
wherein land in Ohio was ceded by them to the 
whites: 

In September, 172G, the Iroquois, or Six Na- 
tions, at Albany, ceded all their claims west of 
Lake Erie and sixty miles in width along the 
south shore of Lakes Erie and Ontario, from the 
Cuyahoga to the Oswego lliver. 

In 17-44, this same nation made a treaty at 
Lancaster, Penn., and ceded to the English all 
their lands "that may be within the colony of 
Virginia." 

la 1752, this nation and other Western tribes 
made a treaty at Logstown, Penn., wherein they 
confirmed the Lancaster treaty and consented to 
the settlements south of the (3hio Kiver. 

February 13, 1763, a treaty was made at Paris, 
France, between the French and English, when 
Canada and the eastern half of the Jlississippi 
Valley were coded to the English. 

In 1783, all the territory south of the Lakes, 
and ea.st of the Mississippi, was ceded by England 
to America — the latter country then obtaining its 
independence — by which means the country was 
gained b^' America. 

October 24, 1784, the Six Nations made a 
treaty, at Fort Stanwix, N. Y., with the Ameri- 
cans, and ceded to them all the country claimed 
by the tribe, west of Pennsylvania. 

In 1785, the Chippcwas, Dclawarcs, Ottawas, 
and Wyandots ceded to the United States, at 
Fort Jlclntosh, at the mouth of the Big Beaver, 
all their claims east and south of the '-Cayahaga," 
the Portage Patli, and the Tuseai'awas, to Fort 
Laurens ( Bolivar), thence to Loramie's Fort (in 
Shelby County); th;MK-e along the Portage Path to 
the St. Mary's lliver and down it to the '-Omee," 
or Maumce, and alon<r the lake .shore to the 
« Cayahagii." 

January 3, 1786, the Shawanees, at Fort Fin- 
ney, near the mouth of the Great jMiami (not 
owning the land on the Scioto occupied by them), 
were allotted a tract at the heads of the two 



Bliamis and the Wabaish, west of the Chippewas, 
Delawares and Wyandots. 

February 9, 1789, the Iroquois made a treaty 
at Fort Harmar, wherein they confirmed the Fort 
Stanwix treaty. At the same time, the Chippewas, 
Ottawas, Delawares, and Wj-andots — to which the 
Sauks and Pottawatomies assented — confirmed the 
treaty made at Fort Mcintosh. 

Period of war now existed till 1795. 

August 3, 1795, Gen. Anthony Wayne, on 
behalf of the United States, made a treaty with 
twelve tribes, confirming the boundaries estab- 
lished by the Fort Harmar and Fort Jlclntosh 
treaties, and extended the boundary- to Fort Ile- 
covery and the mouth of the Kentucky lliver. 

In June, 1796, the Senecas, represented by 
Brant, ceded to the Connecticut Land Company 
their rights east of the Cuyahoga. 

In 1805, at Fort Industry, on the Maumee, the 
Wyandots, Delawares, Ottawis, Chippewas. Shawa- 
nees, Menses, and Pottawatomies relinquished all 
their lands west of the Cuyahoga, as far west as 
the western line of the Res'.rve, and south of the 
line from Fort Laurens to Loramie's Fort. 

July 4, 1807, the Ottawas, Chippewas, Wyan- 
dots. and Pottawatomies, at Detroit, ceded all that 
part of Ohio north of the Maumee lliver, with 
part of Michigan. 

November 25, 1808, the same tribes with the 
Shawanees, at Brownstown, iMieli., granted the 
Government a tract of land two miles wide, from 
the west line of the Reserve to the rapids of the 
^lauraco, for the purpose of a road through the 
Black Swamp. 

September 18, 1815, at Springwells, near De- 
troit, the Chippewas, Ottawas. Pottawatomies, Wy- 
andots, Delawares, Senecas and Miamis, having 
been engaged in the war of 1812 on the British 
side, were confined in the grants made at Fort 
Mcintosh and Greenville in 1785 and 1795. 

September 29, 1817, at the rapids of the 
iMaumee, the Wyandots ceded their lands west of 
the line of ISOo, as far as Loramie's and the St. 
]Mary's Piivcr and north of the Jlauraee. The 
Pottawatomies. Ciiippewas. and Ottawas ceded the 
territory west of the Detroit, line of 1807, and 
north of the Maumee. 

October 6, 1818, the Miamis, at St. JIary's, 
made a treaty in which they surrendered the re- 
maining Indian territory in Ohio, north of the 
Greenville treaty line and west of St. JIary's lliver. 

The iuinu;rous treaties of peace with the West- 
ern Indians for the delivery of prisoners were — 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



19 



one by Gen. Forbes, at Fort Dii Quesnc (Pitts- 
burgli), in 1758 ; one by Col. Bradstreet, at Erie, 
in August, 1704; one by Col. Boquet, at the 
mouth of the Walhonding, in November, 17 ()4 ; 
in May, 1765, at Johnson's, on the Mohawk, and 
at Philadelphia, the .same year; in 1774, by Lord 
Dunniorc, at Camp Charlotte, Pickaway County. 
By the treaty at the Maumee Rapids, in 1817, 
reseiTatious were eonveyed by the United States 
to all the tribes, with a view to induce them to 
cultivate the soil and cease to be hunters. These 
were, fiom time to time, as the impracticability of 
the plan became manifest, purchased by the Gov- 
ernment, the last of these being the Wyandot 
Reserve, of twelve miles Sf|uare, around Upper 
Sandusky, in 1S42, closiiiji; out all claims and com- 
posin':;- all the Indian difficulties in Ohio. The 
open war had ceased in 1815, with the treaty of 
Ghent. 

" It is estimated that, fi-om the French war of 
1754 to the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in 
1794, a period of forty years, there had been at 
least 5,000 people killed or captured west of the 



Alleghany Jlountains. Eleven organized military 
expeditions had I)ccn carried on against the ^Vest- 
eru Indians prior to the war of 1812, seven regu- 
lar engagements fought and about twelve hundred 
men killed. More whites were slain in battle than 
there were Indian braves killed in military expedi- 
tions, and by private raids and murders ; yet, in 
1811, all the Ohio tribes combined could not mus- 
ter 2,000 warriors." 

Attempts to determine the number of persons 
comprising the Indian tribes in Ohio, and their 
location, liave resulted in nothing better than 
estimates. It is supposed that, at the commence- 
ment of the Revohition, there were about six 
thousand Indians in the present confines of the 
State, but their villages were little more than 
movable camps. Savage men, like savage beasts, 
are engaged in continual migrations. Now, none 
are left. Tlu white man occupies the home of 
the red man. Now 

"Tlie verdant hills 
Are covered o'er wiih growing grain, 
And white men till the soil. 
Where once the red man used to reign." 



CHAPTER II. 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS IN THE WEST. 



WHEN war, when ambition, when avarice 
fail, religion pushes onward and succeeds. 
In the discovery of the New World, wherever 
man's aggrandizement was the paramount aim, 
failure was sure to follow. When this gave way, 
the followers of the Cross, whether Catholic or 
Protestant, came on the field, and the result before 
attempted soon appeared, though in a difi'erent way 
and through different means than those supposed. 
The first permanent efforts of the white race to 
penetrate the ^\'estern wilds of the New World 
jireceded any permanent English settlement north 
of the Potomac. Years before the Pilgrims 
anchored their bark on the cheerless shores of Cape 
Cod, "the Roman Catholic Church had been plan'- 
cd by missionaries fi'om France in the I<]asteru 
moiety of Maine; and LeCaron, an ambitious 
Franciscan, the companion of Champ!ain,hadpa.ssed 
into the hunting-grounds of the Wyandots, and, 
bound by the vows of his life, had, on foot or pad- 
dling a bark canoe, gone onward, taking alms of the 
savacres until he reached the rivers of Lake 



Huron." This was in 1G15 or IGIG, and only 
eight years after Champlain had sailed u\i the wa- 
ters of the St. Lawrence, and on the foot of a bold 
cliff" laid the foundation of the present City of 
Quebec. From this place, founded to hold the 
country, and to perpetuate the religion of his King, 
went forth those emissaries of the Cross, whose zeal 
has been the admiration of the world. The French 
Colony in Canada was suppressed soon afYer its es- 
tablishment, and for five years, until 1G22, its im- 
munities were enjoyed by the colonists. A grant 
of New Franco, as the country was then known, was 
made by Louis XIII to Richelieu, Champlain, 
Razilly and others, who, immediately after the res- 
toration of QiH^bec by its English conquerors, entered 
upon the control and government of their province. 
Its limits embraced the whole basin of the St. 
Lawrence and of such other rivers in New France 
as flowed directly into the sea. While away to 
the south on the Gulf coast, was also included a 
country rich in foliage and claimed in virtue of 
the unsuccessful efforts of Coligny. 



V 



L^ 



20 



niSTORT OF OHIO. 



Reli.uious zial as much as coTiamcrcinl prosperity 
had influenced France to obtain and retain the de- 
pendency of Canada. The commercial monopoly 
of a privileged company coiUd not foster a 
colony; the climate was too vigorous for agiicult- 
ure, and, at first there was little else except relig- 
ious enthusiasm to give vitality to the province. 
Champlaiu had been touched by the simplicity of 
the Order of St. Francis, and had selected its priests 
to aid him in his work. But another order, more 
in favor at the Court, was interested, and succeed- 
ed in excluding the mendicant order fr<im the New 
"World, established themselves in the new domain 
and, by thus enlarging the borders of the French 
King, it became entrusted to the Jesuits. 

This '-Society of Jesus," founded by Loyola 
when Calvin's Institutes first saw the light, saw an 
unecjualcd opportunity in the conversion of the 
heathen in tiie Western wilds; and, as its mem- 
bers, pledged to obtain power only by influence of 
mind over mind, sought the honors of opening the 
way, there w;i3 no lack of men ready for the work 
Through them, the motive power in opening the 
wilds of the Northwest was religion. " Religious 
enthusiasm," says Bancroft, "colonized New Eng- 
land, and religious enthusiasm founded Montreal, 
made a conrjuest of the wilderness about the ujiper 
lakes, aud explored the Mississippi." 

Through these priests — increased in a few years 
to fifteen — a way was made across the West from 
Quebec, above the regions of the lakes, below 
which they dared not go for the relentless Mohawks. 
To the northwest of Toronto, near the Lake Iro- 
quois, a bay of Lake Huron, in Sfpteinljcr, 16o4, 
tliey raised the first humble house of tjie Society of 
Jesus among the Hurons. Through them they 
learnod of the great lakes beyond, and resolved 
one day to explore tliem and carry the Gosj el of 
peace to the heathen on their shores. Before this 
could be done, many of them were called upon to 
give up their lives at the martyr's stake and re- 
ceive a martyr's crown. But one by one they 
went on in their good work. If one fell by hun- 
ger, cold, cruelty, or a terrililc death, others sUwCl 
ready, and carrying their lives in their hands, 
established other missions about the eastern shores 
of Lake Huron and its adjacent waters. The 
Five Nations were for many years hostile toward 
the French and murdered them and their red 
allies whenever opportunity presented. For a 
quarter of century, tlicy retarded the advance of 
the missionaries, and then only after wearied with 
a long struggle, in which they began to see their 



power declining, did they relinquish their warlike 
propensities, and allow the Jesuits entrance to their 
country. While this was going on, the traders 
and Jesuits had penetrated farther and farther 
westward, until, when peace was declared, they 
had seen the southwestern shores of Lake Superior 
and the northern sliores of Lake Michigan, called 
by them Lake Illinois.* In August, 1G54, two 
joung adventurers penetrated the wilds bordering 
on these western lakes in company with a band of 
Ottawas. Returning, they tell of the wonderful 
country they have seen, of its vast forests, its 
abundance of game, its mines of copper, and ex- 
cite in their comrades a desire to see and explore 
such a country. They tell of a vast expanse of 
land before them, of the powerful Indian tribes 
dwelling there, and of their anxiety to become an- 
nexed to the Frenchman, of whom they have 
heard. The request is at once granted. Two 
missionaries, Gabriel Dreuillettes and Leonard 
Garcau, were selected as envoys, but on their way 
the fleet, propelled by tawny rowers, is met by a 
wandering band of Mohawks and by them is dis- 
persed. Not daunted, others stood ready to go. 
The lot fell to Rene Jlesnard. He is charged to 
visit the wilderness, select a suitable place for a 
dwelling, aud found a mission. With only a short 
warning he is ready, "trusting," he says, "in the 
Providence which feeds the little birds of the 
desert and clothes the wild flowers of the forest." 
In October, lOGt), he reached a bay, which he 
called St. Theresa, on the south shore of Lake 
Superior. After a residence of eight months, ho 
yielded to the invitation of the Hurons who had 
taken refuge on tlie Island of St. Jliehael, and 
bidding adieu to his neophytes and the French, he 
departed. While (m the way to the Bay of Chc- 
goi-me-gon, probaljly at a portage, he became 
separated from his companion and was never after- 
ward heard of Long after, hLs cassock and his 
breviary were kept as amulets among the Sioux. 
Difficulties now arose in the management of the 
colony, and for awhile it was on the verge of dis- 
solution. Tlie King sent a regiment under com- 
mand of the aged Tracy, as a safeguard against 
the Iroquois, now proving themselves enemies to 



* Mr. C. W. I?tittt'rfio!d, a'lfhor of Cra-'foTiTs Oimjpiiirin^ and 
iciil Kiittiorilv, Hays: "J.ilin Nicl'ulct. a Krenchliul'i, !*-ft Qiii-Im-c 
111 Thrro Kiv.-rs 111 th'i siimmi r i>r lr.;U, ami visile I tin- llnroiis fn 
in'gian B«v, the Cxippewas I't llio SiUiIl Sic. Miirie. itnil th" Win- 
•Iiagocs in "Wisfonsiii, n-tiirninj; to Qneltec in "he suTnniPi* ol* If o>'> 
lid w:is till) lir-t while nr-n to s'*e any pait of tlio Norlliwt-st 
■rritoiy. In 1011. t\v,» Ji'snit pri- sts \M-re at Ilie Sanit Ste. Jliiiie 
I- :i hrii'f tiiii". Thi'ii t\v,» Fipni-h Imiiers rcachi-il I.ako SiipiTior, 
I'l atliT Ihi-m canui that liih- lY eDii^ialion on which the French 
->cd [he.r claim lo the coQutry." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



21 



tho French. Accompanying him were Courcelles, 
as (jovernor, and M. Talon, who subsequently fig- 
ures in Northwestern history. By lUGS, affairs 
were ,s3ttled and naw attempts to found a mission 
among the lake trib !S were projected. 

" With bitter hopes — undismayed by tho sad 
fate of their predecessors" in August, Claude 
Allouez embarked on a mis.sion by way of Ottawa 
to the Far West. Early in September he reached 
the rapids through which rush the waters of tho 
lakes to Huron. Sailing l)y lofty sculptured rocks 
and over waters of crystal purity, ho reached tho 
Chippewa village just as tho young warriors were 
bent on org.uiizing a war cxpodition against the 
Siou.x. Commanding peace in the name of his 
King, ho called a council and offered the commerce 
and protection of his nation. Ho was obo3'ed, and 
soon a chapel arose on the shore of the bay, to 
which admiring crowds from tho south and west 
gathered to listen to the story of the Cross. 

Tho scattered Hurons and Ottaw;i.s north of 
Lake Superior ; the Pottawatomies from Lake Mich- 
igan; tho Sacs and Foxes fi-om the Far NVest; tho 
Illinois from the prairies, all came to hear him, and 
all besought him to go with them. To the last 
nation Allouez desii'ed to go. They told him of a 
" great river that flowed to tho sea, "and of "their 
vast prairies, whore herds of buffalo, deer and 
other animals grazed on tho tall gra.ss." "Their 
country." said the missionary, "is tho best field 
for tho Gospel. Had I had leisure, I would have 
gono to their dwellings to see with my own eyes 
all the good that was told mo of thom." 

He remained two years, teaching the natives, 
studying their language and habits, and then 
returned to Quo'fec. Such was the account that 
ho gave, that in two day.s he was joined by 
Louis Nicholas and was on bis way back to his 
mission. 

Peace being now established, more missionaries 
came from Franco. Among them were Claude 
Dablon and Jacques War(|uette, both of whom 
went on to the mission among the C'liippowas at the 
Sault. They reached there in 1608 and found 
Allouez busy. Tho mission was now a reality and 
given the name of St. Mary. It is often written 
" Sault Sto. JIaric," after the French method, and 
is the oldest settlement by white men in the bounds 
of tho Northwest Territory. It ha.s been founded 
over two hundred years. Here on the inhospitable 
northern shores, hundreds of miles away from 
fi-ionds, did this triumvirate employ themselves in 
esteudinir their reli<rion and the influence of their 



King. Traversing tho shores of the great lakes 
near them, they pass down the western bank of 
Lake Michigan as lar as Green Bay, along (he 
soTithern shore of Lake Superior to its western ex- 
tromit}', everywhere preaching the story of Jesus. 
" Though suffering bo their lot and martyrdom 
their crown," they went on, only conscious that 
they were laboring for their Master and would, in 
the end, win the crown. 

The great river away to the West of which tliey 
heard m much was }"et unknown to them. To cx- 
jilorc it, to visit the tribes on its Ixinks and preacli 
to them tho Gospel and secure their trade, became 
the aim of Marquette, who originated the idea of 
its discovery. While engaged at the mi.ssion at the 
Sault, he resolved to attempt it in the autumn of 
IGG!). Delay, however, intervened — for Allouez 
had exchanged the mi.ssion at Che-goi-me-gon for 
one at Green Bay, whither Marquette was sent. 
While here he employed a young Illinois Indian 
to teach him the language of that nation, and there- 
ijy prepare himself for the enterprise. 

Continued commerce with the Western Indians 
gave protection and confirmed their attachment. 
Talon, the intendant of tlie colony of New France, 
to further spread its power and to learn more of the 
country and its inhabitants, convened a congress 
of tho Indians at the Falls of St. Mary, to which 
he sent St. Lusson on his behalf Nicholas Perrot 
sent invitations in every direction for more than a 
hundred leagues round about, and fourteen nations, 
among them Sacs, Poxes and Miamis, agreed to bo 
present by their embassadors. 

The congress met on tlie fourth day of June, 
1671. St. Lusson, through Allouez, his interpre- 
ter, announced to tho assembled natives that they, 
and through them their nations, were placed under 
tho prf>tection of tho French King, and to him 
were their furs and peltries to be traded. A cross 
of cedar was raised, and amidst tho groves of ma- 
ple and of pine, of elm and hemlock that arc so 
strangely intermingled on tho banks of the St. 
Mary, the whole company of tho French, bowing 
before the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to 
its glory a hymn of the seventh century : 

"The banners of heaven's King advance; 
The mysteries of the Cross shines forth."- 

A cedar column was planted by the cross and 
marked with tho lilies of the Bourbons. Tho 
power of France, thus uplifted in the West of 
which Ohio is now a part, was, however, not destined 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



to endure, ;iik1 the ambition of its munarchs was 
to liavc only a partial f'ultillment. 

The same year that tlie congress vras held, Jlar- 
qiiettc hail founded a mission among the llurrms 
at I'oint Si. Ignace, on the continent north of the 
peninsula of ilichigan. Although the climate 
was severe, and vegetation scarce, yet fish abounded, 
and at this establishment, long maintained as a 
key to further explorations, prayer and praise were 
h^ard daily for many years. Here, also, Marquette 
gained a footing among the founders of Michigan. 
While he wa.s' doing this, Allouez and Dablon were 
exploring countries south and west, going as far as 
the Mascoutins and Kickapoos on the Milwaukee, 
and the ^liamis at the head of Lake IMichigau. 
Allouez continued even as i'ar as the Sacs and Foxes 
on the river which bears (heir name. 

The discovery of the {Mississippi, heightened by 
these explorations, was now at hand. The enter- 
prise, projected by JMarquettc, wa.s received with 
favor !jy M. Talon, who desired thus to perpetuate 
his rule in New France, now drawing to a clo.se. 
He was joined by Joliet, of Quebec, an emissary 
of his King, commissioned by roj'al magnate to 
take possession of the country in the name of tlie 
French. Of him but little else is known. This 
one excursion, however, gives him immortality, 
and as long as time shall last his name and that of 
Marquette will endure. When Manpiette made 
known his intention to the Pottawatomies, they 
were filled with wonder, and endeavored to dis- 
suade him from his purpose. "Those distant na- 
tions," said they, " never spare the strangers; the 
Great River abnunds in monsters, ready to swal- 
low both men and canoes; there are great cataracts 
and rapids, over which you will be dashed to 
pieces; the excessive heats will cause your death." 
"I shall gladly lay down my life for the salvation 
of souls," replied the good man; and the docile 
nation joined him. 

On the IHh day of June. 1G73, they reached 
the village on Fox River, where were Kickapoos, 
Ma.sciiutins and iMiamis dwelling together on ati 
expanse of lovely prairie, dotted here and thereby 
groves of magnilicent trees, and where was a 
cross garlanded by v/ild flowers, and bows and ar- 
rows, and .'^kins and belts, ofFeriiigs to the Great 
Manitou. Allouez hail been liere in one of ids 
wanderings, and, as was his wout, had left this 
emblem of liis faith. 

.\ssemhling the natives, Marquette said, '■ 3Iy 
einipanion is an envoy ol' France to discover new 
countries; and I ;mi an emlia.ssadi.r from God to 



enlighten them with the Gospel." Offering pres- 
ents, he begged two guides for the morrow. The 
Indians answ(>red courteously, and gave in 
return a mat to serve as a couch during the long 
voyage. 

Early in the morning of the next day, the 10th 
of Jun3, with all nature in her brightest robes, 
these two men, with five Frenchmen and two Al- 
gonquin guides, set out en their journey. Lifting 
two canoes to their shoulders, they quickly cross 
the narrow portage dividing the Fox fi-om the 
Wisconsin River, and prepare to embark on its 
clear waters. "Uttering a special prayer to the 
Immaculate Virgin, they leave the stream, that, 
flowing onward, could liave borne their greetings 
to the castle of Quebec. 'The guides returned,' 
says the gentle JMarquette, 'leaving us alone in 
this unknown land, in the liand of Providence.' 
France and Christianity stood alone in the valley 
of the ]\Iissi.ssippi. Embarking on the broad 
Wisconsin, the disciiverers, as they sailed west, 
went solitarily down the streaiB between alternate 
prairies and hillsides, beholding neither man nor 
the wonted bea.sts of the forests; no sound broke 
the silence but the rijiplo of the canoe and the 
lowing of the buffalo. In seven days, 'they en- 
tered haj)pily the Great Eiver, with a joy that 
could not be expressed;' and the two birehbark 
canoes, raising their hajjpy sails under new skies 
and to unknown breezes, floated down the calm 
magnificence of the ocean stream, over the broad, 
clear sand-bars, the resort of innumerable water- 
fiiwl — gliding past islets that swelled from tlic 
bosom of the stream, w-ith their tuits of massive 
thickets, and between the wild plains of Illinois 
and Icjwa, all garlanded with majestic forests, or 
che!;ki!red by island groves and the open vastness 
of the jirairie."'-' 

Continuing on down tlie mighty stream, they 
saw no signs of human life un;il the 25th of 
June, when they discovered a small foot-path on the 
west bank of the river, leading away into the 
])rairie. Leaving their companions in the canoes, 
Manpiette and Joliet followed the path, resolved 
to bravo a meeting alone with the savages. After 
a walk of six iniies they came in sight of a village 
on the banks of a river, while not far away lluy 
discovered two others. The river was the " iMou- 
in-gou-e-na," or Moingona, now corrupted into 
I) es .Afoines. These two men, the first of their 
re.co who ever trod the soil west of the Great 



:^ 



^^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



23 



Kivcr, commended tliemsclvcs to God, and, uttcrinp; 
a loud cry, advanced to the nearest village. 
The Indians hear, and tliinkinp; their visitors 
c'les'.ial beiua's, four old men advance with rever- 
cn.ial mien, and offer the pipe of peace. " AVc 
arj Illinois,' said they, and they oftered the calu- 
m 't. They had heard of the Frenchmen, and 
welcomed them to their wigwams, followed by the 
devouring gaze of an astoni.shed crowd. At a 
groat council hold soon after, Marquette published 
to them the true God, their Author. He al.'-o 
.spoke of his nation and of his King, who had 
eha.stiscd the Five Nations and commanded peace. 
lie (juestioned them concerning the Great Kivcr 
and its tributaries, and the tribes dwelling on its 
IianlvS. A magnificent feast wa.s spread before 
them, and the conference continued several days. 
At the close of the sixth day. the chieftains of the 
tribos, with nunierou.s trains of wan-iors, attended 
the visitors to their canoes, and selecting a peacc- 
jipe, gayly caparisoned, they hung the sacred 
calumet, emblem of peace to all and a safeguard 
am nig the nations, about the good Father's neck, 
and bid the strangers good speed. "I did not 
fjar death,'' writes Marquette; "I should have 
esteemed it the greatest happiness to have died 
for the glory of God." On their journey, they 
]iassod the perpendicular rocks, whoso sculptured 
sides showed them the monsters they should meet. 
Farther down, they pass the turgiil flood of the 
Missouri, known to them by its Algomjuin name, 
Pekitaniini. Resolving in his heart to one day 
c.xpk.ire its flood, Mar<|uette rejoiced in the new 
World it evidently could open to him. A little 
farther down, they pass the bluffs where now is a 
mighty emporium, then silent as when created. In 
a li;tle less than forty leagues, they pass the clear 
waters of the beautiful Ohio, then, and long after- 
ward, known as the Wabash. Its banks were iii- 
habii'ed by numerous villages of the peaceful 
Shawanees, who then quailed under the incursions 
of the dreadful Iroquois. As they go on down the 
mighty stream, the canes become thicker, the insects 
more fierce, the heat moreintolerable. The prairies 
and their cool breez/'S vanish, and forests of while- 
wood, admirable for their vastness and heiglit. crowd 
close upon the pebbly shore. It is observed that the 
Chicka.saws have guns, and have learned how to 
use them. Near the latitude of 3o degrees, they 
encounter a great village, who.se inhabitants pre- 
sent an inhospitable and warlike front. The pipe 
of poacc is held aloft, and instantly the savage fbc 
drops his arms and extends a friendly greeting. 



Ileraaining licro till the no.xt day, iRcy are escorted 
fi.'r eight or ten le.igues to the village of Akansea. 
They are now at the limit of their voyage. The 
Indians speak a dialect unknown to them. The 
natives show furs and axes of steel, the latter prov- 
ing they have traded wi.h Europeans. The two 
travelers now learn that the Father of Wa- 
ters went neither to the Western sea nor to the 
I'loriaa coast, but straight south, and conclude not 
U) encounter tin burning heats of a tropical clime, 
but return and find the outlet again. They 
had done enough now, and must report their dis- 
covery. 

On the ITt'n day of July, 1G73, one hundred 
and thirty-two years after the disastrous journey 
of De Soto, which led to no permanent results, 
Marquette and Joliet left the village of Akansea 
on their way back. At the 38th degree, they en- 
counter the waters of the Illinois which they had 
before noticed, and wdiich the natives told them 
ailbrded a much shorter route to the lakes. Pad- 
dling up its limpid waters, they see a country un- 
surpassed in beauty. Broad prairies, beautiful up- 
lands, luxuriant groves, all mingled in excellent 
harmony as they ascend the river. Near the head 
of the river, they pause at a great village of the 
Illinois, and across the river behold a rocky prom- 
ontory standing boldly out against the landscape. 
The Indians entreat the gentle missionary to re- 
main among them, and teach them the way of life. 
He cannot do this, but prorai.ses to return when he 
can and instruct them. The town was on a plain 
n;ar the present village of Utica, in La Salle 
County, 111., and the rock was Starved Rock, 
afterward noted in the annals of the Northwest.- 
One of the chiefs and some young men conduct 
the party to the Chicago River, where the present 
mighty city is, from wdierc, continuing their jnur- 
n^y along the western .shores of the lake, they 
reach Green Bay early in Se]itcmber. 

The great valley of the West was now open. 
The '•Messippi" rolled its mighty flood to a south- 
ern sea, and must be sully explored. Marque: te's 
health had keenly suft'ered by the voyage and lie 
concluded to remain here and rest. Joliet hasten- 
ed on to Quebec to report his discoveries. During 
tlie journey, each had preserved a description of 
the route they had passed over, as well as the 
country and its inhabitants. While on the way 
to Quebec, at the foot of the rapids near Jlontreal, 
by some means one of Joliot's canoes became cap- 
sized, and by it he lost his box of papers and two 
of his men. A greater calamity could liave 









^ 



24 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



hardly liappc^ned him. In a loUcr to Gov. 
Frontenac, Joliut says: 

" I had escaped every peril from the Indians ; I 
had passed Ibrly-tAvo rapids, and was on the point 
ofdi.s2mbarkiuL;-, i'uU ot'joy at the success of so 
long and difficult an enterprise, when my canoe 
capsized after all the danger seemed over. I lost 
my two men and box of papers within sight of the 
French settlements, which I had left almost two 
yaars before. Nothing remains now to me but 
my life, and tlie ardent desire to employ it iu any 
service _you may please to direct." 

When Joliet made known his discoveries, a 
Te Dcum was chanted in the Cathedral at (juel)ec, 
and all Canada was filled with joy. The news 
eross?d the ocean, and the French saw in the vista 
of coming years a vast depentlency arise in the val- 
ley, partially explored, which was to extend her 
domain and enrich her treasury. Fearing En- 
gland might profit by the discovery and claim the 
country, she attempted as far as possible to prevent 
the news from becoming general. Joliet was re- 
warded by the gift of the Island of Antieosti, in 
the St. Lawrence, while Maniuetto, conscious of 
his service to his Master, w;is content with the 
salvation of souls. 

Marquette, lett at Green Bay, suffered long with 
his malady, and was not permitted, uutil the au- 
tumn of the fullnwing year (1(')74), to return and 
teach the Illinois Indians. With this purpose in 
view, he left Green Bay on the S.jth of October 
with two Frenchmen and a number of Illinois and 
Pottawatomie Indians for the villages on the 
Chicago and Illinois Rivers. Entering Lake 
Michigan, they encountered adverse winds and 
waves and were more than a month on the way. 
(Joing some distance up the Chicago River, they 
found Mar(|uetle too weak to proceed farther, his 
malady having assumed a violent form, and land- 
ing, they erected two huts and prepared to pass 
the winter. The good missionary taught the na- 
tives here daily, in spite of his afflictions, while 
his companions sii]i]ilied him and them.selves with 
food by fishing and hunting. Thus the winter 
wore away, and Manpiette, renemnghis vows, pre- 
pared to go on to the village at tlie foot of the 
rocky citadel, wh(>re he had been two years before. 
On the loth of March, 1(175, they left their huts 
and, rowing on up the Chicago to the portage be- 
tween that anil the l)es])laines, embarked on their 
way. Amid th(! incessant rains of .spring, they 
were rapidly borne down that stream to the Illi- 
nois, on whoso rushing fiond tluy floated to the 



object of their destination. At the great town the 
missionary was received as a heavenly messenger, 
and as he preached to them of heaven and hell, 
of angels and demons; of good and bad deeds, 
they regarded him as divine and besought him to 
remain among them. The town then contained an 
immense eoncour.se of natives, drawn hither by the 
reports they heard, and assembling them belbre Inm 
on the plain near their village, where now arc pro.s- 
p.^rous farms, he held before their astonished gaze 
four large pictures of the Holy Virgin, and daily 
harangued them on the duties of Christianity and 
the necessity of conforming their conduct to the 
words they heard. Ilis strength was fjst declining 
and warned him he could not long remain. Find- 
ing he must go, the Indians furnished him an 
escort as far as the lake, on whose turbulent waters 
he embarked with his two faithful attendan's. 
They turned their canoes for the Mackinaw Mis- 
sion, which the afflicted missionary iioped to reach 
before death came. As they coasted along the 
eastern shores of the lake, the vernal hue of May 
began to cover the hillsides with robes of green, 
now dimmed to the eye of the departing Father, who 
became too weak to view them. By the U)th of 
the month, he could go no farther, and requested 
his men to land and build him a hut in which he 
might pass away. That done, he gave, with great 
composure, directions concerning ids burial, and 
thanked God that he was permitted to die in the 
wilderness in the mid.st of his work, an unshaken 
believer in the faith he had so earnestly preached. 
As twilight came on, he told his weary attendants 
to rest, promising that when death should come he 
would call them. At an early hour, on the morn- 
ing of the 2nth of May, 1075, they heard a feeble 
voice, and hastening to his side iound that the gen- 
tle spirit of the good missionary had gone to heav- 
en. His hand grasped the crucifix, and his lips 
bore as their last sound the name of the Virgin. 
They dug a grave near the banks of the stream 
and buried him as he had requested. There in a 
lonely wilderness the peaceful soul of Marquette 
had at last found a rest, and his weary labors closed. 
His companions went on to the mission, where 
the news of his death caused great sorrow, for lie 
was one beloved by all. 

Three years afterhisbnrial, the Ottawas.hunting 
in the vicinity of his grave, deteruuned to carry 
his bones to the mi.ssion at their home, in accor- 
danc! with an ancient custom oftheir tribe. Hav- 
ing opened the grave, at whose head a cross had 
been jilanted, they carefully removed the bones and 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



-lA 



cloiuiiiij; them, a fimorul procession of thirty canoes 
bore them to the Mackinaw jMissiou, singing the 
songs he had taught them. At the shores of the 
mission the b(mes were received by the priests, and, 
with great ceremony, buried under the floor of the 
rude chapeh 

While Jlarquette and Jollct ■were exploring the 
head-waters of the " Great liiver," another man, 
fjarless in purpose, pious in heart, and loyal to 
his country, was living in Canada and watching 
the operations of his fellow countrymen with 
keen eyes. When the French first saw the in- 
hospitable shores of the St. Lawrence, in 1535, 
under the lead of Jacques Carl icr, and had ojjencd 
a new country to their crown, men were not 
lacking to further extend the discovery. In IGUS, 
Cliamplain came, and at the foot of a cliff' on that 
liver fijunded Quebec. Seven years after, he 
brought four Piecollet monks; and through them 
and the Jesuits the discoveries already narrated 
occurred. Champlain died in 1G35, one liundred 
years after Cartier's first visit, but not until he 
had explored the northern lakes as far as Lake 
Huron, on whose rocky shores he, as the progenitor 
of a mighty race to follow, set liis feet. He, with 
others, held to the idea that somewhere across the 
country, a river highway extended to the Western 
ocean. The reports from the missions wlioso 
history has been given aided tliis belief: and not 
until Jlariiuette and Joliet returned was the delu- 
si(m in any way dispelled. Before this was done, 
however, the man to whom reference lias been 
made, Robert Cavalier, better known as La Salle, 
liad endeavored to solve the mystery, and, while 
living on his grant of land eight miles above 
IMontreal, had indeed eifected important discoveries. 

La Salle, the next actor in the field of explor- 
ation after Champlain, was born in 1()43. His 
father's family was among the old and wealthy 
burghers of Rouen, France, and its members 
were frequently entrusted with imjiortant govern- 
mental positions. Ho early exhibited such traits 
of character as to mark liim among his associates. 
Coming from a wealthy family, he enjoyed all the 
advantages of his day, and received, for the times, 
an excellent education. He was a Catholic, 
though his subsequent life does not prove him 
to have been a religious entliusiast. From some 
cause, he joined the Order of Loyola, but the cir- 
cumscribed sphere of action set for him in the 
order illy concurred witli his independent dis- 
position, and led to his separation frcmi it. This 
was effected, however, in a good spirit, as they 



considered him fit for a different field of action 
than any presented by the order. Having a 
brother in Canada, a member of the order of St. 
Sulpico, ho determined to join him. By his 
connection with the Jesuits he had lost his share 
of his father's estate, but, by some means, on his 
death, which occurred about this time, he was 
given a small share; and with this, in 1G6G, 
he arrived in Montreal. All Canada was alive 
with the n3ws of the explorations; and La 
Salle's mind, actively grasping the ideas ho 
aft.erward carried out, began to mature plans for 
their perfection. At JMontreal he found a semi- 
nary of priests of the St. Sulpice Order who were 
encouraging settlers by grants of land on easy 
terms, hoping to establish a barrier of settlements 
between themselves and the Indians, made ene- 
mies to the French by Champlain's actions when 
founding Quebec. The Superior of the seminary, 
learning of LaSalle's arrival, gratuitously offered 
him a grant of land on the St. Lawrence, eight 
miles above Montreal. The grant, though danger- 
ously near the hostile Indians, was accepted, and 
LaSalle soon enjoyed an excellent trade in furs. 
While employed in developing liis claim, he learned 
of the great unknown route, and burned with a 
desire to solve its existence. He applied himself 
closely to the study of Indian dialects, and in 
three years is said to have made great progress 
in their language. While on his farm his 
thoughts often turned to the unknown land away 
to the west, and, like all men of his day, ho 
desired to explore the route to the Western sea, 
and thence obtain an easy trade with China and 
Japan. The " Great River, which flowed to the 
sea," must, thought they, find an outlet in the 
Gulf of California. While imi>iiig on these 
things, Marquette and Joliet were jircparing to 
descend the Wisconsin; and LaSalle himself 
learned from a wandering band of Senecas that a 
river, called the Ohio, arose in their country and 
flowed to the sea, but at such a distance that it 
would require eight months to reach its mouth. 
This must be the Great River, or a part of it: 
for all geograpliers of the day considered the 
Mississippi and its tributary as one stream. Plac- 
ing great confidence on this hypothesis, La Salle 
repaired to Quebec to obtain the sanction 
of Gov. Courcelles. His plausible statements 
soon won him the Governor and M. Talon, and 
letters patent were issued granting the exploration. 
No pecuniary aid was ofl'cred, and La Salle, hav- 
ing expended all his means in improving his 



"x: 



•^1 



20 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



estate, was obligecl to sell it to procure the 
neeessary outfit. The Superior of the seminary 
being favorably disposed toward hiru, purchased 
tlic greater part of his improvement, and realiz- 
ing 2,800 livres, ho purchased four canoes and the 
necessary supplies for the expedition. The semi- 
nary was, at the same time, preparing for a similar 
exploration. The priests of this order, emulating 
the Jesuits, had established missions on the north- 
ern shore of L.ike Ontario. Hearing of populous 
tribes still further west, they resolved to attempt 
their conversion, and deputized twoof their number 
for the purpose. On going to Quebec to procure 
the necessary supplies, they were advised of La 
S.iUo's expedition down the Ohio, and resolved to 
unite thcmselvc.s with it. La Salle did not alto- 
gether favor their attempt, as he believed the 
Jesuits already had the field, and would not cara 
to have any aid from a rival order. His dispo- 
sition also would not well brook the part they 
assumed, of asking him to be a co-laborer rather 
than a leader. However, the expeditions, merged 
into one body, left the mission on the St. Law- 
rence on the Gth of July, lOlJ'J, in saven canoes. 
The party numbered twenty-four persons, who 
were accompanied by two canoes filled with 
Lulians who had visited La Salle, and who now 
acted a.s guides. Their guides led them up the 
St. Lawrence, over the expanse of Lake Ontario, 
to their village on the bunks of the Genesee, 
where they espected to find guides to lead them 
on to the Ohio. As La Salle only jiartially under- 
stood their language, he was compelled to confer 
with them by means of a Jesuit stationed at the 
village. The Indians refused to furnish him the 
expected aid, and even burned before his eyes a 
prisoner, the only one who could give him any 
knowledge he desired. Ho surmi.sed the Jesuits 
were at the bottom of the matter, fearful lest the 
disciples of St. Sulpicc should gain a ibothold in 
the west. He lingered here a month, with the 
hopaof accomplishing his object, when, by chance, 
there came by an Iroouois Indian, who assured 
them that at his colony, near the head of the lake, 
they could find guides; and offered to conduct 
them thither. Coming along the southern shore 
of the lake, they passed, at its western extremity, 
the mouth of the Niagara liivcr, whcr;^ they heard 
for the first time the thunder of the niiuhtv cata- 
ract bstweon the two lakes. At the village of the 
Irorpiois they met a friend!}'' reception, and wer; 
informed l>y a Shawaneso prisoner that they could 
reach the Ohio in si.'v weeks' time, and that he 



would guide them there. While preparing to 
commence the journe}', they heard of the mis.sions 
to the northwest, and the priests resolved to go 
there and convert the natives, and find the river 
by that route. It appears that Louis Joliet met 
them here, on his return from visiting the copper 
mines of Lake Superior, under command of 31. 
Talon. He gave the priests a map of the country, 
and informed them that the Indians of those 
regions were in great need of spiritual advisers. 
This strengthened their intention, though warned 
by La Salle, that the Jesuits were undoubtedly 
there. The authority for Jolict's vis^it to them 
here is not clearly given, and may not be true, 
but the same letter which gives the account of 
the discovery of the Ohio at this time by La Salle, 
states it as a fact, and it is hence inserted. The 
missionaries and La Salle separated, the former to 
find, a.s he had predicted, the followers of Loyola 
ahead}' in the field, and not wanting their aid. 
Hence they return from a fruitless tour, 

LaS.dle, now left to himself and just recovering 
from a violent fever, went on his journey. From 
the paper from which these statements are taken, 
it appears he went on to Onondaga, where he pro- 
cured guides to a tributary of the Ohio, down 
v<hich lie proceeded to the principal stream, on 
whose bosom he continued his way till he came to 
the falls at the present city of Louisville, Kj', It 
has been a.sserted that he went on down to its 
mouth, but that is not well authenticated and is 
hardly true. The statement that he went as far as 
the f dis i-;, doubtless, correct. He states, in a letter 
to Count Frontcnac in 1677, that he discovered 
the Ohio, and that he descended it to the falls. 
3Ioreover, Joliet, in a measure his rival, for he was 
now preparing to go to the northern lakes and 
fiom them search the river, made two maps repre- 
senting the lakes and the 31ississippi, on both of 
which he states that La Salle had discovered the 
Ohio. Of its course beyond the falls. La Salle 
does not seem to have learned anything definite, 
hence his discovery did not in any way settle (he 
great question, and elicited but little comment, 
Siill, it stimulated La Salle to more efTort, and 
while musing on liis plans, Joliet and Jlarrjuetto 
push on from Green Ba\', and discover the rivT 
and ascertain the general cour.'^e of" its outlet, ' )n 
Jolict's return in 1G73, he seems to drop from 
further notice. Other and more venturesome ,«ouls 
were ready to finish the work begun b}' himself 
and the zealous JMarquette, who, left among the 
far-away nations, laid down his life. The .spirit of 



_«)'^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



29 



La Salle was equal to the enterprise, ami as he now 
had returned i'roni one voyage of discovery, he 
stood ready to solve the mystery, and gain the 
country for liis King. Before this (;ould be ac- 
complished, however, ho saw other things must l)C 
done, and made preparations on a scale, for the 
time, truly marvelous. 

Count Frontenac, the new Governor, liad no 
sooner established himself in power than he gave a 
searching glance over tlie new realm to see if any 
undeveloped resources lay yet unnoticed, and what 
country yet remained open. He learned from the 
exploits of La Salle on the Ohio, and from Joliet, 
now returned from the West, of that immense 
country, and resolving in his mind on some plan 
whereby it could ho formally taken, entered 
heartily into the plans of La Salle, who, anxious to 
solve the mystery concerning the outlet of the 
Great River, gave him the outline of a plan, saga- 
cious in its conception and grand in its compre- 
hension. La Salle had also informed him of the 
endeavors of the English on the Atlantic coast to 
divert the trade with the Indians, and partly to 
counteract this, were the plans of LaSallo adopted. 
They were, briefly, to build a chain of forts from 
Canada, or New France, along the lakes to the 
Mississippi, ansl on down that river, thereby hold- 
ing the country by power as well as by discovery. 
A fort was to be built on the Ohio as soon as the 
means could bo obtained, and thereby hold that 
country by the same policy. Thus to La Salle 
alone may be ascribed the bold plan of gaining the 
whole West, a plan only thwarted by the force of 
arms. Through the aid of Frontenac, lie was 
given a proprietary and the rank of nobility, and 
on his proiiriotary was erected a fort, which he, in 
honor of his Governor, called Fort Frontenac. It 
stood on the site of the present city of Kingston, 
Canada. Through it he obtained the trade of the 
Five Nations, and his fortune was so fir assured. 
He next repaired to France, to perfect his arrange- 
ments, secure his title and obtain means. 

On his return he built the Ibrt alluded to, and 
prepared to go on in the prosecution of liis plan. 
A civil discord arose, however, which for three 
years prevailed, and seriously threatened his 
projects. As soon as he could extricate himself, 
he again repaired to France, receiving additional 
encouragement in money, grants, and the exclusive 
privilege of a ti'ade in butlalo skins, then consid- 
ered a source of great wealth. On his return, he 
was accompanied by Henry Tonti, son of an illus- 
trious Italian nobleman, who had fled from his 



own country during one of its political revolutiors. 
Coming to Franco, he made him.self famous as the 
founder of Tontine Lil'e Insurance. Henry Tonti 
possessed an indomitable will, and though he had 
suffered the loss of one of his hands by the ox- 
plosion of a grenade in one of the Sicilian wars, 
his courage was undaunted, and his ardor un- 
dimmed. La Salle also brought recruits, mechanics, 
sailors, cordage and s.iils for rigging a ship, and 
merchandise for traflic with the natives. At 
Montreal, he secured the services of M. LaMotte, a 
person of much energy and integrity of character. 
He also secured several missionaries before he 
reached Fort Frontenac. Among them wei'c 
Louis Hennepin, Gabriel Ribourdc and Zenabe 
Mombre. All these were Flemings, all Recollets. 
Hennepin, of all of them, proved the best assist- 
ant. They arrived at the fort early in the autumn 
of 1G78, and preparations were at once made to 
erect a vessel in which to navigate the lakes, and 
a fort at the mouth of the Niagara River. The 
Senecas were rather adverse to the latter proposals 
when La Motte and Hennepin came, but by 
'the elo(|ucnce of the latter, they were pacified 
and rendered friendly. After a number of vexa- 
tious delays, the vessel, the Griffin, the first on the 
lakes, was built, and on the 7th of August, a year 
after La Salle came here, it was launched, passed 
over the waters of the northern lakes, and, after a 
tempestuous voyage, landed at Green Bay. It was 
soon after stored with furs and sent back, while 
La Salb and his men awaited its return. It was 
never afterward heard of La Salle, becoming 
impatient, erected a fort, pushed on with a 
part of his men, leaving part at the fort, 
and passed over the St. Joseph and Kankakee 
Rivers, and thence to the Illinois, down whoso 
flood they proceeded to Peoria Lake, where 
he was obliged to halt, and return to Canada 
for more men and supplies. He left Tonti 
and several men to complete a fort, called 
Fort " Crevccoeur " — broki^n-heartcd. The Indians 
drove the French away, the men mutinied, and 
Tonti was obliged to flee. When La Salle returned, 
he found no one there, and going down as far as 
the mouth of the Illinois, he retraced his steps, to 
find some trace of his garrison. Tonti was found 
safe among the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and 
Hennepin and his two followers, sent to explore 
the h(!ad-waters of the JMississippi, were again 
home, after a captivity among the Sioux. 

La Salle renewed his force of men, and the third 
time set out for the outlet of the Great River. 



30 



iiistoi;y of oiiio. 



Ilc-lefl Cauada early iii Deecinbcr, 1(581, and by 
February G, 1U82, reached the majestic flood of 
the mighty stream. On the 24th, they ascended 
the Chickasaw Bluffs, and, while waiting to find 
a sailor who had strayed away, erected Fort Prud- 
honime. They passed several Indian villages fur- 
ther down the river, in some of which they met 
with no little opposition. Proceeding onward, ere- 
long they encountered the tide of the .sea, and 
April G, they emerged on the broad bosom of the 
(lulf, "tossing it.s restless billows, limitless, voice- 
less and lontily as when born of chaos, without a 
sign of life." 

Coasting about a short time on the shores of 
the Gulf, the party returned until a sufficiently 
dry place was reached to effect a landing. Here 
another cross was raised, also a column, on which 
was inscribed these words: 

" Louis le GraNi>, Hni m; Fii.vncb et \>i: }\.\v\r.Ki:, 
Ri;o.ne; Le Neuvie.mi;, Avuii., ltif<2.'' * 

" The whole party," says a " proces verbal," in 
the archives of France, " chanted the 'J'e Jkiim, 
the Jlcaui/iut and the Domiiu- ^olviim f:c licr/im, 
and then after a salute of fire-arms and cries of 
Vive le. Roi, Ija Salle, standing near the column, 
said in a loud voice in French : 

"In the name of the most high, mighty, invin- 
cible and victorious Prince, Louis the Great, by 
the grace of God, King of France and of Navarre, 
Fourteenth of that name, this ninth day of April, 
one thousand six hundred and eighty two, I, in 
virtue of the commission of Ills 3Iajesty, which I 
hold in ni}' hand, and which may be seen by all 
Avhom it may concern, have taken, anil do now 
take, in the name of His JIajesty an<I of his suc- 
cessors to the crown, |)osse.-:sion of this country of 
Louisiana, the seas, harbor, ports, bays, adjacent 
straights, and all the nations, people, provinces, cities, 
towns, villages, mines, minerals, fisheries, streams 
and rivers, comprised in the extent of said Louisiana, 
from the north of the great river St. Louis, other- 
wise called the Ohio, Aiighin, Sipore or Chukago- 
na, and this with the consent of the Chavunons, 
Chickacdiaws, and other peojile dwelling therein, 
with whom we h;ive made alliance; as also along 
the river Colbert or ^Iississi]ipi, and river.s which 
discharge themselves therein from iissource bcj'ond 
the Kious or Nadouessimis, and (his with their 
consent, and with the consent of the Illinois, 31cs- 
igameas, Natchez, Koroas, which are the most con- 
siderable nations dwelling therein, with whom also 

f Lonig tlio Grr*.it, King of Franco aiul of Kavarrp, reigning llio 
nlnlli usty <-f April, ir,b2. 



we have made alliance, cither by ourselves orothers 
in our behalf, as far as its mouth at the sea or 
Gulf of Mexico, about the twenty-seventh degree 
of its elevation of the North Pole, and also to the 
mouth of the River of Palms; upon the a.s.surance 
which we have received from all these nations that 
wo are the first Europeans who have descended or 
ascended the river Colbert, hcreb}' ])rotesting 
against all those who may in future undertake to 
invade any or all of these countries, peoples or 
lands, to the prejudice of the right of His 3Iajes()-, 
acipiired by the consent of the nations herein 
named." 

The v.diole assembly responded with shouts and 
the salutes of firi'-arms. The Sieur de La Salle 
caused to be planted at the foot of the column a 
plate of lead, on one side of which was inscribed 
the arms of France and the following Latin inscrip- 
tion: 

Roberivs CaveUier, cvm Domino de Tonly, Legato, 
R. (*. Zeuobi .Membro, Recollect o, et, Vigiuli Gallis 
I'rimos Hoc Flvnicn iiuie ab ilineorrm Pago, cnavigavil, 
e'lvsipe oslivm fecit Pcrvivviu, nono Aprilis cio lac 
LXXXII. 

The wiiole proceedings were acknowledged be- 
fiive La Metaire, a notary, and the con(|uest was 
considered complete. 

Thus was the foundation of France laid in the 
now republic, and thus did she lay claim to the 
Northwest, which now includes Ohio, and the 
county, whose history this book perpetuates. 

La Salle and his party returned to Canada .soon 
after, and again (hat country, and France itself, 
rang with anthems of exultation. He went on to 
France, where he i-eceived the liighest lionors. 
He w"as given a fleet, and saihus as well as cohm- 
ists to return to the New World by way of a south- 
ern voyage, expecting to find the mouth of the 
]^Ii.-:sissipin by an ocean cour.se. Sailing past the 
outlets, ho was wrecked on the coa.st of Texas, and 
in his vain endeavors to find the river or return to 
Canada, he became hist on the plains of Arkansas, 
where he, in l(iS7, was basely murdered by one of 
hisfollowers. " Yonaredown now, Grand IJashaw." 
oxclainicdhisslaycr, and despoiling his remains, (hey 
left them to be devoured by wild beasts. To such 
an ignominious end came this daring, bold adven- 
turer. Alone in the wildcrnes,s, he was left, with 
no monument but (he vast realm ho had discov- 
ered, on whoso bosom he was left without cover- 
ing and without protecticm. 

'•For force of will and vast conce])tion; for va- 
rious knowledge, and quick adaptation of his genius 



A 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ui 



to iintritxl circumstauces; for a sublime uia<rn;uu- 
iiiity, that rosigueJ itself to the will of Heaven, 
and yet trimuphed over aiBietion by energy of 
jjurposo aud uufaltering hope — he had no superior 
among his countrymen. He had won the affec- 
tions of the governor of Canada, the esteem of 
Colbert, the confidence of Seignelay, the favor of 
Louis XIV. After the beginning of the coloniza- 
tion of Upper Canada, he perfected the discovery 
of the Mississippi from the Falls of St. Anthony 
to its mouth ; and he will be remembered through 
all time as the father of colonization in the great 
central valley of the West."* 

Avarice, passion and jealousy were not calmed by 
the blood of La Salle. All of his conspirators per- 
ished by ignoble deaths, while only seven of the six- 
teen .succeeded in continuing the journey until 
they reached Canada, and thence found their way 
to France. 

Tonti, who had been left, at Fort St. Louis, on 
"Starved Rock" on the Illinois, went down in 
search of his beloved commander. Failing to find 
him, he returned and remained here until 1700, 
thousands of miles away from friends. Then lie 
went down the Mississippi to join D'Iborville, who 
had made the discovery of the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi by an ocean voyage. Two years later, ho 
went on a mission to the Chickasaws, but of his 
subsequent hi.story nothing is known. 

The West was now in possession of the French. 
La Salle's plans were yet fea.sibJe. The period of 
exploration was now over. The great river and 
its outlet was known, and it only remained f()r that 
■nation to enter in and occuj)y what to many a 
Frenchman was the " Promised Land." Only 
eighteen years had elapsed since JMarquette and 
Joliet had descended the river and shown the 
course of its outlet. A sjiirit, less bold thaji La 
Salle's would never in so short a time have pene- 
trated for more than a thousand miles an unknown 
wilderness, and .solved the mystery of the world. 

When Joutel and his companions reached France 
in loss, all Europe was on the eve of war. Other 
nations than the French wanted part of the New 
World, and \yhen they saw that nation greedily 
and rapidly accumulating territory there, they en- 
doax'orod to stay its progTCSS. The league of -Augs- 
burg was i'ormed in 1087 by the princes ofthe Em- 
pire to restrain the ambition of Louis 'KTV, and 
in 1 OSS, he began hostilities by the capture of 
Philipsburg. The next year, England, under the 

* Eancroft. 



lead of William III, joined the alliance, and Louis 
found himself compelled, with only the aid ofthe 
Turks, to contend against the united forces ofthe 
Empires of England, Spain, Holland, Denmark, 
Sweden aud Norway. Yet the tide of battle w-a- 
vered. In 1681), the French were defeated at 
Walcourt, and the Turks at Widin; but in 1C!)0, 
the French were victorious at Charleroy, and the 
Turks at Belgrade. The next year, aud also the 
next, victory inclined to the French, but in 1G93, 
Louvois and Luxemberg were dc^ad and Namur 
surrendered to the allies. The war extended to the 
New World, where it was maintained with more 
than equal success by the French, though the J'ln- 
clish population exceeded it more than twenty to (me. 
In 1GS8, the French were estimated at about 
twelve thousand souls in North America, while the 
English were more than two hundred thousand. 
At first the war was prosecuted vigorously. In 
1G89, Do. Ste. Helene and D'Ibervillo, two ofthe 
sons of Charles le Morne, crossed the wilderness 
and reduced the English forts on Hudson's Bay. 
But in August of the same year, the Iroquois, the 
hereditary foes ofthe French, captured and burned 
Montreal. Frontenac, who had gone on an ex- 
pedition against New York bj' sea, was recalled. 
Fort Frontenac was abandoned, aud no French 
posts left in the West between Trois Rivieres r.nd 
Mackinaw, and were it not for the Jesuits the en- 
tire West would now have been abandoned. To 
recover their influence, the French planned three 
expeditions. One resulted in the destruction of 
Schenectady, another, Salmon Falls, and the third, 
Gasco Bay. On the other hand. Nova Scotia was 
reduced by the colonies, and an expedition against 
Slontrcal went as far as to Lake Champlain, where 
it failed, owing to the dissensions of the leaders. 
Another expedition, consisting of twenty-four ves- 
sels, arrived before Quebec, which also failed 
through the incompetency of Sir William Phijips. 
During the succeeding years, various border con- 
flicts occurred, in all of which border scenes of 
savage cruelty and savage ferocity were enacted. 
The peace of Ryswick, in 1G97, closed the war. 
France retained Hudson's Bay, and all the places 
of which she was in po.ssession in llJSS; but the 
boundaries ofthe English and French claims in 
the New World were still unsettled. 

The conclusion of the conflict left the French 
at liberty to pursue their scheme of colonizalic n 
in the Mississippi A'alley. In IGOS, D'Ibcrville 
was sent to the lower province, which, erelong, 
was made a separate independency, called Louisiana. 



\ 



A^ 



:;j 



TnsTo:i\" o;' oiiio. 



l''iirlM wcro cri't'li'd (in Mobilo Hay, luiil llicdivi.'-iim 
(if llu! lovrilory hclvvciMi llio Fiviicli mid tlu; 
Spiiiiiards wiiM nclllcd. Tnuililc! cxislnd Ix'lwt'rn 
tli(! I''i<'iicti luid tlio (Miickiisuwfi, I'lidiiiii- in (lie 
rniil di'udlH 111' iiKiiiy 111" (lie IciiiiriM, in llii- 
IViiillr.sM cndciiviii's nl' llui Ciiniuiiaii iind liiiiii>i- 
aiiiiin liiR'i'M (■(iiiiliininn' ii^ainsl. IIk? Cliicliasiiw.H. 
I<"iir many yoar.i (lio ciMillict; niwil, willi iini'<|nal 
.'<ni'i'i'>si's, iMilil (lio Indian |i(i\vri' j.'iivi' way lii'lin'o 
.sii|u'i-iur niililiiry larlici. In (Im end, Now (tricanM 
wan liinndi'd, in ITII-!, and (lie Ji'rrniii iiinwr 
Ki'i'iifi'd. 

Hrliiro lliiM waM pnnsniinnalrd, Imwovcr, iM'inicc 
lii'ianio cnliniLili'd in annlhcr war Mj;ain.sl. llio 
allied powi'l'S, ('ndin;j; in lior doli'al and IIk! loss 
nl' Nnva Srolia, llndson'.s Bay and Ncwliiund- 
iind. Tin! jiraw! iif Utrcclil. clo.scd llio war 
in 171.'!. 

Till- (''rcncli, WiMi'v willi ]iniliin;;;<~(l .sd'il'c, 
adnpii'd lln' |ilan, niinv invuclnl in il.s nalniv, dl' 
liivini:, (lilt 111 di.siini;ni>li('(| men (lu" nionii|i(ily (if 
ci'i'lain distric(.s in i\w i'nr trade, llu^ nuist jiros- 
in'rnns dC any avocalioii (hen. Cni/.a!: and 
('adillac — (lu> lalliT t\w llnimlcr dl" Dclroil., in 
1701 -wen' (lio cliiol' iinos cdni'iriu'd in (liis. 
'I'lid I'uniidinL!; of (lio villaLrcs ol' KasKasKia, Ca- 
iiiikia, \'iiic('nn('s, and ddicrs in llic Mi,s,sissi|i]ii 
and Walia.'^li \'all'ys, led (o llu' rapid dcvclnii- 
m.'nl. ai'i'iiidiiin' (i> llie Fn-nch I'lislum ol" all 
(lii'sc parts dl' till- \V(>>(, wliil(! alunv; ail llu- cluel' 
walcr-cdursi's, dihrr (railini; ])(ists and liirLs W'cro 
cslaliiishod, rapidly I'ullillin;^ llu^ liopcs (if Im 
Salli', liroaclii'd mi many yens Lh'I'iiic. 

'riio ji'n-ni'li liad, at llio l>i-j;innin;;; ol' t\w 
i>i;ili(('(Mitli ("nliiry, lonr princijial r<iiili~s (o (heir 
Wi'sl Mil (owns, Iwool' wliidi passed ovor (lu> .soil 
ol' Oliio. 'riu- lir-t of (liisi^' wa.s (lie one liillinved 
liy .Mar.pie(l,> and .Idliel, by way of (lie Lakes (o 
(ir.'en Hay, in Wiseonsin; (lienco neidss a portago 
(o the Wiseonsin liiver. down wliieli (li(\v lloaled 
(o lliv> Mississippi, (111 (heir rediru (hey eanu- 
np the lllinnis l!iv' r, (o (he silo of Chieaijo, 
wlieii.e .l.iliel re'iiniid (o Qiu-hoc by (lie hakes. 
1,1 Salle's riin(' was lirs( by (lui l,akes (o (he t^l. 
•Idsph's Iiivcr, whirli lic> I'dlldwed (o tlu^ poila'ie 
to (he Kankakee, and (li< nee downward (o (li(< 
Mi'-i^sippi. On his soeond and (bird aKetupt, 
tu> iidssed (hi" lower )i(-ninsnla ol' Miehii^an to 
(lie Kankakee, and a^vain traversi'd i;s waters to 
du' llliiidis, 'riie third rente was es(abli-lied 
abdiit I7l(i. 1( I'dlldwcd (ho soii(lii-rn shores ol' 
l.iki> Kri.' (o (h(' iiumlh oC (Iu> Maninoo liiver; 
I'dlldwinL;' this stream, (ho voyagors weiK on to (ho 



jnn(;{ioii bctw(K-n it and (ho St. Jlary'.s, which 
(hey ruUowed (o tlio " ( bibacho " — Wabash — and 
then to till' li'renih villatics in Vino and Knii.x 
Cdiintii's, in Indiana. Vinceniio.s wa.s the oldest 
and iiiii-( inipdilaiit om; hero. l( had been 
ruiinded in 170:,' by a l'"i'eneh trader, and was, at 
Iho da(o ol' the es(ablislinien( ol' (ho third route, 
ill a pro.sperons eondilion. For many years, the 
Irader.s erossed (ho plains nl' Soiilhern llliiidis (o 
(ho l''roncli towns ini (bo bdttdnis uppiLsite St. 
Iidiiis. They wei\^ afraid to fio on down the 
"Waba," to the Ohio, as the Indians had l'iip,ht- 
eii d thom with .•leeonnt.s of tho i;roat nioii.s(crs 
b 'low. Finally, some adventurous .spirit wont 
down tli(! river, round it^ emptied into the Ohio, 
and .solved the |irdblem of the true outlet dl' tho 
Ohid, heretorore supposed to bo a tributary ol' the 
Wabash. 

Tho liiurlli route was rrnin the southern shore 
of Lake Frio, at I'resipioville, over a portaj;;e of 
(il'l(>'n miles (o (!u- bead of I'roneh Crook, at 
Walerford, I'eiiii.; (heiiee down (lia( .stream to the 
Ohio, and on to tho Mississippi. Aldn,n' all tho.so 
rdiitoH, ports and posts were earefully niaintaiiiod. 
.^I.iny wore on tho .soil df Oliid, and wore tho first 
attempts df tho white raeo to po.s.so.ss its domain. 
Many of (ho ruins of (ho.so post.s are yet found on 
the southern shore of I.iiko F.rio, and .at the 
en' lets of streams llowini',' intd the lake and the Ohio 
liiver. 'riio principal I'drts wore at Mackinaw, at 
I'resipioville, at tho uumlh of tho St. Jose|.ili's. on 
Starved Hook, and alonn' tho h'athor of Waters. 
Ye( another power was encroach int;' en (hem: a 
.sturdy race, olin^iiig' (o (ho inbospitablo Atlantic 
.<horos, were ooniiuLj ovor (ho inouii(ains. The 
murmurs of a conllict were already hoard — a eon- 
lliet (hat^ would change the fate of a nation. 

Tho I'Vetirh wore oxtonding their c.\]>ldrations 
beyond (ho Mississippi; (hey wore also Idrming a 
pdlitieal drganization, and iueri-asiug their inilucnco 
over tho nativi-s. Of a jia.ssive nadire. however, 
(heir iiower and (heir inllnence could no( with- 
stand a more aggressive nature, and tlioy were 
(ibliued, finally, to give way. They had tho 
I'riiiil'ul valley.»of (he Wes( more than a century; 
yet. (hey develd])iHl no re.sourcos. opened no mines 
of weaUli, and lel\ (he couiUry as pa.'^.sivo a.s (hcv 
Ibnnd it. 

(tf (he growth of (he \Ves( \inder I'nnc'i rule, 
but little else remains (o he said. The sturdy 
Anglo-Saxon racoon (ho Atlantic coast, and their 
jirogcMiilors in l']nglaiid, began, now, (o (urn their 
at(en(iou to this vast country. Tho voluptuousness 



lIISTOIiV OF OHIO. 



C'i 



of (lio French coui't, tlicir n(\u:l(K't of Iho Iruo 
ba.sirt of wonldi, iigiiculliiiv, mnl lliu irincshivo 
tciulinicicH liiid on tlio coloniHtM, led (lio lullcr (o 
iiilo]it n. liutilcr'n lil^, iiml Iciivo (lio ■coiinlry iindcv 
vclopi'il imd r(';idy lor llio jx'o|)]o who cliiiincd (Ihi 
(■i)iinlry I'rom "w^a to soa." I'luir ('x))l()rorn were 
iiuw !il worlc. 'J'lio chuM'^o was ut hand. 

Oi'casi(Mial nicnlion has liccn inndo in (he liin- 
(ory 111" tlio >S(ati', in jn'cccdinj^ l>af;'''S, of hcMIiv 
nii'uls and (radintr-iiostx of (hi; Fnnch traders, 
oxplorcr.s and niij^sionaricM, widiin (Ini lindls of 
Ohio. Tho French were iho lirsl. whilo men (o 
occupy iho niirthwcstcrn j)art of tho New AVoi'ld, 
und l-hon;.;h (heir ntay waH hricl', yet il opened (he 
way (o a Binewy race, liviii:.; on tho nhorcH ol' (Ik; 
Atlantic, wdio in tini i came, ftaw, and conipiereil 
that part of Ann'rica, inakioi; il. what (he people 
(d' (d-day enjoy. 

yV.s early as KlliO, four years herore tho discov- 
ery of (he I\Iissis.sippi by Joliet and iManpielte, 
La Salle, lh(^ famous explorei', dineov(^red (he; Ohio 
Jlivcr, and paddled down i(M jjenlli: current, as far 
ns (ho falls at (he present ci(y of Louisville, but he, 
liko others id' tho day, made no H(^t(.l(Miient on its 
batdis, only claindnj:? the counlry for his Kin^ by 
virtno (d" thi.s discovery. 

ICarly in the bcf.!;ininn<i; of tho oi;^ht(!en(h cent- 
ury, Fn'uch traders and voyagers pa.s.scil alon;j; tho 
southern shores of ]jako I'jrie, to thi! mouth of tlu' 
Maunico, up whose waters they rowed their bark 
canoes, on their way to their oul]ios(s in the Wa- 
bash and Illinois Valleys, cshdilislierj bc(wccn 
1(175 and ITDd. Ah soon ns they could, wilhout 
dan;;er from tlunr invc(,eratoeiiennes, the Iroipiois, 
nia.sters of all the lower lak(! country, erect a 
tra,dinj;-])ost at tho moMtb of this river, they did 
so. It was madi; a depot, of considerable iiot<', 
anil Wiw, probably, the first permanent habitation 
of white men in Oldo. It nunaiiied until alter 
(ho pcaco of ]7()l>, tho tenuination (d' tin; Frenidi 
and Indian war, and the occupancy <d' this coiinlry 
by tho I'lnj^lish. On tho site of the l<'rcncli tradinj.;- 
post, tho British, in 17!M, erected l''ort Mian)i, 
which they pirrisoniMl until tho country camo 
under tho control id' Americans. Now, JMaumeo 
( !ily covers tlio j^round. 

'fill! I'Vencb bad a Iradinrj-post at (he muiilb of 
tho Huron liiver, in what is now JOrio ('oiinly. 
When it was built is not now known. ]t wa,s, how- 
ever, probably ono of their early outposts, and 
may have been built boforo lltiO. They had an- 
other on tho shore of tho ))ay, on or niiar tho silo 
of Sandusky City. Botli this und tho one ut the 



mouth of Iho Huron Bivcr were abandoned bclbro 
tho war of tho Kovoludon. On Ijcwis I'jvan'a map 
of (ho British Middle C.'olonies, published in I7r)r), 
u iM'iiieh loll, calleil " l''ort dunaiidal, built in 
I "Til," is marked on tho cast bank of tho San- 
dusky llivei', several miles below its mouth. l''ort 
Sandusky, on tho western baidt, is also noted. 
Several \\'yandot towns are likewise marked. I>ut 
very lilllo is known coueerniuf; any of tluro 
(i'.adinj;-posts. 'fliey were, evidently, only tempo- 
rary, and Were abandoned when the J'ln^lish camo 
into poHsessiiin of (ho country. 

Tho mouth of tho Cuyahoj;a Bivcr wasnnolher 
iin]iorta.nt ])lace. On Mvan's ma|) there is marked 
on tho west bank of tho (,'iiyaho^a, soino distancu 
IVoiu its moutli, the words " Fi'iiicli .//oiiiir," doubt- 
1 'ss, tho station of a l''reneh trader. 'I'he ruins 
of n house, found aliout live nules i'rom the mouth 
of (ho river, on tho west bank, aro HUi>])OHcd to 
bo those of the trader's station. 

In 1 7H(1, tho Moravian missionary, Zeisbcrf^er, 
with bis Indi.in converls, lelV Helroit in a vessel 
called (ho Mackinaw, and sailed (o the mouth of 
Iho diiyaho;;;,'!. I"'riini (here (hey went up (he 
river about (en nnles, aiul set (led in an abandoned 
Ottawa, Village, where lnile|)endenec now is, which 
))laco they (tailed 'SSVm'/i/'x l\nil," 'j'hi'ir stay was 
iirief, f^ir tho followiu;; April, they IcIV fur the 
Huron Itivcr, and setlled near the site of Milan, 
Mrio (!ounly, nt a locality they called Ni'W Salem. 

'J'bero are but few records of settlements nuidi; 
by tho li'rcneh until aliler nTiO. I'lven these can 
hardly Itc called settlemenls, as (hey were simply 
lradin^-|)osls. The h'rench easily aflilialeil with 
(he Indians, and had lillle cneriiy beyond (railinj;. 
'fhey never cultivated lielils, laid low forcsis, and 
sidijuf^ad'd (ho country. Tliey were a ball'-lndian 
r;u;e, so to speak, and hence did little if unythinj; 
in dcvelo]iini^ (he WeK(. 

About 171!', Komo Kn^dish traders came to a 
jilaci) in what is now Shelby Ooiinty, on (he 
hanks id' a creek sinei! known as Jioramie's 
(■reck, and established a (radin^-stalidn with the 
Indians. 'J'his wa.s tho first I'ln^li.sh tradiii;;-]ilaco 
or attempt ut s.'tdi^mcnt in the Slale. Il was here 
but a short time, liowever, when tho French, hear- 
in;.; of its c.\i tence, sent a jiariy of soldiers (o Iho 
'fwi^(wees, nmoii).; whom it wns founded, and ile- 
mandcd (ho traders a.s intrudeis upon l'"reTii h (er- 
ritory. Tho I'wieiwecH rcCiisin;; to deliver up 
their friends, tho l''rench, assisted liy a lare;c par(y 
of Ottnwas and f'hippcwas, utiai.'kcd tho tradin,!;- 
lioH.se, probably a block-houHe, und, niter u sevcro 



34 



HISTDRY OF OHIO. 



battle, captureil it. The traders were taken to 
Canada. Thi.s furt was called by the English 
'■ Piekawillany," from which ''Piciua" is probably 
derived. About the time that Kentucky was s.t- 
tled, a Canadian Frenchman, named Lurauiie, 
established a store on the site of the old fort. He 
was a bitter enemy of the Americans, and for a 
loui; time Loraniie's store was the headquarters of 
mischief toward the settlers. 

The French liad the faculty of endearing them- 
selves to the Indians by their easy assimilation of 
th(!ir habits; and, no doubt, Loramio was equal to 
any in tliis respect, and henec gained great influ- 
ence over them. Col. Johnston, many years an 
Indian Agent from the United States among the 
Western tribes, stated tluit he had often seen the 
" Indians burst into tears when speaking of the 
times when their French flithcr had dominion 
over them; and their attachment always remained 
unabated." 

So much influence had Loramie with the In- 
dians, that, when Gen. Clarke, from Kentucky, 
invaded the Miami Valley in 1782, his attention 
was attracted to the spot. He came on and burnt 
tlie Indian settlement h(>re, and destroyed the store 
of the Frenchman, selling his goods among the 
m?n at auction. Loramie fled to the Shawanees, 
and, with a colony of that nation, emigrated west 
of the Mississippi, to the Spanish possessions, 
whr^re he again b.'gan his life of a trader. 

In 1794, during the Indian war, a fort was 
built on the site of the store by Wayne, and 
named Fort Loramie. The last officer who Lad 
command hero was Capt. Butler, a ncpln-w of 
Col. Richard Butler, who fell at St. Clair's defeat. 
While here with his family, he lost an interesting 
boy, about eight years of ago. About his grav(_', 
the sorrowing father and mother built a substantial 
picket-fence, planted honeysuckles over it, which, 
long after, remained to m.irk the grave of the 
soldier's ))oy. 

The site of Fort Loramio was always an im- 
portant point, and was one of the jilaccs defined 
on the boundary line at the Greenville treaty. 
Now a barn covers the spot. 

At the junction of the Auglaize and JIaumee 
Rivers, on the site of Fort Defiance, built by (Sen. 
Wayne in 1794, was a settlement of traders, 
established some time bcfire the Indian war 
began. "On the high ground extending i'rom the 
Jlaumco a ((uarter of a mile up the Auglaize, 
about two hnndrcil yavils in width, was an open 
space, on the west and south of wliich were oak 



woods, with hazel undergrowth. Within this 
opening, a few hundred yards above the point, on 
the steep bank of the Auglaize, were five or six 
cabins and log houses, inhabited principally by 
Indian traders. The most northerly, a large 
hewcd-log house, divided below into three apart- 
ments, was occupied as a warehouse, store and 
dwelling, by George Ironside, the most wealthy 
and influeniial of the traders on the point. Next 
to his were the houses of Pirault (Pero) a French 
baker, and McKenzie, a Scot, who, in addition to 
merchandising, followed the occupation of a silver- 
smith, exchanging with the Indians his brooches, 
ear-drops and other silver ornaments, at an 
enormous profit, for skins and furs. 

Still further up were several other fami- 
lies of French and English; and two Ameri- 
can prisoners, Henry Ball, a soldier taken in St. 
Clair's defeat, and his wife, Polly ]Mcadows, 
captured at the same time, were allowed to live 
here and pay their masters the price of their 
ransom — he, by boating to the rapids of the Jlau- 
moe, and she by washing and sewing. Fronting 
the house of Ironside, and about fifty yards from 
the bank, was a small stockade, inclosing two 
hewed-log houses, one of which was occupied by 
James Girty (a brother of Simon), the otb.cr, 
occasionally, by Elliott and McKee, British 
Indian Agents living at Detroit."* 

The post, cabins and all they contained fell 
under the control of the Americans, when the 
British evacuated the shores of the lakes. 
While they existed, they were an undoubted 
source of Indian di.seontent, and had much to do 
ill prolonging the Indian war. The country 
hereabouts did not settle until some time after 
the creatiiui of the State government. 

As Sdcm as the French hiarned the true source 
of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, both were made 
a highway to convey the products of their hunt- 
ers. In coursing down the Ohio, they made 
trading-places, or dej)ots, where they could obtain 
furs of the Indians, at accessible points, generally 
at the mouths of the rivers emptj'ing into the 
Ohio. One of these old forts or trading-places 
stood about a mile and a half south of the outlet 
of the Scioto. It was here in 1 740 ; but when 
it was erected no one could tell. The locality 
unist have been pretty well known to the whites, 
however; for, in 17^5, three years before the 
settlement of j\Iarietta was made, four families 

*N;irrativo of 0. M. Spencer. 



V 



.^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



35 



made an ineffectual attempt to settle near the same 
place. They 'were from Kentucky, but were 
driven away by the Indians a short time after 
they arrived, not being allowed to build cabins, 
and had only made' preparations to plant corn 
and other necessaries of life. While the men 
were encamped near the vicinity of Piketown, 
in Pike County, when on a hunting expedition, 
they were surprised by the Indians, and two of 
them slain. The others hastened back to the 
encampment at the mouth of the Scioto, and 
hurriedly gathering the families together, fortu- 
nately got them on a flat-boat, at that liour on its 
way down the river. By the aid of the boat, 
they were enabled to reach Maysville, and gave 
up the attempt to settle north of the Ohio. 

The flimous "old Scioto Salt Works," in Jack- 
son County, on the banks of Salt Creek, a tributary 
of the Scioto, were long known to the whites before 
any attempt was made to settle in Ohio. They 
were indicated on the maps published in 175.5. 
They were the resort, for generations, of the In- 
dians in all parts of the West, who annually came 
here to make salt. TJiey often brought white 
prisoners with them, and thus the salt works be- 
came known. There were no attempts made to 
settle licre, however, until after the Indian war, 
which closed in 1795. As soon as peace was as- 
sured, the whites came here for salt, and soon aft:er 
made a settlement. Another early salt spring 
was in what is now Trumbull Covinty. It is also 
noted on Evan's map of 1755. They were occu- 
pied by the Indians, French, and by the Americans 
as early as 178(1, and perhaps earlier. 

As early as 17G1 Moravian mi.'^.sionaries came 
among the Ohio Indians and began their labors. 
In a low years, under the lead of Ilevs. Fredrick 
Post and John Heckewelder, permanent stations 
were established in several parts of the State, chief- 
ly on the Tuscarawas River in Tuscarawas County. 
Here were the three Indian villages — Sboenburn, 
Gnadeuhutten and Salem. The site of the first is 
about two miles south of New Philadelphia; Gna- 
denhutten was seven miles further south, and about 
five miles still on was Salem, a short di.stancofrom 
the present village of Port Washington. The first 
and last named of these villages were on the west 
side of the Tuscarawas Tiivcr, near the margin of 
the Ohio Canal. Gnadenhutton was on the east 
side of the river. It was here that the brutal 
massacre of these Christian Indians, by the rangers 
under Col. Williamson, occurred March 8, 1782. 
The account of the massacre and of these tribes 



appears in those Jjages, and it only remains to 
notice what became of them. 

The hospitable and friendly character of the.sc 
Indians had extended beyond their white breth- 
ren on the Ohio. The xVmerican people at large 
looked on the act of Williamson and his men as an 
outrage on humanity. Congress felt its influence, 
and gave them a tract of twelve thousand acres, 
embracing their former homes, and induced them 
to return from the nortliern towns whither they had 
fled. As the whites came into the country, their 
manners degenerated until it became necessary to 
remove them. Through Gen. Cass, of Michigan, 
an agreement was made with them, whereby Con- 
gress paid them over $U,000, an annuity of §400, 
and 24,000 acres in some territory to be designated 
by the United States. This treaty, by some means, 
was never effectually carried out, and the princi- 
pal part of them took up their residence near a 
Jloravian missionary station on the Eiver Thames, 
in Canada. Their old churchyard still exists on 
the Tuscarawas Piivcr, and here rest the bones of 
several of their devoted teachers. It is proper 
to remark here, that Mary Heckewelder, daughter 
of the missionary, is generally believed to have 
been the first white child born in Ohio. How- 
ever, this is largely conjecture. Captive women 
among the Indians, before the birth of Jlary 
Heckewelder, are known to have borne children, 
which afterward, with their mothers, were restored 
to their friends. The assertion that Blary 
Heckewelder was the first child born in Ohio, is 
therefore ineoiTcet. She is the first of whom any 
definite record is made. 

These outposts are about all that are known 
to have existed prior to the settlement at Mari- 
etta. About one-half mile below Bolivar, on 
the western line of Tuscarawas County, are the 
remains of Fort Laurens, erected in 1778, by 
a detachment of 1,000 men under Gen. Mc- 
intosh, from Fort Pitt. It was, however, occu- 
pied but a short time, vacated in August, 1770, as 
it was deemed untenable at such a distance from 
the frontier. 

During the existence of the six years' Indian 
war, a settlement of French emigrants was made 
on the Ohio River, that deserves notice. It illus- 
trates very clearly the extreme ignorance and 
credulity prevalent at that day. In Jlay or Juno 
of 1788, Joel Barlow left this country for P]urope, 
" authorized to dispose of a very large Ixvly of 
land in the West. " In 1790, he distributed pro- 
posals in Paris for the disposal of lands at five 



\ 



8G 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



shillings \KT acre, which, s;u".s Vohiey, " promised 
a climate ln^althy and deli_u;htt'ul ; scarcely such a 
thing as a frost in the winter; a river, called by 
way of eminence ' The Beautiful, ' abounding in 
fish of an enormous size ; magnificent forests of a 
tree from which sugar flows, and a shrub which 
yields caudles ; venison in abundance ; no military 
enrollments, and no quarters to find for soldiers." 
Purchasers became numerous, individuals and 
whole families sold their property, and in the 
course of 1701 many embarked at the various 
French soa-ports, each with his title in his pocket. 
Five hundred sBttlers, among whom were many 
wood carvers and guilder's to His Majest}-, King of 
France, coachmakers, friseurs and peruke makers, 
and other artisans and ar/islcs, e(|ually well fitted 
for a frontier life, arrived in the T'nitcd States in 
1791-92, and acting without concert, traveling 
without knowledge of the language, customs and 
roads, at lasi managed to reach the sjiot designated 
for theii' residence. There they k^arned the_y had 
been cruelly deceived, and that the titles they held 
were worthless. Without food, shelterless, and 
danger closing around them, they were in a position 
that none but a Frenchman could be in without 
despair. Who brought them thither, and who was 
to blame, is yet a disputed point. Some affirm 
that those to whom large grants of land were made 
when the Ohio Company procured its charter, were 
the real instigators of the movement. They fiiiled 
to pay for their lands, and hence the title reverted 
to the Government. This, coming to the ears of 
the poor Frenchmen, rendered their situation more 
distressing. Tliey never paid tor their lands, and 
only through the clemency of Congress, who after- 
ward gave them a grant of land, and confirmed 
them in it,s title, were they enabled to secure a foot- 
hold. Whatever doubt there may be as to the 



causes of these people being so grossly deceived, 
there can be none regarding their sufferings. They 
had followed a jack-o-lantern into the howling 
wilderness, and must work or starve. The land 
upon which they had been located was covered 
with immense forest trees, to level which the coach- 
makers were at a loss. At last, hojiing to conquer 
by a coup demain, the}- tied ropes to the branches, 
and while a dozen pulled at them as many fell at 
the trunk with all sorts of edged tools, and thus 
soon brought the monster to the earth. Yet he 
was a burden. He was down, to be sure, but as 
much in the way as ever. Several lopped off the 
branches, others dug an immense trench at his side, 
into which, with might and main, all rolled the 
l:u-ge log, and then buried him from sight. They 
erected their cabins in a cluster, as they had seen 
them in their own native laud, tlius affording some 
protection from marauding bands of Indians. 
Though isolated here in the lonely wilderness, and 
liearly out of funds with which to purchase pro- 
visions fi'om descending boats, yet once a week 
they met and drowned ctire in a merry dance, 
greatly to the wonderment of the scout or lone 
Indian who chanced to witness their revelry. 
Though their vivacity could work wonders, it would 
not pay for lands nor buy provisions. Some of those 
at Gallipolis ( for such they called their settlement, 
from Gallia, in France) went to Detroit, some to 
Kaskaskia, and some bought land of the Ohio 
Company, who treated them liljerally. Congress, 
too, in 1795, being informed of their suffering.-, 
and how they had been deceived, granted them 
24,000 acres oppoisite Little Sandy River, to which 
grant, in 179S, 12,000 acres more were added. 
The tract has since been known as French Grant. 
The settlement is a curious episode in early West- 
ern history, and deserves a place in its annals. 




>?-, 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



37 



ENGLISH EXPLORATIONS —TRADERS - 



CHAPTER III. 

-FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR IN THE WEST ■ 
POSSESSION. 



-ENGLISH 



AS has been noted, the French title rested on 
the discoveries of" their missionaries and 
traders, upon the occupation of tlie country, and 
upon the construction of the treaties oi Ryswick, 
Utrecht and Aix La Chapelle. The EngUsh 
claims to the same region were based on the fact 
of a prior occupation of the corresponding coast, 
on an opposite construction of the same treaties, 
and an alleged cession of the rights of the 
Indians. The rights acquired by discovery were 
conventional, and in equity were good only 
between European powers, and could not aifect the 
rights of the natives, but this distinction was dis- 
regarded by all Eur(.»pean powers. The inquiry' of 
an Indian chief embodies the whole controversy: 
" Where are the Indian lands, since the French 
claim all on the north side of the Ohio and the 
English all on the south side of it?" 

The English charters expressly gi-anted to all 
the original colonies the country westward to the 
South S2a,and the claims thus set up in the West, 
though held in abeyance, were never relin(juished. 
The primary distinction between the two nations 
governed their actions in the New World, and led 
finally to the supremacy of the I'Inglish. They 
were fixed agricultural communities. The French 
were mere trading-posts. Though the French 
were the prime movers in the exploration of the 
West, the English made discoveries during their 
occupation, however, mainly by their traders, who 
penetrated the Western wilderness by way of the 
Ohio River, entering it from the two streams which 
uniting form that river. Daniel Coxic, in 1722, 
published, in London, " A description of the 
English province of Carolina, by the Spaniards 
called Florida, and b}' the French called La Loui.s- 
iane, as also the great and famous river Jlescha- 
cebe, or Mississippi, the five vast navigable lakes 
of fresh water, and the parts adjacent, together 
with an account of the commodities of the growth 
and ])roduction of the said province." The title 
of this work exhibits very clearly the opinions of 
the English people respecting the West. As early 
as IGoO, Charles I granted to Sir Robert Heath 
"All that part of America lying between thirty- 



one and thirty-six degrees north latitude, from sea 
to sea," out of which the limits of Carolina were 
afterward taken. This immense grant was con- 
veyed in 1638, to the Earl of Arundel, and after- 
ward came into the possession of Dr. Daniel Coxie. 
In the prosecution of this claim, it appeared that 
Col. Wood, of Virginia, from 1(Jj4 to lli(!4, ex- 
plored several branches of the Ohio and '■ Jlescha- 
cebe," as they spell the MLssissipjii. A Mr. JS'ecd- 
ham, who was employed by Col. Wood, kept a 
journal of the exploration. There is also the ac- 
count of some one who had explored tlie Missis- 
sippi to the Yellow, or ^Missouri Kiver, before Hilii. 
These, and others, ai'e said to have been there 
when La Salle explored the outlet of the Great 
River, as he found touls among the natives whicli 
were of European manufacture. They had been 
brought here by I^nglish adventurers. Also, when 
Iberville was colonizing the lower part of Louis- 
iana, these same persons visited the Chickasaws 
and stirred them up against the French. It is also 
stated that La Salle found that some one had been 
among the Natchez tribes when he returned from 
the discovery of the outlet of the IMississippi, and 
excited them against him. There is, however, no 
good authority for these statements, and they are 
doubtless incorrect. There is also an account that 
in 1678, several persons went from New England 
as for south as Ncvv Mexico, " one hundred and 
fifty leagues beyond the Meschacebe," the narrative 
reads, and on their return wrote an account of the 
expedition. This, also, cannot be traced to good 
authority. The only accurate account of the 
English reaching the West was when Bienville 
met the British vessel at the "English Turn," 
about 1700. A few of their traders may have 
been in the valley west of the Alleghany 3Iount- 
ains before 1700, though no reliable accounts are 
now found to confirm these suppositions. Still, 
from the earliest occupation of the Atlantic Coast 
by the English, they claimed the country, and, 
though the policy of its occupation rested for a 
time, it was never ftilly abandoned. Its revival 
dates from 1710 properly, though no immediate 
endeavor was made lor many years after. That 



-•L 



3S 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



year. Alexander Spottswood -.vas made Governor of 
Virginia. No sooner did he assume the functions 
of ruler, than, ea.sting his eye over his dominion, he 
saw the great West beyond the Alleghany 31ount- 
ains unoccupied by the l^^nglish, and rapidly filling 
with the French, who he observed were gradually 
confining the English to the Atlantic Coast. Ilis 
prophetic eye saw at a glance the animus of the 
whole scheme, and he determined to act promptly 
on the defensive. Through his representation, the 
Virginia Assembly wa.s induced to make an appro- 
priation to defray the expense of an exploration of 
the mountains, and see if a .suitable pass could not 
then be found where they could be crossed. The 
Governor led the expedition in person. The pass 
was discovered, a route marked out for future em- 
igrants, and the party returned to Williamsburg. 
There the Governor established the order of the 
" Knights of the Golden Horseshoe," presented 
his report to the Colonial Assembly and one to his 
King. In each report, he exposed with great bold- 
ness the scheme of the French, and ad\'ised the 
building of a chain efforts across to the Ohio, and 
the formation of settlements to counteract them. 
The British Government, engrossed with other 
matters, neglected his advice. Forty years after, 
they remembered it, only to regret that it was so 
thoughtlessly disregarded. 

Individuals, however, profited by his advice. By 
1730, traders began in earnest to cross the mount- 
ains and gather from the Indians the stores beyond. 
They now began to adopt a .system, and abandoned 
the heretofore renegade habits of those who had 
superseded them, many of whom never returned to 
the Atlantic Coast. In 1742, John Howard de- 
scr'nded the Ohio in a skin canoe, and, on the 
Mississippi was taken prisoner by the French. His 
captivity did not in the least deter others from 
coming. Indeed, the date of his voyage was the 
commencement of a vigorous trade with the In- 
dians by the JOnglisli, wlio crossed the Alleghanies 
by the route discovered bj- Gov. Spottswood. In 
1 748, Conrad WoL^er, a German of Herenberg, who 
had acfpiired in early life a knowledge of the Mo- 
hawk tongue by a residence among them, was sent 
on an emba.ssy to the Shawauees on the Ohio. He 
went as far as Logstown.a Shawanee village on the 
north bank of the (Jhio, about seventeen miles hc- 
low the site of Pittsburgh. Here he met the chiefs 
in couasel, and secured their promise of aid against 
the French. 

The )irincipal ground of the claims of the 
English in the Xorl Invest was the treaty with the 



Five Nations — the Iroquois. This powerful confed- 
eration claimed the jurisdiction over an immense 
extent of country. Their policy difi'ered considera- 
bly from other Indian tribes. They were the only 
confederation which attempted any form of gov- 
ernment in America. They were often termed the 
'■ Six Nations," as the entrance of another tribe 
into the confederacy made that number. They 
were the conquerors of nearly all tribes from Lower 
Canada, to and beyond the Mississi])pi. They only 
exacted, however, a tribute from the conquered 
tribes, leaving them to manage their own internal 
affairs, and stipulating that to them alone did the 
right of cession belong. Their country, under 
these claims, embraced all of America north of the 
Cherokee Nation, in \'irginia; all Kentucky, and 
all the Northwest, save a district in Ohio and Indi- 
ana, and a small .section in Southwestern Illinois, 
claimed by the Miami Confederacy. The Iroquois, 
or Sis Nations, were the terror of all other tribes. 
It was they who devastated the Illinois country 
about Rock Fort in 1680, and caused wide-spread 
alarm among all the Western Indians. In 1()84, 
Lord Howard, Governor of Virginia, held a treaty 
with the Iroquois at Albany, when, at the request 
of Col. Duncan, of New York, they placed them- 
selves under the protection of the English. They 
made a deed of sale then, by treaty, to the British 
Government, of a vast tract of country .south and 
east of the Illinois Kiver, and extending into Can- 
ada. In 1726, another deed was drawn up and 
signed by the chiefs of the national confederacy by 
which their lands were conveyed in trust to 
England, " to be protected and defended by His 
Maje.-ty, to and for the use of the grantors and 
their heirs."* 

If the Six Nations had a good claim to the West- 
ern country, there is but little doubt but England 
wasjustified in defending their countr_y against the 
French, as, by the treaty of Utrecht, they had 
agreed not to invade the lands of Britain's Indian 
allies. This claim was vigorously contested by 
France, as that country claimed the Irocpiois had 
no lawful jurisdiction over the West. In all the 
disputes, the interests of the contending nations 
was, however, the paramount eon.sideration. The 
rights of the Indians were little regarded. 

The Briti.sh also purchased land by the treaty 
of Lancaster, in 1744, wherein they agreed to pay 
the Six Nations for land settled unlawfully in 
Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland. The In- 

* ADn:iIs of the West. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



39 



dians were given goods and gold amounting to 
near a thousand pounds sterling. They were also 
promised the protection of the English. Had this 
latter provision been faithfully carried out, much 
blood would have been saved in after years. The 
treaties with the Six Nations were the real basis 
of the claims of Great Britain to the West; claims 
that were only settled by war. The Shawanee In- 
dians, on the Ohio, were also becoming hostile to 
the English, and began to assume a threatening 
exterior. Peter Chart i<!r, a lialf-breed, residing in 
Philadelphia, escaped from tlie authorities, those 
by whom he was held ibr a violation of the laws, 
and joining the Shawanees, persuaded them to join 
the French. Soon after, in 17-13 or 1744, he 
placed liimself at the head of 400 of their war- 
riors, and lay in wait on the Alleghany River for 
the provincial traders. He cjiptured two, exhib- 
ited to them a captain's commission from the 
French, and seized their goods, worth £1,G00. 
Tiie Indians, after this, emboldened by the aid 
given them by the French, became more and more 
hostile, and Weiser was again sent across the mount- 
ains in 1748, with presents to conciliate them and 
sound them on their feelings ibr the rival nations, 
and also to see what they thought of a settlement 
of the English to be made in the West. The visit 
of Conrad Weiser was successful, and Thomas Lee, 
with twelve other Virginians, among wliom were 
Lawrence and Augustine AVashington, brothers of 
George Washington, formed a company which 
they .styled the Ohio Company, and, iu 174S, peti- 
tioned the King for a grant beyond the mountains. 
The monarcli approved the petition and the gov- 
ernment of Virginia was ordered to grant the Com- 
pany 500,000 acres within the bounds of that 
colony beyond the AUeghanies, 200,000 of which 
wei'e to bo located at once. This provision was to 
hold good for ten years, free of quit rent, provided 
the Company would settle 100 lamilies within 
seven years, and build a fort sufficient for their 
protection. These terms the Company accepted, 
and sent at once to London for a cargo suitable for 
the Indian trade. This was the beginning of 
English Companies in the West ; this one forming 
a prominent part in the history of Ohio, as will 
be seen hereafter. Others were also formed in 
Virginia, whose object was the colonization of the 
West. One of these, the Loyal Company, received, 
on the 12th of June, 1749, a grant of 800,000 
acres, from the line of Canada on the north and 
west, and on the 29th of October, 1751, the Green- 
briar Company received a grant of 100,000 acres. 



To these encroachments, the French were by no 
means blind. They saw plainly enough that if 
the English gained a foothold in the West, they 
would inevitably endeavor to obtain the country, 
and one day the issue could only be decided by 
war. Vaudreuil, the French Governor, had long 
anxiously watched the coming struggle. In 1774, 
he wrote home representing the consequences that 
would surely come, should the English succeed in 
their plans. The towns of the French in Illinois 
were producing large amounts of bread-stuffs and 
provisions which they sent to New Orleans. These 
provinces were becoming valuable, and must not be 
allowed to come under control of a rival power. 
In 1749, Louis Celeron was sent by the Governor 
with a party of soldiers to plant leaden plates, suit- 
ably inscribed, along the Ohio at the mouths of 
the principal streams. Two of these plates were 
afterward exhumed. One was sent to the Jlary- 
land Historical Society, and the inscription* deci- 
phered by De Witt Clinton. On these plates was 
clearly stated the claims of France, as will be seen 
from the translation below. 

England's claim, briefly and clearly stated, read 
as follows: "That all lands, or countries west- 
ward irom the Atlantic Ocean to the South Sea, 
between 48 and o4 degrees of North Latitude, 
were expressly included in the grant of King 
James the First, to divers of his subjects, so long 
time .since as the year 160G, and afterwards con- 
firmed in the year 1620; and under this grant, 
the colony of Virginia claims extent so far west 
as the South Sea, and the ancient colonies of Mass- 
achusetts Bay and Connecticut, were by their 
respective charters, made to extend to the said 
South Sea, so that not only the right to the sea 
coast, but to all the Inland countries from sea to 
sea, has at all times been asserted by the Crown of 
England."! 

To make good their titles, both nations were now 
doing their utmost. Professedly at peace, it only 
needed a torch applied, as it were, to any point, to 
instantly precipitate hostilities. The French were 

*Thfi following is file trai. elation of the inscriplion of thR plato 
fovirul !U Veiiiui-ro: " In the year 174^. rei^ii ot Louis XV, Kiii^ of 
Fnini-e. we. ('t-leroTi. conlinatnlant of a detaeliiin-ut by Monsieur 
the Marquis of G:illisoniere, Commander-in.ch'ief of New France, 
to estahlish traoquillity in certain Iruliaii villages in these Cantons, 
liavc btirieil this lil-to at the conllueuce of the Toraclakoin, this 
twenty-ninth ot .Inly, n-ar the lliver Ohio, otherwise Beautiful 
River, as a monument of renewal of possession which we have taken 
of the sail! river, ami all its tributaries; nmi of all the lanil oti hi>th 
siiles, as far asthe .sourcesof saiil rivers; inasmuch asthe ureeediniC 
Kii'SSof France have enjoyefl it, atal maintained it hy th<ir arms 
anil tiy treaties; especially by those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and \ix 
La Chapelle." 

i Colonial Records of Pennsylvania. 



' >" 



40 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



busily engaged erecting forts from tlie soutlicrn 
shores of Lake Erie to the Ohio, and on down in 
the Illinois A^alley ; up at Detroit, and at all its 
posts, preparations were constantly going on for the 
crisis, now sure to come. The i.s.sue between the 
two governments was now i'uUy made up. It ad- 
mitted of no compromise but the sword. To that, 
however, neither power desired an immediate ap- 
peal, and both sought rather to establish and fortity 
their interests, and to conciliate the Indian tribes. 
The English, through the Ohio Companj', sent out 
Christopher Gist in the fall of 1750, to explore the 
regions west of the mountains. He was instructed 
to examine the pa.sses, trace the courses of the 
rivers, mark the falls, seek for valuable lauds, ob- 
serve the strength, and to conciliate the friend.sliip 
of the Indian tribes. He was well fitted for such 
an enterprise. Hardy, sagacious, bold, an adept in 
Indian character, a hunter by occupation, no man 
was better (|uahfied than he for such an undertak- 
ing. He visited Logstown, where he was jealously 
received, passed over to the Muskingum River and 
Valley in Ohio, where he found a village of Wj'an- 
dots, divided in sentiment. At this village he met 
(!rogau, another e(jually famous frcjniiersman, who 
had bjen sent out by Pennsylvania. Together 
they held a council with the chiefs, anil received 
a.ssurance of the friendship of the tribe. This 
done, they passed to tlie .Shawnee towns on the 
Scioto, I'eceived their a.ssurauces of friendship, and 
went on to the ^liami Valley, which they crossed, 
remarking in Crogan's journal of its great fertili- 
ty. They made a raft of logs on which they 
crossed the Great 3Iiami, visited I'iqua, the chief 
town of the I'ickawillanies, and here made treaties 
with the ^Veas and Piankeshaws. While here, a 
de])utation of the Ottawas visited the Miami Con- 
federacj' to induce them to unite with the French. 
They were repulsed through the influence of the 
English agents, the Miamis .sending Gist word that 
they wouKl ■• stand like the moimtains. " Crogan 
now returned and published an account of their 
wanderings. Gist followed the Miami to its 
mouth, passed down the Ohio till within fiftc(!n 
miles of the falls, then returned by way of the 
Kentucky River, over the highlands of Kentucky 
to Mrginia, arriving in May, 1751. He liud 
visited the Mingoes, Helawan^s, Wyandots, Shawa- 
noes and Miamis. proposed a union among these 
tribes, and appointed a grand council to meet at 
Logstown to form an alliance among themselves 
and with Virginia. His journey was marvelous 
fi)r the day. It was extremely hazardous, as he 



wiis part of the time among hostile tribes, who 
could have captured him and been well rewarded 
by the French Government. But Gist knew how 
to act. and was successful. 

\V'hile Gist was doing this, some English traders 
establLshed themselves at a place in what is now 
known as Shelby Countj-, Ohio, and opened a 
store for the purpose of trading with the Indians. 
This was clearly in the limits of the West, claimed 
by the French, and at once aroused them to action. 
The fort orstockade .stood on the banks of Loramie's 
Creek, about sixteen miles northwest of the present 
city of Sydney. It received the name Loramio 
from the creek by the French, which received 
its name in turn from the French trader of 
that name, who had a trading-post on this 
creek. Loramie had fled to the Spanish country 
west of the IMississippi, and for many years 
wa.s a trader there ; liis store being at the junc- 
tion of the Kansas and Missouri, near the present 
city of Kansas City, Mo. When the English 
traders came to Loramie's Creek, and erected 
their trading-place, they gave it the name of Piek- 
awiliany, fi-om the tribe of Indians there. The 
Jliami confederacy granted them this privilege 
as the result of the presents brought by Crogan and 
Gist. It is also asserted that Andrew Montour, 
a half-breed, son of a Seneca chief and the famous 
Catharine Montour, who was an important fac- 
tor afterward in the English treaties with the 
Indians, was with them, and by his influence did 
mucli to aid in securing the privilege. Thus was 
established the fiist English trading-post in tlie 
Northwest Territory and in Ohio. It, however, 
enjoyed only a short duration. The French could 
not endui-e so clear an invasion of their country, 
and gathering a force of Ottawas and Chippewas, 
now their allies, they attacked the stockade in 
June, 1752. At fir.st thcj' demanded of the Miamis 
the suiTcnder of the fort, as they were the real 
cause of its location, having granted the English 
the privilege. The Miamis not only refused, but 
aided the British in the defense. In the battle that 
ensued, fourteen of the Miamis were slain, and all 
the traders captured. One account says they were 
burned, another, and probably the correct one, 
states that they were taken to Canada as prisoners 
of war. It is jirobable the traders were from Penn- 
sylvania, as that commonwealth made the Miamis 
presents as condolence for theu- warriors that were 
slain. 

Blood had now been shed. The opening gun of 
the French and Indian war had been fired, and both 



^-<~. 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



41 



nations became more deeply interested in affairs in 
the W'est. The Euglisli were determined to secure 
additional title to the West, and, in 175l3, sent 
Messrs. Fry, Lomax and Fatten as commissioners 
to Log.stowu to treat with the Indians, and confirm 
the Lancaster treaty. They met the Indians on 
the 9th of June, stated their desires, and on the 
11th received their answer. At first, the sav- 
ages were not inclined to recogniz3 the Lancaster 
treaty, but agreed to aid the English, as the French" 
had already made war on the Twigtees (at Picka- 
willanyt, and consented to the establishment of a 
fort and trading-post at the forks of the Ohio. 
This was not all the Virginians wanted, however, 
and taking aside Andrew Montour, now chief of the 
Si.K Nations, persuaded him to use his influence 
with the red men. By such means, they were in- 
duced to treat, and on the IHth they all united in 
signing a deed, confirming the Lancaster treaty in 
its full extent, consenting to asettlementsnouthwest 
of the Ohio, and covenanting that it should not be 
disturbed by them. By such means was obtained 
the treaty with the Indians in the Ohio Valley. 

All this time, the home governments were en- 
deavoring to out-maneuver each other with regard 
to the lands in the West, though there the outlook 
only betokened war. The French understood bet- 
ter than the English how to manage the Indians, 
and succeeded in attaching them firmly to their 
cause. The English were not honest in their 
actions wiili them, and hence, in after years, the 
massacres that followed. 

At the close of 1752, Gist was at work, in con- 
formity with the Lancaster and Logstown treaties, 
laying out a fort and town on Chartier's Creek, 
about ten miles below the fork. Eleven, famili.s 
had crossed the mountains to settle at Gist's resi- 
dence west of Laurel Hill, not far from the Yough- 
iogheny. Goods had come from England for the 
Ohio Company, which were carried as far West as 
Will's Creek, where Cumberland now stands; and 
where they were taken by the Indians and traders. 

On the other hand, the French were gathering 
cannon and stores on Lake Erie, and, without 
treaties or deeds of land, were gaining the good 
will of the inimical tribes, and preparing, when all 
was ready, to strike the blow. Their fortifications 
consisted of a chain of forts from Lake Erie to 
the Ohio, on the border. One was at Presque Isle, 
on the site of Erie ; one on French Creek, on the 
site of Waterford, Penn.; one at the mouth of 
French Creek, in Venango County, Penn.; while 
opposite it was another, effectually commanding 



that section of country. These forts, it will be 
observed, were all in the limits of the Pennsyl- 
vania colony. The Governor informed the Assem- 
bly of their existence, who voted £()()() to be used 
in purchasing presents for the Indians n ;ar the 
forts, and thereby hold their friendship. Virginia, 
also, took similar measures. Trent was sent, with 
guns and ammunition and presents, to the friendly 
tribes, and, while on his misision, learned of the 
plates of lead planted by the French. In October, 
1753, a treaty was consummated v/ith representa- 
tives of the Iroquois, Dclawares, Shawanees, Twig- 
twees and Wyandots, by commissioners from 
Pennsylvania, one of whom was the philosopher 
Franklin. At the conferences held at this time, 
the Indians complain' d of the actions of the 
French in forcibly taking possession of the dis- 
puted country, and also bitterly denounced them 
for using rum to intoxicate the red men, when 
they desired to gain any advantage. Not long 
after, they had similar grounds of complaint against 
the English, whose lawless traders cared for nothing 
but to gain the furs of the savage at as little ex- 
pense as possible. 

The eneroacbnicnts of the French on what was 
regarded as English territory, created intense feel- 
ing in the colonies, especially in Virginia. The 
purpose of the French to inclose the English on 
the Atlantic Coast, and thus prevent their extension 
over the mountains, became more and more ap- 
parent, and it was thought that this was the open- 
ing of a .scheme already planned by the French 
Court to reduce all Norih America under the do- 
minion of France. Gov. Dinwiddle determined 
to send an ambassador to the French posts, to as- 
ceitain their red intentions and to observe the 
amount and disposition of their ibrces. He selected 
a young V'^irginian, then in his twenty-first year, 
a surveyor by trade and one well qualified for the 
duty. That young man afterward led the Ameii- 
can Colonies in their struggle for liberty. GiMirgc 
Washington and one companion, Mr Gist, suc- 
ca.ssfully made the trip, in the solitude of a severe 
winter, received assurance from the French coui- 
mandant that tbey would by no means abandon 
their outposts, and would not yield unless com- 
pelled by force of arms. The commandant was 
exceedingly polite, but firm, and assured the young 
American that " we claim the country on the Ohio 
by virtue of the discovery of La Salic (in 16(5!)) 
and will not give itup to the English. Our orders 
are to make prisoners of every Englishman found 
trading in the Ohio Valley." 



43 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



During AYasliington's absence stops were taken 
to fortify tlio point formed by the junction of the 
Mouoiigahola and Allegliany ; and when, on his 
return, he met seventeen horses loaded with mate- 
rials and stores for a fort at the forks of the Ohio, 
and, soon after, some families going out to settle, 
he knew the defense had begun. As soon as 
Washington made liis report, Gov. Dinwiddle 
wrote to the Board of Trade, staling that tlic 
Fr^nich were building a fort at Venango, and that, 
in Marcli, twelve or fil'Lcen Imndred men wcjuld 
be ready to descend the river wilh their Indian 
allies, ibr which i)urpo.se three hundred canoes had 
been colk^cted ; and that Logstown was to be made 
headquarters, while forts were to be built in other 
places. He sunt expresses to tlic Governors of 
Pennsylvania and New York, apprising them of the 
nature of afi'airs, and calling upon tliem for assist- 
ance. He also raised two companies, one of which 
was raised by Washington, the other by Trent. 
The one under Trent was to be raised on the 
frontiers, and was, as soon as possible, to repair to 
the Fork and erect there a fort, begun by the Ohio 
Company. Owing to various conflicting opinions 
between the Governor of Pennsylvania and liis 
Assembly, and the conference with the 8ix Nations, 
held by New York, neither of those provinces jiut 
firth any vigorous measures until stirred to action 
by the invasions on the frontiers, and until directed 
by the Earl of Holdorness, Secretary of State. 

The fort at Venango w;is finished by the French 
in April, 1751. All along the creek resounded 
the clang of arms and the preparations for war. 
New York and Pennsylvania, though inactive, 
and debating whether the Krencli really had in- 
vaded ]"]nglish territory or n<it, sent aid to the 
Old Dominion, now all alive to the conquest. The 
two companies had been increased to six; Wa.shing- 
ton was raised to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 
and made second under command of Joshua 
Fry. Ten cannon, lately from England, were for- 
w^arded from Alexandria ; wagons were got ready 
to carry westward provisicms and stores through 
the heavy spring roads; and everywhere men were 
enlisting under the Kiiig'spromiseof two hundred 
thousand acres of land to those who would go. 
They AV(^ro gathci-ing along Will's Oreek and far 
beyond, while Trent, who had como for more men 
anil supplies, left a little band of fiu'ty-one men, 
working away in hunger and want at the Fork, to 
which both nations were looking with anxious eyes. 
Though no enemy was near, and only a (ew Indian 
scouts were seen, keen eyes had observed the low- 



fortifications at the Fork. Swift feet had borne 
the news of it up the valley, and though Ensign 
Ward, left in command, felt him.self secure, on the 
17th of April he saw a sight that made his heart 
sick. Sixty batteaux and three hundred canoes 
wen^ coming down the Alleghany. The com- 
mandant sent him a summons, which evaded no 
words in its meaning. It was useless to contend, 
that evening he supped with his conqueror ; the 
next day he was bowed out by the polite French- 
man, and with his men and tools marched up the 
Monongahela. The first birds of spring were fill- 
ing the air with their song ; the rivers rolled by, 
.swollen by April showers and melting snows; all 
nature was putting on her robes of green ; and the 
fortress, which the English had so earnestly strived 
to obtain and fortify, was now in the hands of the 
French. Fort Du Quesne arose on the incomplete 
fortifications. The seven years' war that followed 
not only affected America, but spread to all quar- 
ters of the world. The war made England a great 
imperial power ; drove the French from Asia and 
America; dispelled the brilliant and extended 
scheme of Louis and his voluptuous empire. 

The active field of operations was in the Canadas 
jjrincipally, and along the western borders of Pcnn- 
.sylvania. Th(ire were so few people then in the 
jiresent confines of Ohio, that only the possession 
of the country, in common with all the AVest, 
could be the animus of the conflict. It so much 
concerned this part of the New World, that a brief 
resume of the war will be necessary to fully under- 
stand its history. 

The fall of the post at the fork of the Oliio, Fort 
Du Qui'sne, gave the French control of the West. 
Washington went on with his few militia to re- 
take the post. Though ho was successful at first, 
he was in the end d<'feated, and surrendered, 
being allowed to return with all his munitions of 
war. The two governments, though trying to 
come to a peaceful solution of the question, were 
getting ready for the conflict. France went stead- 
ily on, though at one time England gave, in a 
measure, her consent to allow the French to retain 
all the country west of the Alleghanies and south 
of the lakes. Had this lieen done, what a different 
future would have been in America ! Other des- 
tinies were at work, however, and the plan fell 
stillliiiru. 

England .sent Gen. Braddock and a fine force 
of m<>n, wdu) marched directly toward the post on 
the Ohio. His ill-fated expedition resulted only 
in tli(^ total defeat of his arnij', and his own death. 



-a rv 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



43 



Wasliiny:ton saved a reuiuaut of the army, and 
made his way back to the colonies. The Eu- 
glish needed a leader. They next planned four 
campaigns; one against Fort Du Quesne; one 
against Crown Point; one against Niagara, and 
one against the French settlements in Nova Scotia. 
Nearly every one proved a failure. The English 
were defeated on sea and on land, all owing to the 
incapacity of Parliament, and the want of a suit- 
able, vigorous leader. The settlements on the front- 
iers, now exposed to a cruel foe, prepared to defend 
themselves, and already the signs of a government 
of their own, able to defend itself, began to 
appear. They received aid from the colonies. 
Though tl'.e French were not repulsed, they and 
their red allies found they could not murder with 
impunity. Self-preservation was a stronger incen- 
tive in conflict than aggrandizement, and the 
cruelty of the Indians found avengers. 

The groat Pitt became Prime Minister June 2!>, 
1757. The leader of the English now appeared. 
The British began to regain their losses on sea and 
laud, and for them a brighter day was at hand. 
The key to the West must be retaken, and to Gen. 
Forbes was assigned the duty. Preceding him, 
a trusty man was sent to the Western Indians 
at the head-waters of the Ohio, and along the Mo- 
nongahela and Alleghany, to sec if some compro- 
mise with them could not be made, and their aid 
secured. The French had been busy through their 
traders inciting the Indians against the English. 
The lawless traders were another source of trouble. 
Caring nothing for either nation, they carried on a 
distressing traffic in direct violation of the laws, 
continually engendering ill-feeling among the na- 
tives. "Your traders," said one of them, "bring 
soiree anything but rum and flour. They bring 
little powder and lead, or other valuable goods. 
The rum ruins us. We beg you would prevent 
its coming in such rpiantities by regulating the 
traders. * ""^ ''' These wicked whisky sell- 
ers, when they have got the Indians in liquor, make 
them sell the very clothes off their backs. If this 
practice be continued, wemust be inevitably ruined. 
We mostearnestly, therefore, beseech you to remedy 
it." They complained of the French traders the same 
way. They were also beginning to see the animus 
of the whole conflict. Neither power cared as 
much for them as for their land, and flattered and 
bullied by turns as served their purposes best. 

The man selected to go upon this undertaking 
was Christian Frederic Post, a Sloravian, who had 
lived among the Indians seventeen years, and mar- 



ried into one of their tribes. lie was amissionary, 
and though obliged to cross a ccnnilry whose every 
stream had been dyed by blood, and every hillside 
rung with the death-yell, and grown red with the 
light of burning huts, he went willingly on his way. 
Of his journey, .sufieriugs and doings, his own 
journal tells the story. He left Philadelphia on the 
15th of July, 175S, and on the 7th of August 
safely passed the French post at Venango, went on 
to Big Beaver Creek, where he held a conference 
with the chiefs of the Indians gathered there. It 
was decided that a great conference should be 
held opposite Fort Du Quesne, where there were 
Indians of eight nations. "We will bear you in 
our bosoms," said the natives, when Post expressed 
a fear that he might be delivered over to tlie 
French, and royally they fulfilled their promises. 
At the conference, it was made clear to Post that 
all the Western Indians were wavering in their 
allegiance to the French, owing largely to tlu; liiil- 
ure of that nation to fulfill their promises oi' aid to 
prevent them from being dejirived of their land l)y 
theSis Natious,and through that confederacy, by the 
English. The Indians complained bitterly, moi-e- 
over, of the disposition of the whites in over-run- 
ning and claiming their lands. "Why did you not 
fight your battles at home or on the sea, instead of 
coming into our country to fight them ? " they 
asked again and again, and mournfully shook their 
heads when they thought of the future before them. 
" Your heart is good," said they to Post. " Vou 
speak sincerely; but we know there is always a gi'eat 
number who wish to get rich ; they have enough ; 
look ! we do not want to be rich and take away 
what others have. The white people think we 
have no brains in our heads ; that they arc big, 
and we are a handful ; but remember when you 
hunt for a rattlesnake, you cannot always find it, 
and perhaps it will turn and bite you before you see 
it."* When the war of Pontiac came, and all 
the West was desolated, this saying might have 
been justly remembered. After concluding a peace. 
Post set out for Philadelphia, and after incredi- 
ble hard.-^hips, reached the settlement uninjured 
early in September. His nii.ssion had more to do 
than at first is apparent, in the success of the 
English. Had it not been for him, a second Brad- 
dock's defeat might have befallen Forbes, now on 
his way to subjugate Fort Dii Quesne. 

Through the heats of August, the army hewed its 
way toward the West. Early in September it 

* Post's Journal. 



:^ 



A 



.^. 



u 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



roaclied Eaystown, wliitlior ^Yasllington had been 
ordered wilh his troops. Sic-kness had prevented 
him from being here ah'eady. Two officers wcie 
sant out to reconaoit<^r the fort, who returned and 
gave a very good aeeount of its condition. Gen. 
Forbes desired to know more of it, and sent out 
Maj. Grant, with 800 men, to gain more complete 
knowledge." Maj. Grant, supposing not more than 
2:,'0 soldiers to be in the fort, marched near it and 
made a feint to draw them out, and engage thcni 
iu battle. He was greatly niit-inii^rmed as to the 
strength of the French, and in the engagement 
that followed he was badly beaten — 270 of his men 
killed, 42 wounded, and sjvcral, including himself, 
taken prisoners. Tiie French, elated with their 
victory; attacked tlic main army, but were repulsed 
and obliged to retreat to the fort. The army con- 
tinued on its march. On the 24th of November 
they reached Turtle Creek, where a council of war 
was held, and where Gen. Forbes, who had been so 
ill as to be carried on a litter from the start, de- 
clared, with a mighty oath, he would sleep that 
night in the fort, or in a worse place. The Indi- 
ans had, however, cairicd the news to the French 
that the English were as plenty as the trees of the 
woods, and in their fright they set fire to (he fort in 
the nigiit and left up and down the Ohio River. 
The nest morning the English, who had heard the 
explosion of the magazine, and seen the light of 
the burning walls, marched in and took peaceable 
possession. A small fortification was thrown up 
on the bank, and, in honor of the groat English 
statesman, it was called Fort Pitt. Col. Hugh jMer- 
csr was left in command, and the main body of the 
army marched back to the sctth^ments. It reached 
Philadelphia January 17, 17.")'.'. On the 11th of 
iMarch, Gen. Forbes died, and was buried in the 
chancel of Christ's Church, in that city. 

Post was now sent on a mission to the Sis. Na- 
tions, with a report of the treaty of Easton. He 
was again instrumental in preventing a coalition of 
the Indians and the Frcneli. Indeed, to this o))- 
soure Moravian missionary belongs, iu a large 
measure, the honor of the capture of Fort Du 
Quesne, for by his influence had the Indians been 
restrained from attacking the army on its march. 

The garrison, on leaving the fort, went up and 
down the Ohio, part to Presque Isle by land, part to 
Fort Venango, while smno of them went on down 
the Ohio nearly to the ftPississippi, and there, in 
what is now Massac County, 111., erected a fort, 
called by them Fcjrt Massac. It was afterward 
named by many Fort JIa.s.sacre, from the erroneous 



supposition that a garrison liad been massacred 
there. 

The French, though deprived of the key to 
the West, went on preparing stores and ammunition, 
expecting to retake the fort in the spring. Before 
they could do this, however, other places demanded 
their attention. 

The success of the campaign of 1758 opened 
the way for the consummatiuu of the great scheme 
of Pitt — the comi)lete reduction of Canada. Three 
expeditions were planned, by which Canada, 
already well nigh annihilated and suffering ibr 
food, was to bo subjugated. On the west, Prideaux 
was to attack Niagara ; in the center, Amherst was 
to advance on Ticondcroga and Crown Point ; on 
the east, Wolfe was to besiege Quebec. All these 
points gained, the three armies were to be united 
iu the center of the province. 

Amherst appeared before Ticondcroga July 22. 
The French blew up their works, and retired 
to Crown Point. Driven from there, they re- 
treated to Isle Aus Nois and entrenched them- 
selves. The lateness of the season prevented fur- 
ther action, and Amherst went into winter quar- 
ters at Crown Point. Early in June, Wolfe 
apjicared before Quebec with an army of 8,0(10 
men. On the night of September 12, he silently 
ascended the river, climbed the heights of Abra- 
ham, a s]'t)t considered impregnable by the 
French, and on the summit frrmcd his army of 
5,000 men. Slontealm, the French ccmimander, 
was compelled to give battle. The British col- 
umns, flushed with success, charged his half-formed 
linos, and dispersed them. 

"They fly! (hey fly!" heard W^olfe, just as he 
expired from the effect of a mortal wound, though 
not till he had ordered their retreat cut off, and 
exclaimed, ''Now, God be praised, I die happy." 
Montcalm, on hearing frijm the surgeon that death 
would come in a few hours, said, "I am glad of it. 
I shall not live (o see the surrender of Quebec." At 
five the next morning he died happy. 

Prideaux moved up Lake Ontario, and on the 
Gth of July invested Niagara. Its capture would 
cut off the French from the west, and every en- 
deavor was made to hold it. Troops, destined to 
take the small garrison at Fort Pitt, were held to 
assist in raising the siege of Niagara. M. do 
Aubry, commandant in Illinois, came up with 400 
men and 200,000 pounds of flour. Cut off by the 
abandonment of Fort Du Quesne from the <)hio 
route, he ascended that river as far as the Wabash, 
thence to portage of Fort Miami, or Fort Wayne, 



^ i 



^ 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



47 



clown the Maunice to Lake Erie, and on to Prcsqu- 
ville, or Pres(|ue Isle, over the portage to Le Boeuf, 
and thence down French Creek to Fort ^^enango. 
He VTiis chosen to lead the expedition for the relief 
of Niagara. They were pursued by Sir William 
Johnson, successor to Prideaux, who had lost his 
life by the bursting of a cannon, and were obliged to 
flee. The next day Niagara, cut oif from succor, 
surrendered. 

All America rang with exultation. Towns were 
bright with illuminations ; the hillsides shone with 
bonfires. From press, from pulpit, from j)latform, 
and from speakers' desks, went u]i one glad song of 
rejoicing. England was victorious everywhere. 
The colonies had done their full share, and now 
learned their strength. That strength was needed 
now, for ere long a different conflict raged on the 
soil of America — a conflict ending in the birth of 
a new nation. 

The English sent Gen. Stanwix to fortify Fort 
Pitt, still looked upon as one of the principal for- 
tresses in the West. He erected a good fortifica- 
tion there, which remained under Briti.sh control 
fifteen years. Now nothing of the fort is left.. No 
memorial of the British possession remains in the 
West but a single redoubt, built in 1764: by Col. 
Bou(iuet, outside of the fort. Even this can hai'dly 
now be said to exist. 

The fall of Quebec did not immediately produce 
the submission of Canada. M. de Levi, on whom 
the command devolved, retired with the French 
Army to Montreal. In the spring of 17G0, he be- 
sieged Quebec, but the arrival of an English fleet 
caused him to again retreat to Montreal. 

Amher.st and Johnson, meanwhile, effected a 
union of their forces, the magnitude of whoso 
armies convinced the French that resistance would 
be useless, and on the 8th of September, 51. de 
Vaudreuil, the Governor of Canada, surrendered 
Montreal, Quebec, Detroit, Mackinaw and all other 
posts in Canada, to the English commander-in- 
chief, Amherst, on condition that the French in- 
habitants should, during the war, be "protected 
in the full and fi-ee exercise of their religion, and 
the full enjoyment of their civil rights, leaving 
their future destinies to be decided by the treaty 
of peace." 

Though peace was concluded in the New World, 
on the continent the Powers experienced some 
difficulty in arriving at a satisfactory settlement. 
It was finally settled by what is known in history 
as the "family compact." France and Spain saw 
in the conquest the growing power of England, 



and saw, also, that its continuance only extended 
that power. Negotiations were re-opeued, and on 
the od of November, 1762, preliminaries were 
agreed to and signed, and afterward ratified in 
Paris, in February, 1763. By the terms of the 
compact, Spain ceded to Great Britiau East and 
West Florida. To compensate Spain, France 
ceded to her by a secret article, all Louisiana west 
of the iMississippi. 

The French and Indian war was now over. 
Canada and all its dependencies were now in po.s- 
session of the English, who held undisputed sway 
over (he entire West as far as Mississippi. It only 
remained for them to take! possession of the out- 
posts. Major Robert Rogers was sent to take pos- 
session of Detroit and establish a garrison there. 
He was a partisan officer on the borders of New 
Hampshire, where he earned a name for bravery, 
but afterward tarnished it by treasonable acts. On 
his way to Detroit, on the 7th of November, 1760, 
he was met by the renowned chief, Pontiac, who 
authoritatively commanded him to pause and ex- 
plain his acts. Rogers replied by explaining the 
C()n(|uest of Canada, and that he was acting under 
orders from his King. Through the influence of 
Pontiac, the army was saved from the Indians 
sent out by the French, and was allowed to pro- 
ceed on its way. Pontiac had assured his protec- 
tion as long as the English treated him with due 
deference. Beletre, the commandant at Detroit, 
refused to surrender to the English commander, 
until he had received positive assurance from his 
Governor, Vaudreuil, that the country was indeed 
conquered. On the 29th of September, the colors 
of France gave way to the ensign of Great Britain 
amid the shouts of the soldiery and the astonish- 
ment of the Indians, whose savage natures could 
not understand how such a simple act declared one 
nation victors of another, and who wondered at 
the forbearance displayed. The lateness of the 
season prevented further operations, but early the 
next spring, Mackinaw, Green Bay, Ste. Marie, St. 
Joseph and the Ouitenon surrounded, and nothing- 
was left but the Illinois towns. These were se- 
cured as soon as the necessary arrangements could 
be made. 

Though the English were now mastera of the 
West, and had, while many of these events nar- 
rated were transpiring, extended their settlements 
beyond the Alleghanies, they were by no means 
secure in their pos.session. The woods and prairies 
were full of Indians, who, finding the English like 
the French, caring more for gain than the welfare 



ri* 






vt. 



48 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



of the natives, began to exhibit impatience and re- 
sentment as they saw their lauds gradually taken 
from them. The English policy differed very 
materially from the French. The French made 
the Indian, in a measure, independent and taught 
him a desire for ICuropean goods. They also 
affiliated easily with them, and became thereby 
strongly endeared to the savage. The French 
were a merry, easy-going race, fond of gayety and 
delighting in adventure. The English were harsh, 
stern, and made no advances to gain the friend- 
ship of the savage. They wanted land to cultivate 
and drove away the Indian's game, and forced him 
farther west. "Where shall we go?" said the 
Indian, despondently ; "you drive us farther and 
farther west; by and by y(.iu will want all the 
land." And the Anglo-Saxon went .sturdily on, 
paying no heed to the complaints. The French 



traders incited the Indian to resent the encroacli- 
mcnt. "The English will annihilate you and take 
all your land," said they. " Their father, the King 
of France, had been asleep, now ho had awakened 
and was coming with a great army to reclaim Can- 
ada, that had been stolen from him while he slept." 
Discontent under such circumstances was but 
nattiral. Soon all the tribes, from the mountains 
to the Mississippi, were united in a plot. It was 
discovered in 17G1, and arrested. The next sum- 
mer, another was detected and arrested. The 
officers, and all the people, failed to realize the 
danger. Tlie rattlesnake, though not found, was 
ready to strike. It is only an Indian discontent, 
thought the people, and they went on preparing to 
occupy the country. They were mistaken — the 
crisis only needed a leader to direct it. That 
leader appeared. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY— ITS 



FAILURE— BOUQUET'S 
ENGLISH. 



EXPEDITION— OCCUPATION BY THE 



PONTIAC, the great chief of the Ottawas, was 
now about fifty years old. He had watched 
the conflict between the nations with a jealous eye, 
and as he saw the gradual growth of the English 
])eople, their encroachment on the lands of the In- 
dians, their greed, and their assumption of the soil, 
his soul was stirred within him to do .something 
for his people. He had been a true friend of the 
Fnnieh, and had led tlic Indians at the defeat of 
15ra(ldock. Amid all the tumult, he alone saw the 
true state of affiiirs. The English would inevit- 
ably crush out the Indians. To save his race he 
saw another alliance with the French was neces- 
sary, and a restoration of their jtower and habits 
needed. It was the jilan of a slatcsman. It only 
failed because of the perfidy of the French. Matur- 
ing his plans late in the autumn of 17(12, he sent 
messengers to all tlie Western and Southern tribes, 
with the Iilack wanijnim and red tonaihawk, em- 
blems of war, from (he great Pontiac. "On a cer- 
tain day in the next year," said the messenger, "all 
the tribes are to rise, seize all the English posts, 
and then attack the wliole frontier." 

The great council of all the tribes was held at 
the river Ecorces, on the 27th of Ajn-il, ]7(i:). 
There, before the assembled chiefs, Pontiac deliv- 



ered a speech, tidl of eloquence and art. He 
recounted the injuries and encroachments of the 
English, and disclosed their designs. The French 
king was now awake and would aid them. Should 
they resign their homes and the graves of their 
fathers without an effort? Were their younn' men 



lonn 



brave? Were they squaws 



The 



Great Master of Life had chided them for their 
inactivity, and had sent his commands to drive 
the "Bed Dogs" from the earth. The chiefs 
eagerly acceptiHl the wam]iuni and the tomahawk, 
and separated to prepare for the coming strife. 

The post at Detroit was informed of the plot 
the evening before it was to occur, by an Ojibway 
girl of great beauty, the mistress of the com- 
mander. Major (iladwin. Pontiac was foiled here, 
his treachery discovered, and he was sternly ordt'red 
from the conference. A regular scigc followed, 
but he could not prevail. He exhibited a degree 
of sagacity unknown in the annals of savage war- 
fare, but all to no purpose; the English were too 
strong iiir him. 

At all the other posts, save one, however, the 
plans of I'oiitiac were carried out, and atrocities, 
unheard of before in American history, resulted. 
The Indians attacked Detroit on the first of IMay, 



^ S" 



:^ 



l^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



49 



and, foiled in tbeir plans, a siege immediately fol- 
lowed. Ou the IGth, a party of Indians appcai'ed 
before the tort at Sandusky. Seven of them were 
admitted. Suddenly, while smoking, the massacre 
begins. All but Ensign Paulli, the commander, 
flill. He i.s carried as a trophy to Pontiac. 

At the month of the St. Joseph's, the mission- 
aries bad maintained a mission station over sixty 
years. They gave way to an English garrison of 
Iburtcou soldiers and a few traders. Ou the 
morning of May 25, a deputation of Pottawato- 
mies are allowed to enter. In less than two min- 
utes, all the garrison but the commander arc slain. 
He is sent to Pontiac. 

Near the pi'csent city of Fort Wayne, Ind., 
at the junction of the waters, stood Fort IMiami, 
garrisoned by a few men. Holmes, the com- 
mander, is asked to visit a sick woman. He is 
slain on the way, the sergeant following is made 
prisoner, and the nine soldiers surrender. 

On the night of the last day of Blay, the wam- 
pum reaches the Indian village below La Fayette, 
Ind., and near Fort Ouitenon. The commander 
of the fort is lured into a cabin, bound, and his 
garrison surrender. Through the clemency of 
French settlers, they arc received into their houses 
and protected. 

At Jrichilimackinac, a game of ball is projected. 
Suddenly the ball is thrown through the gate of the 
stockade. The Indians press in, and, at a signal, 
almost all are slain or made prisoners. 

The fort at Pres((ue Isle, now Erie, was the 
point of communication between Pitt.slnirgh and 
Niagara and Detroit. It was one of the most 
tenable, and had a garrison of four and twenty 
men. On the 22d of June, the commander, to 
save his forces from total annihilation, surrenders, 
and all are carried prisoners to Detroit. 

The capitulation at Erie left Le Bneuf with- 
out hope. He was attacked on the ISth, 
but kept off the Indians till midnight, when he 
made a successful retreat. As they passed Ve- 
nango, on their way to Fort Pitt, they saw only 
the ruins of that garrison. Not one of its immates 
had been spared. 

Fort Pitt was the most important station west 
of the Alleghanies. ■' Escape ! " said Turtle's 
Heart, a Delaware warrior ; " you will all be 
slain. A great army is coming." "There are 
three large English armies coming to my aid," 
said Ecuyer, the commander. " I have enough 
provisions and ammunition to stand a siege of three 
years' time." A second and third attempt was 



made by the savages to capture the post, but all to 
no avail. Baffled on all sides here, they destroy 
Ligonier, a few miles below, and massaci-e men, 
women and children. Fort Pitt was besieged till 
the last day of July, but withstood all attacks. 
Of all the outposts, only it and Detroit were left. 
All had been captured, and the niaj(jrity of the 
garrison slain. Along the frontier, tlie war was 
waged with fury. The Indians were fighting for 
their homes and their bunting-gTounds; and for 
these they fought with the furj- and zeal of 
fanatics. 

Detachments sent to aid Detroit are cut off. 
The prisoners are burnt, and Pontiac, infusing his 
zealous and demoniacal spirit into all his savage 
allies, pressed the siege with vigor. The French 
remained neutral, yet Pontiac made requisitions 
on them and on their neighbors in Illinois, issuing 
bills of credit on liirch-bark, all of which were 
faithfully redeemed. Though these two posts 
could not be captured, the frontier could be 
annihilated, and vigorously the Indians pursued 
their policy. Along the borders of Pennsylvania 
and Vu'ginia a relentless warfare was waged, 
sparing no one in its way. Old age, feeble infancy, 
strong man and gentle woman, fair girl and hope- 
ful boy — all fell before the scalpiug-knife of the 
merciless savage. The frontiers were devastated. 
Thousands were obliged to flee, leaving their 
possessions to the torch of the Indian. 

The colonial government, under British direc- 
tion, was inimical to the borders, and the colonists 
saw they must depend only upon their own arms 
for protection. Already the struggle for fi-eedom 
was upon them. They could defend only them- 
selves. They must do it, too; for that defense is 
now needed in a different cause than settling dis- 
putes between rival powers. " We have millions 
for defense, but not a cent for tribute," said they, 
and time verified the remark. 

Gen. Amheret bestirrt'd himself to aid the 
frontiers. He sent Col. Henry Bouquet, a native 
of Switzerland, and now an officer in the English 
Army, to relieve the garrison at Fort Pitt. They 
followed tlie route made by Gen. Forl)cs, and on 
the way relieved Forts Bedford and Ligonier, both 
beleaguered by the Indians. About a day's jour- 
ney beyond Ligonier, he was attacked by a body 
of Indians at a place called Bushy Run. For 
awhile, it seemed that he and all his army would 
bo destroyed ; but Bouquet was bold and brave 
and, under a feint of retreat, routed the savages. 
He pas.sed on, and relieved the garrison at Fort 



\ 



4 



>?" 



50 



HISTORY. OF OHIO. 



Pitt, and thus secured it against tlic assaults of 
the Indians. 

The campaign had been disastrous to the En- 
glish, but fatal to the jilaus of Pontiac. He could 
not capture Detroit, and he knew the great scheme 
must fail. The battle of Bushy Fiun and the 
relief of Fort Pitt closed the campaign, and all 
hope of co-operation was at au end. Circum- 
stances were combined against the confederacy, 
and it was fast falling to pieces. A proclamation 
was issued to the Indians, explaining to them the 
existing state of affairs, and showing to them the 
futility of their plans, i'ontiac, however, would 
not give up. Again lie renewed the siege of De- 
troit, and Gen. Gage, now in command of the 
army in the colonies, resolved to carry the war 
into tlieir own country. Col. Bradstreet was or- 
dered to lead one army by way of the lakes, 
against the Northern Indians, while Col. Bouquet 
was sent against the Indians of the Ohio. Col. 
Bradstreet went on his way at the head of 1,2((0 
men, but tiiisting too much to the natives and 
their promises. Ids expedition j)roved largely a fail- 
ure. He relieved Detroit in August, 1704, which 
had been confined in the garrison over fifteen 
months, and dispersed the Indians that yet lay- 
around the fort. But on his way back, he saw how 
the Indians had dujied him, and that they were 
still plundering the settlements. His treaties were 
annulled by Gage, who ordered him to destroy 
their towns. The season was far advanced, his 
provisions were getting low, and he was obliged to 
return to Niagara chagrined and disappointed. 

Col. Bouquet knew well the character of the 
Indians, and shaped his plans accordingly. He 
had an army of 1,.")()0 men, 5o0 regidars and 1,0(10 
volunteers. They had had experience in fighting 
the savages, and could be depended on. At Fort 
Loudon, he heard of Bradstreets ill luck, and saw 
through the deee]ition practiced by the Indians. 
He arrived at Fort Pitt the ITth of September, 
where he arrested a deputation of chiefs, who met 
him with the same promises that had deceived 
Bradstreet. Ho sent one of their number back, 
threatening to put to death the chiefs unless they 
allowed his messengers to safely pass through their 
country to Detroit. The decisive tone of his 
words convinced them of the fate that awaited 
them unless they complied. On the od of t)cto- 
ber the army left Fort ]*itt, marched down the 
river to and across the Tuscarawas, arriving in tln! 
vicinity of Fredrick Post's late mission on the ITth. 
There a conference was held with the a.s.sembled 



tribes. Bouquet sternly rebuked them for their 
faithlessness, and when told by the chiefs they could 
not restrain their young men, he as sternly told 
them they were responsible for their acts. He 
told them he would trust them no longer. If they 
delivered up all their prisoners within tweh'e days 
they might hojie for peace, otherwise there would 
be no meriy shown them. Thej' were completely 
humbled, and, separating hastily, gathered their 
captives. On the 25th, the army proceeded down 
to the Tuscarawas, to the junction with White 
Woman River, near the town of Coshoctim, in 
Co.shocton County, Ohio, and there made ] repa- 
rations for the reception of the captives. 'Plu^rc 
they remained until the 18th of November; from 
day to day prisoners were brought in — men, wi imen 
and children — and delivered to their fi-iends. 3Iany 
were the touching scenes enacted during this time. 
The separated husband and wife met, the latter 
often carrying a child born in captivity. Brothers 
and sisters, separated in youth, met ; lovers ru.shed 
into each other's arms ; children found their 
parents, mothers their sous, fathers their daughters, 
and neighbors those from whom they had l.ieen 
separated many years. Yet, there were many dis- 
tressing scenes. Some looked in vain for lon,i;-lost 
relatives and friends, that never should return. 
Others, that had been captured in their infancy, 
would not leave their savage friends, and when 
force was used some fled away. One mother 
looked in vain for a child she had lost years be- 
fore. Day by dav, she anxiously watched, but no 
daughter's voice reached her ears. One, clad in 
savage attire, was brought before her. It could 
not be her daughter, she was grown. So was the 
maiden before her, "Can not you remember some 
mark'?'' asked Bouquet, whose sympathies were 
aroused in this case. "There is none," said the 
anxious and sorrowful mother. "Sing a song you 
sang over her cradle, she may remember," suggested 
the commander. One is sung by her mother. As 
the song of childhood floats out among the trees 
(he maiden stops and listens, then approac'hes, 

' "i'(>s, she remembers, ]\Iother and daughter arc 
held in a close embrace, and the stern Bouquet 
wi]ies awa\- a tear at tlic scene, 

! On the lSth,tlie army broke up its encamp- 
ment and started on its homeward march, Bou(|uet 
kept .six j)rinci]pal Indians as hostages, and re- 
turned to the homes of the captives. The Indians 
kept their promises faithfully, and the next year 
ri'|iresentatives of all the Western tribes met Sir 
William Johnson, at the German Flats, and made 



>> 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



51 



a treaty of peace. A tract of laud iu the Indian 
country was ceded to the whites for the benefit of 
tlioso who had suflFercd in the late war. The In- 
dians desired to make a treaty with Johnson, 
whereby the Alleghany Kiver should be the west- 
ern boundary of the English, but lie excused him- 
self on the gi'ound of proper power. 

Not long after this the Illinois settlements, too 
remote to know much of the struggle or of any of 
the gTeat events that had convulsed an emjjire, and 
changed the destiny of a nation, wore brought 
under the English rule. There were five villages 
at this date: Kaskaskia, Cahokia, St. Philip, Vin- 
cennes and Prairie du liocher, near Fort Chartres, 
the military headquarters of these French posses- 
sions. They were under the control or command 
of M. de Abadie, at New Orleans. They had also 
extended explorations west of the iMississippi, and 
made a few settlements in what was Spanish terri- 
tory. The country had been, however, ceded to 
France, and in Febraary, ITtU, the country was 
formally taken possession of and the present city 
of St. Louis laid out. 

As soon as the French knew of the change of 
government, many of them went to the west side of 
the river, and took up their residence there. They 
were protected in their religion and civil rights by 
the terms of the treaty, but preferred the rule of 
their own King. 

The British took possession of this country early 
in 1765. Gen. Gage sent Capt. Stirling, of the 
English Army, who arrived before summer, and to 
whom St. Ange, the nominal commandant, surren- 
dered the authority. The British, through a suc- 
cession of commanders, retained control of the coun- 
try until defeated by George Rogers Clarke, and 
his "ragged Virginia militia." 

After a .short time, the French 'again ceded the 
country west of the jMississippi to Spain, and re- 
linquished forever their control of all the West in 
the Now World. 

The population of Western Louisiana, when the 
exchange of governments occurred, was estimated 
to be 13,538, of which 891 were in the Illinois 
country — as it wa.s called — west of the Mississijijii. 
I'];ist of the river, and before the French ero.ssed 
into Spanish country, the population was estimated 
to be about 3,000. All these had grown into 
communities of a peculiar character. Indeed, that 
peculiarity, as has been observed, never changed 
until a gradual amalgamation with the American 
people effected it, and that took more than a cen- 
tury of time to accomplish. 



The English now owned the Northwest. True, 
they did not yet occupy but a small part of it, but 
traders were again crossing the mountains, ex- 
plorers for lands were on the Ohio, and families 
for settlement were beginning to look upon the 
West as their future home. Companies were again 
forming to purchase large tracts in the Ohio coun- 
try, and open them for emigration. One thing yet 
stood in the way — a definite boundary line. That 
line, however, was between the English and the 
Indians, and not, as had hei'etofore been the case, 
between rival European Powers. It was necessary 
to arrange some definite boundary before land com- 
panies, who were now actively pu.shing tlieir claims, 
could safely survey and locate their lands. 

Sir AVilliam Johnson, who had at previous times 
been instrumental in securing treaties, wrote re- 
peatedly to the Board of Trade, who controlled the 
greater part of the commercial transactions in the 
colonies — and who were the first to exclaim against 
extending English settlements beyond a limit 
whereby they would need manufactures, and there- 
by become independent of the Mother Country — 
urging upon thi^m, and through them the Crown, the 
necessity of a fixed boundary, else another Indian 
war was pjrobable. The Indians found themselves 
gradually hemmed in by the growing power of the 
whites, and began to exhibit hostile feelings. The 
irritation became so great that in the summer of 
1767, Gage wrote to the Governor of Penn.sjdvania 
concerning it. The Governor communicated his 
letter to the (General Assembly, who sent repre- 
sentatives to P]ngland, to urge the immediate set- 
tlement of the question. In compliance with these 
requests, and the letters of prominent citizens, 
Franklin among the number, instnictions were sent 
to Johnson, ordering him to complete the purchase 
from the Six Nations, and settle all differences. 
He sent word to all the Western tribes to meet 
him at Fort Stanwix, in October, 1768. The con- 
ference was held on the 24th of that mouth, and 
was attended by colonial representatives, and by 
Indians from all parts of the Northwest. It wa.s 
determined that the line should begin on the Ohio, 
at the mouth of the Cherokee (Tennessee), thence 
up the river to the Alleghany and on to Kittan- 
ning, and thence across to the Susquehanna. By 
this line, the whole country south of the Ohio and 
Alleghany, to which the Six Nations had any 
claim, was transferred. Part of this land was 
made to compensate twenty-two traders, whose goods 
had been stolen in 1763. The deeds made, were 
upon the express agreement that no claims should 



^. 



52 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Vii-gmia, 



ever be based on the treaties of Lancaster, Logs- 
town, etc., and were signed by the chiefs of the Six 
Nations for themselves, their allies and dejjendents, 
and the Shawanees, Delawares, Jlingoes of Ohio, 
and others ; though the Shawanees and Delaw;u'e 
deputies did not sign them. On this treaty, in a 
great measure, rests the title by purchase to Ken- 
tucky, Western Virginia and Western Pennsylva- 
nia. The rights of the Cherokees were purchased 
by Col. Donaldson, either for the King. 
or for himself, it is impossible to say which. 

The grant of the northern confederacy was now 
made. The white man coidd go in and po.ssess 
these lands, and know that an army would protect 
him if necessary. Under such a guarantee, West- 
ern lands came rapidly into market. In addition 
to companies already in existence for the purchase 
of land, others, the most notable of the.se being the 
"Walpole" and the "ili.s.sissippi'' Land Companies, 
were formed. This latter had among its organizers 
such men as Francis Lightfoot Lee, Richard 
Henry Lee, George Washington and Arthur Lee. 
Before any of these companies, some of whom ab- 
sorbed the Oliio Company, could do anything, the 
Revolution came on, and all land transactions were 
at an end. After its close, Congress would not 
sanction their claims, and they fell through. This 
did not deter settlers, however, from crossing the 
mountains, and settling in the Ohio country. In 



spite of troubles with the Indians — some of whom 
regarded the treaties with the Six Nations as un- 
lawful, and were dLsposed to complain at the rapid 
influx of whites — and the failure of the land com- 
panies, settlers came steadily during the decade 
from 17G8 to 1778, so that by the close of that 
time, there was a large; population south of the 
Ohio River ; while scattered along the northern 
banks, extending many miles into the wilderness, 
were hardy adventurers, who were carving out 
homes in the magnificent forests everywhere cov- 
ering the country. 

Among the foremost speculators in Western 
lands, was George Wa.shington. As early as 17G3, 
he employed Col. Crawford, afterward the leader in 
" Crawford's campaign," to purchase lands for him. 
In 1770, he crossed the mountains in company 
with several gentlemen, and examined the country 
along the Ohio, down which stream he passed to 
the mouth of the Great Kanawha, where he shot 
some buffalo, then plenty, camped out a few nights, 
and returned, fully couviueed, it seems, that one 
daj- the West would bo the best part of the New- 
World. Tie owned, altogether, nearly fifty thou- 
sand acres in the West, which he valued at 83.33 
per acre. Had not the war of the Revolution just 
then broken out, he might have been a resident of 
the West, and would have been, of course, one of 
its most iiromincnt citizens. 



CHAPTER V. 



AMERICAN EXPLOR.VTIOXS — DUNMORES WAR — CAMPAIGN OF GEORGE ROGERS CLARKE — 

LAND TROUBLES — SPAIN IN THE REVOLUTION — MURDER OF 

THE MORAVIAN INDIANS. 



MEANWHILE, Kentucky was filling with 
citizens, and though considerable trouble 
was experienced with the Indians, and the operations 
of Col. Richard Henderson and others, who made 
unlawful treaties with the Indians, j-et Daniel 
Boone and his associates had estalilished a 
commonwealth, and, in 1777, a county was 
formed, which, (>relong, was divided into three. 
Louisville was laid out on land belouging to 
Tories, and an important start made in tliis part 
of the West. Emigrants came down the Ohio 
River, .saw the northern shores wore inviting, and 
.sent back such accounts that the land north of the 
river rapidly grew in fivor with Eastern people. 



One of the most important Western characters, 
Col. (afterward Gen.) George Rogers Clarke, had 
had much to do in forming its character. He 
was born November 19, 1752, in Albemarle 
County. Va., and early came West. He had an 
unusually sagacious sjiirit, was an excellent sur- 
veyor and general, and took an active interest in 
all State and national affairs. He understood the 
animus of the Revolution, and was prepared to 
do his part. Col. Clarke was now meditating a 
move une(|ualed in its boldness, and one (hat had 
more to do with the success of America in the 
struggle for independence than at first apjicars. 
He saw through the whole plan of the British, 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



53 



who held all the outposts, Kaskaskia, Detroit, 
Vincennes and Niagara, and determined to circum- 
vent them and wi-est the West from their power. 
The British hoped to encircle the Americans by 
these outposts, and also unite the Indians in a 
common war against them. That had been 
attempted by the French when the English con- 
quered them. Then the French had a powerful 
ally in the person of Pontiac, yet the brave front- 
iersmen held their homes in many places, though 
the Indians " drank the lilood of many a Briton, 
scooping it up in the hollow of joined hands." 
Now the Briton had no Pontiac to lead the scat- 
tered tribes — tribes who now feared the unerring 
aim of a settler, and would not attack him openly — • 
Clarke know that the Delawares were divided in 
feeling and that the Shawanees were but imperfectly 
united in favor of England since the murder of 
their noted chiefs. He was convinced that, if the 
British could be driven from the Western posts, 
the natives could easily be awed into submission, 
or bribed into neutrality or friendship. They 
admired, from their savage views of vaior, the 
side that became victorious. They cared little for 
the cause for which cither side was fighting. 
Clarke sent out spies among tliem to ascertain the 
feasibility of his plans. The spies were gone 
from April 20 to June 22, and fully corroborated 
his views concerning the English policy and the 
feelings of the Indians and French. 

Before proceeding in the narrative of this expe- 
dition, however, it will be well to notice a few acts 
transpiring north of the Ohio Biver, especially re- 
lating to the land treaties, as they were not without 
effect on the British policy. Many of the Indians 
north and south of the Ohio would not recognize 
■ the validity of the Fort Stauwix treaty, claiming 
the Iroquois had no right to the lands, despite 
their conquest. These discontented natives har- 
assed the emigTants in such a manner that many 
Indians were slain in retaliation. This, and the 
working of the French traders, who at all times 
were bitterly opposed to the English rule, filled the 
breasts of the natives with a malignant hate, which 
years of bloodshed could not wash out. The 
murder of several Indians by lawless whites fiinned 
the coal into a blaze, and, by 1774, several retalia- 
tory murders occurred, committed by the natives 
in revenge for their fallen friends. Tiie Indian 
slew any white man he found, as a revenge on some 
friend of his slain; the frontiersman, acting on the 
same principle, made the borders extremely dan- 
gerous to invaders and invaded. Another cause 



of fear occurred about this time, which threatened 
seriously to vetard emigration. 

Pittsburgh had been claimed by both Pennsyl- 
vania and Virginia, and, in endeavoring to settle 
the dispute. Lord Dununire's war followed. Dr. 
John Connelly, an ambitious, intriguing person, 
induced Lord Dunmore to assert the claims of Vir- 
ginia, in the name of the King. In attempting to 
carry out his intentions, he was arrested by Arthur 
St. Clair, representing the proprietors of Pennsyl- 
vania, who was at Pittsburgh at the time. Con- 
nelly was released on bail, but went at once to 
Staunton, where he was sworn in as a Justice of 
Peace. Returning, he gathered a force of one 
hundred and fifty men, suddenly took possession of 
Pittsburgh, refused to allow the magistrates to 
enter the Court House, or to exercise the functions 
of their offices, unless in conformity to his will. 
Connelly refused any terras offered by the Penn- 
sylvania deputies, kept possession of the place, 
acted very harshly toward the inhabitants, stirred 
up the neutral Indians, and, for a time, threatened 
to make the boundary line between the two colonies 
a very serious question. His actions led to hostile 
deeds by some Indians, when the whites, no doubt 
urged by him, murdered seven Indians at the 
mouth of the Captiua Eiver, and at the house of 
a settler named Baker, where the Indians were 
decoyed under promises of friendship and offers of 
rum. Among those murdered at the latter place, 
was the entire family of the fiimous Mingoc chief, 
Logan. This has been charged to Michael Cresap ; 
but is untrue. Daniel Greathouse had command 
of the party, and though Cresap may have been 
among them, it is unjust to lay the blame at his 
feet. Both murders, at Captina and Yellow Creek, 
were cruel and unwarranted, and were, without 
doubt, the cause of the war that followed, though 
the root of the matter lay in Connelly's arbitrary 
actions, and in his needlessly alarming tlic Indians. 
Whatever may have been the facts in relation to 
the murder of Logan's family, they were of such 
a nature as to make all feel sure of an Indian war, 
and preparations were made for the conflict. 

An army was gathered at Wheeling, which, 
some time in July, under command of Col. Mc- 
Donald, descended the Ohio to the mouth of Cap- 
tina Creek. They proposed to march against an 
Indian town on the Muskingum. The Indians 
sued for peace, but their pretensions being found 
spurious, their towns and crops were destroyed. 
The army then retreated to Williamsburg, having 
accomplished but little. 



~v 



D4 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The Delaware's were anxious for peace ; even tlie 
Mini^oes, wlios(> relatives liatl been slaiu at Yellow 
Creek, ami Captiua, were restraiiieil; but Logan, 
who had been turned to an inveterate foe to the 
Americans, came suddenly upon the Monongahela 
settlements, took thirteen scalps in revenge ibr the 
loss of his fauiil}', returned home and exjiressed 
himself ready to treat with the Long Knives, the 
Virginians. Had Connelly acted properly at this 
juncture, the war might have been ended; but 
his actions only incensed Iwth borderers and In- 
dians. So obnoxious did lie become that Lord 
Dunmore lost faith in him, and severely repri- 
manded him. 

To put a stop to the depredations of the Indians, 
tw'o large bodies of troojis were gathered in A'ir- 
ginia, one under Gen. Andrew Lewis, and one 
under command of Dunmore himself. Before 
the armies could meet at the mouth of the Grt'at 
Kanawha, their objective jjoint, Lewis' army, which 
arrived first, was attacked by a furious baud of Dola- 
wares, Shawanoes, Iroquois and Wyandots. The 
conflict was bitterly jirolonged by the Indians, who, 
under the leadership of Cornstalk, were deter- 
mined to make a dedsive effort, and fought (ill 
late at night (October 10, 1774), and then only by 
a .strategic move of Lewis' command — which re- 
sulted in the defeat of the Indians, comjielling them 
to cross the Ohio — was the couflict ended. 3Iean- 
while, Dunmore's army came into the enemy's 
country, and, being joined by the remainder of 
Lewis' command, pressed forward intending to an- 
nihilate the Indian towns. Cornstalk and liis 
chiefs, however, sued for peace, and tlie conflict 
closed. Dunmore established a camp on Si]ipo 
Creek, where he held conferences with the natives 
and concluded the war. When he left the country, 
he stationed 100 men at the mouth of the Great 
Kanawha, a few more at Pittsburgh, and another 
corps at Wheeling, then called Fort Fincastle. 
Dunmore intended to return to Pittslmrgh the 
next sjjring, meet the Indians and form a definite 
peace ; but the revolt of the colonies pircvcnted. 
However, he opened several offices for the sale of 
lands in the West, .some of which were in the limits 
of the lV,nns3'lvania colony. This led to the old 
boundary dispute again ; but before it could be 
Bcttlcd, the Ilcvohition began, and Lord Du:imorc's, 
a.s well as almo.-t all other land .speculations in the 
West, were at an end. 

In 177") and ]77f>, the chief events transpiring 
in the West relate to tlie treaties with the Indians, 
and the endeavor on the j)art of the Americans to 



have them remain neutral in the family quarrel now 
coming on, which they could not understand. The 
British, like the French, however, could not let 
them alone, and finally, as a retaliatory meiisure. 
Congress, under advice of Washiugtcm, won some of 
them over to the side of the colonies, getting their 
aid and holding them neutral. The colonies only 
offered them rewards for jm'nciiurs ; never, hke the 
British, offering rewards for scalj)^. Under such 
rewards, the atrocities of the Indians in some quar- 
ters were simply horrible. The scalp was enough 
to get a reward, that was a mark of Indian valor, 
too, and hence, helpless innocence and decrepit old 
ago were not spared. They stirred the minds of 
the pioneers, who .saw the protection of their fire- 
sides a vital poiut, and led the way to the .scheme 
of Col. Clarke, who was now, as has been noted, the 
leading sjnrit in Kentuekj'. He saw through the 
scheme of the British, and determined, by a quick, 
decisive blow, to [rat an end to it, and to cripple 
their power in the West. 

Among the acts stimulating Clarke, was the attack 
on Fort Henry, a garrison about one-half mile 
above Wheeling Creek, on the Ohio, by a renegade 
white man, Simon Girty, an agent in the employ of 
the British, it is thought, and one of the worst 
wretches ever known on the frontier. When Girty 
attacked Fort Henry, he led his red allies in regu- 
lar military fiishion, and attacked it without mercy. 
The defenders were brave, and knew with wdiom 
they were contending. Great bravery was displaj'ed 
by the women in the fort, one of whom, a Wiss 
Zane, carried a kc^g of gunpowder from a cabin 
to the fort. Though repeatedly tired at by the sav- 
ages, she reached the fort in safety. After awhile, 
however, the effect of the frontiersmen's shots began 
to be felt, and the Indians sullenly withdrew. 
Re-enforcements coming, the fort was held, and 
Girty and his band were oljliged to flee. 

Clarke saw that if the British once got con- 
trol over the Western ludians the scene at Fort 
Ileiny would be repeated, and would not likely, 
in all cases, end in favor of the Americans, ^\'ith- 
out communicating any of his design.s, he letl Har- 
rodslmrg about the 1st of October, 1777, and 
reached the capital of Virginia by November 5. 
Still keeping his mind, he awaited a flivorable op- 
portunity to broach his plans to tho.se in power, 
and, in the mcanwliilo, carefully watched the exist- 
ing state of feeling. When the ojiportunity came, 
Clarke broached his plans to Patrick Hcjiiry, Gov- 
ernor of A'irginia, who at once entered warmly 
into them, recognizing their great importance. 



-s^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Through his aid, Clarke jiroeurcil the n.x-essary au- 
thority to prosecute his jilaus, aud returned at once 
to Pittsburgli. He intended raising men about 
this post, but fotind thein learful of leaving their 
homes iinjji'otected. However, he secured three 
companies, and, with these and a number of vohin- 
tcers, ])iclied up on the way down the Ohio lliver, 
he forlilied Corn Ishtnd, near tlie falls, and made 
ready for his expedition. He had some trouble in 
keeping his men, some of those fi'om Kentucky 
i-efusing to aid in subduing stations out of their 
own country. He did not announce his real inten- 
tions till ho had reached this point. Here Col. 
Bowman joined him with his Kentucky miliiia, 
and, on the 24th of Juno, 1778, during a total 
eclipse of the sun, the party left the fort. Before 
his st;'.rt, ho learned of the capture of Burgoyne, 
and, when nearly down to Fort Jlassac, he met 
.some of his spies, who informed him of the exag- 
gerated accounts of the ferocity of the Long 
Knives that the French had received fi-om the 
British. By proper action on his part, Clarke saw 
both these items of information could be made 
very beneficial to him. Leaving the river near 
Fort jMassac, he set out on the march to Kaskas- 
kia, through a hot summer's stin, over a country 
full of savage foes. They reached the town un- 
noticed, on the evening of July 4, and, before 
the astonished British and French knew it, they 
were all prisoners. M. Bocheblave, the English 
commander, was secured, but his wife adroitly con- 
cealed the papers belonging to the garrison. In 
the person of M. Gibault, the French priest, Clarke 
found a true friend. When the true character of 
the Virginians became apparent, the French were 
easily drawn to the American side, and the priest 
secured the surrender and allegiance of Cahokia 
through his personal influence. M. Gibault told 
him he would also secure the post at St. Vincent's, 
which he did, returning from the mission about 
the 1st of August. During the interval, Clarke re- 
enlisted his men, formed his plans, sent his pris- 
oners to Kentucky, and was ready for future action 
when M. Gibault arrived. He sent Capt. Helm 
and a single soldier to Vincenucs to hold that fort 
until he could put a garrison there. It is but 
proper to state that the English commander. Col. 
Hamilton, and his band of soldiers, were absent at 
Detroit when the priest secured the village on the 
"Ouabache." When Hamilton returned, in the 
autumn, he was gTeatly surprised to see the Amer- 
ican flag floating from the ramparts of the fort, 
and when approaching the gate he was abruptly' 



halted by Capt. Helm, who stood with a lighted fuse 
in his hand by a cannon, answering Hamilton's 
demand to surrender with the imperative inquiry, 
" rpon what terms, sir?" "Upon the honors of 
war," answered Hamilton, and he marched in 
gTcatly chagrined to see he had been halted b}'' 
two men. The British commander sat quietly 
down, intending to go on down the river aud sub- 
due Kentucky in the spring, in the mean time 
offering rewards for American scaljjs, and thereby 
gaining the eijithet " Hair-buyer General." Clarke 
heard of his actions late in January, 1779, and, as 
he says, " I knew if I did not take him ho would 
take me," set out early in February with his troops 
and marched across the marshy jjlains of Lower 
Illinois, reaching the Wabash post by the 22d of 
that month. The unerring aim of the Westerner 
was effectual. " They will shoot your eyes out," 
said Helm to the British troops. "There,! told 
you so," he further exclaimed, as a soldier vent- 
ured near a port-hole and received a shot directly 
in liLs eye. On the 24th the fort surrendered. 
The American flag waved again over its ramparts. 
The "Hair-buyer General" was sent a prisoner to 
Virginia, where he was kept in close confinement 
for his cruel acts. Clarke returned to Kaskaskia, 
perfected his plans to hold the Illinois settlements, 
went on to Kentucky, from where he sent word to 
the colonial authorities of the success of his expe- 
dition. Had he received the aid promised him, 
Detroit, in easy reach, would have fallen too, but 
Gen. Green, failing to send it as promised, the capt- 
ure of that important post was delayed. 

Had Clarke failed, and Hamilton succeeded, the 
whole West would have been swept, from the Alle- 
ghanies to the IMississippi. But for this small 
army of fearless Virginians, the union of all the 
tribes from Georgia to jNIaino against the colonies 
might have been effected, and the whole current 
of American history changed. America owes 
Clarke and his band more than it can ever pay. 
Clarke reported the capture of Kaskaskia and the 
Illinois country early after its surrender, and in 
October the county of Illinois was established, 
extending over an unlimited expanse of country, 
by the Virginia Legislature. John Todd was 
appointed Lieutenant Colonel and Civil Governor. 
In November, Clarke and his men received the 
thanks of the same body, who, in after years, 
secured them a grant of land, which they selected 
on the right bank of the Ohio lliver, opposite 
Louisville. They expected here a city would rise 
one day, to be the peer of Louisville, then coming 



56 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



.£ 



iuto prouiinence as an important place. By some 
means, tlieir oxpectatious failed, and only the 
dilapidated village of Clarkcsburg perpetuates 
tlieir hopes. 

The conquest of Clarke changed the face of 
aifairs in relation to tlie whole country north of 
the Ohio River, which would, in all probability, 
have been made the boundary between Canada and 
the United States. When this was proposed, the 
strenuous arguments based on this conquest, by 
the American Commissioners, secured the present 
boundary line in nogotiaiiiig the treaty of 1793. 

Though Clarke had failed to capture Detroit, 
Congress saw the importance of the post, and 
resolved on securing it. Gen. McCosh, commander 
at Fort Pitt, was put in command, and §1,000,- 
000 and 3,000 men placed at his disposal. By 
some dilatory means, he got no further than the 
Tuscarawas River, in Ohio, where a half-way 
house, called Fort Laurens, for the President of 
Congress, was built. It was too far out to be of 
practicable value, and was soon after abandoned. 

Indian troubles and incursions by the British 
were the most absorbing themes in the West. 
The British went so far as Kentucky at a later 
date, while they intended reducing Fort Pitt, only 
abandoning it wlien learning of its strength. 
Expeditions against the AVestern Indians were led 
by Gtm. Sullivan, Col. Daniel Broadhead, Col. 
Bowman and others, which, for awhile, silenced 
the natives and taught them the power of the 
Americans. They could not organize so readily 
as before, and began to attach themselves more 
closely to the British, or commit their depredations 
in bauds, fleeing into the wilderness as soon as 
they struck a blow. In this way, several localities 
suft'ered, until the settlers became again exasper- 
ated ; other expeditions were formed, and a second 
chastisement given. In 1781, Col. Broadhead 
led an expedition against the Central Ohio Indians. 
It did not prove so successful, as the Indians were 
led by the noted chief Brant, who, though not 
cruel, was a foe to the Americans, and assisted the 
British greatly in thi-ir endeavors to secure the West. 

Another class of events occurred now in the 
West, civil in their relations, yet destined to form 
an important part of its history — its land laws. 

It must be borne in mind, that Virginia claimed 
the greater portion of the country north of I lie 
Ohio River, as well as a large part south. The 
other colonies claimed land also in the West under 
the old Crown grants, wliich extended to the 
South or Western Sea. To more complicate mat- 



ters, several land companies lield proprietary rights 
to portions of these lands gained by grants from 
the Crown, or from the Colonial Assemblies. 
Others were based on land warrants issued 
in 17G3; others on selection and survey and 
still others on settlement. In this state of 
mixed afl^airs, it was difficult to say who held a 
secure claim. It was a question whether the old 
French grants were good or not, especially since 
the change in government, and the eminent pros- 
pect of still another change. To, in some way, 
aid in settling these claims, Virginia sent a com- 
mission to the West to sit as a court and determine 
the proprietorship of these claims. This court, 
though of as doubtful authority as the claims 
themselves, went to work in Kentucky and along 
the Ohio River in 1770, and, in the course of one 
year, granted over three thou.sand certificates. 
These were considered as good authoritj' Ibr a 
definite title, and were so regarded in after pur- 
chases. Under them, many pioneers, like Daniel 
Boone, lost their lands, as all were required to 
hold some kind of a patent, while others, who 
possessed no more principle than ''land-sharks" 
of to-day, acquired large tracts of land by holding 
a patent the court was bound to accept. Of all 
the colonies, Virginia seemed to have the best 
title to the Northwest, save a few parcels, such as 
the Connecticut or Western Reserve and some 
similar tracts held by New York, Massachusetts 
and New Jersey. When the temtory of the 
Northwest was ceded to the General Government, 
this was recognized, and that country was counted 
as a Virginia county. 

The Spanish Government, holding the region 
west of the Mississijipi, and a portion east toward 
its outlet, became an important Ijut secret ally of 
the Americans. When the French revolt was 
suppressed by O'Reilly, and the Spanish assumed 
the government of Louisiana, both Upper and 
Lower, there was a large tract of country, known 
as Florida (East and West), claimed by England, 
and duly regarded as a part of her dominion. 
The boundaries had been settled when the French 
first occupied Lower Louisiana. The Spaniards 
ad(]pted the patriarchal form of rule, as much as 
was consistent with their interests, and allowed the 
French full religious and civil liberty, save that all 
tribunals were aft(<r the Sjianish fashion, and 
governed by Spanisli rules. The Spaniards, long 
jealous of I'higland's growing power, secretly sent 
the (Jovernors of Louisiana word to aid the 
Americans in their struggle for freedom. Thougli 



-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



57 



they controlled the Jlississippi River, they allowed 
an American officer (Capt. Willing) to descend the 
river in January, 1778, with a party of fifty men, 
and ravage the British shore from Slanohez Bayou 
to Natchez. 

On the Sth of May, 1779, Spain declared war 
against Great Britain; aud, on the Sth of July, 
the people of Louisiana were allowed to take a 
part in the Vi'ar. Accordingly, Galvez collected a 
force of 1,400 men, and, on the 7th of September, 
took Fort Manchac. By the 21st of September, 
he had taken Baton Rouge aud Natchez. Eight 
vessels were captured by the Spaniards on the 
Mississippi and on the lakes. In 1780 Mobile 
fell ; in March, 1781, Pensacola, the chief British 
post in West Florida, succumbed after a long 
siege, and, on the 9th of May, all West Florida 
was surrendered to Spain. 

This war, or the war on the Atlantic Coast, did 
not immediately afl'ect Upper Louisiana. Great 
Britain, however, attempted to capture St. Louis. 
Though the commander was strongly suspected of 
being bribed by tlie English, yet the place stood 
the siege from the combined force of Indians and 
Canadians, and the assailants were dispersed. This 
was done during the summer of 1680, and in the 
autumn, a company of Spanish and French resi- 
dents, under La Balme, went on an expedition 
against Detroit. They marched as far north as 
the British trading-post Ke-ki-ong-a, at the head 
of the Maumee River, but being surprised in the 
night, and the commander slain, the expedition 
was defeated, having done but little. 

Spain may have had personal interests in aiding 
the Americans. She was now in control of the Jlis- 
sissippi River, the natural outlet of the Northwest, 
and, in 1780, began the troubles relative to the 
navigation of that stream. The claims of Spain 
were considered very unjust by the Continental 
CongTess, and, while deliberating over the question, 
Virginia, who was jealously alive to her Western 
interests, and who yet held jurisdiction over Ken- 
tucky, sent through Jefferson, the Governor, Gen. 
George Rogers Clarke, to erect a fort below the 
mouth of the Ohio. This proceeding w;iij rather 
unwarrantable, especially as the fort was built in 
the country of the Chickasaws, who had thus fiir 
been true friends to the Americans, and who looked 
upon the fort as an innovation on their territory. 
It was completed and occupied but a short time, 
Clarke being recalled. 

Virginia, in 1780, did a very important thing; 
namely, establishing an institution for higher edu- 



cation. The Old Dominion confiscated the lands 
of " Robert McKenzie, Henry Collins and Alex- 
ander McKee, Britons, eight thousand acres," and 
invested the proceeds of the sale in a public semi- 
nary. Transylvania University now lives, a monu- 
ment to that spu'it. 

While Clarke was building Fort Jefferson, a force 
of British aud Indians, under command of Capt. 
Bryd, came down from Canada and attacked the 
Kentucky settlements, getting into the country be- 
fore any one was aware. Tlie winter before had 
been one of unusual severity, aud game was ex- 
ceedingly scarce, hence the army was not prepared 
to conduct a campaign. After the capture of Rud- 
dle's Station, at the .south fork of the Licking, Bryd 
abandoned any further attempts to reduce the set- 
tlements, except capturing Martin's Station, and 
returned to Detroit. 

This expedition gave an additional motive for 
the chastisement of the Indians, and Clarke, on his 
return fi-om Fort Jefferson, went on an expedition 
against the Miami Indians. He destroyed their 
towns at Loramie's store, near the present city of 
Sydney, Ohio, and at Piqua, humbling the natives. 
^Miile on the way, a part of the army remained 
on the north bank of the Ohio, and erected two 
block-houses on the present site of Cincinnati. 

The exploits of Clarke and his men so efi'ectually 
chastised the Indians, that, for a time, the West 
was safe. During this period of quiet, the meas- 
ures which led to the cession of Western lands to 
the General Government, began to assume a defi- 
nite form. All the colonics claiming Western 
lands were willing to cede them to the Government, 
save Virginia, which colony wanted a large scope 
of Southia-n country southeast of the Ohio, as far 
as South Carolina. All recognized the justice of 
all Western lands becoming public property, and 
thereby aiding in extinguishing the debts caused by 
the war of the Revolution, now about to close. 
As Virginia held a somewhat difl'erent view, the 
ee.ssion was not made until 1783. 

The siibject. however, could not bo allowed to 
rest. The war of the Revolution was now drawing 
to a close ; victory on the part of the colonies was 
apparent, and the Western lands must be a part of 
the public domain. Subsequent events brought 
about the desired cession, though several events 
transpired before the plan of cession was consum- 
mated. 

Before the close of 1780, the Legislature of 
Virginia passed an act, establishing the "town of 
Louisville," and confiscated the lands of John 



:f- 



ji: 



58 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Connelly, Trlio was onu of its oriuinal proprietors. 
and who dLscinguished himself in the commence- 
ment of Lord Dunmore's war, and wlio was now a 
Tory, and doing all he could against the patriot 
cause. The proceeds of the sale of his lands wore 
divided between Vii-ginia and the county of Jeflerson. 
Kentucky, the next year, was divided into three 
counties, Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. Courts 
were appointed in each, and the eutrj' and location 
of lands given into their hands. Settlers, in spite 
of Indian troubles and British intrigue, wore 
pouring over the mountains, particularly so during 
the jeare 1780 and 17S1. The expeditions of 
Clarke against the ]Miami Indians ; Boone's cap- 
tivit}', and escape from them; their defeat when 
attacking Boonesboro, and other places — all 
combined to weaken their power, and teach them 
to respect a nation whose progress they could not 
stay. 

The pioneers of the West, obliged to depend on 
themselves, owing to the struggle of the colonies 
for freedom, gi-ew up a hardy, self-reliant race, 
with all the vices and virtues of a border life, and 
with Iiabits, manners and customs necessary to 
their peculiar situation, and suited to their peculiar 
taste. A resume of their experiences and daily 
lives would be quite interesting, did the limits of 
this history admit it here. In the part relating 
directly to this county, the reader will find sucli 
lives given; here, only the important events can 
be noticed. 

The last event of con.sec(ueneo occurring in the 
West before the close of the Kevoluticjn, is one 
that might well have been omittcil. Had such 
been the case, a great stain would have been spared 
the cliaractcr of Western pioneers. Reference is 
made to the ma.ssacre of the 3Ioravian Christian 
Indians. 

These Indians were of the Delaware nation 
chiefly, though other Western tribes were visited 
and many converts made. The first converts were 
made in New York and Connecticut, where, after 
a good start had been made, and a prospect of 
many souls being saved, they incurred the enmity 
of the whites, who, becoming alarmed at their suc- 
cess, per.secuted them to such an extent that they 
were driven out of New York into Pcnn.^ylvania, 
where, in 1744, four years after tlicir arrival in 
the New World, they began new missions. In 
1748, the New York and Connecticut Indians fol- 
lowed their teachers, and were among the founders 
of Friedeushutten, "Tents of Peace," a hamlet 
near Bethlehem, whore their toachors wore sta- 



tioned. Other hamlets grew around them, until 
in the interior of the colony, existed an Indian 
communit}', free from all savage vices, and grow- 
ing uj) in Chri.stian virtues. As their strength 
grew, lawless whites again began to oppress them. 
They coidJ not understand the war of 1754, and 
were, indeed, in a truly embarrassing position. 
The savages could form no conception of any cause 
for neutrality, save a secret sympathy with the 
English ; and if they could not take up the hatchet, 
they were in the way, and must be removed. Fail- 
ing to <lo this, their red brothers became hostile. 
The whites were but little better. The old suspi- 
cions which drove them from New Y'ork were 
aroused. They were secret Papists, in league with 
the French, and furnished them with arms and in- 
telligence; they were interfering with the liijuor 
trafSc; they were enemies to the Government, 
and the Indian and the white man combined ag;dnst 
them. They were obliged to move from place to 
place; were at one time protected nearly a year, 
near Philadelphia, from lawless whites, and finally 
were compelled to go far enough ^\"est to be out 
of the way of French and English arms, or the 
Iroipiois and Cherokee hatchets. They came 
finally to the ^luskingum, where they made a set- 
tlement called Schonbrun, "beautiful clear spring," 
in what is now Tuscarawas County. Other settle- 
ments gathered, from time to time, as the years 
went on, till in 1772 large numbers of them were 
within the borders of the State. 

Until the war of independence broke out, they 
were allowed to peacefully pursue their way. When 
that came, they were between Fott Pitt and De- 
troit, one of which contained British, the other 
Americans. Again they could not understand the 
struggle, and could not take up the hatchet. This 
brought on them the enmity of both belligerent 
parties, and that of their own forest companions, 
who could not see wherein their natures could 
change. Among the most hostile persons, were 
the white renegades McKee, Girty and Elliott. 
On their instigation, several of them were .slain, 
and by their advice they were obliged to leave their 
fields and homes, where they had many comforts, 
and where they had erected good chapels in which 
to worship. It was just before one of these forced 
removals that Mary, daughter of the missionary 
Ileckewelder, was born. She is supposed to be 
the first white female child born north of the Ohio 
River. Her birth occurred April 1(1, 1781, It 
is but proper to .say here, that it is an open ques- 
tion, and one that will prob.ibly never be decided. 



:T* 



^. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



59 



(. e. Wlio was tho first white child born in Ohio ? 
In all probability, tho child was born during the 
captivity of its motlier, as history plainly shows 
that when white women were released from the 
Indians, some of them carried children born while 
among the natives. 

When the Moravians were forced to leave their 
settlements on the Muskingum, and taken to San- 
dusky, they leH- growing fields of corn, to which 
they were obliged to return, to gather food. This 
aroused the whites, only wanting some pretest 
whereby they might attack them, and a party, 
headed by Col. David Williamson, determined to 
exterminate them. The Moravians, hearing of their 
approach, fled, but too late to warn other settle- 
ments, and Gnadenhutten, Salem and one or two 
smaller settlements,* were surprised and taken. 
Under deceitful promises, the Indians gave up all 
their arms, showed the whites their tre;isures, and 
went unknowingly to a terrible death. When ap- 
piTsed of their fate, determined on by a majority 
of the rangers, they begged only time to prepare. 
They were led two by two, the men into one, the 
women and children into another "slaughter- 
house," as it was termed, and all but two lads were 
wantonly slain. An infamous and more bloody 
deed never darkened the pages of feudal times ; 
a deed that, in after years, called aloud for venge- 
ance, and in some measure received it. Some of 
Williamson's men wrung their hands at the cruel 
fate, and endeavored, by all the means in their 
power, to prevent it; but all to no purpose. The 
blood of the rangers was up, and they would not spare 
"man, woman or child, of all that peaceful band." 

Having completed their horrible work, (March 
8, 1782), Williamson and his men returned to 
Pitt.sburgh. Everywhere, the Indians lamented 
the untimely death of their kindred, their savage 
relatives determining on their revenge; the Chris- 
tian ones could only be resigned and weep. 

Williamson's success, for such it was viewed by 
man}', excited the borderers to another invasion, 
and a second army was raised, this time to 
go to the Sandusky town, and annihilate the 
Wyandots. Col. William Crawford was elected 
leader ; he accepted reluctantly ; on the way, 
the army was met by hordes of savages on the 5th of 



June, and totally routed. They were away north, 
in what is now AVjandot County, and were oliliged 
to flee for their lives. The blood of the murdered 
Moravians called for revenge. The Indians de- 
sired it ; were they not relatives of the fallen 
Christians ? Crawford and many of his men fell 
into their hands ; all sufi'ered imheard-of tortures, 
that of Crawford being as cruel ;iii Indian cruelty 
could devise. He was pounded, pierced, cut with 
knives and burned, ail of which occupied nearly 
three hours, and finally lay down insensible on a bed 
of coals, and died. The savage captors, in demoni- 
acal glee, danced around him, and upbraided him 
for the cruel murder of their relatives, giving him 
this only consolation, that had they captured Will- 
iamson, he might go free, but he must answer for 
Williamson's brutality. 

The war did not cease here. The Indians, now 
aroused, carried their attack as far south as into 
Kentucky, killing Capt. Estill, a brave man, and 
some of his companions. The British, too, were 
active in aiding them, and the 14th of August a 
large force of them, under Girty, gathered silently 
about Bryant's Station. They were obliged to re- 
treat. The Kentuckians pursued them, but were 
repulsed with considerable loss. 

The attack on Bryant's Station aroused the peo- 
ple of Kentucky to strike a blow that would be 
felt. Gen. Clarke was put at the head of an army 
of one thousand and fif\y men, and the Miami 
country was a second time destroyed. Clarke even 
went as far north as the British trading-post at the 
head of the Miami, where he captured a great 
a;mount of property, and destroyed the post. Other 
outpo.sts also fell, the invading army suffering but 
little, and, by its decisive action, practically closing 
the Indian wars in the West. Pennsylvania suf- 
fered some, losing Hannahstown and one or two 
small settlements. Williamson's and Crawford's 
campaigns aroused the fiiry of the Indians that 
took time and nuieh blood and war to subdue. The 
Revolution was, however, drawing to a close. Amer- 
ican arms were victorious, and a new nation was 
now coming into existence, who would change the 
whole current of Western matters, and make of the 
Northwest a land of liberty, equality and union. 
That nation was now on the stage. 



60 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER YI. 

AMERICAN OCCUPATION— IXDIAN CLAIMS — SURVEYS — EARLY LAND COMPANIES— COMrACT 
OF 1787 — ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY — EARLY AMERICAN SETTLE- 
MENTS IN THE OHIO VALLEY — FIRST TERRITORIAL 
OFFICERS — ORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES. 



THE occupation of the West by the American, 
really dates from the campaign of Gen. Clarke in 
177S, when he cairtiired the British posts in the 
Illinois country, and Vincennes on the Wabash. 
Had he been properly supported, he would have 
reduced Detroit, then in ea.sy reach, and poorly de- 
fended. As it was, however, that post remained in 
charge of the British till after the close of the war 
of the Revolution. They also held other lake 
posts; but these were included in the terms of 
peace, and came into the possession of the Ameri- 
cans. They were abandoned by the British as 
soon as the different commanders received notice 
from their chiefs, and British rule and English 
occupation ceased in that part of the New ^^^JrId. 

The war virtually closed by the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, Va., October 19, 
1781. The struggle was prolonged, however, by 
the British, in the vain hope that they could re- 
trieve the disaster, but it was only a useless waste 
of men and money. America would not be sub- 
dued. "If we are to be taxed, we will be repre- 
sented," said the}', "else we will be a free govern- 
ment, and regulate oiu' own taxes." In the end, 
they were free. 

Provisional articles of peace between the United 
States and Great Britain were signed in Paris on 
the 3Ulh of November, 1782. This was followed 
by an armistice negotiated at Versailles on the 20th 
of January, 1783; and finally, a definite treat}- of 
peace was concluded at Paris on the 3d of the next 
September, and ratified by Congress on the 4th of 
January, 1784. By the second article of the defi- 
nite treaty of 1783, the boundaries of the United 
States were fixed. A glance at the map of that 
day shows the boundary to have been as follows: 
Beginning at Passaniaquoddy Bay, on the coast of 
Maine, the line ran north a little above the forty- 
fiftii parallel of latit iidc, when it diverged soutliwest- 
erly, irregularly, until it reached that parallel, when 
it followed it until it reached the vSt. Lawrence Biver. 
It followed that river to Lake (Ontario, down its 
center ; u}) the Niagara Eiver ; through Lake Erie, 



up the Detroit Biver and through Lakes Huron and 
Superior, to the northwest extremity of the latter. 
Then it pursued another irregular western course 
to the Lake of the Woods, when it turned south- 
ward to the Mississip])i Hiver. The commissioners 
insisted that should be tlie western boiindary, as 
the lakes were the northern. It followed the jMis- 
sissippi south until the mouth of Red River was 
reached, when, turning east, it followed almost a 
direct line to the Atlantic Coast, touching the 
coast a little north of the outlet of St. John's 
Eiver. 

From this outline, it will be readily seen what 
boundary the United States possessed. Not one- 
half of its present domain. 

At this date, there existed the original thirteen 
colonics : Virginia occupying all Kentucky and 
all the Northwest, save about half of Michigan and 
Wisconsin, claimed by Slassachusetts ; and the upper 
part of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the lower 
part (a narrow strip) of iMichigan. claimed by Con- 
necticut. Georgia included all of Alabama and 
Mississippi. The Spaniards claimed all Florida 
and a narrow part of lower Georgia. All the coun- 
try west of the Father of Waters belonged to Spain, 
to whom it had been secretly ceded when the fam- 
ily compact was made. That nation controlled the 
JlissLssippi. and gave no small uneasiness to the 
young government. It was, however, hapjiily set- 
tled finally, by the sale of LouLsana to the United 
States. 

Pending the settlement of these questions and 
the formation of the Federal Union, the cession of 
the Northwest by Virginia again came before 
Congress. That body found itself unable to fulfill 
its ])roiuises to its Sdldiers regarding land, and 
again urged the Old Dominion to cede the Terri- 
tory to the Gent'ral Government, for the good of 
all. Congress forbade settlers from occupying the 
Western lands till a definite cession had been 
made, and the title to the lands in question made 
good. But speculation was stronger than law, 
and without waiting for the slow processes of courts, 



^^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



01 



the adventurous settlers were pourint; into the 
country at a rapid rate, only retarded by the rifle 
and scalpiug-knile of the savage — a temporary 
check. The policy of allowing any parties to obtain 
land from the Indians was strongly discouraged 
by Witshington. He advocated the idea that only 
the General Government could do that, and, in a 
letter to James Duane, in Congress, he strongly 
urged such a course, and pointed out the danger 
of a border war, unless some such measure was 
stringently followed. 

Under the circumstances, Congress pressed the 
claims of cession upon Virginia, and dually in- 
duced the Dominion to modify the terms proposed 
two years before. On the 20th of December, 
178o, Virginia accepted the proposal of Congress, 
and authorized her delegates to make a deed to 
the United States of all her right in the territory 
northwest of the Ohio. 

The Old Dominion stipulated in her deed of 
cession, that the territory should be divided into 
States, to be admitted into the Union as any other 
State, and to bear a proportionate share in the 
maintenance of that Union; that Virginia should 
be re-imbursed for the expense incurred in subduing 
the British posts in the territory; that the French 
and Canadian inhabitants should be prottsctcd in their 
rights ; that the grant to Gen. George Rogers Clarke 
and his men, as well as all other similar grants, 
should be conQrmed, and tliat the lands should be 
considered as the common property of the United 
States, the proceeds to be applied to the use of the 
whole country. Congress accepted these condi- 
tions, and the deed was made IMareh 1, 1784. 
Thus the country came fi-om under the dominion 
of Virginia, and became common property. 

A serious difficulty arose about this time, that 
threatened for awhile to involve England and 
America anew in war. Virginia and several 
other States refused to abide by that part of the 
treaty relating to the payment of debts, especially 
so, when the British carried away quite a number 
of negroes claimed by the Americans. This re- 
fusal on the part of the Old Dominion and her 
abettors, caused the English to retain her North- 
western outposts, Detroit, Mackinaw, etc. She 
held these till 178(3, when the questions were 
finally settled, and then readily abandoned them. 

The return of peace greatly augmented emigra- 
tion to the West, especially to Kentucky. When 
the war closed, the population of that county (the 
three counties having been made one judicial dis- 
trict, and Danville designated as the seat of gov- 



ernment) was estimated to be about twelve thousand. 
In one year, after the close of the war, it increa.scd 
to 30,000, and steps for a State government were 
taken. Owing to the divided sentiment among its 
citizens, its perplexing questions of land titles 
and proprietary rights, nine conventions were held 
before a definite course of action could be reached. 
This prolonged the time till 1792, when, in De- 
cember of that year, the election for persons to 
form a State constitution was held, and the vexed 
and complicated questions settled. In 1783, the 
first wagons bearing merchandise came across the 
mountains. Their contents were received on flat- 
boats at Pittsburgh, and taken down the Ohio to 
Louisville, which that spring boasted of a store, 
opened by Daniel Broadhead. The next year, 
James Wilkinson opened one at Lexington. 

Pittsburgh was now the principal town in the 
West. It occupied the same position regarding 
the outposts that Omaha has done for several yeai-s 
to Nebraska. The town of Pittsburgh was laid 
out immediately after the war of 170-4, by Col. 
Campbell. It then consisted of four squares about 
the fort, and received its name from that citadel. 
The treaty with the Six Nations in 1768, con- 
veyed to the proprietaries of Pennsylvania all the 
lands of the Alleghany below Kittanning, and all 
the country south of the Ohio, within the limits of 
Penn's charter. This deed of cession was recog- 
nized when the line between Pennsylvania and 
Virginia was fixed, and gave the post to the Key- 
stone State. In accordance with this deed, the 
manor of Pittsburgh was withdrawn from market 
in 1709, and was held as the property of the Penn 
family. When AVashingtou visited it in 1770, it 
seems to have declined in consequence of the 
afore-mentioned act. He mentions it as a "town of 
about twenty log houses, on the !Monongahela, 
about three hundred yards from the fort." The 
Penn's remained true to the King, and hence all 
their land that had not been surveyed an<l returned 
to the land office, was confiscated by the common- 
wealth. Pittsburgh, having been surveyed, was 
still lefl to them. In the spring of 1784, Tench 
Francis, the agent of the Ponns, was induced to 
lay out the manor into lots and offer them for sale. 
Though, for many years, the jilace was rather un- 
promising, it eventually became the chief town in 
that part of tin; AVcst, a position it yet holds. In 
1786, John Scull and Joseph Hall started the 
Pittsburgh Gaxttc, the first paper published west 
of the mountains. In the initial number, appeared a 
lengthy article from the pen of II. II. Brackenridge, 



>?-, 



02 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



afterward one of tlie most prominent members 
of the Pennsylvania bar. He had located in 
Pittsburjrh iu ITSl. His letter gives a most hope- 
ful prospect iu store for the future city, and is a 
hii^lily descriptive article of the Western country. 
It is yet preserved in the "Western Annals,'' and 
is well worth a perusal. 

Under the act of peace in 1783, no provision was 
made by the British for their allies, especially the 
Si.K Nations. The question was ignored by the 
English, and was made a handle by the Americans 
in gaining them to their cau.se before the war had 
fully closed. The treaties made were regarded by 
the Indians as alliances only, and when the En- 
glish left the country the Indians began to a.ssume 
rather a hostile bearing. This excited the whites, 
and for a while a war with that formidable con- 
federacy was imminent. Better councils prevailed, 
and Congress wisely adopted the policy of ac(iuiring 
their lands by purcha.se. In accordance with this 
j)olicy, a treaty was made at Fort Stanwix with 
the Six Nations, in October, 1784. By this treat}', 
all lands west of a line drawn from the mouth of 
Oswego Creek, about four miles east of Niagara, 
to the mouth of Buffalo Creek, and on to the 
northern boundary of Penn.sylvania, thence west 
along that boundary to its western extremity, 
thence south to the t)hio River, should be ceded 
to the United States. ( They claimed we.st of this line 
by con(pie.st. ) The Six Nations were to be secured 
in the lands they inhaliited, reserving only six miles 
square around (Jswego fort for the support of the 
same. By this treaty, the indefinite claim of the 
Six Nations to the West was extinguished, and the 
question of its owner.ship settled. 

It was now occupied by other Western tribes, 
who did not recognize the Iroquois claim, and who 
would not yield without a purchase. Especially 
was this the case with tho.se Indians living in the 
northern part. To get possession of that country 
by the sanie process, the United States, through 
its commissioners, held a treaty at Fort Mcintosh 
on the 21st of January. 1785. The Wyandot, 
Delaware, Chi]>pcwa and Ottawa tribes were pres- 
ent, and, through their chiefs, sold their lands to 
the Government. The Wyandot and Delaware 
nations were given a reservation in the north part 
of Ohio, where they were to be protected. The 
others were allotted reservations in Michigan. To 
all was given complete control of their lands, allow- 
ing them to punish any white man attempting to 
.settle; thereim, and guaranteeing them in their 
ri-'hts. 



-f 



By such means Congress gained Indian titles to 
the vast realms north of the Ohio, and. a few 
months later, that legislation was commenced that 
should determine the mode of its disposal and the 
plan of its settlements. 

To facilitate the settlement of lands thus acquired. 
Congress, on May 20, 1785, passed an act for dispos- 
ing of lands in the Northwest Territory. Its main 
provisions were : A surveyor or surveyors should be 
appointed fi-om the States ; and a geographer, and 
his assistants to act with them. The surveyors 
were to divide the territory into townships of six 
miles sipiare, by lines running due north and 
south, and east and west. The starting-place 
was to be on the Ohio Paver, at a point where the 
western boundary of Pennsylvania crossed it. 
This would give the first range, and the first 
township. As soon as seven townships were 
surveyed, the maps and plats of the same were to 
be sent to the Board of the Treasury, who would 
record them and proceed to place the land in the 
market, and so on with all the townships as fa.st as 
they could be prejiarcd ready for sale. Each town- 
ship was to be divided into thirty-six sections, or 
lots. Out of these sections, numbers 8, 11, 26 and 
29 were reserved for the use of the Government, 
and lot No. 10. fur the establishment of a common- 
school fund. One-third of all mines and minerals was 
also reserved for the United States. Three townships 
on Lake Erie were reserved for the use of officers, 
men and others, refugees from Canada and fi'om 
Nova Scotia, who were entitled to grants of land. 
The jMoravian Indians were also exempt from 
molestation, and guaranteed in their homes. Sol- 
diers' claims, and all others of a like nature, were 
also recognized, and land reserved for them. 

AVithout waiting for the act of Congress, settlers 
had been pouring into the country, and, when or- 
dered by Congress to leave undisturbed Indian 
lands, refu.sed to do so. They went into the In- 
dian country at their peril, however, and when 
driven out by the Indians could get no r(xlress 
from the tiovernmcnt, even when life was lost. 

The Indians on the Wabash made a treaty at 
Fort Finney, on the Miami, Januar}' 31, 178ti, 
promising allegiance to the United States, and were 
allowed a reservation. This treaty did not include 
the Piankeshaws, as was at first intended. These, 
refusing to live peaceably, stirred up the Sliawa- 
nees, who began a series of predatory excursions 
against the settlements. This led to an expedition 
against them and other rcstlei^s tribes. Gen. Clarke 
commanded part of the army on that expedition. 



-JL 9 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



65 



but got no farther than Vincennes, wlien, owing to 
the discontent of his Kentucliy troops, he was 
obliged to return. Col. Benjamin Logan, how- 
ever, inarched, at the liead of tbnr or five hundred 
mounted riflemen, into the Indian country, pene- 
trating as far as the head-waters of Mad lliver. 
He destroyed several towns, much corn, and took 
about eighty prisoners. Among these, was the 
chief of the nation, who was wantonly slaiti, 
greatly to Logan's regret, who could not restrain 
his men. His expedition taught the Indians sub- 
mission, and that they must adhere to their con- 
tracts. 

Meanwhile, the difficulties of the navigation of 
the Mississippi arose. Spain would not relinquish 
the right to control the entire southern part of the 
river, allowing no fi'ee navigation. She was secretly 
hoping to cause a revolt of the Western provinces, 
especially Kentucky, and openly favored such a 
move. She also claimed, by conquest, mucli of the 
land on the east side of the river. The slow move- 
ments of Congress; the failure of Virginia to 
properly protect Kentucky, and tlie inherent rest- 
lessness in some of the Western men, well-nigh 
precipitated matters, and, for a while, serious i-esults 
were imminent. The Kentuckians, and, indeed, 
all the people of the West, were determined the 
river sliould be free, and even went so far as to 
raise a regiment, and forcibly seize Spanish prop- 
erty in the West. Great Britain stood ready, too, 
to aid the West should it succeed, providing it 
would make an alliance with her. But while the 
excitement was at its height, Washington coun- 
seled better ways and patience. The decisive tone 
of the new rejjublie, though almost overwhelmed 
with a burden of debt, and with no credit, debarred 
the Spanish from too forcible mea.sures to as.sert 
their claims, and held back the disloyal ones from 
attempting a revolt. 

New !f ork, jMassachusetts and Connecticut ceded 
their lands, and now the United States were ready 
to fulfill their promises of land grants, to the sol- 
diers who had preserved the nation. This did 
much to heal the breach in the West, and restore 
confidence there; so that the Mississippi cjuestion 
was overlooked for a time, and Kentucky forgot her 
animosities. 

The ces.sion of their claims was the signal for 
the formation of land companies in the East; com- 
panies whose object wa.s to settle the Western coun- 
try, aud, at the same time, enrich the founders of 
the companies. Some of these companies had been 
formed in the old colonial daj's, but the recent war 



had put a stop to all their proceedings. Congi'ess 
would not recognize their claims, and new com- 
panies, under old names, were the result. By such 
means, the Ohio Company emerged ti'om the past, 
and, in ITSO, took an active existence. 

Benjamin Tupper, a Revolutionary .soldier, and 
since then a government surveyor, who had been 
west as far as Pittsburgh, revived the question. 
He was prevented from prosecuting his surveys by 
hostile Indians, and returned to Massachusetts. 
He broached a plan to Gen. Rufus Putnam, as to 
the renewal of their memorial of 1783, which re- 
sulted in the publication of a plan, and inviting all 
those interested, to meet in February in their re- 
spective counties, and choose delegates to a con- 
vention to be held at the " Bunch-of-gTapes Tav- 
ern." in Bo.ston, on the first of JIarch, 1786. On 
the day appointed, eleven persons appeared, and 
by the 3d of IMarch an outline was drawn up, and 
subscriptions under it began at once. The leading 
features of the plan were : '-A fund of § 1 ,000,000, 
mainly in Continental certificates, was to be raised 
for the purpose of purchasing lands in the Western 
country; there were to be 1,000 shares of $1,000 
each, and upon each share §10 in specie were to 
be paid for contingent expenses. One year's inter- 
est was to be appropriated to the charges of making 
a settlement, and assisting those unable to move 
without aid. The owners of every twenty shares 
were to choose an agent to represent them and 
attend to their interests, and the agents were to 
choose the directors. The plan was a])proved, and 
in a year's time from that date, the Company was 
organized."* 

By the time this Company was organized, all- 
claims of the colonies in the coveted t<'rritory were 
done away with by their deeds of cession, Connect- 
icut being the last. 

While troubles were still existing south of the 
Ohio lliver, regarding the navigation of the Mis- 
sissippi, and many urged the formation of a sepa- 
rate, independent State, and while Congress and 
Washington wore doing what they could to allay 
the feeling north of the Ohio, the New England 
associates were busily engaged, now that a Com- 
pany was formed, to obtain the land they wished 
to purchase. On the Sth of March, 1787, a meet- 
ing of the agents chose Gen. Parsons, Gen. Put- 
nam and the Rev. jMannasseh Cutler, Directors for 
the Company. The last selection was quite a/ 
fitting one for such an enterprise. Dr. Cutler was 



^Historical Collections. 



\ 



i. 



60 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



an accomplished scholar, an excellent, gentleman, 
and a firm believer in freedom. In the choice of 
him as the agent of the Company, lies the fiict, 
though unforeseen, of the beginning of anti-slavery 
in America. Through him the famous " compact 
of 1787," the true corner-stone of the Northwest, 
originated, and by him was s;ifely passed. He 
was a good " wire-puller," too, and in tliis had an 
advantage. .^Ir. llutehins was at this time the 
geographer f(jr the United States, and was, prob- 
ably, the best-posted man in America regarding 
the West. Dr. Cutler learned from him that the 
most desirable portiiuis were on the Muskingum 
lliver, north of the Ohio, and wa.s advised by him 
to buy there if he could. 

Congress wanted money badly, and many of the 
members favored the plan. The Southern mem- 
bers, generally, were hostile to it, as the Doctor 
would listen to no grant which did not embody 
the New England ideas in the charter. These 
members were finally wtm over, some bribery be- 
ing used, and some of their favorites made officers 
of the Territor3', whose formation was now going 
on. This took time, however, and Dr. Cutler, be- 
coming impatient, declared they would purchase 
from some of the States, who held small tracts in 
various parts of the West. Tliis intimation brought 
the tardy ones to time, and, on the 23d of July, 
Congress authorized the Treasury Board to make 
the contract. On the 26th, Messrs. Cutler and 
Sargent, on behalf of the Company, stated in 
writing their conditions; and on the 27th, Con- 
gress referred their letter to the Board, and an 
order of the same date was obtained. Of this Dr. 
Cutler's journal says: 

" By tliis grant we obtained near five millions 
of acres of land, amounting to §o,rj()(», ()()(); l,.'j(lO,- 
0(10 acres for the Ohio Company, ami the remainder 
for a private speculation, in which many of the 
)irineipal characters of America arc concerned. 
Without connecting this peculation, similar terms 
and advantages for the Ohio Company could not 
liavc been obtained." 

Messrs. Cutlin- and Sargent at onc(! closed a vcr- 
lial contract with the Treasui-y Board, which wa.s 
(executed in form on the 27th of the next Octo- 
ber. "■■ 

Jjy this contra(tf, the vast region Iniunded on the 
south by the Ohio, west by the Scioto, east by the 
seventh range (jf townships then surveying, and 
north by a due west line, drawn from the norlh 



boundarj- of the tenth township from the Ohio, 
direct to the Scioto, was sold to the Ohio associ- 
ates and their secret copartners, for SI per acre, 
subject to a deduction of one-thii'd for bad lands 
and other contingencies. 

The whole tract was not, however, paid for nor 
taken by the Company — even their own portion of 
a million and a half acres, and extending west to the 
eighteenth range of townshijis, was not taken ; and 
in 1792, the boundaries of the purchase proper 
were fixed as follows: the Ohio on the south, the 
seventh range of townships on the east, the six- 
teenth range on the west, and a line on the north 
so drawn as to make the grant 7.")0,000 acres, be- 
sides reservations ; this grant being the portion 
which it was originally agreed the Company might 
enter into at once. In addition to this. 214,285 
acres were granted as army bounties, under the 
resolutions of 1779 and 1780, and 100,000 acres 
as bounties to actual settlers; both of the latter 
tracts being within the original gi-ant of 1787, and 
adjoining the purchase as before mentioned. 

While these things were progressing. Congress 
was bringing into form an ordinance for the gov- 
ernment and social organization of the North- 
west Territory. Virginia made her cession in 
March, 1784, and during the month following the 
plan for the temporarj' governmcni of the newly 
acquired territory came under discussion. On the 
19th of April, Mr. Spaight, of North Carolina, 
moved to strike from the plan reported by jMr. 
JefFerson, the emancipationist of his day, a provis- 
ion for the prohibition of slavery north of the Ohio 
after the year ISOO. The motion prevailed. From 
that day till the 2od, the plan was dLscussed and 
altered, and finally passed unanimously with the ex- 
ception of South Carolina. The South would have 
slavery, or defeat every measure. Thus this hide- 
ous monster early began to assert liimself By the 
proposed plan, the Territory was to have been 
divided into States by parallels of latitude and merid- 
ian lines. This divi.sion, it was thought, would make 
ten States, whose names were as follows, beginning 
at the northwest corner, and going southwardly ; 
Sylvania, Michigania, Cheresonisus, As.senis])ia, 
iNietropotamia, lllinoia, Saratoga, Washington, 
Tolypotamia and Pelisipia.* 

A more serioui; difficulty existed, however, to 
this plan, than its catalogue of names — the number 
of States and their boundaries. Thcroot of the v.\\\ 
was in the resolution passed by Congress in October, 

* Spark's Wa^liington. 



\^ni- 



V 



:£: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



C7 



1 TSO, Ti'liicli Cscd the sizo of the States to be formed 
from the ceded hinds, at one hundred to one hundred 
and fifty miles square. The terms of that resolu- 
tion being called up both by Virginia and Massa- 
chus3tts, further legislation was deemed necessary 
to cliange them. July 7, 1780, this subject came 
up in Congress, and a resolution passed in favor of 
a division into not less than three nor more than 
five States. Virginia, at the close of 1788, assented 
to this proposition, wiiich became the basis upon 
which the division should be made. On the 2!.lth 
of September, Congress having thus changed the 
plan tor dividing the Northwestern Territory into 
ten States, proceeded again to consider the terms of 
an ordinance for the government of that region. At 
this juncture, the genius of Dr. Cutler displayed 
itself A graduate in medicine, law and divinity ; 
an ardent lover of liberty ; a celebrated scientist, 
and an accomplished, portly gentleman, of whom 
the Southern senattirs said they had never before 
seen so fine a specimen from tlie New England colo- 
nies, no man wa-s better prepared to form a govern- 
ment for the new Territory, than he. The Ohio 
Company was his real object. lie was backed by 
them, and enough Continental money to purchase 
more than a million acres of laud. This was aug- 
mented by other parties until, as has been noticed, 
he represented over five million acres. This would 
largely reduce the pulilic debt. Jeflerson and A''ir- 
ginia were regarded as authority concerning the 
land Virginia had just ceded to the General Gov- 
ernment. Jefferson's policy was to provide for the 
national credit, and still check the growth of slavery. 
Here was a good opportunity. JMassachusetts 
owned the Territory of Maine, which she was crowd- 
ing into market. She opposed the opening of 
the Northwest. This stirred Virginia. The South 
caught the inspiration and rallied around the Old 
Bominioa and l)r. Cutler. Thereby he gained -the 
credit and good will of the South, an auxiliary he 
us 3d to good purpose. Ma,ssachusctts could not 
vote against him, because many of the constituents 
of her members were interested in the Ohio Com- 
pany. Thus the Doctor, using all the arts of the 
lobbyist, was enabled to hold the situation. True to 
d;:3per convictions, he dictated one of the most com- 
pact and finished documents of wise statesmanship 
that has ever adorned any statute-book. Jefferson 
g.ive it the term, "Articles of Compact," aul 
rendered him valuable aid in its construction. 1'his 
" Compact" preceded the Federal Constitution, in 
both of which are seen Jefferson's master-mind. 
Dr. Cutler followed closely the constitution of Jlas- 



sachusetts, adopted three years before. The prom- 
inent features were : The exclusion of slavery from 
the Territory forever. Provision for public schools, 
giving one township for a seminary, and every six- 
teenth sjction. (That gave one thirty-sixth of all 
the land for public education.) A provision pro- 
hibiting the adoption of any constitution or the 
enactment of any law that would nullify pre-exist- 
ing contracts. 

The compact further declared that " Religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall always be en- 
couraged." 

The Doctor planted himself firmly on this plat- 
form, andwould not yield. It was that or nothing. 
Unless they could make the land desirable, it was 
not wanted, and, taking his horse and buggy, he 
started for the Constitutional Convention in Phil- 
adelphia. Plis influence succeeded. On the 13th 
of July, 1787, the bill was put upon its pa.ssage 
and was unanimously adopted. Every member 
fi-om the South voted for it ; only one man, Mr. 
Yates, of New York, voted against the measure ; 
but as the vote was made by States, his vote was 
lost, and the " Compact of 1787 " was beyond re- 
peal. Thus the great States of the Northwest 
Territory were consecrated to freedom, intelligence 
and morality. This act was the opening step lor 
fi-eedom in America. Soon the South saw their 
blunder, and endeavored, by all their power, to re- 
peal the compact. In 1803, Congress refen-ed it 
to a committee, of which John Kandolph was 
chairman. He rcjiorted the ordinance was a com- 
pact and could not be repealed. Thus it stood, 
like a rock, in the way of slavery, which still, in 
spite of these provisions, endeavored to plant that 
infernal institution in the West. Witness the 
early days of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. But the 
compact could not be violated ; New England ideas 
could not be put down, and her sons stood ready 
to defend the si-il of the West from that curse. 

The passage of the ordinance and the grant of 
land to Dr. Cutler and his associates, were soon fol- 
lowed by a rc(|uest from John Cleve Symmcs, of 
New Jersey, for the country between the IMiamis. 
Symmes h.;d visited that part of the West in 17Sl), 
and, being pleased with the valleys of the Miamis, 
had applied to the Board of the Treasury for 
their purchase, as soon as they were open to set- 
tlement. The Board was empowered to act by 
Congi-ess, and, in 1788, a contract was signed, giv- 
ing him the country he desired. The terms of his 



C3 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



purchase were similar to those of tlie Ohio Com- 
panj-. His application was followed by others, 
whose successorfailure will appear in the narrative. 

The New England or Ohio Company was all 
this time busily engaged perfecting its arrange- 
ments to occupy its lauds. The Diiectors agreed 
to reserve 5,7(50 acres near the confluence of the 
Ohio and Muskingum for a city and commons, for 
the old ideas of the English jilan of .settling a 
country yet prevailed. A meeting of the Direct- 
ors was held at Bracket's tavern, in Boston. No- 
vember 23, 17S7, when four surveyors, and tweu- 
,ty-two attendants, boat-builders, carjtenters, black- 
smiths and common workmen, numbering in all 
forty persons, were engaged. Their tools were 
purchased, and wagons were obtained to transport 
them across the mountains. Gen. lluf'us Putnam 
was made superintendent of the company, and 
Ebenezer Sproat, of Rhode Island, Anselm Tup- 
{ler and John ilatthews, from 31assachusetts, and 
K. J. Meigs, t'om Connecticut, as surveyors. At 
the same meeting, a suitatjle person to instruct them 
in religion, and prepare the way to open a school 
when needed, was selected. This was llev. Daniel 
Storey, who became the first New England minis- 
ter in the Northwest. 

The Indians were watching this outgrowth of 
affairs, and felt, from what they could learn in Ken- 
tucky, that they would be gradually sun-oundcd by 
the whites. This they did not relish, by any 
means, and gave the settlements south of the Ohio 
no little une;l.■^ine.5s. It was thought best to hold 
another treaty with them. In the mean time, to 
insure paace, the Governor of Viriiinia, and Con- 
gress, placed troops at Venango, Forts Pitt and 
^Mcintosh, and at !Miami, Mncenncs, Louisville, 
and .Nluskingum, and the militia of Kentucky' 
were held in readiness should a sudden outbreak 
occur. These measures produced no results, save 
insuring the safety of the whites, and not until 
Januar\', 1780, was Clarke able to carry out his 
plans. Duringthat month, he heldanioctingat Fort 
Jlarnuir,-'-' at the mouth of the Muskingum, whcro 
the New England Colony expected to locate. 

The ho.stile character of the Indians did not 
deter the Ohio Coni])any from carrying out its 
plans. In the winter of 1 787, Gen. Itufus Put- 



'^ F rtTT:)rra:iru:>sI.iiiIt i-i IT'.'.V.yrx rlotnrlimorit n! I'liitrilSt.it/^s 

BoMuTH, uitil'Tr.-iiitiiati'l ct BI'j..l'.Iri J»..ii;;lity. 1' w..niiii t i\ 

li<«nor of CmI. J''si;iU Iliiirii.iv, I • wli..:-*' ri';;iiii ntl^l'ij l^ull^lll\ wjis 

atl;u-!K-.l. It u:mO:.* flKt nil it;liy p -t CKTl.d l.v III > Allli-I i'llllH 

wii'-in III • Imin of O'li.i, f\C'-pt Kurt Imin-iis, :\ IrmiHiniry 1,1 rmi- 
ineliii'.i ill nTX. Whi-il 3hirii-tla ":i'i f."iMili-.l il >v«s llir liiilit;i'y 
Ii....t (.r OiMt part of tlio couutiy, ami w;i!* f^tr in.iliy yi-urrt an imln-r- 
tal.t ctatlutl. 



nam and forty-seven pioneers advanced to the 
moutli of the Youghiogheny Kiver, and began 
building a boat for transportation down the Ohio 
in the spring. The boat wa.s the largest craft that 
had ever descended the river, and, in allusion to 
their Pilgrim Fathers, it was called the Mayflower. 
It was 1") feet long and 12 feet wide, and esti- 
mateil at 50 tons burden. Truly a formidable afl'air 
for the lime. The bows were raking and curved 
like a galley, and were strongly timbered. The 
sides were made bullet-proof, and it was covered 
witli a dock roof. Capt. Devol, the first ship- 
builder in the West, was placed in command. On 
the 2d of April, the 3Iayflower was launched, 
and for five days the little band of pioneers sailed 
down the Monongahela and the Ohio, and, on the 
7th, landed at the mouth of the JIuskingum. 
There, opposite Fort Harmar, they chose a loca- 
tion, moored their boat for a temporary shelter, 
and began to erect houses for their occupation. 

Thus was begun the first English settlement in 
the Ohio Yalley. About the 1st of July, they 
were re-enforced by the arrival of a colony from 
Ma.ssachusetts. It had been nine weeks on the 
way. It had hauled its wagons and driven its 
stock to Wheeling, where, constructing flat-boats, 
it had floated down the river to the settlement. 

In October preceding this occurrence, Arthur 
St. Clair had been appointed Governor of the Ter- 
ritory by Congress, which body also appointed 
Winthrop SiU'gent, Secretary, and S;cmuel II. 
Parsons, James iM. Varnum and John Armstrong 
Judges. Subsequently 3Ir. Armstrong declined 
the appointment, and 3Ir. S>nimcs w;u> given the 
vacancy. None of these were on the ground 
when the first settlement was made, though the 
Judges came soon after. One of the first things the 
colony found necessary to do was to orijanize 
some form of government, whereby diflaculties 
might be settled, though to the credit of the colony 
it may be said, that during the first three months 
of its ( xistenee but one diflcrcnce arose, and that 
was settled by a compromise.* Indeed, hardly a 
better set of men for the purpose could liave been 
selected. Washington wrote concerning this 
colony : 

" No colony in America was ever settled under 
such favorable auspices as that which has com- 
menced at the Muskingum. Information, prop- 
erty and strength will be its characteristics. I 
know many of the settlers personiUly, and llure 



I •"Western Monllily Magazino." 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CO 



never wore men bettor calculated to promote the 
welfare of such a community." 

On the 2d of July, a meeting of the Directors 
and agents was held on the banks of the Mus- 
kingum for the purpose of naming the newborn 
city and its squares. As yet, the settlement had 
been merely " The Muskingum ; " but the name 
Marietta was now formally given it, in honor of 
Marie Antoinette. The square upon which the 
blockhouses stood was called Campvs Martins; 
Square No. 19, Cupitoliuni ; Square No. 61, Ce- 
cilia, and the great roail running through the 
covert-way, Sdcra T'7(t.* Surely, classical scholars 
were not scarce in the colony. 

On the Fourth, an oration was delivered by 
James M. Varnum, one of the Judges, and a 
public demonstration held. Five days after, the 
Governor arrived, and the colony began to a.ssume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 provided two dis- 
tinct grades of government, under the first of 
which the whole power was under the Governor 
and the three Judges. This form was at once 
recognized on the arrival of St. Clair. The first 
law established by this court was passed on the 
25th of July. It established and regulated the 
militia of the Territory. The nest day after its 
publication, appeared the Governor's proclamation 
erecting all the country that had been ceded by 
the Indians east of the Scioto River, into the 
county of Washington. Marietta was, of course, 
the county seat, and, from that day, went on 
prosperously. On September 2, the first court 
was held witli becoming ceremonies. It is thus 
related in the American Pioneer: 

"The procession was formed at the Point 
(where tlie most of the settlers resided), in the 
following order: The High Sherifl', with liis 
drawn sword; the citizens; the officers of the 
garrison at Fort Ilarmar; the members of the 
bar; the Supreme Judges; the Governor and 
clergyman ; the newly appointed Judges of the 
Court of Common Pleas, Geas. Rufiis Putnam 
and Benjamin Tupper. 

"They marched up the jiath that had been 
cleared through the forest to Campus Martins 
Hall (stockade), wliere the wliole countermarched, 
and the Judges (Putnam and Tupper) took their 
seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then 
invoked the divine blessing. The Sheriff, Col. 
Ebeuezer Sproat, proclaimed with his solemn ' Oh 
yesl' that a court Ls open for the administration of 

* " Ciroy'9 Museum," Vol. i. 



even-handed justice, to the poor and to the rich, 
to the guilty and to the innocent, without respect 
of persons; none to be punished without a trial of 
their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and 
evidence in the case. 

" Although this scene was exliibited thus early 
in the settlement of the West, few ever equaled it 
in the dignity and exalted character of its princi- 
pal participators. Many of them belonged to the 
history of our country in the darkest, as well as 
the most splendid, period of the Revolutionary 
war." 

INIany Indians were gathered at the same time 
to witness the (to them) strange spectacle, and for 
the purpose of forming a treaty, though how 
far they carried this out, the Pioneer does not 
relate. 

The progress of the settlement was quite satis- 
factory during the year. Some one writing a 
letter from the town says : 

"The progress of the settlement is sufficiently 
rapid for the first year. We are continually erect- 
ing houses, but arrivals are constantly coming 
faster than we can possibly provide convenient 
covering. Our fir.st ball was opened about the 
middle of December, at which were fifteen ladies, 
as well accomplished in the manner of polite 
circles as any I have ever seen in the older States. 
I mention this to show the progress of society in 
this new world, where, I believe, we shall vie with, 
if not excel, the old States in every accom- 
plishment necessary to render life agreeable and 
hapjjy." 

The emigration westward at this time was, 
indeed, exceedingly large. The commander at 
Fort Harmar reported 4,500 persons as having 
passed that post between February and June, 
17S8, many of whom would have stopped there, 
had the a.ssociates been prepared to receive them. 
The settlement was free from Indian dejiredations 
until January, 1701, during which interval it 
daily increased in numbers and strength. 

Symmcs and his friends were not idle during this 
time. He had secured his contract in October, 
1787, and, soon afler, issued a pamphlet stating 
the terms of his purchase and the mode he intended 
to follow in the dispo.sal of the lands. His plan 
was, to issue warrants for not less than one-quarter 
section, which might be located anywhere, save on 
reservations, or on land jireviously entered. The 
locator could enter an entire .section should he de- 
sire to do so. The price was to be GOj cents per 
acre till May, 1788 ; then, till November, §1 ; and 



^ 



-^ 



70 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



after that lime to lie regulated by the demand for 
hind. Each ])urchaser was bound to begin im- 
|irovements within two years, or forfeit one-sixth 
of the laud to whoever would settle thereon and 
remain seven years. Military bounties might be 
taken in this, ;is in the purchase of the associates. 
For himself, Synimes reserved one township near 
the mouth of the Miami. On this he intended to 
build a great city, rivaling any Eastern port. He 
ofl'ered any one a lot on which to build a house, 
providing he would remain three years. Conti- 
nental certificates were rising, owing to the demand 
for land created by these two luircha-ses, and Con- 
gress tbund the burden of debt ciirresj)onding!y 
lessened. Symmes soon began to experience diffi- 
culty in procuring enough to meet his payments. 
He had also som,' tnmble in arranging his boundary 
with the Board cii' t'ic Treasury. These, and other 
causes, laid the foundation for another city, which is 
now what Symmes hoped his city would one day be. 

In January, 1788, JIathias Deumau, of New 
Jersey, took an interest in Symmes' purchase, 
and located, among other tracts, the sections upon 
which Cineiiuiati has since been built. Iletaiuing 
one-third of this purchase, ho sold the balance to 
liobsrt Patterson and John Filson, each getting 
t he same share. These three, about xVug-ust, agreed 
to lay out a town on their laud. It was de-'igcatcd 
as opposite the mouth of the Licking River, to 
which place it was intended to open a road from 
Lexington, Ky. These men little thought of the 
great emporium that now covers the modest site of 
this town they laid out that summer. Mr. Filson, 
who had been a schoolmaster, and was of a some- 
what poetic nature, was appointed to name the 
town. In respect to its situation, and as if with 
a prophetic perception of the mixed races that 
v/erc in after years to dwell there, ho. named itLos- 
antiville,''- " which, being interpreted," says the 
" Western Annals," "means luY/c, the town; anti, 
opposite lo; o.v, the mouth ; 7/, of Licking. Tliis 
may well i)ut to the blush the Campus Marliiix 
of th(> .AJarietta scholars, and the Fort Solon of 
the Spaniards." 

j\Ieanwhile, Synnvies was busy in the Ea.st, and, 
by July, got thirty peojile and eight four-horse 
wagons under way for the West. These readied 
Limestone by Sejiteniber, where they met IVIr. 
Stites, with several p<>rsons from Ilcdstono. All 



* Jlldgo Burnott, in liis notes, disputes the nbovo ureount of ttio 
origin of tl>o clly of t'iiicinnnti. II o siiyw tlie numo "Los;*ntiville '* 
w.'ia tleterniined on, l)Ut not adopted, when tlle town was laid out. 
This version in prnl):ilily tlie correct one, and will bo found fully 
given in ihodetaihd history of the seltlementa. 



came to Symmes' purchase, and began to look for 
homes'. 

Symmes' mind was, however, ill at rest. He 
could not meet his first payment on so vast a realm, 
and there also arose a diflerence of opinion be- 
tween him and the Treasury Board regarding the 
Ohio boundary. Symmes wanted all the land be- 
tween the two Miamis, bordering on the Ohio, 
while the Board wished him confined to no more 
than twenty miles of the river. To this proposal 
he would not agree, as he had made sales all along 
the river. Leaving the bargain in an unsettled 
state. Congress considered it.self released from all 
its obligations, and, ))ut fur the representations of 
many of Symmes' friends, he would have lo.st all 
his money and labor. His appointment as Judge 
was not favorably received by many, as they 
thought that by it he would acquire unlimited 
power. Some of his associates also complained of 
him, and, for awhile, it surely seemed that ruin 
only awaited him. But he was brave and hope- 
ful, and determined to succeed. On his return 
from a visit to his purchase in September, 1788, 
he vrroto Jonathan Uayton, of New .Jersey, one of 
his best friends and associates, that he thought 
some of the land near the Great Miami " jiusitively 
worth a silver dollar the acre in its present state." 

A good many changes were made in liis original 
contract, growing out of his inability to meet his 
payments. At first, he was to have not less than 
a million acres, under an act of Congress passed in 
October, 1787, authorizing the Treasury Board to 
contract with any one who could pay for such 
tracts, on the Ohio and Wabash Rivers, whose 
fronts should not exceed one-third of their depth. 

Payton and Mar.sh, Symnics' agents, contracted 
with th.e Board for one tract on the Ohio, begin- 
ning twenty miles up the Ohio from the mouth of 
the Great Jliami, and to run back for (piantity be- 
tween the JMianii and a line drawn from the Ohio, 
parallel to the general cour.se of that rivir. In 
1 71' 1, three years after Dayton and Slarsh made 
the contract, Symmes found this would throw the 
purchase too far back from the Ohio, and a]'i)lied 
to Congress to let liim have all between the jMi- 
aniies, running back so as to include 1,001), 0(10 
acres, which that body, on April 12, 17SI2, agreed 
to do. When the lands were surveyed, however, it 
was found that aline drawn from the hea<l of the 
];itt!e Miami due west to the Great Miami, would 
include south of it less than six hundred ihou.sand 
acres. Even this Sj'niraes could not ]iay for, and 
when his patent was i.ssucd in September, 17D4, it 



y*. 



IIISTOEY OF OHIO. 



71 



gave him auJ his associates 24S,540 acres,, exclu- 
sive of reservations which amounted to 63,142 
acres. This tract was bounded by the Ohio, the 
two Miamis and a due east and west line run so 
as to include the desired (|uuutity. Symmos, how- 
ever, made no further payments, ami the rest of 
his purchase reverted to the United States, who 
gave those who had bouglit under him ample pre- 
emption rights. 

The Government was able, also, to give him and 
his colonists but little aid, and as danger from hos- 
tile Indians was in a measure imminent (though all 
the natives were friendly to Symmes), settlers were 
slow to come. However, the band led by Wr. 
Stites arrived before the 1st of January, 1789, 
and locating themselves near the mouth of the 
Little Miami, on a tract of 10,000 acres which 
Mr. Stites had purchased from Symmes, formed 
the second settlement in Ohio. They were soon 
afterward joined by a colony of twenty-sis persons, 
who assisted them to erect a block-house, and 
gather their corn. The town was named Columbia. 
While here, the great flood of January, 17S9, oc- 
curred, which did much to ensure the future 
growth of Losantiville, or more properly, Cincin- 
nati. Symmes City, which was laid out near the 
mouth of the Great Miami, and which he vainly 
strove to make the city of the future, iMai'ictta 
and Columbia, all suffered severely by this flood, 
the greatest, the Indians said, ever known. The 
site of Cincinnati was not overflowed, and liouce 
attracted the attention of the settlers. Denman"s 
warrants had designated his purchase as opposite 
the mouth of the Licking; and that point escap- 
ing the overflow, late in December the place was 
visited by Israel Ludlow, Symmes' surveyor, Mr. 
Patterson and !Mr. Denman, and about fourteen oth- 
ers, who left Mlysville to "form a stafiuu and lay 
off a town opposite the Licking." The river w;is 
filled with ice "from shore to sliore;" but, says 
Sj'mmes in May, 1789, "Perseverance triumpiiing 
over difficulty, and tlicy landed safe on a most de- 
lightful bank of the Ohio, where they founded 
the town of Losantiville, which populates consid- 
erably." The settlers of Losantiville built a few 
log huts and block-houses, and proceeded to im- 
prove the town. Symmes, noticing the location, 
says: "Though they placed their dwellings in the 
most marked position, yet they suffered nothing 
from the freshet." This would seem to give cre- 
dence to Judge Burnett's notes regarding tlie origin 
of Cincinnati, who states the settlement was made 
at this time, and not at the time mentioned when 



Mr. Filson named the town. It is further to bo 
noticed, that, before the town was located by Mr. 
Ludlow and Mr. Patterson, j\Ir. Filson had been 
killed by the Miami Indians, and, as he had not paid 
for his one-third of the site, the claim was sold to 
Mr. liudlow, who th<n-eby became one of the origi- 
nal owners of the place. Just what day the town 
was laid out is not recorded. All the evidence 
tends to show it must have been late in 1788, or 
early in 1789. 

W^hile the settlements on the north side of the 
Ohio were thus progressing, south of it fears of the 
Indians prevailed, and the separation sore was 
kept open. The country was, however, so torn by 
internal factions that no plan was likely to suc- 
ceed, and to this fact, in a large measure, may be 
credited the reason it did not secede, or join the 
Spanish or French faction, both of which were 
intriguing to get the commonwealth. During 
this year the treasonable acts of James Wilkinson 
came into view. For a while he thought success 
was in his grasp, but the two governments were at 
peace with America, and discountenanced any such 
efforts. Wilkin.son, like all traitors, relapsed into 
nonentity, and became mistrusted by the govern- 
ments lie attempted to befriend. Treason is al- 
ways odious. 

It will bo borue in mind, that in 1778 prepa- 
rations had been made for a treaty with the Indi- 
ans, to secure peaceful possession of the lands 
owned in the West. Though the whites lield 
the.se by purchase and treaty, yet many Indians, 
especially the Wabasli and some of the Jliami In- 
dians, objected to their occupation, claiming the 
Ohio boundary as the original division line. Clarke 
endeavored to obtain, by treaty at Fort Harmar, 
in 1778, a confirmation of these grants, but was 
not able to do so till January, 9, 1789. Rep- 
resentatives of the Si.x Nations, and of the Wyau- 
dots, Delawares, Ottawas, Chippewa.s, Pottawato- 
mies and Sacs, met him at this date, and confirmed 
and extended the treaties of Fort Stanwix and 
Fort Mcintosh, the one in 17S4, the other in 
1785. This secured peace with the most of them, 
save a few of the Wabash Indians, whom they 
were compelled to conquer by arms. When this 
was accomplished, the borders were thought safe, 
and Virginia proposed to withdraw lier aid in sup- 
port of Kentucky. This opened old troubles, and 
the separation dogma came out afresh. Virginia 
oflfered to allow the erection of a separate State, 
providing Kentucky woidd assume part of the old 
debts. This the young commonwealth would not 






V 



do, and sent a remonstrance. \'irgiuia withdrew 
the proposal, and ordered a nintli convention, 
whieli sucecedcd in evolving a plan whereby Ken- 
tucky took her plac<! among the free States of the 
Union. 

North of the Ohio, the prosperity continued. 
In 17S'J, Rev. Daniel Story, who had been ap- 
■pyinted uiissionary to the West, came out a.s a 
teacher of the youtli and a preacher of the Gospel. 
Dr. Cutler had preceded him, not in the capacity 
of a minister, though hchad preached ; hence Jlr. 
Story is truly the lirst missionary from the Prot- 
estant Church who came to tlic Ohio A'alle}" in 
that capacity. When he came, in 1789, he found 
nine a-ssociations on the Ohio Conipany's purchase, 
comprising two huudred and fifty persons in ail ; 
and, by the close of 1790, eight settlements had 
been made: two at Belpre (belle prairie), one at 
Newbury, one at Wolf Creek, one at Duck Creek, 
one at the mouth of 3Ieigs' Creek, one at Ander- 
son's Bottom, and one at Big Bottom. An ex- 
tended sketch of all these settlements will be found 
farther on in this volume. 

Symmes had, all this time, strenuously endeav- 
ored to get his city — called Cleves City — favorably 
noticed, and filled with people. He saw a rival in 
Cincinnati. That place, if made militarj- head- 
quartcre to protect the Jliami A'alley, would out- 
rival his town, situated near the bend of the 
Miami, near its mouth. On the ir)tli of June, 
Judge Syiumes received news thai the Wabash 
Indians threatened the Miami settlements, and as 
he had received only nineteen men for defense, he 
applied for more. Before July, Maj. Doughty 
arrived at the '-Slaughter House" — as the Miami 
was Sometimes called, owing to previous murders 
that had, at former times, occurred therein. 
Through the influence of Symmes, the detach- 
ment landed at the North Bend, and, for awhile, 
it was thought the fort would be erected there. 
Tlii.s was what Symmes wanted, as it would 
secure him the headquarters of the military, and 
aid in getting the head(|uarters of the civil gov- 
ernment. The truth was, however, that neither 
the proposed city on the !iMiami — North Bend, as 
it afterward became known, from its location — or 
South ]?end, eoidd comi)ete, in point of natural 
advontagcs, with the jilain on which Cincinnati is 
built. Had Fort Washington been built elsewhere. 
after the close of the Indian war, nature would 
have :i.ssertecl her advantages, and insured the 
growth of a city, where oven the anciimt and my.s- 
tcrious dwellers of the Ohio had reared the earthen 



walls of one of their vast temples. Another fact 
is given in relation to the erection of Fort Wash- 
ington at Losantiville, which partakes somew'hatof 
romance. The JIajor, while waiting to decide at 
vi'hich place the fort should be built, happened to 
make the ac((uaiutance of a black-eyed beauty, the 
wife of one of the residents. Her husband, notic- 
ing the affair, removed her to Losiiutiville. The 
Major followed; he told Symmes he wished to see 
how a fort would do there, but promised to give liis 
city the ])reference. He found the beauty there, and 
on his return Symmes could not prevail on him to 
remain. If the story be true, then the importance 
of Cincinnati owes its existence to a trivial circum- 
stance, and the old story of the ten j-ears' war 
which terminated in the downfall of Troy, which 
i.s said to ha\c originated owing to the beauty of 
a Spartan dame, was re-enacted here. Troy and 
North Bend fell because of the beaut}' of a wo- 
man; l.'iucinnati was the result of the downfall of 
the latter place. 

About the first of January, 1790, Governor St. 
Clair, with his officei-s, descended the Ohio Kiver 
from Marietta to Fort Wai^hington. There he es- 
tablished the couutj- of Hamilton, comprising the 
immense region of couutry contiguous to the 
Ohio, from the Hocking River to the Great 
Miami; appointed a corps of civil and militar}' 
officers, and established a Court of Quarter Ses- 
sions. Some state that at this time, he changed 
the name of the vilhige of Losantiville to Cin- 
cinnati, in allusion to a soeiet}' of that name 
which had recently been formed iunong the officers 
of the Revolutionary army, and established it as 
the seat of justice for Hamilton. This latter fact 
is certain ; but as regards changing the name of 
the village, there is no good authority for it. With 
this importance attached to it, Cincinnati began at 
once an active growth, and from that day Cleves" 
city declined. The next .summer, fiiuno houses 
began to ap]iear in Cincinnati, while at the same 
time forty new log cabias appeared about the 
fort. 

On the 8th of January, the Governor arrived at 
the falls of the Ohio, on his way to establish a 
government at Vincennes and Kaskaskia. From 
Clarkesville, he disjiatched a messenger to Major 
Hamtramck, commander at Vincennes, with 
speeches to the various Indian tribes in this part 
of the Northwest, who had not full}- agreed to the 
treaties. St. Clair and Sargent followed in a few 
days, along an Indian trail to A'inccnnes, where he 
organized the county of Knox, comprisir";: .-JI the 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



73 



country along the Ohio, from the Miami to the 
Wabash, and made Vincennos the county seat. 
Then they proceeded across the lower part of Flli- 
nois to Kaskaskia, where he established the; county 
of St. Clair (so named by Sarj;ent), comprisinj;' all 
the eouniry from the Wabash to the Mississippi. 
Thus the Northwest was divided into three coun- 
ties, and courts established therein. St. Clair 
called upon the French inhabitants at Vincenncs 
and in the Illinois country, to show the titles to 
tlieir lands, and also to defray the expense of a 
survey. To this latter demand they rejilied through 
their priest, Pierre Gibatdt, showing their poverty, 
and inability to comply. They were confirmed in 
their grants, and, as they had been good friends to 
the patriot cause, were relieved Iroui the expense 
of the survey. 

While the Governor was managing these affairs. 
Major Hamtramek was engaged in an effort to con- 
ciliate the Wabash Indians. For this purpose, he 
sent Antoine Gamelin, an intelligent French mer- 
chant, and a true friend of America, among them to 
carry messages sent by St. Clair and the Govern- 
ment, and to le.irn tlieir sentiments and dispo-sitions. 
Gamelin performed this important missicm in the 
spring of 1790 with much sagacity, and, ;;s the 



French were good friends of the natives, he did 
much to conciliate these half-hostile tribes. He 
visited the towns of these tribes along the Wabash 
and as far north and e;ist as the Miami village, 
Ke-ki-ong-ga — St. IMary's — at the junction of the 
St. Jlary's and St. Josej)h's I'uvers (Fort Wayne). 

Gamelin's report, and llie iritellig(>ncc brought by 
some traders from the Upper Wabash, were con- 
veyed to the Governor at Kaskaskia. The reports 
convinced him that the Indians of that part ol' the 
Northwest were preparing for a war on the settle- 
ments north of the Ohio, intending, if possible, to 
drive them south of it; that river being .still con.sid- 
ered by them as the; true boundary. St. Clair left 
the administration of affairs in the Western counties 
to Sargent, and returned at once to Fort AVashing- 
ton to provide for the defense of the frontier. 

The Indians had begun their predatory incur- 
sions into the country settled by the whites, and 
had committed some depredations. The Kentuck- 
ians were enlisted in an attack against the Scioto 
Indians. April IS, Gen. Harmar, with 100 
regulars, and Gen. Scott, with 230 volunteers, 
marched from Limestone, by a circuitous route, to 
the Scioto, accomplisbiug but little. The savages 
had fled. 



CHAPTER ¥11. 



THE INDIAN WAR OF 



1705 — HARMAR'S CAMPAIGN— ST. CLAIR'S CAMPAIGN— WAYNE'S 
CAMPAIGN — CLOSE OF THE WAR. 



A GREAT deal of the hostility at this period 
was directly traceable to the British. They 
3'ct held Detroit and several posts on the lakes, in 
violation of the treaty of 1783. They alleged as 
a reason for not abandoning them, that the Ameri- 
cans had not fulfilled the conditions c;f the treaty 
regarding the collection of debts. Jloreovor, the}' 
did :ill they could to remain at the frontier and en- 
joy the emoluments derived from the fur trade. 
That they aided the Indians in the conflict at this 
time, is undeniable. Just how, it is difficult to 
say. But it is well known the savages had all the 
ammunition and fire-arms they wanted, more than 
they could have obtained from American and 
French renegade traders. They were also well 
supplied with clothing, and were able to prolong 
the war some time. A great confederation was on 
the eve of formation. The leading spirits were 



Cornplanter, Brant, Little Turtle and other noted 
chiefs, and liad not the British, as Brant said, 
"encouraged us to the war, and promised us aid, 
and then, when wo were driven away by the Amer- 
icans, shut the doors of their fortresses against us 
and refused us food, when they saw us nearly con- 
quered, we would have effected our object." 

McKee, Elliott and Girty were also actively en- 
gaged in aiding the natives. All of them were in 
the interest of the British, a fiict clearly proven 
by the Indians themselves, and by other traders. 

St. Clair and Gen. Harmar determined to send 
an expedition against the Maumee towns, and se- 
cure that part of the country. Letters were sent 
to the militia officers of Western Pennsylvania, 
Virginia and Kentucky, calling on them for militia 
to co-operate with the regular troops in the cam- 
paign. According to the »>lan of the campaign. 



~®!> 
* 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



300 militia were to rendezvous at Fort Steuben 
(Jeffersonville), march thence to Fort Knox, at 
Vincenncs, anil join JMaj. Hamtramck in an expe- 
dition up the Wabash ; 700 were to rendezvous at 
Fort Washington to join the regular ai-uiy against 
the Maumec towns. 

While St. Clair was forming his army and ar- 
rauijing for the campaign, three expeditions were 
sent out against the ^iiami towns. One again.st 
the 3Iianii villages, not i'ar from the ^^'abash, wxs 
led by Gen. Harmar. He had in his army about 
fourteen hundred men, regulars and militia. These 
two parts of the army could not be made to affili- 
ate, and, as a consequence, the expedition did little 
beyond burning the villages and destroying corn. 
The militia would not .submit to discipline, and would 
not serve under regular officers. It will be .seen 
what this spirit led to when St. Clair went on his 
march soon after. 

The Indians, emboldened by the meager success 
of Harmar's command, continued their dcpreda- 
dations against the Ohio settlements, dcstroj-ing 
the comnuinity at Big Bottom. To hokl them in 
check, and also punish them, an army under Charles 
Scott went against the Wabash Indians. Little 
was done here but .destroy towns and the standing- 
corn. In July, another army, under Col. Wilkin- 
son, was sent against the Eel River Indians. Be- 
coming entangled in extensive morasses on the 
river, tlie army became endangered, but was finally 
extricated, and accomplished no more than either 
the other armies boibro it. As it was, however, the 
three expeditions directed against the Jliamis and 
Shawanees, served only to exasperate them. The 
burning of their towns, the destruction of their 
corn, and the captivity of their women and chil- 
dran. only aroused them to more desperate efforts 
to defend their country and to harass their in- 
vaders. To accomplish this, the chiefs of the 
Miamis, Shawanees and the Delawares, Little 
TiU'tle, Blue Jacket and Buckongahelas, were en- 
gaged in forming a confederacy of all the trilics of 
the Northwest, strong enough to drive the whites 
beyond the Ohio. Pontiae had tried that before, 
even when ho had open allies among the French. 
The Indians now had .secret allies among the Brit- 
ish, yet, in the end, they did not succeed. While 
they were preparing for the contest, St. Clair was 
gathering his forces, intending to erect a chain of 
forts from the Ohio, by way of the Miami and 
Maumce valleys, to the lakes, and thereby effect- 
ually hold the savages in check. Washington 
warmly seconded this plan, and designated the 



junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph's Rivers as 
an important post. This had been a fortification 
almost li'om the time the English held the vallej-, 
and only needed little work to make it a formid- 
able fortress. Gen. Knox, the Secretary of War, 
al.so favored the plan, and gave instructions con- 
cerning it. Under these instructions, St. Clair 
organized his ibrces as rapidly as he could, although 
the numerous drawbacks almost, at times, threat- 
ened the defeat of the campaign. Through the 
summer the arms and accouterments of the army 
were put in readiness at Fort Washington. ]\Iany 
were found to be of the poorest quality, and to be 
badly out of repair. The militia came poorly 
armed, under tlie impression they were to be pro- 
vided with arms. While waiting in camp, habits 
of idleness engendered them.selves, and drunken- 
ness followed. They continued their accustomed 
freedom, disdaining to drill, and refused to submit 
to the regular officers. A bitter spirit broke out 
between the regular troops and the militia, which 
none could heal. The iusuliordinatiou of the mi- 
litia and their officers, caused them a defeat after- 
ward, which they in vain attemjrfed to fksten on 
the busy General, and the regular troops. 

The army was not ready to move till September 
17. It was then 2,oU0 strong. It then moved 
to a point upon the Great Miami, where they 
erected Fort Hamilton, the first in the proposed 
chain of fortresses. After its completion, they 
moved on forty-four miles farther, and, on the 12th 
of October, began tlie erection of Fort Jefier.-;on, 
about six miles south of the present town of Green- 
ville, Darke County. On the 24th, the army again 
took up its line of march, through a wilderness, 
marshy and boggy, and full of savage foes. The 
army ra]iidly declined under the hot sun; even the 
commander was suffering from an indisj)osition. 
The militia deserted, in companies at a time, leav- 
ing the bulk of the work to the regular troops. 
By the od of November, the army reached a 
stream twelve yards wide, which St. Clair sup- 
posed to be a branch of the St. Mary of the 3Iau- 
mee, but which in reality was a tributary of the 
Wabash. Upon the banks of that stream, the 
arm\', now about fourteen hundred strong, en- 
camped in two lines. A slight protection was 
thrown up as a safeguard against the Indians, who 
wore known to be in the neighborhood. The Gen- 
eral intended to attack them next day, but, about 
half an hour before sunrise, just after the militia 
had been dismissed from parade, a .sudden attack 
was made upon them. The militia were thrown 



:x: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



into confusion, and disregarded the command of 
the officers. They had not been sufliciently drilled, 
and now was seen, too late and too plainly, the evil 
cfFeets of their insubordination. Through the 
morning the battle waged furiously, the men falling 
by scores. About nine o'clock the retreat began, 
covered by Maj. Cook and his troops. The re- 
treat wa.s a disgraceful, precipitate flight, though, 
after four miles had Ik'cq passed, the enemy re- 
turned to the work of scalping the dead and 
wounded, and of pillaging the camp. Through 
the day and the night their dreadi'ul work con- 
tinued, one squaw afterward declaring "her arm 
was weary scalping the white men." The army 
reached Fort Jefferson a little after sunset, having 
thrown away much of its arms and baggage, though 
tl:e act was entirely unnecessary. After remain- 
ing liL're a short time, it was decided by the officers 
to move on toward Furt Hamilton, and thence to 
Fort Washington. 

The defeat of St. Clair was the most teiTible re- 
verse the Americans ever suffered from the Indi- 
ans. It was greater than even Braddock's defeat. 
His army consisted of 1,200 men and 8(3 officers, 
of whom 71-i men and 63 officers were killed or 
wounded. St. Clair's army consisted of 1,400 
men and 86 officers, of whom 890 men and 16 
officers were killed or wounded. The comparative 
clfacts of the two engagements very inadequately 
represent the crushing effect of St. Clair's defeat. 
An unprotected frontier of more than a thousand 
miles in extent was now thrown open to a foe made 
mcrtilcss, and anxious to drive the whites from the 
nor;h side of the Ohio. Now, settlers were scat- 
tered along all the streams, and in all the forests, ex- 
posed to the cruel enemy, who stealthily approached 
the liomes of the pioneer, to murder him and his 
family. Loud calls arose from the people to defend 
and jn-otcct them. St. Clair was covered with abuse 
for his defeat, when he really was not alone to blame 
for it. The militia would not be controlled. Had 
Clarke been at their l-.cad, or Wayne, who succeeded 
St. Clair, the result might have been difierent. As 
it was, St. Clair resigned ; though ever after he en- 
joyed the confidence of Washington and Congress. 

Four days after the defeat of St. Clair, the army, 
in its straggling condition, reached Fort Washing- 
ton, and paused to rest. On the 9th, St. Clair 
wrote fully to the Secretary of War. On the 12th, 
Gen. Knox communicated the information to Con- 
gress, and on the 2Uth, he laid before the Presi- 
dent two reports, the second containing sugges- 
tions regarding future operations. His sugges- 



tions urged the establishment of a strong United 
States Army, as it was plain the States could not 
control the matter. He also urged a thorough 
drill of the soldiers. No more insubordination 
could be tolerated. General Wayne was selected 
by Washington as the commander, and at once pro- 
ceeded to the task assigned to him. In June, 1792, 
he went to Pittsburgh to organize tlie army now 
gathering, which was to be the ultimate argu- 
ment with the Indian confederation. Through the 
summer he was steadily at work. "Train and dis- 
cipline them for the work they are meant for, " 
wrote Washington, "and do not spare powder and 
lead, so the men be made good marksmen." In 
December, the forces, now recruited and trained, 
gathered at a point twenty-two miles below Pitts- 
burgh, on the Ohio, called Legionville, the army 
itself being denominated the Legion of the United 
States, divided into four sub-legions, and provided 
with the pro))cr officers. Meantime, Col. Wilkinson 
succeeded St. Clair as commander at Fort Wash- 
ington, and sent out a force to examine the field of 
defeat, and bury the dead. A shocking sight met 
their view, revealing the deeds of cruelty enacted 
upon their comrades by the savage enemy. 

While Wayne's army was drilling, p(?ace meas- 
ures were pressed forward by the United States 
with equal perseverance. The Iroquois were in- 
duced to visit Philadelphia, and partially secured 
from the general confederacy. They were wary, 
however, and, expecting aid from the British, held 
aloof. Brant did not come, as was hoped, and it 
was plain there was intrigue somewhere. Five 
independent embassies were sent among the West- 
ern tribes, to endeavor to prevent a war, and win 
over the inimical tribes. But the victories they 
had won, and the favorable whispers of the British 
agents, closed the ears of the red men, and all 
propositions were rejected in some form or other. 
All the embassadors, save Putnam, suffered death. 
He alone was able to reach his goal — the Waba.sh 
Indians — and effect any treaty. On the 27tli of 
December, in company with Heckewelder, the Mo- 
ravian missionary, he reached Vincennes, and met 
thirty-one chiefs, representing the Weas, Pianke- 
shaws, Kaskaskias, Peorias, Illinois, Pottawatoniies, 
Mascoutins, Kickapoos and Eel River Indians, and 
concluded a treaty of peace with them. 

The fourth article of this treaty, however, con- 
tained a provision guaranteeing to the Indians 
their lands, and when the treaty was laid before 
Congress, February 13, 1793, that body, after 
much discussion, refused on that account to ratify it. 



-v 



70 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



A great couucil of the Indiaus was to be licld 
at Auglaize during the autumn of 17i>2, when 
the assembled nations were to discuss fully their 
means of defense, and determine then- future line 
of action. The council met in October, and was 
the largest Indian gathering of the time. The 
chiefs of all the tribes of the Northwest were there. 
The rejiresentatives of the seven ualious of Canada, 
were in attendance. Coruplanter and i'orty-eight 
chi(^fs of the Xew York (^Six Nations) Indians re- 
paired thither. "Besides these," said Cornjilanter, 
"there were so many nations we cannot tell the 
names of them. There were three men from the 
Gora nation; it took them a whole season to come; 
and," continued he, "twenty-seven nations from 
beyond Canada were there." The question of 
peace or war was long atid earnestly debated. Their 
future was solemnly discussed, and arimnd the 
council fire native eloquence and native zeal 
shone in all their siuqile strength. One nation 
after another, through their chiels, presented their 
views. The deputies of the Six Nations, who bad 
bsen at Philadelphia to consult the "Tliirteen 
Fires," made their report. The Western bound- 
ary was the principal (piestion. The natives, with 
one accord, declared it must be the Ohio River. 
An address was ]irepared, and sent to the President, 
wherein their views were stated, and agTeeiug to 
abstain from all ho.stilities, until they could meet 
again in the .'ipring at the ra])ids of the 3Iaumce, 
and there consult with their white brothers. They 
desired the President to send agents, "who are 
mm of honesty, not proud land-jobbers, but men 
who love and de.sire peace." The good work of 
IVnn was evidenced here, as tlu'y desired that the 
embassadors "be acconq)anied bj' some Friend or 
Quaker." 

The armistice; they bad j)romised was not, how- 
ever, faithfully kept. On the Uih of November, 
a deta('hmont of Kentucky cavahy at ]-'ort St. 
Clair, al)out tK-enty-tive miles above Fort Hamil- 
ton, was attacked. The commander, ^laj. Adair, 
wa.s an excellent officer, well versed in Indian tac- 
tics, and defeated the savages. 

This infraction of their promi.^es did not deter 
the Fiiit.Kl States from taking measures to meet 
the Indians at the rajiids of the JNIaumee " when 
the leaves wei'e fully out." For that jmrpo.se, the 
President selected as eommi.ssioners. Charles- Car- 
roll and Charles Thompson, but, as tliey declined 
the nomination, lie appointed 15enjamin J,incoln, 
Beverly llandoljih and Timothy Pickering, the 1st 
of March, 17!t.>, to atten<l the convention, which. 



it was thought best, should be held at the San- 
dusky outpost. About the last of April, these 
conimLssioners left I'hiladelphia, and, late in May, 
reached Niagara, where tlujy remained guests of 
Lieut. Gov. Simcoe, of the British Government. 
This officer gave them all the aid he could, yet it 
was soon made plain to them that he would not 
object to the conlederation, nay, even rather fav- 
ored it. They speak of his kindness to them, in 
grat^lhl terms. Gov. Simcoe advised the Indians 
to make peace, but not to give up any of their 
lands. That was the pith of the whole matter. 
The British rather claimed land in New York, 
under the treaty of 17<S;!, alleging the Americans 
had not fully complied with the terms of that 
treaty, hence they were not as an.xious for peace 
and a peaceful settlemeut of the difficult boundary 
question as they sometimes represented. 

By Jul}', "the leaves were fully out," the con- 
ferences among the tribes were over, and, on the 
13th of that month, the commis.*ionersmet Brant 
and some fifty natives. In a strong speech. Brant 
sjt f( jrth their wishes, and invited them to accom- 
])any him to the place of holding the council. The 
Indians were rather jealous of Wayne's continued 
])reparations for war, hence, just before setting out 
ibr the Maumee, the commissioners sent a letter to 
the Secretary of War, asking that all warlike 
demonstrations cease until the result of their mis- 
sion be known. 

On 21st of July, the embassy reached the head 
of the Detroit Itiver, where their advance was 
cheeked by the British authorities at Petroil. com- 
pelling them to take u[i thrir abode at the house 
of Andrew Elliott, the famous renegade, then a 
British agent under Alexander McKee. >IcKee 
was attending the couni-il, and the commissioners 
addressed him a note, borne by Elliott, to inform 
him of their arrival, and asking when they could 
be received. Elliott returned on the 2!)th, bring- 
iug with him a deputation of twenty chiefs from 
the couucil. The next da}', a conference was held, 
and the chief of the Wyandots. Sa-wagh-da-wunk, 
jiresented to the commissioners, in writing, their 
explicit demand in regard to the boundary, and 
their purjHises and powers. "The Ohio must be 
the boundary," said he, " or blood will flow." 

Tlie cominissionei"s returned an answer to the 
proposition brought by the chiefs, recapitulating 
the treaties already made, and denying the Ohio 
as the boundary line. On the IGth of August, 
the council sent them, by two Wyandot runners, 
a final answer, in which they recapitulated their 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



former assertions, and exliibited great powers of 
reasoning and clear logic in defense of their po- 
sition. The commissioners reply that it is impos- 
ble to accept the Ohio as the boundary, and declare 
the negotiation at an end. 

This closed the efibrts of tlie Government to ne- 
gotiate with the Indians, and there remained of 
necessity no other mode of settling the dispute 
but "n'ar. Libei-;J terms had been offered them, 
but nothing but the boundary of the Ohio River 
would suffice. It was the only condition upon 
which the confederation would lay down its arms. 
" Among the rude siatesmen of the 'wilderness, 
there was exhibited as pui-e patriotism and as lolly 
devotion to the goo I of their race, as ev^r won ap- 
plause among civilized men. Tlie white man had, 
ever since ho cam3 into the country, been encroach- 
ing on their lauds. He had long occupied the 
regions beyond the mountains. He had crushed 
the conspiracy formed by Pontiac, thu-ty years be- 
fore. He had taken possession of the common 
hunting-ground of all the tribes, on the faith of 
treaties they did not acknowledge. He was 
now laying out settlements and building forts in 
the heart of the country to which all the tribes 
had boon driven, and which now was all thoy could 
call their own. And now they asked that it should 
be guai'anteed to them, that the boundary which 
they had so long aakcd for should be drawn, and 
a final end be made to the continual aggressions of 
the whites; or, if not, they solemnly determined to 
stake their all, against learful odds, in defense of 
their homes, their country and tiie iidieritance of 
their children. Nothing could be more patriotic 
than the position they occupied, and nothing could 
be more noble than the declarations of their 
council.''* 

They did not know the strength of the whites, 
and bixsed their success on the victories already 
gaiu;:d. They hoped, nay, were promised, aid from 
the British, and even the Spanish had held out to 
them assurances of liclp when the hour of conflict 
came. 

The Americans were not disposed to yield even 
to the confederacy of the tribes backed by the two 
rival nations, forming, as A\'ayno characterized it, a 
" hydra of British, Spanish and Indian hostility." 
On the 16lh of August, the commissioners re- 
ceived the final atiswerof the council. The 17th, 
they left the mouth of the Detroit River, and the 
2od, arrived at I'ort Erie, where they immediately 

* Anaals of Iho We3t. 



disjiatched messengers to (Iin. Wayne to inform 
him of the issue of the negotiation. ^\'ayne had 
spent the winter of ll'Sl-'Xi, at Ijcgiouvillc, in col- 
lecting and organizing his army. Aj)ril 30, 1793, 
the army moved dnwn the river and encamped at 
a point, called by the soldiers " llobson's choice," 
because from the extreme height of the river they 
were prevented fi-om landing elsewhere. Hero 
Wayne was engaged, during the negotiations ior 
peace, in drilling his soldiers, in cutting roads, and 
collecting sujiplies for the army. He was ready 
for an immediate campaign in case the council 
failed in its object. 

While here, he sent a letter to the Secretaiy of 
War, detailing the circumstances, and suggesting 
the probable course he should follow. Ho re- 
mained hero during the summer, and, when apprised 
of the issue, saw it was too late to attempt the 
campaign then. He sent the Kentucky militia 
home, and, with his rcg-ular soldiers, went into 
winter quarters at a fort he built on a tributary 
of the Great Miami. He called the fort Green- 
ville. The present town of Greenville is near the 
si;e of the fort. During the winter, he sent a de- 
tachment to visit the scene of St. Clair's defeat. 
They found more than six hundred skulls, and 
were obliged to "scrape the bones together and 
carry them out to get a place to make their beds." 
They buried all they could find. Wayne was 
steadily preparing his forces, so as to have every- 
thing ready for a sure blow when the time came. 
All his information showed the faith in the British 
which still animated the doomed red men, and 
gave them a hope that could end only in defeat. 

The conduct of the Indians fully corroborated 
the st.^tements received by Gen. Wayne. On the 
30tli of June, an escort of ninety riflemen and 
fifty dragoons, under command of JMaj. McMahon, 
was attacked under the walls of Fort Recovery by 
a force of more than one thousand Indians under 
charge of Little Turtle. Tiiey were repulsed and 
liadlj' defeated, and, the next day, driven away. 
Their mode of action, their arms and ammunition, 
ail told plainly of British aid. They also ex- 
pected to find the cannon lost by St. Clair Novem- 
ber-!, 1791, but which the Americans had secured. 
The 2(;th of July, Gen. Scott, with 1,6(10 
mounted men from Kentucky, joined Gen. Wayne 
at Fort Greenville, and, two days after, the legion 
moved forward. The Sth of August, the army 
reached the junction of the Auglaize and 3Iau- 
mee, and at once proceeded to erect Fort Defiance, 
where the waters meet. The Indians had abandoned 



78 



II1ST0?.Y OF OHIO. 



tlicir towus on the approacli of the army, and 
wore cougi-egating further northward. 

Wliile engaged on Fort Defiance, Wayne 
received continual and full reports of the Indians — 
of tlicir aid i'roai Detroit and elsewhere; of tlie 
naaire of the ground, and the circumstances, 
fivorablo or unfavorable. From all he could 
learn, and considering the spirits of his army, 
now thoroughly disciplined, lie determined to 
march forward and settle matters at once. Yet, 
true to his own instincts, and to the measures of 
pjaee so forcibly taught by Washington, he sent 
Ohristupher Miller, who had been naturalizd 
among the Shawanees, and taken prisoner by 
Wayne's spi?s, a.s a messenger of peace, oifering 
terms of friendship. 

Unwilling to waste time, the troops began to 
move furward the 15th of August, and the next 
day m'et 3Iiller with themessage that if the Amer- 
icans would wait ten days at Auglaizj the Indians 
would di-'cide for peace or war. Wayns knew too 
well tlie Indian character, and answered the mes- 
sage by simpl}' marching on. The ISth, the legion 
had advanced forty-one mih^s from Auglaize, and, 
being near the long-looked-for foe, began to take 
some measures for protection, diould they be at- 
tacked. A sliglitbrea.stwork, called Fort Depo.'^it, 
was erected, wlierein most < f tlu-ir heavy baggage 
was placed. Tliey remained here, building their 
Works, until the 2i)th, wlicn, storing their bagtjage, 
the army began again its march. After advancing 
about five miles, the}' mot a large ibrce of the ene- 
my, two thousand strong, who fiercely attacked 
them. Wayne wa.s, however, prepared, and in the 
short battle that (ensued they were routed, and 
large numbei-s slain. The American loss was very 
slight. The horde of savages were put to flight, 
leaving the Americans victorious almost under 
the walls of the Bri;isli gamson, under ^laj. 
Campbell. This oflicer sent a letter to Gen. 
Wayne, asking an explanation of his conduct in 
figlitiug so njar, and in such evident hos:iii;y to 
the British. M'ayne replied, telling him he was 
in a country that did not belong to him, and ona 
he was nut authorized to hold, and also charging 
him with aiding tlie In<lians. A spirited corre- 
spondence followed, which ended in the American 
commander marching on, and devastating the In- 
dian country, even btirning McKee's house and 
Stores under the muzzles of the English guns. 

The l-lihof September, the army marched from 
P'ort Defiance for ihe !Mianii village at the junc- 
tion of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Kivcrs. It 



reached there on the ITth, and the next day Gen. 
^Vayne selected a site for a fort. The 22d of Oc- 
tober, the fort was completed, and ganisoned by a 
detachment under 31aj. lIamtramck,who gave to it 
the name of Fort Wayne. Tbc 14th of October, 
the mounted Kentucky volunteers, who had be- 
come dissatisfied and mutinous, were started to 
Fort A\'asliington, where they were immediately 
mustered out of .service and discharged. The 28tli 
of Octt)ber, the legion marched from Fort ^\'ayne 
to Fort Greenville, where Gen. Wayne at once 
csrablLshed his headrjuarters. 

The campaign had been decisive and sliort, and 
had taught the Indians a .severe lesson. The Brit- 
Lsli, too, had failed them in their hour of need, and 
uiiw they began to sec they had a foe to contend 
whose resources were cxliaustless. Under these 
circumstances, losing faith in the English, and at 
List impressed with a resjiect for American power, 
after the defeat experienced at the hands of the 
"Black Snake," the various tribes made up their 
minds, by degrees, to ask for peace. During the 
winter and spring, they exchanged j>risoners, and 
made ready to meet Gen. Wayne at Greenville, in 
June, for the purpose of forming a definite treaty, 
as it had been agreed should be done by the pre- 
liminaries of January 24. 

During the month of June. 1795, representa- 
tives of the iS'orthwestern tribes began to gather at 
Greenville, and, the IGth of the month. Gen. Wayne 
met in council the Delawares, Ottawas, Pottawato- 
mies and Eel Eiver Indians, and the conferences, 
which lasted till August 10, began. The 21st 
of June, Buckongahelas ai'rived ; tlio 2od, Little 
Turtle and other MiamLs ; the 13th of July, 
Tarhe and other Wyandot chiefs ; and the 1 8th, 
Blue Jacket, and thirteen Shawanees and Masstvs 
with twenty Chippewas. 

Most of these, as it appeared by their statements, 
had been tampered wiJi by the Engli.^h, e.speciall}' 
by McKee, Girty and Brant, even after the jire- 
liniinaries of January 24, and while 31r. Jay was 
periecting his treaty. They had, however, all de- 
termined to make peace with tlie ''Thirteen Fires," 
and although .some difficulty as to tiie ownership of 
(he lands to be ceded, at one time seemed likely to 
arise, the good sen.se of Wayne and the leading 
chiefs prevented it, and, the oOtli of July, the treaty 
was agreed to which should bury the hatchet fur- 
ever. Between that d;iy and the iJd of August, 
it was engrossed, and, having been signed by the 
various nations upon the day last named, it was 
finally acted upon the Tth. and the presents from 



IIISTOEY OF OHIO. 



79 



the United States distributed. The basis of (his 
treaty was the previous one made at Fort Harmar. 
The boundaries made at that time were rc-aifirmod ; 
the whites were secured on the kinds now occu- 
pied l_)y them or secured by former treaties ; and 
among all the assembkid nations, presents, in value 
not less than one thousand pounds, were distributed 
to each through its representatives, many thousands 
in all. The Indians were allowed to remove and 



puni.sh intruders on their lands, and were permitted 
to hunt on the ceded lands. 

" This great and abiding peace document was 
signed by the v.arious tribes, and dated August :!, 
17U3. It was laid before the Senate December 9, 
and ratified the 22d. So closed the old Indian 
wars in the West." * 



* Aanala of tho West.' 



CHAPTER VIII. 

JAY'S TRE.\TT — THE QUESTION OF ST.VTE RIOHTS AND NATIONAL SUPREMACY — EXTENSION 
OF OHIO SETTLEMENTS— LAND CLAIMS— SPANISH BOUNDARY QUESTION. 



'TT'T'IIILE these six years of Indian wars were 
VV in progress, Kentucky was admitted as a 
State, and Pinckney's treaty with Spain was com- 
pleted. This last occurrence was of vital, impor- 
tance to the West, as it secured the free navigation 
of the jMississippi, charging only a fiiir price for 
the storage of goods at Spanish ports. This, 
though not all that the Americans wished, was a 
groat gain in their favor, and did much to stop 
(hose agitations regarding a separation on the part 
of Kentucky. It also quieted affairs further 
south than Kentucky, in the (jeorgia and South 
Carolina Territory, and put an end to Frcncli 
and Spanish intrigue for the Western Territory. 
The treaty was signed November 2-t, 179-1. 
Another treaty was concluded by Jlr. John Jay 
between the two governments. Lord Greenville 
representing the English, and Mr. Jay, the Ameri- 
cans. The negotiations lasted from April to 
November 19, 1795, when, on that day, the treaty 
was signed and duly recognized. It decided 
effectually all the c(uestions at issue, and was the 
signal fn- the removal of the British troops from 
the Northwestern outposts. This was effected as 
soon as the proper transfers could be made. Tho 
second article of the treaty provided that, '■ His 
Majesty will withdraw all his tr(.>ops and garri.sons 
from all posts and places within the boundary 
lines assigned by the treaty of peace to the United 
States. This evacuation shall take place on or 
before the 1st day of June, 179(j, and all the 
proper measures shall be taken, in tlie interval, by 
concert, between the Government of the United 
States and His Majesty's Governor General in 
America, for settling the previous arrangements 



which may be necessary respecting the delivery 
of the said posts; the tJnited States, in the mean 
time, at thtir discretion, extending their settle- 
ments to any part within the said boundary line, 
except within the precincts or jurisdiction of any 
of the said i^osts. 

'• All settlers and all traders within the j>recincts 
or jurisdiction of tlie said posts shall continue to 
enjoy, unmolested, all their property of eveiy 
kind, and shall be protected therein. They shall 
be at full liberty to remain there or to remove 
with all, or any ]iart, of their effects, or retain the 
property thereof at their discretion; such of them 
as shall continue to reside within the said boundary 
lines, shall not be compelled to become citizens of 
the United States, or take any oath of allegiance 
to the Government thereof; but they shall bo at 
full liberty so to do, if they think proper; tliey 
shall make or declare their election one year after 
the evacuation aforesaid. And all persons who 
shall continue therein after the expiration of the 
said year, without having declared their intention 
of remaining subjects to His Britannic Majesty, 
shall be considered as having elected to become 
citizens of the United States." 

The Indian war had settled all fears from that 
.source; the treaty with Great Britain had estab- 
lished the boundaries between the two countries 
and secured peace, and the treaty with Spain ha<l 
secured the privilege of navigating the Mississippi, 
by paying only a nominal sum. It had also bound 
the people of the West together, and ended the 
old separation question. There was no danger 
from that now. AnotherdiBiculty arose, however, 
relating to the home rule, ami tho oriranization of 



:\: 



a_ 



:>£: 



80 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



the homo government. There were two parties in 
the country, known as Federalist and Anti-Federal- 
ist. One lavored a central government, wlio.sc au- 
thority sliould hi! supreme ; the other, only a 
c-onipaet, leaving the States supreme. The worth- 
les.-^ness of the old colonial .system became, daily, 
more apparent. While it existcul no one felt safe. 
There wa.s no jirospect of ])aying the debt, and, 
hence, no credit. Wh(;u Mr. Hamilton, Secretary 
of the Treasury, ofTered lii.s linancial plan to the 
country, favoring centralization, it met, in many 
place.-:, \iolent opposition. Washington was strong 
enough to carry it out, and gave evidence that he 
Would do so. When, therefore, the excise law 
{)assed, and ta.xes on whisky were collected, an 
opon revolt occurred in Pennsylvania, known as 
the '• Whisky Insurrection." It was put down, 
finally, by military power, and the malcontents 
made to know that the United States was a gov- 
ernment, not a compact liable to rupture at any 
time, and by an^' of its nujmbers. It taught the 
entire nation a lesson. Cimtralization meant pres- 
ervation. Sliould a '■ compact ' form of government 
prevail, then anarchy imd ruin, and ultimate sub- 
jection to some foreign jjower, met their view. 
That they had just fought to dispel, and must it 
all go for naught? The people saw the rulers 
were right, and gradually, over the West, s]ircada 
spirit antagonistic to State suprema(r_y. It did not 
revive till .Jackson's time, when he, with an iron 
hand and iron will, crushed out the evil dcictrine 
of State sujircmaey. It revived again in the late 
war, again to be crushed. It is to l)e hoped that 
over thus will be i!.< fate. "The Unidii is insejja- 
rable,'' said the tiovernment, and the people echoed 
the words. 

During the war, and while all these events had 
been transpiring, settlements ha<l been taking place 
up(m the Ohio, which, in tl.cir influence u]iou the 
Northwest, and es|)ecially ujion the State, as soon 
as it was created, were deeply felt. The A'irginia 
and the Connecticut lleservei! were at this time 
peopled, aifi. al.so, that ]iart of the Miami \'all(y 
about Dayton, which city dates its origin from that 
period. 

As early as IT'^T, the reserved lands of the Old 
Dominion north of the; Ohio were examined, and, 
in August of that year, entries were made. As 
no good title could be obtained from Congress at 
this time, the .settlement practically cea.sed until 
1790, when the prohibition to enter them was 
withdrawn. As soon as that was done, surveying 
be^an acrain. Nathaniel Ma.s.sic was among the 



forenu)st men in the survey of this tract, and lo- 
cating the lands, laid oft" a town about twelve miles 

' above Maysville. The ]i!ace was called JManchester, 
and yet exists. From this point, Massic continued 
through all the Indian war, despite the danger, to 

I survey the suiTouudiug country, and prepare it for 

i settlers. 

Connecticut had, as has been stated, ceded her 
lands, save a tract extending one hundred and 
twenty miles beyond the western boundary of 
Peun.sylvania. Of this Connecticut Ileservc, so 
far as the Indian title was extinguished, a survey 
was ordered in October, 17S(J, and an office opened 
for its dis]ios;J. Part was .soon sold, and, in 1792, 
half a million of acres were given to those citizens 
of Connecticut who had lost property by the acts 
of the Briii.-^h troops during the I'levolutionary 
war at New London. New Haven and elsewhere. 
These lands thereby became known as ''Fire lands" 
and the "Sufferer's lands,'' and were located in the 
western part of the Reserve. In 31ay, 1795, the 
Connecticut Legislature authorized a committee to 
dispose of the remainder of the Reserve. Before 
autumn the ccmimittee .sold it to a company known 
a».the Connecticut Land Company fur Sl,2tJ(),000, 
and about the 5th of September cjuit^daimed the 
land to the Company. The same day the Company 
received it, it sold l>,0(l(l,l)00 acres to John .Mor- 
gan, John Cakhvell and Jonathan Brace, in trust. 
Upon these (juit-claim titles of the land all deeds 
in tlio Reserve are b;ised. Surveys were com- 
menced in 17915, and, by the clo.se of the next 
3"car. all the land east of the Cuyahoga was divided 
into townshijis five miles square. The agent of the 
Connecticut Land Comjiany was Ctcu. Closes Cleve- 
land, and in his honor the leading city of the Re- 
serve was iianKKl. That township and five otliers 
were reserved fur jirivate sale; the balance were 
disposed of by lottery, the firet drawing occurring 
in I'Vbruary, 1798. 

Dayton resulted from the treaty made by Wayne. 
It came out of the boundary ascribed to Synniies, 
and for a while all such lands were not recognized 
as sold by Congress, owing to the failure of 
Symmes and his a-ssociates in paying for them. 
Thereby there existed, for a time, con.'^iderable un- 
easiness regarding the title to these lands. In 
1799. Congress was induced to issue patents to the 
actual settlers, and thus secure them in their pre- 
cm])lion. 

Seventeen days afler Wayne's treaty, St. Clairs 
Wilkinson, Jonathan Dayton and Israel Ludlow 
contracted with Symmes for the seventh and eighth 



^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



ranjics, botwcon 3Iail River and the Little Jliuiui. 
Tliree settlements were to be made: one at ilio 
mouth of !Mad River, one on the Little Miami, in 
the seventh range, and another on Mad River. On 
the 21st of September, 1795, Daniel C. Cooper 
started to survey and mark out a road in the ])ur- 
chase, and John Dunlap to run its boundaries, 
which was completed liefore October 4. Ou No- 
vember 4, Mr. Ludlow laid oft" the town of Day- 
ton, which, like land in the Couuecticut Reserve, 
was sold by lotterj'. 

A gigantic scheme to purchase eighteen or 
twenty million acres in Miehiuan, and then pro- 
cure a good title from the Government — who alone 
had such a right to procure land — by giving mem- 
bers of Congress an interest in tlio investment, 
appeared .shortly alter Wayne's treaty. When 
some of the members were approached, however, 
the real spirit of the scheme appeared, and, instead 
of gaining ground, led to the exposure, resulting 
in the reprimanding severely of Robert Randall, 
the principal mover in the whole plan, and in its 
speedy disappearance. 

Another enterprise, equally gigantic, also ap- 
peared. It was, however, legitimate, and henj^ 
successful. On the 20th of February, IT'J.), the 
North American Land Company was formed in 
Pliiladflphia, under the management of such pat- 
riots as Robert Morris, John Nicholson and James 
Greenlcaf. This Company purchased largo tracts 
in the West, which it disposed of to actual settlers, 
and thereby aided greatly in populating that part 
of the country. 

Before the close of 1795, the Governor of the 
Territor3', and his Judges, published si.xly-four 
statutes. Tiiirty-four of these were adopted at 
Cincinnati during June, July and Aiigu.st of that 
year. They were known as the JLi.Kwell code, 
from the name of the publisher, but were passed 
by Governor St. Clair and Judges Symmes and 
Turner. Among them was that which provided 
that the common law of England, and all its stat- 
utes, made previous to the fourth yt^ar of Janice 
the First, should be in full force within the Terri- 
tory. " Of the system as a whole," says Jlr. Case, 
"with its many imperfections, it maybe doubted 
that any colony, at so early a period after its first 
establishment, ever had one so good and aj)plicable 
to all." 

The Union had now safely passed through its 
most critical period after the close of the war of 
independence. The danger from an irruption of 
its own members; of a war or alliance of its West- 



ern portion with France and Spain, and many 
other perplexing questions, were now cftcctually 
settled, and the population of the Territory began 
rapidly to increase. Before the clo.sc of the year 
1791), the Northwest contained over five thousand 
inhabitants, the requisite number to entitle it to 
one representative in the national Congress. 

Western Pennsylvania al.«o, despite the various 
conflicting claims regarding the land titles in that 
part of the State, began rapidly to fill with emigrants. 
The "Triangle" and the ''Struck District " were 
surveyed and put upon the market under the act 
of 1792. Treaties and purcha.scs from the various 
Indian tribes, obtained control of the remainder of 
the lands in that part of the Slate, and, by 179(), 
the State owned all the land within its boundaries. 
Towns were laid off, land put upon the market, .so 
that by the year ISOO, the western part of the 
Keystone Statewas divided into eight counties, viz., 
Beaver, Butler, fiercer, Crawford, Erie, Warren, 
Venango and Armstrong. 

The ordinance relative to the survey and dis- 
posal of lands in the Northwest Territory ha.s 
already been given. It was adhered to, save in 
minor cases, where necessity required a slight 
change. The reservations were recognized by 
Congress, and the titles to them all confirmed to 
the grantees. Thus, Clarke and his men, the 
Connecticut Reserve, the Refugee lands, the 
French inhabitants, and all others holding patents 
to land from colonial or foreign governments, were 
all confirmed in their rights and protected in their 
titles. 

Before the close of 179(3, the u])per North- 
western posts were all vacated by the British, 
under the terms of Mr. Jay's treaty. Wayne at 
once transferred his headquarters to Detroit, where 
a county was named for him, including the north- 
western part of Ohio, tho northeast of Indiana, 
and the whole of Michigan. 

The occupation of the TciTitorj' by the Ameri- 
cans gave additional impulse to emigration, and a 
better feeling of security to emigrants, who fol- 
lowed closely upon the path of the army. Na- 
thaniel Masi-ie, who has already been noticed as 
the founder of Manchester, laid out the town of 
Chillicothe, on the Scioto, in 179G. Before tlie 
close of the year, it contained several stores, 
shops, a tavern, and was well populated. With 
the increase of settlement and tho security guar- 
anteed by the treaty of Greenville, the arts of 
civilized life began to appear, and their influence 
upon pioneers, especially those born on the frontier, 



-^ 



•^J 



84 



HISTOEY OF OHIO. 



began to manifest itself. Better dwelliugs, schools, 
churehcs, dress and maimers j>revailed. Life 
began to assume a reality, and lost much of 
that recklessness engendered by the habits of a 
frontier life. 

Clevclaud, Cincinnati, the 3Iianii, the Jln.s- 
kingum and the Scioto Valleys were filling with 
people. Cincinnati had more than one hundred 
log cabins, twelve or fifteen frame hou.ses and a 
jiopulation of more than six hundred j)ersons. In 
179C, the first house of worship for tiie Presby- 
terians in that city was built. 

Before the close of the same year, Manchester 
contained over thirty families ; emigrants i'rom 
Virginia were going up all the valleys from the 
Ohio; and Ebcnezer 2aue had opened a bridle- 
path from the Ohio River, at Wheeling, across the 
(•ountry, by Chillieothe, to Limestone, Kj". The 
next yeai', the United States mail, for the first 
time, traversed this route to the AVest. Zane was 
given a section of land for his path. The pojiu- 
lation of the Territory, estimated at from five to 
eight thciusand, was chiefly dislriljuted in lower 
valleys, bordering on the Oliio Eiver. The Frenih 
still occupied the Illinois couutr_v, and were the 
]irincipal inhabitants about Detroit. 

South of the Ohio Iliver, Kentucky was pro- 
gressing favorably, while the " Southwestern Ter- 
ritory," ceded to the Uniteil States b}' North 
Carolina in IT 00, had so rapidly populated that, 
in 1793, a Territilrial form of government was 
allowed. The ordinance of 17S7, save the clau.se 
prohibiting slaver}", was ado]:)ted, and the Territory 
named Tcnnes.-;ee. On June G, 179G, the Terri- 
tory contained more than seventy-five thousand 
inhabitants, and was admitted into the Union as a 
State. I\)ur years after, the census showed a 
population of 10"), 002 souls, including 1o,.jS-1 
slaves and jicrsons of color. The same year 
Tennes.sec became a State, Samuel Jack.son and 
Jonathan Sliarjilcss erected tiic Bedstone Pajjer 
31111, four miles ea.st of Brownsville, it being the 
first niamifaetory of the kind west of the Alle- 
glianies. 

In the month of December, 1700, Gen. Wayne, 
who had done so much fw- the devclojimcnt of the 
West, while on his way from Detroit to Philadcl- 
))hia, was attacked with sickness and died in a 
cabin near ]']rie, in the north pait of J'cnnsylvania. 
lie was nearly fifty-one years old, and was one of 



the bravest officers in the Bcvolutionary war, and 
one of Americas truest patriots. In 1800, his 
remains were removed from Erie, by his sou. Col. 
Isaac Wayne, to the Radnor churchyard, near the 
jilace of his birth, and an elegant monument erected 
on his tomb by the Pennsylvania Cincinnati So- 
ciety. 

After the death of Wa3-nc, Gen. Wilkinson was 
ajijiiiinted to the command of the Western armj-. 
AVhile he wasiu command, Caroudclet, the Sjianish 
governur of West Florida and lAiui.'^iaua. made one 
more efiort to s(!parate the Uninn, and.set up either 
an indej)endent government in the West, or, what 
was more in accord with his wishes, effect a 
union with the Spanish nation. In June, 1797, 
he sent Power again into the Northwest and into 
Kentucky to sound the existing feeling. Now, 
however, they were not ciisil^- won over. The 
home government was a certainty, the breaches had 
been healed, and Power was compelled to abandon 
the mission , not, however, until he had received a 
severe reprimand from many who saw through his 
jilan, and openly exposed it. His mission closed 
the eflbrts of the Spanish authorities to attempt 
J^he dismemberment of the L^nion, and showed 
them the coming downfall of their power in Amer- 
ica. They were obliged to surrender the posts 
claimed liy the United States under the treaty of 
1705, and not many j'ears after, sold their Amer- 
ican possessions to the United States, rather than 
see a rival European power attain control over them. 

On the 7th of April, 1708, Congress passed an 
act, appointing Winthrop Sargent, Secretary of the 
Northwest Territory, Governor of the Territory of 
the 3Iissi.';sipj)i, formed the same day. In ISOl, 
the 1 louudary between America and the Spanish pos- 
sessions was definitely fixed. The Spanish retired 
from the disputed territory, and henceforward their 
attem]its to dissolve the American Union ceased. 
The seat of the Mississippi Territory was fixed at 
Loftus Heights, six miles north of the thirty-first 
degree of latitude. 

The ai)pointment of Sargent to the charge of the 
South\ve.-~t Territory, led to the choice of William 
Henry Jlarrison, who had been aid-de-camp to 
Gen. Wa^ne in 1704, and whose character stood 
Very high among the ]ieople of tin; West, to the 
Secretary.'^hiji of the Northwest, which place he held 
until appointed to represent that Territory in Con- 
iii'ess. 



IIISTOFvY OF OHIO. 



85 



CHAPTER IX. 

FIRST TERRITORIAL REPRESENTATIVES IX COXGRESS—DI VISION OF THE TERRITORY— FORMA- 
TION OF STATES— MARIETTA SETTLEMENT— OTHER SETTLEMENTS— SETTLEMENTS IN 
THE WESTERN RESERVE — SETTLEMENT OF THE CENTRAL VALLEYS- 
FURTHER tETTLEMENTS IN THE RESERVE AND ELSEWHERE. 



THE ordinance of ITS" provided that as soon 
as tliere were 5,000 persons in the Tenitory, 
it was entitled to a representative assembly. On 
October 29, 1798, Governor St. Clair gave notice 
by proclamation, that the required population ex- 
isted, and directed that an election be held on the 
third jMonday in December, to choose representa- 
tives. These representatives were required, when 
ass ,'mbled, to nominate ten persons, wliose names 
were sent to the President of tlie United States, 
who selected five, and with the advice and consent 
of the Senate, appointed them ibr the legislative 
council. In this mode the Northwest passed into 
the second grade of a Territorial government. 

The representatives, elected under the proclama- 
tion of St. Clair, met in Cincinnati, January 22, 
1799, and under the provisions of the ordinance 
of 1787, nominated ten persons, whose names were 
sent to the President. On the 2d of March, he 
selected from the list of candidates, the names of 
Jacob Burnet, James Fiudlay, Henry Vander- 
burgh, Robert Oliver and David Vance. The 
next day the Senate confirmed their nomination, 
and the first legislative council of the Northwest I 
Territory was a realitj'. 1 

The Territorial Legislature met again at Cincin- j 
nati, September IG, but, for want of a <[uoruni, | 
was not organized until the 2-lth of that month. ( 
The House of Representatives consisted of nine- 
teen members, of whom seven were from Hamilton 
County, four from Ross — erected by St. Clair in 
1798; three from Wayne — erected in 1796; two 
from Adams — erected in 1797; one from Jeffer- 
son — erected in 1797 ; one from Washington — 
erected in 1788; and one from Knox — Indiana 
Territory. None seem to liave been present from 
St. Clair County (Illinois Territory). 

-■Vfter the organization of the Legislature, Gov- 
ernor St. Clair addressed the two houses in the Rop- 
resontative.s' Chamber, recommending such meas- 
ures ;is, in his judgment, were suited to the con- 
dition of the country and would advance the safety 
and prosperity of the people. 



The Legislature continued in session till the 19th 
of December, when, having finished their business, 
they were prcirogued by the Governor, by their 
own request, till the first Monday in November, 
1800. This being the first session, there was, of 
necessity, a great deal of business to do. The 
transitit)n from a colonial to a semi-independent 
form of government, called for a general revision 
as well as a considerable enlargement of the stat- 
ute-book. Some of the adopted laws were re- 
pealed, many others altered and amended, and a 
long list of new ones added to the code. New 
offices were to be created and filled, the duties at- 
tached to them pirescribed, and a jilan of ways and 
means devised to meet the increased expenditures, 
occasioned by the change which had now occurred. 

As iMr. Burnet was the principal lawyer in the 
Council, much of the revision, and putting the laws 
into proper legal form, devolved upon him. He 
seems to have been well fitted for the place, and 
to have performed the laborious task in an excel- 
lent manner. 

The whole number of acts passed and approved 
l)y the Governor, was thirty-seven. The most im- 
portant related to the militia, the administration of 
justice, and to taxation. During the session, a bill 
authorizing a lotterj^ was j)asscd by the council, 
but rejected by the Legislature, thus interdicting 
this demoralizing I'eature of the disposal of lands 
or for other purposes. The example luis always been 
followed by sulisequent legislatures, thus honorably 
characterizing the Assembly of Ohio, in this re- 
spect, an exam])Ie Kentucky and several other 
States might well emulate. 

Before the Asscmljl^' adjourned, they issued a 
congratulatoiy addi'ess to the people, enjoining 
them to ''Inculcate the principles of humanity, 
benevolence, honesty and punctuality in dealing, 
sincerity and charity, and all the social afliections." 
At the same time, they issued an address to the 
President, expressing entire confidence in the wi.s- 
dom and purity of his government, and their 
warm attachment to the American Constitution. 



8G 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The vote on this adilies^s proved, however, that tlie 
cliffcreutes of oj)iuion agiutiuj; the Eastern States 
liiid jieuetrated the West. Eleven Kepresentatives 
voted i'or it, and live ajrainst it. 

One of the important duties that devolved on 
this Legislature, was the election of a delegate to 
Congress. As soon ;is the Governor's proclama- 
tion made its a])[)earai;ce, the election of a person 
to fill that position excited general attention. Be- 
fore the meeting of the Legislature public opinion 
had settled down on \\ iiliam Henry Harrison, and 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., wtio eventually were the only 
candidates. On the od of October, the two houses 
met and proceeded to a choice. Eleven votes were 
cast for Harrison, and ten for St. Clair. The Leg- 
islature prescribed the form of a certificate of the 
election, which was given to Harrison, who at once 
resigned his office as Secretary of the Territory, 
proceeded to Philadelphia, and took his seat. Con- 
gress being then in .session. 

'• Though he represented the Territory but one 
year, ' says Judge Burnett, in his notes, " he ob- 
tained some important advantages for liis constitu- 
ents. He introduced a resolution to sub-divide 
the surveys of the public lauds, and to oft'er them 
for sale in smaller tracts ; lie succeeded ingettiug 
that measure through both houses, in oj position to 
ths; interest of speculators, who were, and who 
wished to be, the retailers of the land to the poorer 
cla.sses of the eommuuity. His proposition be- 
came a law, and was hailed as the most beneficent 
act that Congress had ever done for the Territory. 
It put in the power of every industrioiLs man, how- 
ever jKior, to become a freeholder, and to lay a 
foundation for the future supjiort and comfort of 
his family. At the same session, ho obtained a 
liberal extension of time for the pre-em|itioners in 
tlie northern part of the jNIiami purchase, which 
enabled them to .secure their farms, and eventually 
to become independent, and evi'n wealthy." 

The first session, as has been noticed, closed 
December H). Gov. St. Clair took occasion to 
enumerate in his speech at the close of the session, 
eleven acts, to which he saw tit to apply his veto. 
These ho had not, li<iwever. returned to the As.seni- 
bly, and therein- saved a long struggle between the 
executive and legislative branches of the Territory. 
Of the eleveu acts enumerated, six related to the 
formation of new counties. These weri! mainly 
disproved by St Clair, ;ts he always sturdily main- 
tained that the power to erect new counties was 
vested alone in tlie Executive. This free exercise 
of the veto power, especially in relation to ue'.r 



counties, and his controversy with the Legislature, 
tended only to strengthen the jiopular di.scontcnt 
regarding the Governor, who was never fully able 
to regain the standing ho lield before his in- 
glorious deftat in his campaign against the Indians. 
While this was being agitated, another (piestion 
came into prominence. Ultimately, it settled the 
powers of the two branches of the government, 
and caused the removal of St. Clair, then very 
dista.steful to the people. The opening of the 
present century brought it i'ully beibre the 
people, who began to agitate it in all their 
assemblies. 

The great extent of the Territory made the 
operations of government extremely uncertain, 
and the power of the courts practically worthless. 
i Its division was, therefore, deemed best, and a 
I committee w.is ajipointcd by Congress to inquire 
into the matter. This committee, the od of 
JIarch, 18U0, reported upon the .subject that, "In 
the three western counties, there has been but 
one court having cognizance of crimes in five 
yeare. The immunity which offenders exjierience, 
: attracts, as to an a.sylum, the most vile and aban- 
' doned criminals, and, at the .same time, deters 
useful and virtuous citizens from making settle- 
I ments in such society. The extreme necessity of 
judiciary attention and assistance is experienced 
in civil as well as criminal cases. The sup[)lying 
to vacant places such necessary officers as may be 
wanted, such as clerks, reeordei-s and others of 
like kind, is, from the impossibility of conect 
notice and information, utterly neglected. This 
Territory is expo.seil as a frontier to fi reign nations, 
whoso agents can find sufficient interest in exciting 
or fomenting insurrection and discontent, as 
thereljy they can more easily divert a valuable 
trade in furs from the United States, and also have 
a ]>.irt thereof on which they border, which feels 
so little the cherishing hand of their proper gov- 
ernment, or so little dreads its energy, as to render 
their attachment perfectly uncertain and am- 
biguous. 

"The coniraittce would further suggest, that 
the law of the :}(! of IMarch, ITiH. granting land 
to cert;un persons in the western part of .said Ter- 
ritory, and directing the laying-out of the same, 
reiiiains unexecuted; that great di.scontcnt, in 
conseipience of such neglect, is excited in those 
who are interested in the ]m)vLsions of s;iid laws, 
which require the immediate attention of this 
Legislature, To minister a remedy to the.se evils, 
it occurs to this committee, that it is expedient 



^ 



J>?\ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



87 



tli;it a division of said Territory into two distinot- 
and sepiu'ate govcniuK;nt.s slioidd be niadi! ; and 
that such division bo made by a lino beginning at 
the mouth of the great JMiami River, running 
directly nortli until it intersects the boundary 
between the United States and Canada." * 

The rceommeudations of the committee were 
favoral)ly received l)y Congress, and, the 7th 
of 3(ay, an act was passed dividing the Ter- 
ritory. The main provisions of the act are as 
follows: 

"That, from and after the -ith of July next, 
all that part of the territory of the United States 
northwest of the Ohio River, which lies to the 
westward of a line beginning at the Ohio, opposite 
to the mouth of the Kentucky River, and running 
thence to Fort Recovery, and thence north until 
it intersects the territorial line between the United 
States and Canada, shall, for the purpose of tem- 
porary government, constitute a separate Territory, 
and be called the Indiana Territory. 

"There shall be established within tlie said Ter- 
ritory a government, in all respects similar to that 
provided by the ordinance of Congress passed July 
13, 1797." t 

The act further provided for representatives, and 
for the establishment of an as.scmbly, on the same 
plan as that in force in the Northwest, stipulating 
that until the luiinbor of inhabitants reached five 
thousand, the whole number of representatives to 
the General Assembly should not be less than seven, 
nor more than nine; apportioned by the Governor 
among the several counties in the new Terri- 
tory. 

The act further provided that " nothing in the 
act should be so construed, so as in any manner 
to affect the government now in force in the terri- 
tory of the United States northwest of the Ohio 
River, further than to prohibit the exercise thereof 
within the Indiana Territory, from and after the 
aforesaid 4th of July next. 

" Whenever that part of the territory of the 
United States, which lies to the eastward of a line 
beginning at the mouth of the Great Miami River, 
and running thence due north to the territorial 
line between the United States and Canada, shall 
be erected into an independent State, and admitted 
into the Union on an equal footing with the orig- 
inal States; thenceforth said line shall become and 
remain permanently, the boundary line between 
.such State and the Indiana Territory." 

^Amrri^an Stato Papera. 
"I Land Laws. 



It was further enacted, " that, until it shall bo 
otherwise enacted by the legislatures of the said 
territories, respe(-tively, (Jhillicothe, on the Scioto 
River, shall be the scat of government of the ter- 
ritory of the United States northwest of the Oliio 
River; and that St. Vincent's, on the Wabash 
River, shall be the seat of government for the 
Indiana Territory." * 

St. Clair was c<intinued as (jlovernor of the old 
Territory, and William Henry Harrison appointed 
Governor of the new. 

Connecticut, in ceding her territory in the West 
to the General Government, reserved a portion, 
known as the Connecticut Reserve. When she 
afterward disposed of her claim in the manner 
narrated, the citizens found themselves without any 
government on which to lean for sa]ij)ort. At that 
time, settlements had begun in thirty-five of the 
townshipsinto which the Reserve had been divided ; 
one thousand persons had established homes there ; 
mills had been built, and over seven hundred miles 
of roads opened. In ISOO, tlie settlers petitioned 
for acceptance into the Union, as a part of the 
Northwest; and, the mother State releasing her judi- 
ciary claims. Congress accepted the trust, and 
granted the retiucst. In December, of that year, 
the population had so increased that the county of 
Trumbull was erected, including the Reserve. 
Soon after, a largo number of settlers came from 
Pennsylvania, from which State they had been 
driven by the dispute concerning land titles in its 
western part. Unwilling to cultivate land to 
whicli they could only get a doubtful deed, they 
abandoned it, and c;Lme where the titles were 
sure. 

Congress having made Chillicothe the capital of 
the Northwest Territory, as it now existed, on the 
3d of November the General Assembly met at that 
place. Gov. St. Clair had been made to feel the 
odium cast upon his previous acts, and, at the open- 
ing of this session, expressed, in strong terms, his 
disapprobation of the censure cast ujwn him. He 
had endeavored to do his duty in all cases, he saiil, 
and yet held the confidence of the President and 
Congress. He still held the office, notwithstanding 
the strong dislike against him. 

At the second .se.s.sion of the Assembly, at Chil- 
licothe, lield in the autumn of 1801, so much out- 
.spokon enmity wa,« expressed, and .so much abuse 
heaped upon the Governor and the Assembly, that 
a law was passed, removing the capital to Cincinnati 



r^ 



88 



HISTOllY OF OHIO. 



again. It wa.s not (k'stiueJ, however, that the 
Tei-ritorial Assembly should meet again anywhere. 
The unpopularity of the Governor causcil many to 
lung for a State government, where they eould 
choose their own rulers. The unpopularity of St. 
Clair arose partly from tlie feeling couueeted with 
his defeat; in part from his being eonneeted with 
the Fedend party, fast falling into disrepute; and, 
in part, from his assuming powers which most 
thought he had no right to exercise, especially the 
power of subdividing the counties of the Terri- 
tory. 

The opposition, though powerful out of the 
A.ssemblj', was in the minority there. During the 
month of December, 1801, it was forced to protest 
against a measure brought forward in the Council, 
for changing the ordinance of 1787 in such a man- 
ner as to make the Scioto, and a line drawn from 
the intersection of that river and the Indian 
bounilary to the western extremity of the Reserve, 
the limits of the most eastern State, to be formed 
i'roni the Territory. Had this change been made, 
the formaticm of a State government beyond the 
Ohio would have been long delayed. Again.st it, 
llepresentativesWorthington.Langham, Darlington, 
Massie, Dunlavy and Morrow, recorded their pro- 
test. Not content with this, they sent Thomas 
Worthington, who obtained a leave of absence, to 
the .seat of government, on behalf of the objectors, 
there to protest, before Congress, against the pro- 
pased boundary. While Worthington was on his 
way, Massie presented, the 4th of January, 1802, 
a resolution fi)r choosing a committee to address 
Congress in r(!spcet to the proposed State govern- 
ment. This, the next day, the House refused to 
do, by a vote of twelve to five. An attempt 
was next made to procure a census of the Ter- 
ritory, and an act for that purpose passed the 
House, but the Council piostponed the considera- 
tion of it until the next session, which would com- 
mence at Cincinnati, the fourth Monday of No- 
vember. 

Meanwhile, Worthington pursued the ends of 
his mission, using his iuflu(!nce to effect that organ- 
ization, "which, terminating the influence of tyr- 
anny," was to "meliorate the circumstances of thou- 
sands, by freeing them from the di.minati<m of a 
despotic chief " His efforts wore successful, and, 
the -1th of March, a report was made to the 
House in favor of authorizing a State convention. 
This re])ort was ba.sed on the assumption that there 
were now over sixty thousand inhabilanls in the 
proposed boundarii's. estimating that emigration had 



increased the census of 1800, which gave tlie Ter- 
ritory forty-five thousand inhabitaut.s, to that num- 
ber. The conventicm was to a.scertain whether it 
were expedient to form such a government, and to 
jireparc a constituticm if such organization were 
deemed best. In the formation of the State, a 
change in the boundaries was ]iroposed, l>y which 
all the territory north of a line drawn due ea.st 
from the head of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie was 
to be excluded from the new government about to 
be called into existence. 

The committee appointed by Congress to report 
upon the feasibility of forming the State, suggested 
that Congress reserve out of every township sections 
numbered 8, 11, 26 and 29, for their own use, and 
that Section 10 be reserved for the maintenance 
of schools. The committee also suggested, that, 
"religion, education and morality being necessary 
to the good government and happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall be forever 
encouraged." 

Various other recommendations were given by 
the committee, in accordance with which. Congress, 
April 30, pa.ssed the resolution authorizing the 
calling of a conveiuion. As this accorded with 
the feelings of the majority of the inhabitants of the 
Northwest, no opposition was experienced ; even 
the Legislature giving way to this embryo gov- 
ernment, and failing to assemble according to ad- 
journment. 

The convention met the 1st of November. Its 
members were generally JefFersonian in their na- 
tional politics, and luid been opposed to the change 
ol' boundaries projiosed the year before. Before 
proceeding to business. Gov. St. Clair propo.sed to 
address them in his official character. This propo- 
sition was re.siste<l by several of the mendjers; but, 
afler a moti<in, it was agreed to allow him to sj)eak 
to them as a citizen. St. Clair did so. advising 
the jiostponement of a State government until the 
peojile of the original eastern division were plainly 
entitled to deiuand it, and were not subject to be 
bound by conditicuis. This advice, given as it wa.s, 
cau.sed Jefferson instantly to remove St. Clair, at 
which time liis oifice cea.sed.* " When the vote 
was taken," says Judge Burnet, "ujion doing what 

*Aftfr this, St. Clair roturnP'i to liis ot<l homo in tlif Ligonipr 
Vail' y. IVni'svh^tnia. where Im livcil Willi his chil<lr<'H in alniuist 
al'i'-ct P"Vrrty. I!n ii;i>! Inst niiMn'V ill his i uhlic litf. as li-- gave 
cIosoadpnTinii t'> puhlir affairs, in ihc dotriiiicnt of his own Im-imgw. 
lie jir('scntf<l a claim to i^oiigrcss, iiftiTwani, lor supplies funii- lied 
to til" army, hut the claim was outlawed. Af'rr tryin;:: in Tain to 
get Iho clai'M aMowfd, ho returned to his home, t^ennsylvaiiia. 
leirninc: of his distress, granteil liini an annuity of S'l'iO, atlerv' aid 
raised I'lS*''". Fte lived to pitjoy this I. til a short time, his death 
occurring August :U, ISIS. He was eighty-four years uf ago. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



8!) 



ho advised them not to do, but one of tliirty-threc 
(Ephraim Cutler, of Washington County) voted 
with the Governor." 

On one jjoint only wore the proposed boundarie.s 
of the new State altered. 

" To every person who has attended to this sub- 
ject, and who has consulted the maps of the West- 
ern country extant at the time the ordinance of 
1787 was passed. Lake 3Iichigan was believed to 
bo, and was represented by all the maps of that 
day as being, very far north of the position which 
it has since been ascertained to occupy. I have 
soon the map in the Department of State which 
was before the committee of Congress wlio framed 
and reported the ordinance for the government of 
the Territoi-y. On that map, the southern bound- 
ary of Michigan was represented as being above 
the forty-second degree of north latitude. And 
there was a pencil line, said to have been made by 
the committee, passing through the southern bend 
of the lake to the Canada line, which struck the 
strait not far below the town of Detroit. The 
line was manifestly intended by the counnittoe 
and by Congress to be the northern boundary of 
our State; and, on the principles by which courts 
of chancery construe contracts, accompanied by 
plats, it would seem that the map, and the line 
referred to, should be conclusive evidence of our 
boundary, without reference to the real position of 
the lakes. 

'•When the convention sat, in 1802, the under- 
dcrstandiug was, that the old maps were nearly 
correct, and that the line, as defined in the ordi- 
nance, would terminate at some point on the strait 
above the Maumee Bay. AVhilc the convention 
was in session, a man who had hunted many years 
on Lake Michigan, and was well ac(|uainted with 
its position, happened to be in Chillicothe, and, in 
conversation with one of the members, told him 
that the lake extended much farther south than 
was generally supposed, and that a map of the 
country which he had seen, placed its southern 
bend many miles north of its true position. This 
information excited some uneasiness, and induced 
the convention to modify the clause describing the 
north boundary of the new State, so as to guard 
against its being depressed below the most north- 
ern cape of the Maumee Bay."* 

With this change and some extension of the 
school and road donations, the convention agreed 
to the proposal of Congress, and, November 29, 



* Historicil Tningactionsof Ohio. — Judge Bl'Knett. 



their agreement was ratified and signed, as was 
also the constitution of the State of Ohio — so 
named from its river, called by theShawanees Ohio, 
meaning beautiful — forming its southern bound- 
ary. Of this nothing need be said, save that it 
bore the marks of true democratic feeling — of full 
faith in the people. By them, however, it was 
never voted for. It stood firm until 1852, wlum 
it was super.sedcd by the present one, made neccs- 
.sary liy the advance of time. 

The General As.scmbiy wa.s retpiired to nuiet at 
Chillicothe, the first Tuesday of March, 18();i. 
This change left the territory northwest of the 
Ohio lliver, not included in the new State, in the 
Territories of Indiana and Michigan. Subso- 
ipiently, in I81G, Indiana was made a State, and 
confined to her present limits. Illinois was made 
a Territory then, including Wisconsin. In 1818, 
it became a State, ami Wisconsin a Territory at- 
tached to Jlichigau. This latter was made a State 
in 1837, and Wisconsin a separate Territory, which, 
in 1847, was made a State. Minnesota was made 
a Territcn-y the same year, and a State in 1857, 
and the five contemplated States of the territory 
were complete. 

Preceding pages have shown how the t('rritory 
north of the Ohio River was peopled by the 
French and English, and how it came under the 
rule of the American people. The war of the 
Revolution closed in 1783, and left all America in 
the hands of a new nation. That nation brought 
a change. Before the war. various attempts had 
been made by residents in New England to people 
the country west of the Alloghanics. Land com- 
panies were formed, principal among which were 
the Ohio Company, and the company of which 
John Cloves Symmes was the agent and chief 
owner. Large tracts of land on the Scioto and 
on the Ohio were entered. The Ohio Company 
were the first to make a settlement. It was or- 
ganized in the autumn of 1787, November 27. 
They made arrangements for a party of forty-seven 
men to set out for the West under the supervision of 
Gen. Rufus Putnam, Superintendent of the Com- 
pany. Early in the winter they advanced to the 
Youghiogheny River, and there built a strong boat, 
which they named ■■ ^Mayflower." It w:is built by 
Capt. Jonathan Devol. the first ship-builder in the 
West, and, when completed, was jilaccd under his 
command. The boat was launched April 2, 1788, 
and the band of pioneers, like the Pilgrim Fathers, 
began their voyage. The 7th of the month, 
they arrived at the mouth of the Muskingum, 



\ 



90 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



their destination, opposite Kort Ilarmar,* erected 
in the auluinii of 1785, bj' a detachment of 
United States troops, under couiujand of Blaj. 
John Uoughty, and, at the date of the .Mayflower's 
arrival in possession of a company of soldiers. 
Under tlie jiroteetion of these troops, the little baud 
of men began their labor of laying out a town, 
and eommi'need to erect houses for their own and 
subsequent emigrants' occupation. 'I'iie names of 
those pioneers of Ohio, as far as can now be 
learned, are ;us follows: 

Gen. Putnam, Return Jonathan Meigs, Win- 
throp Sargeant ( Secretary of the Territory i, Judges 
Parsons and \'arnuui, Capt Dana, Capt. Jonathan 
Devol, Joseph liarker. Col. Battelle, Maj. Tyler, 
Dr. True, Caj)t. Wm. Gra^y, Caj)t. Lunt, the 
Bridges, Kbenezpr and Tliomas Cory, Andrew JIc- 
Clure, Wm. Mast)n, Thomas Lord, Wm. Gridley, 
Gilbc!rt Devol, Moody Kussels, Deavens, Oakes, 
\Vright, Clougli, Green, Shipman, Dorance, the 
Masons, and othere, whose names are now be- 
yond recall. 

On the 19th of July, the first boat of families 
arrived, after a nine-weeks journey on the way. 
They had traveled in tluur wagons as far as Wheel- 
ing, where they built large flat-ljoats, into ■which 
they loaded their effects, including their cattle, and 
thence pa,ssed down the Ohio to their (h\stination. 
The fiimilios were those of Gen. Tu])per, Coh 
Icliabod Nye, Col. Gushing, Maj. Coburn, and 
jNIaj. Goodale. In these titles the reader will ob- 
serve the prej)onderance of military distinction. 
Many of the founders of the colony had served 
with much valor in the war for fi'eedom, and were 
well prepared for a life in the wilderness. 

They began at once the construction of houses 
from the forests about the confluence of the rivers, 
guarding their stock i)y day and penning it by 
night. Wolves, bears and Indians were all about 
them, and, hero in the remote wilderness, thty 
were obliged to always be on their guard. From 
the ground where they olHained the timber to erect 
their houses, they soon produced a few vegetables, 
and when the families arrived in August, thej' 
were able to set before them food raised for the 

*Tho outlines of Fort Harmar formed a regular pentagon, 
embracing within the area about tliree-fourths of an acre. lis 
walls were formed of lar;;e liurizont^il tinilierw, and the h.istioiis 
of large uliri;;iiltin»her-tah(Hitf>urreenfe'^'t in height, lasteiied to each 
oth'T t'y hli ios if tiiniii-r, tref-inil.^I int > e;ich incket. In th" re.ir 
of the fort M;tj. notifihtv laiil out fine gardens, it continued to he 
occupied Uy L'liiled States troops until Sept'-nih'-r ITl'O, when 
they were ordered torincinnali. A coinp;iny, under ('apt. Haskell, 
continued to make the fort I'leir headquarters during tlm Indian 
war, orcuiionally a-bif^ling the rolonipts at Marietta, Belpre and 
Waterford agiiiuHt tli>' Indians. When not needed hy the troops, 
the fort was n:^ed by the people of Mariettji. 



first time by the hand of American citizens in the 
Ohio Valley. One of those who came in August, 
was Mr, Thomas Guthrie, a settler in one of the 
western counties of Pennsylvania, who brought a 
bushel of wheat, which he sowed on a plat of 
ground cle;ued by himself, and fi'om which that 
fall he procuretl a small crop of wheat, the first 
grown in the State of Ohio. 

The 3Iarietta settlement was the only one made 
that summer in the Territory. From their arrival 
until October, when Govern(ir St. Clair came, they 
were busily omploj'ed making hoitses, and prepai-- 
ing for the winter. The little colony, of which 
Washington wrote so flivorably, met on the 2d day 
of July, to name their newborn cit\' and its pub- 
lic sqares. Until now it had been known as ''The 
]\Iuskingum" simply, but on that day the name 
ISIarietta was formally given to it, in honor of 3Ia- 
rie Antoinette. The -1th of July, an ovation was 
lield, and an oration delivered by James M, Var- 
num, who. with S. H, Parsons and John Arm- 
strong, had been appointed Judges of the Terri- 
tory. Thus, in the heart of the wilderness, 
miles away fi-om any kindred post, in the forests 
of the Great West, was the Tree of Liberty watered 
and given a heart\' gi-owth. 

On the morning of the 9th of Juh', Governor 
St. Clair arrived, and the colon}- began to a.ssume 
form. The ordinance of 1787 had provided for 
a form of government under the Governor and 
the three Judges, and this form was at once put 
into force. The 25th, the firet law relating to the 
militia was published, and the next day the Gov- 
ernor's proclamation appeared, creating all the 
country that had been ceded by the Indians, east 
of the Scioto Kiver, into the county of Washing- 
ton, and the civil machinery was in motion. From 
that time forward, this, the pioneer settlement in 
Ohio, went on prosperously. The 2d of Septem- 
ber, the first court in the Temtory was held, but 
as it related to the Territory, a narrative of its j)ro- 
ceedings will be found in the histoiy of that jtart 
of the country, and need not be repeated here. 

The 15th of July, Gov. St. Clair had published 
the ordinance of 1787, and the commissions of 
himself and the three Judges. lie also assembled 
the people of the settlement, and explained to 
them the ordinance in a speech of considerable 
length. Three days after, he sent a notice to the 
Judges, calling their attention to the subject of 
organizing the militia. Instead of attending to 
this important matter, and thus providing for their 
safety should trouble with the Indians arise, the 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



91 



Judges did not even reply to the Governor's letter, 
but sent him what they called a "project" of a 
law for dividing real estate. The bill was so 
loosely drawn that St. Clair immediately rejected 
it, and set about organizing the militia himself 
He divided the militia into two classes, "Senior" 
and "Junior," and organized them by appointing 
their officers. 

In the Senior Class, Nathan Gushing was ap- 
pointed Captain; George Ingersol, Lieutenant, 
and James Backus, Ensign. 

In the Junior Class, Nathan Goodale and Charles 
Knowl.s were made Captains ; Watson Casey and 
Samuel Stebbins, Lieutenants, and Joseph Lincoln 
and Arnold Colt, Ensigns. 

The Governor next erected the Courts of Pro- 
bate and Quarter Sessions, and proceeded to ap- 
point civil officers. Rufus Putnam, Benjamin 
Tupper and Winthrop Sargeant were made Ju.s- 
tices of the Peace. The oUth of August, the day 
the Court of Quarter Sessions was appointed, 
Archibald Cary, Isaac Pierce and Thomas Lord 
were also appointed Justices, and given power to 
hold this court. They were, in fact. Judges of a 
Court of Common Pleas. Return Jonathan Meigs 
was appointed Clerk of this Court of Quarter 
Sessions. Ebenezer Sproat was appointed Sheriff' of 
Wasliington County, and also Colonel of the militia; 
William Callis, Clerk of the Supreme Court; 
Rufu.s Putnam, Judge of the Probate Court, and 
R. J. Meigs, Jr., Clerk. Following these appoint- 
ments, sotting the machinery of government in 
motion, St. Clair ordered that the 2.Jth of Decem- 
ber be kept as a day of thanksgiving by the infant 
colony for its safe and propitious beginning. 

During the fall and winter, the settlement was 
daily increased by emigrants, so much so, that the 
greatest difficulty was experienced in finding them 
lodging. During the coldest part of the winter, 
when ice covered the river, and prevented navi- 
gation, a delay in arrivals was experienced, only to 
be broken as soon as the river opened to the; beams 
of a spring -sun. W^hile locked in the winter's 
embrace, the colonists amused themselves in vari- 
ous ways, dancing being one of the most promi- 
nent. At Christmas, a grand ball was held, at 
which there were fifteen ladies, "whose grace," 
says a narrator, "equaled any in the East." 
Though i.solated in the wilderness, they knew a 
brilliant prospect la.y before them, and lived on in 
a joyous hope for the future. 

Soon after their arrival, the settlers began tlio 
erection of a stockade fort (Campus Jlartius ), 



which occupied their time until the winter cf 
1791. During the interval, fortunately, no hos- 
tilities from the Indians wore; experienced, though 
they were abundant, and were frequent visitors to 
tlie settlement. 

From a communication in the American Eiuiieer, 
by Dr. S. P. Ilildreth, the following description of 
Campus Jlartius is derived. As it will appl^^, in 
a measure, to many early structures for defense in 
the West, it is given entire : 

" The fort was made in the form of a regular 
parallelogram, the sides of each being 180 feet. 
At each corner was erected a strong block-house, 
surmounted by a tower, and a .sentry box. These 
houses were twenty feet square below and twenty- 
four feet square above, and projected six feet be- 
yond the walls of the fort. The intermediate walls 
were made up with dwelling-houses, made of wood, 
whose ends were whip-sawed into timbers four 
inches thick, and of the reepu.site width and length. 
These were laid up similar to the structure of log 
houses, with the ends nicel}' dove-tailed together. 
The whole were two stories high, and covered with 
shingle roofs. Convenient chimneys were erected 
of bricks, for cooking, and warming the rooms. A 
number of the dwellings were built and owned by 
individuals who had families. In the west and 
south fronts were strong gateways ; and over the 
one in the center of the front looking to the Mus- 
kingum River, was a belfry. The chamber beneath 
was occupied by Winthrop Sargeant, as an office, 
he being Secretary to the Governor, and jierform- 
ing the duties of the office during St. Clair's ab- 
sence. This room projected over the gatewaj', like 
a block-house, and was intended for the protection 
of the gate beneath, in time of an assault. At 
the outer corner of each block-liouse was erected a 
bastion, standing on four stout timbers. The floor 
of the bastion was a little above the lower story of 
the block-house. They were scjuare, and built up 
to the height of a man's head, so that, when lie 
looked over, he stepped on a narrow platform or 
"banquet "running around the sides of the bulwark. 
Port-holes were made, for musketry as well as for 
artillery, a single piece of which was mounted in 
the southwest and northeast bastions. In tlie.se, 
the sentries were regularly posted every night, as 
more convenient than the towers ; a door leading 
into them from the iqiper story of the block-houses. 
The lower room of the southwest block-house was 
occupied as a guard-house. 

" Running from corner to corner of the block- 
houses was a row of pali.sades, sloping outward, 



92 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



and ivstiiip: on i-toiit rails. Twenty feet in advance 
of tlu^se, was a row of very strong and large j)ifk- 
ets, set upright in tlio earth. (Jatoways through 
these, ailuiittod the inmates of the garrison. A 
few feet b(!y()nd tlie row of outer jialisades was 
placed a row of abattis, made from the tops and 
branches of trees, sharpened and pointing outward, 
so that it would have been very difficult for an 
enemy to have penetrated within their outworks. 
The dwelling-houses occupied a space from fifteen 
to thirty ft>et each, and were sufficient for the ac- 
commodation of forty or fifty families, and did 
actually contain from two hundred to three hun- 
drc<l ])ersons during the Indian war. 

'■ IJefire the Indians commenced hostilities, the 
block-hoH.ses were occupied asfollow's: The south- 
west one, by the family of (iov. St. Clair; the 
northeast one as an office for the Directors of the 
Company. The area within the walls was one 
hundred and forty-four feet sfjuare, and aflorded a 
fine parade ground. In the center, was a well 
eighty feet in depth, for the supply of water to the 
inhabitants, in case of a siege. A large sun-dial 
stood for many years in the square, placed on a 
handsome post, and gave note of the march of 
time. 

" After the war commenced, a regular military 
corps was organized, and a guard constantly kept 
night and day. The wdiolc establi.shnient Ibrmed 
a very strong work, and reflected great credit on 
the head that ])lanued it. It was in a manner im- 
pregnable to the attacks of Indians, and none 
but a regular army with cannon could have reduced 
it. The Indians posses-sed no such an armament. 

" The garrison stood on the verge of that beauti- 
ful plain overlooking the Mu.skingum, on which 
are seated those celebrated remains of antii|iiity, 
erected probably for a similar juir])ose — thedel'cnse 
of the inhabitants. The; ground descends into shal- 
low ravines on the nin'th and south sides; on the 
west is an abrupt descent to the river bottoms or 
alluvium, and the east ])as.sed out to a level plain. 
On this, the ground was cleared of trees bevond 
the reach of rifle shots, .so as to aflbrd no shelter 
to a hidden foe. Extensive fii'lds of corn were 
grown in the midst of the standing girdled trees be- 
yond, in after years. The front wall of jtalisades 
was about one hundred and fifty yards from the 
Muskingum Kiver. The appearance of the fort 
from without was imposing, at a little di.stance re- 
sembling the military castles of the feudal ages. 
Between' the outer palisades and the river were 
laid out neat gardens for the use of Gov. St. Clair 



and his Secretary, with the officers of the Com- 
pany. 

'•Opposite the fifft, on the shore of the river, 
was built a substantial timber wharf, at which was 
moored a fine cedar barge for twelve rowers, built 
by Capt. Jonathan Devol, for Gen. Putnam ; a 
number of pirogues, and the light canoes of the 
country ; and last, not least, the Mayflower, or 
' Adventure Galley,' in which the first detach- 
ments of colonists were transported from the shores 
of the ' Yohiogany ' to the banks of the iMuskingum. 
In these, especially the canoes, during the war, 
most of the communications were carried on between 
the settlements of the Company and the more re- 
mote towns above on the C)hio J^iver. Traveling 
by land was very hazardous to any but the rangers 
or spies. There were no roads, nor bridges across 
the creeks, and, for many years after the war had 
ceased, the traveling was nearly all done by canoes 
on the river.' 

Thus tlu! first settlement of Ohio provided for 
its safety- and comfort, and provided also for that 
of emigrants who came to share the toils of the 
wilderness. 

The next spring, the influx of emigration was 
so groat that other settlements were determined, 
and hence arose the colonies of Beljire, A\'atcrford 
and Duck Creek, where they began to clear land, sow 
and plant crops, and build houses and stockades. 
At Beljjre (French for "beautiful meadow"), were 
built three stockades, the upper, lower and middle, 
the la.st of which was called " Farmers' Castle," 
and stood on the banks of the Ohio, nearly o]i])0- 
site an island, afterward famous in Western history 
as Blcnncrhasset's Island, the scene of Burr's con- 
spiracy. Among the persons settling at the upper 
stockade, were Capt.s. Dana and Stone, Col. Bent, 
William Browning, Judge Foster, John Bowse, 
T.-^rael Stone and a Jlr. Kejipel. At the Farmers' 
Castle, were Cols. Cushing and Fisher, JIaj. Has- 
kell, Aaron Waldo Putnam, ^Ir. Sparhawk, and, 
it is believed, George and Israel Putnam, Jr. At 
the lower, were Maj. Goodale, Col. Bice, Fsquire 
I'ieree, Judge Israel Loring, Deaeoti Miles, JIaj, 
Bradford and ]\Ir. (Joodenow, In the .summer of 
17S!t, Col. Ichabod Nye and some others, built a 
block -house at Newberry, beh.iw Belpre. Col. Nye 
sold his lot there to Aaron W. Clough, who, with 
Stephen Guthrie, Joseph Leavins, Joel Oakes, 
I'/leazer Curtis, Mr. Deidiam J. Littleton and Mr. 
Brown, was located at that place. 

'■Every o.Kcrtion possible," says Dr. Tlildreth, 
who has preserved the above names and incidents, 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



93 



'■ for men in these circumstances, wiis made to se- 
cure food for future difficulties?. Col. Oliver, JIaj. 
Hatfield "White and Jolin Dodfro, of the Water- 
furd settlement, bepin mills on Wolf Creek, about 
three miles from the fort, and got them running; 
and these, the first mills in Ohio, were never de- 
strojxd during the subse(|ucnt Indian war, though 
the jirojirietors removed their familes to the fort 
at Jlarietta. Col. E. Sproat and Enoch Shep- 
herd began mills on Duck Creek, three miles from 
^larietta, from the completion of which thej' were 
driven by tlie Indian war. Thomas Stanley be- 
gan mills farther up, near the Duck Creek .settle- 
ment. These were likewise unfinished. The Ohio 
Company built a large h<irso mill near Campus 
Martins, and soon after a floating mill." 

The autumn bef ire the settlements at Belpre, 
Duck Creek and AVaterford, were made, a colony 
was planted near the mouth of the Little Jliami 
River, on a tract of ten thousand acres, purchased 
fromSymmes by ^laj. Benj.amin Stites. Inthepre- 
ceding pages may be found a history of Symmes' 
purchase. This colony may be counted the second 
settlement in the State. Soon after the colony at 
Marietta was founded, steps were taken to occupy 
separate portions of Judge SjTiimes' purchase, be- 
tween the Miami Rivers. Three parties were 
formed for this purpose, but, owing to various 
delays, chiefly in getting the present colony stead- 
fast and safe from future encroachments bj' the 
savages, they did not get started till late in the fall. 
The first of these parties, consisting of fifteen or 
twenty men, led by JIaj. Stites, landed at the 
mouth of the Little Miami in November, 1 788, 
and, constructing a log fort, began to lay out a 
village, called by them Columbia. It soon gi'cw 
into prominence, and, before winter had thoroughly 
set in, they were well prepared for a frontier life. 
In the party were Cols. Spencer and Brown, Majs. 
Gauo and Kibbey, Judges Goforth and Foster, 
Rev. John Smith, Francis Dunlavy, Capt. Flinn, 
Jacob White, John Rilej', and Jlr. Hubbell. 

All these were men of energy and enterprise, 
and, with their comrades, were more numerotis 
than either of the other parties, who commenced 
their settlements below them on the Ohio. This 
village was also, at fir.st, more flourishing; and, for 
two or three years, contained more inhabitants 
than any other in the 3Iiami purchase. 

The second ^liami party was formed at Lime- 
stone, under Matthias Denham and Robert Pat- 
terson, and consisted of twelve or fifteen persons. 
They landed on the north bank of the Ohio, oppo- 



site the mouth of the Licking River, the 24th of 
December, 1788. They intended to establish a 
station and lay out a town on a ])lau prepared at 
Limestone. Some statements affirm that the town 
was to be called '■• L-os-autl-i-iUr,'' hy a. romantic 
school-teacher named Filson. However, be this as 
It may, Mr. Filson was. unfortunately for himself, 
not long after, slain b\- the Indians, and, with him 
probably, the name disappeared. He was to have 
one-third interest in the proposed cit}-, which, 
when his death occuiTed, was transferred to Israel 
Ludlow, and a new plan of a citj' adopted. Israel 
Ludlow survej-ed the proposed town, who.sc lots were 
principally donated to settlers upon certain condi- 
tions as to settlement and imjirovement, and the 
embryo city named Cincinnati. Gov. St. Clair 
very likely had something t(j do with the naming 
of the village, and, by some, it is asserted that he 
changed the name from Lo.santiville to Cincinnati, 
when he ereated the county of Hamilton the en- 
suing winter. The original purchase of the city's 
site was made by .Mr. Denham. It included about 
eight hundred acres, for which he paid 5 shillings 
per acre in Continental certificates, then worth, in 
specie, about 5 shillings per pound, gross weight. 
Evidently, the original site was a good investment, 
could ^Ir. Denham have lived long enough to see 
its ])resent condition. 

The third part3^ of settlers for the ^liami pur- 
chase, were under the care of Judge Symmes, 
himself They left Limestone, January 29, 1789, 
and were much delayed on their downward jour- 
ney by the ice in the river. They reached the 
'-Bend." as it was then known, earlj' in February. 
The Judge had intended to found a city here, 
which, in time, would be the rival of the Atlantic 
cities. As each of the three settlements aspired 
to the same position, no little rivalry soon mani- 
fested itself. The Judge named his proposed city 
Xorth Bend, from the fact that it was the most 
northern bend in the Ohio below the mouth of the 
Great Kanawha. Tiiese three .settlements ante- 
dated, a few months, those made near Marietta, 
already described. They arose so soon after, partly 
from the extreme desire of Judge S^iumes to settle 
his purcha.se, and induce emigration here instead 
of on the Ohio Company's purchase. The Judge 
labored earnestly for this jiurpose and to further 
secure him in his title to the land he had acquired, 
all of which he had so far been unable to retain, 
owing to his inability to meet his payments. 

All these emigrants came down the river in the 
flat-boats of the day, rude aflairs, sometimes called 



94 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



" Arks/' and tlien the ouly safe mode of travel in 
the West. 

Judtie Symmes found he must provide for the 
safety of the settlers on his purchase, and, after 
earnestly soliciting Gen. Harmar, commander of 
the Western posts, succeeded in obtainiutr a de- 
taehmentof forty-eight men, under Capt. Kearsey, 
to protect the improvements just commencing on 
the Miami. This detachment reached Limestone 
in Doccmher, 1788. Part wa.s at once sent for- 
ward to guard Maj. Stites and his pioneers. Judge 
Symmes and his party started in January, and, 
about February 2, reached Columbia, where the 
Captain expected to find a fort eri-ctcd for his use 
and shelter. The flood on the river, however, de- 
feated his purpose, and, a.s he was unprepared to 
erect another, he determined to go on down to the 
garrison at the fidls at Louisville. Juilge .Symmes 
was streimously ojiposed to his conduct, as it left, 
the colonies unguarded, but, all to no pur)ioso; the 
Captain and his command, went to L()uLsville early 
in Mareli, and left the Judge and his settlement 
to protect themselves. Judue Symmes immedi- 
ately sent a strong letter to ^laj. Willis, command- 
ing at the Falls, complaining of the conduct 
of Capt. Kearsey, representing the e.vposed situ- 
ation of the !Miami settlement.s, .stating the indi- 
cations of hostility manii'r.sted by the Indians, 
and re(iuestiug a guard to be sent to the Bend. 
This re(|uest was at once granted, anil Ensign 
Luce, with seventeen or eighteen soldiers, sent. 
They were at the settlement but a short time, 
when they were attacked by Indians, and one of 
their number killed, and four or live wounded. 
They repulsed the savages and saved the set- 
tlers. 

The site of Symmes Citj-, for such he designed it 
should ultimately be called, was above the reach of 
water, and sufficiently level to admit of a conven- 
ient .settlement. Tlie city laid out by Symmes 
was truly magnificent on paper, and promised in 
the future to fulfill his most ardent ho]ies. The 
plat included the village, and extended across the 
peninsula between the Ohio and Miami llivers. 
Each settler on this jilat was promised a lot if he 
would imjjrove it, and in cnuformity to the stipu- 
lation, Judge Symmes socm found a large number 
of persons applying for residence. As the nuiuber 
of these adventurers increased, in consequence of 
this provision and the protection of the military, 
the Judge was induced to hiy out another village 
six or seven miles up the river, wiiich he called 
South Bend, where he disposed of .some donation 



lots, but the project failing, the village site was de- 
serted, and converted into a iarm. 

Durinif all the time these various events were 
tran.spiriiig, but little trouble was experienced with 
the Indians. They were not yet disposed to evince 
hostile I'celings. This would have been their time, 
but, not realizing the true intent of the whites until 
it was too late to c<mquer them, they allowed them 
to become prepared to withstand a warfare, and in 
the end weroobliged to sufifcr their hunting-grounds 
to be taken from them, aiid made the homes of a 
race destined to entirely supercede tliem in the 
^I'ew 'World. 

By the means sketched in the foregoing pages, 
were the three settlements on the Miami made. By 
the time those adjacent to 3Iarietta were well estab- 
lished, these were firmlj- fixed, each one striving to 
become the rival city all felt sure was to arise. For 
a time it was a matter of doubt which of the rivals, 
Columbia, North Bend or Cincinnati, woidd event- 
ually become the chief seat of business. 

In the beginning, Columbia, the eldest of the 
three, took the lead, both in number of its in- 
habitants and the convenience and appearance of 
its dwellings. For a time it was a flcuirishing place, 
and many believed it would become the great busi- 
ness town of the 3Iiami country. That apparent 
flict, however, lasted but a short time. The garri- 
son was moved to Cincinnati, Fort Wa.-^hington 
built there, and in .spite of all that 3Iaj. Stites, or 
Judge Symmes could do, that place became the 
metriipolis. F'ort Washington, the most extensive 
garrison in the West, was built by Maj. Doughty, 
in the summer of ITSU, and from that time the 
growth and future greatness of Cincinnati were 
assured. 

The first house in the city was built on Front 
street, east of and near Main street. It was 
simjily a strong log cabin, and was erected of the 
forest trees cleared away from the ground on which 
it stood. The lower part of the town was covered 
with sycamore and maple trees, and the upper with 
beech and oak. Thr<jui.;h this den.-^e liirest the 
streets were laid out, and their corners marked on 
the trees. 

The settlements on the Miami had become 
sufficiently numerous to warrant a separate county, 
and, in January, ITIH), (Jov. St. ('lair aiul his 
Secretary arrived in Cincinnati, and organized tlie 
county of Hamilton, so named in honor of the 
ilhistrious statesman by that name. It included 
all the country north of the Ohio, between the 
3Iiamis, as far as a line runninir '■ due east from the 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



95 



Standing Stone forks" of Big Miumi to its inter- 
section with tlie Little Miami. Tlie erection of 
the new county, and the appointment of Cincin- 
nati to be the seat of justice, gave the town a fresh 
impulse, and aided greatly in its growth. 

Through the summer, but little interruption in 
the growth of the settlements occurred. The 
Indians had p,.'rmittcd the erection of defensive 
works in their midst, and could not now destroy 
them. They wore also engaged in traffic with the 
whites, and, though they evinced .signs of discon- 
tent at their settlement and occupation of the 
country, yet did not openly attack them. The 
truth was, they saw plainly the whites were always 
prepared, and no opportunity was given them to 
plunder and destroy. The Indian would not 
attack unless success was almost sure. An oppor- 
tunity, unfortunately, came, and with it the hor- 
rors of an Indian war. 

In the autumn of 1790, a company of thirty- 
six men went from Marietta to a place on the 
Muskingum known as the Big Bottom. Here 
they built a block-house, on the east bank of the 
river, four miles above the mouth of Meigs Crock. 
They were chiefly young, single men, but little 
acipiainted with Indian warfare or military rules. 
The savages had given signs that an attack on the 
settlement was meditated, and several of the know- 
ing ones at the strongholds strenuously opposed 
any new settlements that fall, advising their post- 
ponement until the next spring, when the question 
of peace or war would probably be settled. Even 
Gen. Putnam and the Directors of the Ohio Com- 
pany advised the postponement of the settlement 
until the nest spring. 

The young men were impatient and restless, and 
declared themselves able to protect their fort 
against any number of assailants. They might 
have easily done so, had they taken the necessary 
precautions ; but, after they had erected a rude 
block-house of unchinked logs, they began to pass 
the time in various pursuits; setting no guard, and 
taking no precautionary measures, they left them- 
selves an ea.sy prey to any liostile savages that 
might choose to come and attack them. 

About twenty rods from the Ijlock-house, and a 
little back from the bank of the river, two men, 
Francis and Isaac Choate, members of the com- 
pany, had erected a cabin, and commenced clearing 
lots. Thomas Shaw, a hired laborer, and James 
Patten, another of the associates, lived with them. 
About the same distance below the block-house 
was an old ''Tomahawk Improvement" and a 



small cabin, which two men, Asa and Eleazur 
Bullard, had fitted up and occupied. The Indian 
war-path, from Sandusky to the mouth of the 
Muskingum, pa.sscd along the opposite shore of 
the river. 

" The Indians, who, during the .summer," says 
Dr. Hildreth, " had been hunting and loitering 
about the Wolf Creek and Plainfleld settlements, 
holding frequent and' friendly intercourse with the 
settlers, selling them venison and bear's meat in ex- 
change for green corn and vegetables, had with- 
drawn and gone up the river, early in the au- 
tumn, to their towns, preparatory to going into 
winter f(uarters. They very seldom entered on 
any warlike expeditions during the cold weather. 
But they had watched the gradual encroach- 
ment of the whites and planned an expedition 
against them. They saw them in fancied .security 
in their cabins, and thought their capture an ea.sy 
ta.sk. It is said they were not aware of the Big 
Bottom settlement until they came in sight of it, 
on the opposite shore of the river, in the afternoon. 
From a high hill ojiposite the garrison, they had a 
view of all that part of the bottom, and could see 
how the men were occupied and what was doing 
about the block-house. It was not proiected with 
palisades or pickets, and none of the men were 
aware or prepared for an attack. Having laid 
their plans, about twilight they crossed the river 
above the garrison, on the ice, and divided their 
men into two parties — the larger one to attack tlie 
block house, the smaller one to capture the cabins. 
As tlie Indians cautiously approached the cabin 
they found the inmates at supper. Part entered, 
addross(>d the wliites in a friendly manner, but 
soon manifesting their designs, made them all pris- 
oners, tieing them with leather thongs they found 
in the cabin." 

At the block-house the attack was far different. 
A stout Mohawk suddenly burst open tlu; door, 
the first intimation the inmates had of the pres- 
ence of the foe, and while he held it open his 
comrades shot down those that were within. Ru.sh- 
ing in, the deadly tomahawk completed the on- 
slaught. In the assault, one of the savages was 
struck by the wife of Isaac Woods, with an ax, 
but only" slightly injured. The heroic woman was 
immediately slain. All the men but two wore 
slain bef.ire they had time to secure their arms, 
thereby paying for their failure to properly secure 
themselves, with their lives. The two excepted 
were Jolin Stacy and his brother Philip, a lad six- 
teen years of age. John escaped to the roof, 



06 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



wlicro he was shot by the Indians, while begging 
fur his Uf'c. The filing at the hloi'k-hdusc alarmed 
the Bullards in their eabin, and hastily barring the 
door, and securing their aruisandaniniuaition.they 
fled to the woods, and eseaped. Aflerthe slaughter 
was over, the Indians began to coUeet the plunder, 
and in doing so discovered the lad Phili]) ^tacy. 
They were about to dispatch him, but his entrea- 
ties softened the heart of one of the chiefs, who 
took him as a captive with the intention of adopt- 
ing him into his family. The savages then piled 
the dead bodies on the floor, covered them with 
other portions of it not needed for that purpose, 
and set fire to the whole. The building, being 
made of green logs, did not burn, the flames con- 
suming only the floors and roof, leaving the walls 
standing. 

There were twelve persons killed in this attack, 
all of whom were in the jirime of life, and valuable 
aid to the settlements. They were well pro\ided 
with arms, and had they taken the necessary ].ire- 
cautions, always pi-e.ssed upon them when visited 
by the older ones from 3Iarietta, they need not 
have suffered so terrible a fate. 

The Indians, e.\ultant over their horrible victory, 
went ou to Wolf's mills, but here they found the 
people i)reparcd, and, after reconnoitering the place, 
made tlu-ir retreat, at early dawn, to the great re- 
lief of the inhabitants. Their number was never 
definitely known. 

The "news reached ;Marietta and its adjacent 
settlements soon after the ma.ssacrc occurred, and 
struck terror and dismay into the hearts of all. 
Many had brothers and suns in the ill-fated party, 
and "mourned their loss. Neither did they know 
what place would fall next. The Indian hostilities 
liad begun, and they could only hope for peace 
when tiie savages were eifcctually concjuered. 

The ne.\t day, Capt. llogers led a party of men 
over to the Big Bottom. It was, indeed, a melan- 
choly sight to the poor borderers, as they knew not 
now how soon the same fate might befall them- 
selves. The fire had so disfigured their comrades 
that but two, Ezra Putnam and William Jones, 
were recognized. As the ground was frozen out- 
side, <a hole was dug in the earth underneath the 
block-house floor, and the bodies consigned to one 
grave. No further attenijit was made to settle 
here till after the peace of 17!*."). 

The outbreak of Indian hostilities put a cheek 
on further settlements. Those that were estab- 
lished were put in a more active stat<' of defense, 
and every preparation made that could be made 



for the impending crisis all felt sure must come. 
Either the Indians must go, or the whites must 
retreat. A few hardy and adventurous persons 
ventured out into the woods and made .settle- 
ments, but even these were at the imminent risk 
of their lives, uuuiy of them perishing in the 
attempt. 

'J'Ik^ Indian war that followed is given fully in 
preceding pagers. It may be briefly sketched by 
stating that the first eamjiaign, under Gen liar- 
mar, ended in the defeat of his army at the Indian 
villages on the Miami of the lake, and the rapid 
retreat to Fort Washington. St. Clair was next 
commissioned to lead an army of nearly three thou- 
sand men, but these were furiously attacked at 
break of day, on the morning of November 4, 
ITiU, and utterly defeated. Indian outrages 
sprung out anew after each defeat, and the borders 
were in a continual state of alarm. The most ter- 
rible sufferings were endured liy prisoners in the 
hands of the savage foe, who thought to annihilate 
the whites. 

The army was at once re-organized. Gen. An- 
thony Wayne put in command by Washington, 
and a vigorous campaign inaugurated. Though 
the savages had been given great aid by the Brit- 
ish, in direct violation of the treaty of 1783, Gen. 
Wayne pursued them so vigorously that they could 
nut withstand his army, and, the 20th of August, 
1794, defeated them, and utterly annihilated their 
forces, breaking up their cam])s, and laying waste 
their country, in some places under the guns of 
the British forts. The victory showed them the 
hopelessness of contending against the whites, and 
led their chiefs to sue for peace. The British, as 
at former times, deserted them, and they V)-ere again 
alone, contending against an invincible foe. A 
grand council was held at Greenville the 8d day 
of August, 1795, where eleven of the mo.st power- 
ful chiefs made peace with Gen. Wayne on terras 
of his own dictation. The boundary establi-shed 
l.)y the old treaty of I'^ort Mcintosh was confirmed, 
and extended westward from Jjoramie's to Fort 
llecoverv, and thence southwest to the mouth of 
the Kentucky Biver. He also purchased all the 
ten-itory not before ceded, within certain limits, 
comprehending, in all, al)out four-fifths of the State 
of Ohio. The line was long known as "The Green- 
ville Treaty line." Upon these, and a lew other 
minor conditions, the United States received the 
Indians under their protection, gave them a large 
number of presents, and practically closed the war 
with tlu' savaires. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



97 



The only settlement of any consequence made dur- 
in,;;thc Indian war, was that on the plat of Hamilton, 
laid out by Israel Ludlow in December, 17!U. Soon 
after, Darius C. Orcutt, John Green, William Mc- 
Clcnnau, John Sutherland, John Torrcnce, Benjamin 
F. Randolph, Benjamin Davis, Isaac Wiles, Andrew 
Christy and William Hubert, located here. The 
town was laid out under the name of Fairfield, but 
was known only a short time by that name. Until 
LSI II, all the lands on the west side of the Great 
Miami were owned by the General Government; 
hence, until after that date, no improvements were 
made there. A single log cabin stood there until 
the sale of lands in April, 18(11, when a company 
purchased the site of Rossville, and, iu Jlarch, 
1804, laid out that town, and, before a year had 
passed, the town and country about it was well 
settled. 

The close of the war, in 1795, insured peace, 
and, from that date, Hamilton and that part of the 
IMiami A'alley grew remarkably fost. In 1803, 
Butler County was formed, and Hamilton made 
the county seat. 

On the site of Hamilton, St. Clair built Fort 
Hamilton in IT'Jl. For some time it was under 
the command of Maj. Kudolph, a cruel, arbitrary 
man, who was displaced by („Ten. Wayne, and who, 
it is said, perished ignobly on the high seas, at the 
hands of .some Algerine pirates, a fitting end to a 
man who caused, more than once, the death of 
men under his control for minor offenses. 

On the return of peace, no part of Ohio grew 
more rapidly than the Bliami \^alley, especially 
that part comprised in Butler County. 

While the war with the Indians continued, but 
little extension of settlements was made in the 
State. It was too perilous, and the settlers pre- 
ferred the securit}^ of the block-house or to engage 
with the army. Still, however, a few bold spirits 
ventured away from the settled parts of the Terri- 
tory, and began life in the wilderness. In tracing 
the histories of these settlements, attention will be 
paid to the order in which they were made. They 
will be given somewhat in detail untU the war of 
1S12, after which time they become too numerous 
to follow. 

The settlements made in Washington — IMarict.ta 
and adjacent colonies — and Hamilton Counties 
have alrea<ly been given. The settlement at Gal- 
lia is also noted, hence, the narration can be re- 
sumed where it ends prior to the Indian war of 
1705. Before this war occurred, there were three 
small settlements made, however, in addition to 



those in Washington and Ilumiltcju Counties. 
They were in what are now Adams, Helmimt and 
Morgan Counties. They were block-house settle- 
ments, and were in a continual state of defense. 
The first of these, Adams, was settled in the winter 
of 1790-91 by Gen. Nathaniel 3Ia.ssie. near where 
Manchester now is. Gen. jAIassie determined to 
settle here in the Virginia Military Tract — in the 
winter of 1790, and .sent notice thrcjughout Ken- 
tucky and other Western settlements that he would 
give to each of the first twenty-five families who 
would settle in the town he proposed laying out, 
one in-lot, one out-lot and one hundred acres of 
land. Such liberal terms were soon accepted, and 
in a short time thirty families were ready to go 
with him. After various consultations with his 
friends, the bottom on the Ohio River, opposite 
the lower of the Three Islands, was selected as 
the most eligible spot. Here Massie fixed his sta- 
tion, and laid off into lots a town, now called 
Jlanchester. The little confederacy, with Massie 
at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins 
were raised, and by the middle of March, 
1791, the whole town was inclosed with strong 
pickets, with block-houses at each angle for de- 
fense. 

This was the first settlement in the bounds of 
the A'^irginia District, and tlie fourth one iu the 
State. Although in the midst of a savage foe, 
now inflamed with war, and in the midst of a 
cruel conflict, the settlement at IManehester suf- 
fered less than any of its cotemporaries. This 
was, no doubt, due to the watchful care of its in- 
habitants, who were inured to the rigors of a front- 
ier life, and who well knew the danger about them. 
" These were the Beasleys, Stouts, Washburns, 
Ledoms, Edgingtons, Denings, Ellisons, Utts, 
McKenzies, Wades, and others, who were fully 
equal to the Indians in all the savage arts and 
stratagems of border war." 

As soon as they had completed preparations for 
defense, the whole populatiim went to work and 
cleared the lowest of the Three Islands, and planted 
it in corn. The soil of the islanil was very rich, 
and produced abundantly. The woods suii))lied an 
abundance of game, while the river furnished a 
variety of excellent fish. The inhabitants thus 
found their simple wants fully sujiplied. Their 
nearest neighbors in the new Territory were at 
Ciilumbia, and at the French settlement at Galliji- 
olis ; but with these, owing to the state of the 
country and the Indian war, the}' could hold little, 
if anv. intercour.se. 



98 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



The station being established, Massie continued 
to make locations and surveys. Great precautious 
wen; necessary to avoid the Indians, and even the 
closest vigilance did not always avail, as tlie evcr- 
watchtul foe was always ready to spring, upc ii the 
settlement, could an unguarded moment be ob- 
.servcd. During one of tiie spring months. Gen. 
Massie, Israel Donalson, William Lytic and James 
Little, while out ou a survey, were surprised, and 
Mr. Donalson captured, the others escaping at 
great peril. Mr. Donalson escaped during the 
march to the Indian town, and made his way to 
the town of Cincinnati, after suft'eriug great hard- 
ships, and almost perishing from luinger. In the 
spring of 1793, the settlers at Manchester com- 
menced clearing the out-lots of the town. While 
doing so, an incident occurred, which shows the 
danger to which they were daily exposed. It is 
thus related in Howe's Collections : 

" Mr. Andrew Ellison, one of the settlers, 
cleared an out-lot immediately adjoining the fort. 
He had completed the cutting of the timber,rolled 
the logs together, and set them on tire. The nest 
morning, before daybreak, Mr. Ellison oiicnied one 
of the gates of the fort, and went out to throw his 
logs together. By the time ho had finished th(^ 
job, a number of the heaps blazed up brightlv.and, 
as lie was passing from one to the other, he ob- 
served, by the light of the fires, three men walking 
briskly toward him. This did not alarm him in 
the least, although, he said, they were dark-skinned 
fellows; yet he concluded they were the Wades, 
whose cora])lexions were very dark, going early lo 
hunt. lie continued to right his log-heaps, until 
one of the fellows seized him by the arms, calling 
out, in broken English, ' How do ? how do? ' Ke 
instantly looked in their laces, and, to his surprise 
and horror, found himself in the clutches of three 
Indians. To resist w;is useless. 

" The Inilians (|uickly moved oil with him in 
the direction of Paint Creek. When breakfast 
w.as ready, Mrs. Ellison sent one of her children 
to a.sk its father h(mio; but he could not be found 
at the log-heaps. IIisal)sence cremated no immedi- 
ate alarm, as it was thought he might liave started 
to hunt, after completing his work. Dinner-time 
arrived, and, Ellison not returning, the family 
became unea.sy, and began to suspect some acci- 
dent had hap]iened (o him. His gun-rack was 
examined, and there hung his rifles and his pouch. 
Gen. Massie rai.sed a iiarly, made a circuit around 
the ])lace, finding, after some search, the trails of 
four men, one of whom had on shoes; and the 



fact that Mr. Ellison was a prisoner now became 
apparent. As it was almost night at the time the 
trail was dLscovered, the party returned to the 
station. Early the next morning, preparations 
were made by Gen. Ma.ssie and his friends to con- 
tinue the search. In doing this, they found great 
difficulty, as it was so early in the s])ring that the 
vegetation was not grinni sufficiently to show 
plainly the trail made by the savages, who took 
the precaution to keep on high and dry ground, 
where their feet would make little or no impres- 
sion. The party were, however, as unerring as a 
])ack of hounds, and followed the trail to Paint 
Creek, when they found the Indians gained so 
fast on them that pursuit was u.seless. 

"The Indians took their prisoner to Upper 
Sandusky, where he was compelled to run the 
gantlet. As he was a large, and not very active, 
man, he received a severe flogging. He was then 
taken to Lower Sandusky, and again compelled to 
run the gantlet. He was then taken to Detroit, 
where he was ransomed by a British officer for 
$100. The officer proved a good friend to him. 
He sent him to Montreal, whence he returned 
home before the close of the summer, much to the 
joy of his family and friends, whose feelings can 
only be imagined." 

'•Another incident occurred about this time," 
says the same volume, "which so aptly illustrates 
the danger of frontier life, that it well deserves a 
place in the history of the settlements in Ohio. 
John and Asahel Edgington, with a comrade, 
started out on a hunting expedition toward Brush 
Ci'eek. They camped out six miles in a ni_»rtheast 
direction from where West LTnion now stands, and 
near the site of Treber's tavern, on the road from 
Chillicothe to .^laysvillo. They had good success 
in hnn!ing. killing a number of deer and bears. 
Of the deer killed, they saved the skins and hams 
aloui?. They fleeced the bears; that is. they cut 
off all the meat which adhered to the hide, with- 
out skiiniitig, and left the l)iuies as a ski'lelon. 
They hungup the proceeds of their hunt, on a scaf- 
fold out of the reach of wolves and other wild ani- 
mals, and returned to Manchester for pack-horses. 
No one returned to the camp with the Edgingtons. 
As it was late in December, few apprehended dan- 
ger, as the winter season was usually a time of re- 
])ose from Indian inc\irsions. When the Edgingtons 
arrived at their camp, they alighted from their 
horses and were preparing to start a fire, when a 
platoon of Indians fired upon them at a dist^mce 
of not more than twenty paces. They had 



-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



101 



evidently found the results of the white men's labor, 
and expected they would return for it, and pre- 
pared to waylay them. Asahel Edgington fell 
dead. John was more fortunate. The sharp 
crack of the rifles, and the horrible yells of the 
savages as they leaped from their place of ambush, 
frightened the horses, who took the track for 
home at full speed. John was very active on foot, 
and now an opportunity offered which required his 
utmost speed. The moment the Indians leaped 
from their hiding-place, they threw down their 
guns and took after him, yelling with all their 
power. Edgington did not run a booty race. For 
about a mile, the savages stepped in his tracks al- 
most before the bending gra.ss could rise. The 
uplifted tomahawk was frc({uently so near his head 
that he thought he felt its edge. He exerted 
himself to his utmost, while the Indians strove 
with all their might to catch him. Finally, he be- 
gan to gain on his pursuers, and, after a long race, 
distanced them and made his escape, safely reach- 
ing home. This, tridy, was a most fearful and 
well-contested race. The big Shawanec chief, Capt. 
John, who headed the Indians on this occasion, 
after peace was made, in narrating the particulars, 
.said, "The white man who ran away was a smart 
fellow. The white man run ; and I run. He run 
and run ; at last, the white man run clear off from 
me.' 

The settlement, despite its dangers, prospered, 
and after the close of the war contiiuied to grow 
rapidly. In two years after peace was dechired, 
Adams County was erected by proclamation of 
Gov. !^t. Clair, the next year court was held, and 
in ISO-I, West Union was made the county seat. 

During the war, a settlement was commenced 
near the present town of Bridgeport, in Belmont 
County, by Capt. Joseph Belmont, a noted Dela- 
ware Revolutionary officer, who, because his State 
could furnish only one company, could rise no 
higher than Captain of that company, and hence 
always maintained that grade. He settled on a 
beautiful knoll near the present county seat, but 
erelong suffered from a night attack by the In- 
dians, who, though unable to drive him and his 
companions from the cabin or conquer them, 
wounded some of them badly, one or two mortally, 
and caused the Captain to leave the frontier and 
ri'turn to Newark, Del. The attack was made 
in the .spring of 1791, and a short time after, 
the Captain, having provided for the safety of his 
family, accepted a commission in St. Clan-'s army, 
and lost his life at the defeat of the General in 



November. Sliortly after the Captain settled, a 
fort, called Dillie's Fort, was built on the Ohio, 
opposite the mouth of Grave Creek. About two 
hundred and fifty yards below this fort, an old 
man, named Tato, was shot down at his cabin door 
by the Indians, just as he was in theact of entering 
the house. His body was pulled in by his daugh- 
ter-in-law and grandson, who made an heroic de- 
fense. They were overjiowered, the woman slain, 
and the boy badly wounded. He, however, man- 
aged to secrete himself and afterward escaped to 
the fort. The Indians, twelve or thirteen in num- 
ber, went off' unmolested, though the men in the 
fort saw the whole transaction and could have 
punished them. Why they did not was never 
known. 

On Captina Creek in this same county, occurred, 
in May, 1794, the "battle of Captina," a fa- 
mous local skirmish between .some Virginians from 
Fort Baker, and a party of Indians. Thdugh the 
Indians largely outnumbered the whites, they were 
severely punished, and compelled to abandon the 
contest, losing several of their bravest warriors. 

These were the only settlements made until 
1795, the close of the war. Even these, as it will 
be observed from the foregoing pages, were tem- 
porary in all cases save one, and were maintained 
at a great risk, and the loss of many valuable lives. 
They wercmadjinthebeginningof the war,and such 
were their ex]icriences that further attempts were 
abandoned until the treaty of Greenville was made, 
or until the prospects for peace and safety were 
assured. 

No sooner, however, had the prospect of quiet 
been establ'.^hed, than a revival of emigration be- 
gan. Before the war it had been large, now it 
was largely increased. 

Wayne's treaty of peace with the Indians was 
made at Greenville, in what is now Darke County, 
the 3d of August, 1795. The number of Indians 
present was estimated at 1,300, divided among the 
principal nations as follows: ISO Wyandots, 381 
Dclawarcs, 143 Shawanccs, 45 Ottawas, 4G Chip- 
pewas, 240 Pottawatomies, 73 ]\liamis and Eel 
River, 12 Weas and Piankc.shaws, and 10 Kicka- 
poos and Kaskaskias. The principal chiefs were 
Tarhe, Buckongahclas, Black Hoof, Blue Jacket 
and Ijittle Turtle. Most of them had been tani- 
per;;d with by the British agents and trader.s, but 
all had been so thoroughly chastised by Wayne, and 
found that the British only used them as tools, 
that they were quite anxious to make peace with 
the " Thirteen Fires." By the treaty, former ones 



V 



103 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



were established, the boundary linos confirmed and 
cnlarj^ed, an exchange and delivery of prisoners 
effected, and permanent peace at^surcd. 

In the latter part of Septenilier, after the treaty 
of Greenville, Mr. Ikdcll, from New Jersey, 
selected a site for a home in what is now \Varrcn 
County, at a place since known as " Bedell's >"ta- 
tion ,' about a mile south of Union Village. Here 
he erected a block -liouse, as a delense against the 
Indians, amiinj; whom were many renegades as 
among the whites, who would not respect the 
terms of the treat\'. Whether 3Ir. Bedell was 
alone that fall, or whether he was joined by others, 
is not now accurately known. However that may 
be, lie was not long left to himself; for, ere a jear 
had elap-i'd, quite a number of settlements were 
made in this part of the Territory. So(in after 
his settlement was made, Gen. David Sutton. Capt. 
Nathan KcUcy and others began pioneer life at 
Deerfielfi, in the same locality, and, before three 
years had gone by, a large inimber of New Jersey 
people were established in their homes; and. in 
1803, the county was formed from Hamilton. 
Among the early settlers at Deerfield, was Capt. 
Robert Benham, who, with a companion, in 1770, 
sustained themselves man}' days when the Captain 
had lost the use of his legs, and his companion 
his arms, from musket-balls fired by the liauds of 
the Indians. They were with a large party com- 
manded by Maj. Rodgers, and were furiously 
attacked by an immense number of savages, and 
all but a few slain. The event happened during 
the war of the Revolution, before any attempt 
was made to settle the Northwest Territory. The 
party were going down the Ohio, probably to the 
falls, and were attacked when near the site, of 
Cincinnati. As mentioned, those two men sus- 
tained each other many days, the one having per- 
fect legs doing the necessary walking, carrying his 
comrade to water, driving up game for him to 
shoot, and any ollu'r duties necessary; while the 
one w)io had the use of his arms could dress liis 
companion's and his own wounds, kill and cook 
the game, and perform his share. They were 
rescued, finally, by a flat-boat, whose occupants, 
for awhile, passed them, fearing a deco}', but, 
becoming convinced that such was not the case, 
took them on down to Louisville, where they were 
nur.'^ed into ]ierfect health. 

A settlement was matle near the present town of 
Lebanon, the county seat of Warren County, in 
the spring of 171'1>, by Henry Taylor, who built a 
mill one mile west of the town site, on Turtle 



Creek. Soon after, he was joined by Ichabod 
Corwin, John Osbourn, Jacob \'orhees, Samuel 
Shaw, Daniel Bonte and a Mr. Manning. When 
Lebanon was lai<l out, in 1803, the two-story log 
house built in 1797 by Ichabod Corwin Wiis the 
onh' building on the plat. It was occupied by 
Ephraim Hathaway as a tavern. lie had a black 
horse painted on an immense board for a sign, and 
continued in business here till 1810. The .same 
year the town was laid out, a .store was opened by 
Jolin Huston, and, from that date, the gi-owth of 
the count}- was very prosperous. Three years 
after, the Western Star was established by 
Judge John McLain, and the current news of 
the day given in weekly editions. It was one of 
the first newspapers established in tb.e Territory, 
outside of Cincinnati. 

As has been mentioned, the ojjoning of naviga- 
tion in the spring of 171H1 brought a great flood 
of emigration to the Tenittn-y. The little settle- 
ment made by 3Ir. Bedell, in the autumn of 1795, 
was al)out the only one made that fall ; others made 
preparations, and many selected sites, but did not 
settle till the following .«pring. That spring, colo- 
nies were planted in what are now Jlontgomery, 
Eoss, Bladison, Mahoning, Trumbull, Ashtabula 
and Cuyahoga Counties, while preparations were 
in turn made to occnjy additional territory that 
will hereafter lie noticed. 

The settlement made in ^lontgomer}' Count}' 
was begun early in the spring of 179G. As early 
as 1788, the land on which Dayton now stands was 
selected by some gentlemen, who designed laying 
out a town to be named A'euice. They agreed 
with Judge Symmes, whose contract covered the 
place, for the purchase of the lands. The Indian 
war which broke out at this time prevented an 
extension of settlements from the immediate 
neighborhood of the parent colonics, and the proj- 
ect was abandoned by the purchasers. Soon after 
the treaty of 179.5, a new com]iany. composed of 
Gens. Jonathan l^ayton, Arthur St. Clair, James 
Wilkin.son, and Col. Israel Ludlow, purch;ised the 
land between the ^liamis, around the mouth of 
.^lad River, of Judge Symmes, and, the tth of 
November, laid out the town. Arrangements wore 
made for its settlement the ensuing spring, and 
donations of lots, with other jiriviloges, were offered 
to actual settlers. Forty-six per.sons entered into 
engagements to remove from Cincinnati to Day- 
ton, but during the winter most of them scat- 
tered in different directions, and only nineteen ful- 
filled their contracts. The first families who 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



103 



made a permanent residence here, arrived on the 
first day of April, 17S)6, and at once set about 
estabhshing homes. Judge Sj"mmes, liowevcr, 
becoming unable soon after to pay for his purchase, 
the land re\'erted to the United States, and the set- 
tlers in and about Daj'ton found themselves with- 
out titles to their lands. Congress, however, came 
to the aid of all such persons, wherever they had 
purchased land of Symmes, and passed a pre-emp- 
tion law, under which they could enter their lands 
at the regular government price. Some of the set- 
tlers entered their lands, and obtained titles directly 
from the United States ; others made arrangements 
with Daniel C. Cooper to receive their deeds from 
him, and he entered the residue of the town lands. 
He had been the survej'or and agent of the first 
company of proprietors, and they assigned to him 
certain of their rights of pre-emption, by which he 
became the titular owner of the land. 

^Vhen the State government was organized in 
1803, Dayton was made the seat of justice for 
Montgomery County, erected the same year. At 
that time, owing to the title (luestion, only five 
families resided in the place, the other settlers hav- 
ing gone to farms in the vicinity, or to other 
parts of the country. The increase of the town 
wa.s gradual until the war of 1812, when its 
gi-owth was more rapid imtil 1820, when it was 
again cheeked bj' the general depression of busi- 
ness. It revived in 1827, at the commencement 
of the Jliami Canal, and since then its growth has 
always Ijeen prosperous. It is now one of the 
best cities in Ohio. The first canal boats from 
Cincinnati arrived at Dayton January 2"), 1821), 
and the first one from Lake Erie the 2-4th of 
June, 1845. In 1825, a weekly line of stages 
was established between Columbus and Cincinnati, 
via Dayton. One day was occupied in coming 
from Cincinnati to Dayton. 

On the 18th of September, 1808, the Dayton 
RepcrtoT)/ was established by William McClurcand 
George Smith. It was printed on a foolscap sheet. 
Soon after, it was enlarged and changed from a 
weekly to a daily, and, ere long, found a number 
of competitors in the field. 

In the lower part of Miamisburg, in this county, 
are the remains of ancient works, scattered about 
over the bottom. About a mile and a cjuarter 
southeast of the village, on an elevation more than 
one hundred feet above the lev(il of the Bliauii, 
is the largest mound in the Northern States, ex- 
cepting the mammoth mound at Grave Creek, on 
the Ohio, below Wheeling, which it nearly equals 



in dimensions. It is about eight hundred feet 
around the base, and rises to a height of nearly 
seventy feet. When first known it was covered 
with forest trees, whose size evidenced great age. 
The Indians could give no account of the mound. 
Excavations revealed bones and cluirred earth, 
but what was its use, will always remain a con- 
jecture. 

One of the most important early settlements 
was made cotemporary with that of Dayton, in 
what Ls now Ross County. The same spring, 
1796, quite a colony came to the banks of the 
Scioto Kiver, and. near the mouth of Paint Creek, 
began to plant a crop of corn on the bottom. The 
site had been selected as early as 1702, by Col. 
Nathaniel Massie* and others, who were so de- 
lighted with the country, and gave such glowing 
descriptions of it on their return — ^which accounts 
soon cu'culated through Kentucky — that portions 
of the Presbyterian congregations of Caneridge and 
Concord, in Bourbon County, under Piev. Robert 
W. Finlcy, determined to emigrate thither in a 
body. They were, in a measure, induced to take 
this step by their dislike to slavery, and a desire 
for freedom from its baleftil influences and the un- 
certainty that existed regarding the validity of the 
land titles in that State. The Rev. Fiuley, as a 
preliminary step, liberated his slaves, and addressed 
to Col. Massie a letter of inquiry, in December, 
1794, regarding the land on the Scioto, of which 
he and his people had heard such glowing ac- 
counts. 

'•The letter induced Col. Ma.ssie to visit Mr. 
Finley in the ensuing JIarch. A large concourse 
of people;, who wished to engage in the enterprise, 
assembled on the occasion, and fixed on a day to 
meet at the Three Islands, in Manchester, and 
proceed on an exploring expedition. Mr. Finley 
also wrote to his friends in Western Pennsylvania 

* Nathaniel Massie was born in &)Ochland County, Va., necem- 
ber2S, 17C3. In 17S(). lie cng.aged, for a short time, in the Itevolu- 
tionary war. In 1783, be left for Kentucky, wliere he acted as a 
surveyor. lie was afterward made a Government surveyor, and 
labored much in that capacity for early Ohio proprietors, bfing paid 
in lands, the amonnls graded by tlie danger utlaciied to the survey. 
In 17^U, he estalilisheii the seitleuuMit at Manciiester, and a year or 
two after, continued his surveys np the Scioto. Here lie w;(s con- 
tinually in great dcnger from the Indians, Init liiiew well how tc 
guard against them, and tlins preserved himself. In 1796, he estal)- 
lished tlie Clullicctthe settlement, and made his home iu the Scioto 
Valley, being now an extensive land owner by reason of his htog 
surveying service. Inlso7. ho and Keturn J. Meigs were conipet* 
iters for the office of Governor of Ohio. Meigs was elected, lait 
Mapsie contested bis eligiliility to tip* office, on the grounds of his 
absence from the State and insufficiency of time as a re.'^ident, as 
required by the Constitution. Meigs was declared ineligible by the 
General Assembly, ami Massie declared Governor. He, however, 
resigned the office at once, not desiring it. He was often Repre- 
sentative afterward, lie died November 13, 1S13. 



_i^ 



1(U 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



iiifonuiug tbcm of llio time and place of rendez- 
vous. 

'•About f^ixty un'n met, according to aj)point- 
menf, who were divided into three companies, 
under Massie, Finley and Falenash. 'J'hoy pro- 
ceeded on their route, without interruption, until 
they struck the falls of Paint Creek. Proceeding 
a shoi't distance down that strc:im, they suddenly 
found themselves in the vicinity of some Indians 
who had encamped at a place, since called Reeve's 
Crossing, near the present town of Bainbridge. 
Tlie Indians were of those who had refused to 
attend ^Vayne's treaty, and it wa.s deteru)ined to 
give them battle, it being too late to retreat with 
safety. The Indians, on being attacked, soon fled 
with the loss of two killed and several wounded. 
One of the whites only, Joshua Robinson, wa.s 
mortally wounded, and, during the action, a 3Ir. 
Armstrong, a prisoner among the savages, escaped 
to his own people. The whites gathered all their 
plunder and retreated as far as Scioto Brush 
Creek, where they were, according to expectation, 
attacked early the next morning. Again the In- 
dians were defeated. Only one man among the 
whites, Allen (iilfillan, was wounded. The party 
of whites continued their retreat, the next day 
reached Manchester, and separated for their homes. 

" After Wayne's treaty. Col. Massit; and several 
of the old explorers again met at the house of 
Rev. Finley, formed a company, and agreed to 
make a settlement in the ensuing spring ( 179G), 
and raise a crop of corn at the mouth of I*aint 
Creek. Accor<ling to agreement, they met at Man- 
chester about (he first of April, to the number of 
forty and u]]ward, IVom JMason and Bourbon 
Counties. .\niong them were Joseph IMcCoy, 
Benjamin and William Rodgers, David Siielby, 
James llarrod, Henry, IJazil ami Reulien Abrams, 
William Jamison, James Crawford, Sanuiel, An- 
thony and itobert Smith, Thomas Pick, William 
and James Kerr, (leorge and James Kilgrove, 
John Brown, Sanmel and Robert Templeton, Fer- 
guson IMoore, Williaiii_ Nicholson and James B. 
Finley, later a prominent local Jlethodist minister. 
On starting, they divided into two comjianies, one 
of which struck acro.^s the country, while the 
other came on in jiirogues. The first arrived 
earliest on the spot of their inten<led settlement, 
and had comnicn -ed erecting log huts above the 
mouth of Paint Creek, at the 'Prairie Station,' 
before the others liad come on by water. About 
three hundred acres of the prairie were cultivated 
in corn that season. 



I " In August, of this year — 1796 — Chillicothe* 

I was laid out by Col. Jlassie in a d(^nse forest. He 

[ gave a lot to each of the first settlers, and, by the 

beginning of winter, about twenty cabins were 

erected. Not long after, a ferry was established 

a('ross the Scioto, at the north end of ^Valnut 

I street. The opening of Zane's trace produced a 

! great change in travel westward, it having pre- 

viou.sly been along the Ohio in kccl-boats or canoes, 

or by land, over the Cumberland Moi'.ntains, 

through Crab Orchard, in Kentucky. 

" The emigrants brought corn-meal in their pi- 
rogues, and after that was gone, their principal 
meal, until the next summer, was that pounded in 
hominy mortars, which meal, when made into 
bread, and anointed with bear's-oil, was quite pal- 
atable. 

" When the settlers first came, whisky was 84. .50 
per gallon; but, in the spring of 17117, when the 
keel-boats began to run, the Monougaliela wliisky- 
makers, having found a good market for their fire- 
water, rushed it in, in such quantities, that the 
cabins were crowded with it, and it soon fell to 50 
cents. INIen, women and children, with some excep- 
tions, drank it freely, and many who had been 
res[iectable and tenqoerate became inebriates. 
jMany of Wayne's soldiers and camp-women settled 
in the town, so that, for a time, it became a town 
of drunkards and a sink of corruption. There 
was, however, a little leaven, which, in a few 
months, began to develop itself. 

" In the .spring of 1797, one Brannon stole a 
great coat, handkerchief and shirt. He and his 
wife absconded, were pursued, caught and brought 
back. Samuel Smith was appointed .Judge, a 
jury impanneled, one attorney a[ipointed by the 
.Judge to manage the prosecution, and another the 
defense; witnesses were examined, the case argued, 
and the evidence summed up by the Judge. The 
jury, having retired a few moments, returned with 
a verdict of guilty, and that the culprit be sen- 
tenced according to the discretion of the .Judge. 
The Judge soon announced that the criminal 
should have ten lashes on liis naked back, or that 
he should sit on a bare pack-.'-addle on his jiony, 
and that his wife, who was sujiiiosed to have had 
some agency in the theft, should lead the jiony to 
every house in the village, and ])ri)claim, ''fiiis is 

*riiiIlicntlio appears to liave hcr-n a favorite iiaino ainoiis^ tlie 
ItHliaiis, us many I'lculitii^s were kiiuwrt l<y tlmt naiiif. CoL.tulin 
Jiiliiiston says ; "CluUicutlif is tlio name t-'l" on-' ol tlio principal 
trilios uf tlio SiiawanceH. Tlu-y would tmy, Cliil-i-roll/c ntniiii, i.e.y 
Ctiillici'tlu' town. Tli.' Wyan<iot8 would Fay. tor Chillicotho town, 
Tat-a-ra-ra, Do-lia, or town at the U-aniiig of the bank." 



,t 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



105 



Brunnon, who stole the great coat, liundkorchief 
and shu't ; ' and that James B. Finlej', afterward 
Chaplain in the State Penitentiary, should see the 
sentence faithfully carried out. Brannon chose 
the latter sentence, and the ceremony was faith- 
fully performed hy hi.s wife in the presence of 
every cabin, under Mr. Finley's care, after which 
the couple made oif. This was rather rude, but 
eifective j urisprudence. 

" Dr. Edward Tiffin and 3Ir. Thomas AVorth- 
ington, of Berklej' County, Va., were brothers-in-law, 
and being moved by abolition principles, liberated 
their slaves, intending to remove into the Ter- 
ritory. For this purpose, Mr. Worthiugton visited 
Chillicothe in the autumn of 1707, and purchased 
several in and out lots of the town. On one of the 
former, he erected a two-story frame house, the 
first of the kind in the village. On his return, 
having purchased a part of a farm, on which his 
family long afterward resided, and another at the 
north fork of Paint Creek, he contracted with Mr. 
Josejih Yates, a millwright, and IMr. George Haines, 
a blacksmith, to come out with him the following 
winter or spring, and erect for him a gi-ist and saw 
mill on his north-fork tract. The summer, fall 
and following winter of that year were marked by 
a rush of emigration, which spead over the high 
bank prairie. Pea-pea, Westfall and a few miles 
up Paint and Deer Creeks. 

" Nearlj- all the first settlers were either regular 
members, or had been raised in the Presbyterian 
Church. Toward the fall of 1797, the leaven of 
piety retained by a portion of the first settlers be- 
gan to diffuse itself through the mass, and a large 
log meeting-house was erected near the old grave- 
yard, and Rev. William Speer, ft'om Pennsylvania, 
took charge. The sleepers at first served as seats for 
hearers, and a split-log table was used as a pulpit. 
BIr. Speer was a gentlemanly, mciral man. tall and 
cadaverous in person, and wore the cocked hat of 
the Revolutionary era. 

" Thomas Jones arrived in February, 1798, 
bringing with him the first load of bar-iron in the 
Scioto Valley, and about the same time JIaj. Elias 
Langham, an ofScer of the Revolution, arrived. Dr. 
Tiffin, and his brother, Joseph, arrived the same 
month from A'^irgiuia and opened a store not far 
from the log meeting-house. A store had been 
opened previously by John McDougal. The 17th 
of April, the families of Col. Worthington and 
Dr. Tiffin anived, at which time the first marriage 
in the Scioto Valley was celebrated. The parties 
were George Kilgorc and Elizabeth Cochran. The 



ponies of the attendants were hitched to the trees 
along the streets, which were not then cleared out, 
nearly the whole town being a wilderness. Joseph 
Yates, George Haines, and two or three others, 
arrived with the families of Tiffin and Worthing- 
ton. On their arrival there were but four shingled 
roofs in town, on one of which the shingles 
were fastened with pegs. Col. Worthington's 
house was the only one having glass windows. The 
sash of the hotel windows v.'as filled with greased 
paper. 

" Col. Worthington was appointed by Gen. Ru- 
fus Putnam, Surve3'or General of the Northwest 
Territory, surveyor of a large district of Congress 
lands, on the east side of the Scioto, and Maj. 
Langham and a Mr. jMatthews, were appointed to 
survey the re.sidue of the lands which afterward 
composed the Chillicothe land district. 

"The same season, settlements were made about 
the Walnut Plains by Samuel JlcCulloh and 
others; Springer, Osbourn, Dyer, and Thomas and 
Elijah Chenowith, on Darly Creek ; Lamberts and 
others on Sii)po; on Fo.ster's Bottom, the Fosters, 
Samuel Davis and others, while the following fam- 
ilies settled in and about Chillicothe: John Cruuse, 
William Keys, William Lamb, John Carlisle, John 
McLanberg, V\^illiam Chandlcss, the Stoctons, 
Greggs, Bates and some others. 

"Dr. Tiffin and his wife were the first Metho- 
dists in the Scioto Valley. He was a local preaclu;r. 
In the fall, Worthington's grist and saw mills on 
the north fork of Paint Creek were finished, the 
first mills worthy the name in the valley. 

" Chillicothe was the point from which the set- 
tlements diverged. In May, 1799, a post office 
was established here, and Joseph Tiffin made Post- 
master. Mr. Tiffin and Thomas Gregg opened 
taverns; the first, under the .sign of Gen. Anthony 
Vv^ayne, was at the corner of Water and Walnut 
streets; and the last, under the .«ign of the 'Green 
Tree,' was on the corner of Paint and Water 
streets. In 1801, Nathaniel Willis moved in and 
established the Scio/o G<ra'ltr, probably, the sec- 
ond paper in the Territory."* 

In 1800, the .seat of government of the North- 
west Territory was removed, by law of Congix'ss, 
from Cincinnati to Chillicothe. The ses.si(ms of 
the Territorial A.ssembly for that and the next 
year were held in a small two-story, liewed-log 
house, erected in 1798, by Bazil Abranis. A wing 
was added to the main part, of two stories in 

* Kecollections of Hon. Thomas Scott, of Chillicothp— lion f's 
Annals of Ohio. 



^ 



f 



Ul(> 



HISTORY OP OHIO. 



lieight. In tile lower room of this wiiii;, Col. 
Thomas Gibson, Auditor of the Territory, kejit 
his olTiec, and in the upper room a small family 
liv<'d. In the upper room of the main building 
a billiard table was kept. It was also made a re- 
sort of gamblers and disreputable eharaeters. The 
lower room was used by the Legislature, and as a 
court room, a chureh or a school. In the 
war of 1812, the building was a rendezvous and 
barracks for soldiers, and, in 1840, was pulled 
down. 

The old State House was commenced in ISOO, 
and finished the next year for the accommodation 
of the Legislature and the courts. It is said to 
bo the first public stone edifice erected in the Ter- 
ritory. Maj. William Rutledge, a Revolutionary 
soldier, did the mason work, and William Guthrie, 
the carpenter. In ISlll, the Territorial Legislature 
held their first session in it. In it was also held 
the Constitutional Convention of C)hio, which be- 
gan its sessions the first IMonday in November, 
1802. In Marcb, 1803, the first State Legislature 
met in the house, and continued their sessions here 
until 1810. The sessions of 1810-11, and 1811- 
12, were held in Zauesville, and from there re- 
moved back to Chillieothe and held in the old 
State House till ISIG, wlum ColumI)US beeamethe 
permanent capital of the State. 

JIaking Chillieothe the State capital did much 
to enhance its growth. It was incorporated in 
1802, and a town council elected. In 1807, the 
town had fourteen stores, sis hotels, two newspa- 
pers, two churches — both brick buildings — and 
over two hundred <lwellings. The removal of the 
capital to Columbus checked its growth a little, still, 
being in an excellent country, rapidly filling with 
settlers, the town has alwaj's I'emained a prominent 
trading center. 

During the war of 1812, Chillieothe was made 
a rendi^zvoHs for United States soldiers, and a 
pri.son established, in which man}' Hritish prison- 
ers were confined. At one time, a conspiracy for 
escape was discovered just in time to prevent it. 
The plan was lor the prisoners to disarm the 
guard, j'roceed to jail, release the officers, burn the 
town, and escape to Canada. Tlie jilot was fortu- 
nately disclo.sed by two senior British officers, u]ion 
which, as a measure of security, the officers and 
chief conspirators were sent to the penitentiary 
at Frankfort, Kentucky. 

Two or three miles northwest of Chillicotlip, on 
a beautiful elevation, commanding an extensive 
\iew of the valley of the Sci<ito, Thomas Worth- 



ington,* one of the most prominent and influential 
men of his day, afterward Governor of the State, 
in 1800, crectetl a large stone mansion, the wonder 
of the valley in its time. It was the most elegant 
mansion in the West, crowds coming to sec it 
when it was completed. Gov. Worthington named 
the place Adena, " Paradise " — a name not then 
considered hyperbolical. The large panes of glass, 
and the novelty of papered walls especially attracted 
attention. Its architect was the elder Latrobe, of 
Washington City, from which place most of the 
workmen came. The glass was made in Pitts- 
burgh, and the fireplace fronts in Philadelphia, the 
latter costing seven dollars per hundred pounds for 
transportation. The mansion, built as it was, cost 
nearly double the expense of such structures now. 
Adena was the home of the Governor till his death, 
in 1827. 

Near Adena, in a beautiful situation, is Fruit 
Hill, the seat of Gen. Duncan JIcArthur.'j" and 
later of ex-Gov. "William Allen. Like Adena, Fruit 
Hill is one of the noted places in the Scioto Val- 
ley. jMany of Ohio's best men dwelt in the valley ; 
men who have been an honor and ornament to the 
State and nation. 

Another settlement, begun soon after the treaty 
of peace in 1705, was that made on the Licking 
River, about four miles below the present city of 
Newark, in Licking County. In the fall of 1798, 
John RatlifF and Elias Hughes, while prospecting 
on this stream, found some old Indian cornfields, 
and determined to locate. They were from A\'est- 
ern A'irginia, and were tnie pioneers, living mainly 
by huntins;, leaving the cultivation of their small 
cornfields to their wives, much after the style of 



* Gov. Worthinst'tn ivas' born in .TefTprson County, Va., about the 
yearnoy. llo setili'iMii Oliio in 17;i.S. He was a tinn believer in 
liberty and canii? to tlie Tenilory alter lilieratiug bis slaves. He was 
oiio of tbo niiis; cfiieieiit men of bis liay ; was a member of the 
Oonstitutional C'onvenlion, ami was sent on an important mission 
to tJijTi^iess ri-lative to the adniiesinn of Ohio to the t'niou. lie 
was atterwiird a Senator to Congress, and then Governor. On 
the expir;ition of bis tiul'ernatorjal term, he was appointed a mem- 
ber of the IJoard of Pulilic Wo: Us, in wiibb capacity lie did much 
to ad van CO the caniils and radroads, and other public improve- 
ments. Uo remained in this oitirc tiU hisdeatli. 

fGen. Mc.\rlbnr was born in Dulebess ('ounty, N. Y., in 1772. 
When tight 3 ears of a^o, his father removed to Western i'ennsyl- 
vaiiia. When eighteen years of age, he sc.rved in IIarmar'8 
c;inii)aign. In 17!tJ, he w.as a. very elhci-nt soldier among the front- 
iersmen, and gained their approbation by bis hmvery. in 17y;i, he 
was Ccmnected with Gen. Massii-, and afterward was engaged in 
land speculations and became very wealthy. He was made a mem- 
ber of the Ijegislrtture, in 18U6; in ISuil, a Colonel, and in Isns, a 
Major General of the militia. In this capacity be was in IluH's 
Bill render at lietroit. tin his return he waa elected to t'ongresa, 
and in 1813 coniTnis.*ioned Brigadier Gi-neral. He was one of the 
most etlieient onicensin the war of l.'^l■2, and hebl many important 
posts. After the war, be wa.s again Bent to the Legislature ; in 1S22 
to Congress, and in IS^o elected Governor of the State. Hy an nn- 
forlnnate accident in Islli'i. ho was maimed for life, and gradually 
declined till death came a few years after. 



-n>^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



107 



their dusky neighbors. They were bdth inveterate 
Indian-haters, and never allowed an opportunity to 
pass without carrying out their hatred. For tliis, 
they were apprehended atlcr tlic treaty; but, 
though it was clearly proven they had murdered 
some inoifensive Indians, the state of feeling was 
such that they were allowed to go unpunished. 

A short time after their settlement, others joined 
them, and, in a few years, quite a colony had 
gathered on the banks of the Licking. In 1802, 
Newark was laid out, and, in three or four years, 
there were twenty or thirty families, several stores 
and one or two hotels. 

The .settlement of Granville Township, in this 
county, is rather an important epoch in the history 
of this part of the State. From a sketch pub- 
lished by Ilev. Jacob Little in 1848, in Howe's 
Collections, the subjoined statements are taken: 

"In 1804, a company was formed at (Iranville, 
Mass., with the intention of making a settlement 
in Ohio. This, called the Sciuto Cotnpani/, was 
the third of that name which effected settlements 
in Ohio. The project met with great favor, and 
much enthusiasm was elicited, in illustration of 
which a song was composed and sung to the 
tune of ' Pleasant Ohio ' by the young people in 
the house and at labor in the field. We annex 
two stanzas, which are more curious than poetical : 

"'When rambling o'er these mountains 

And rocks where ivies grow 
Thick as the hairs upon your head, 

'Mongst which you cannot go — 
Great storms of snow, cold winds that blow, 

We scarce can undergo — 
Says I, my boys, we'll leave this place 

For the pleasant Ohio. 

"'Our precious friends that stay behind, 

We're sorry now to leave; 
But if they'll stay and break their shins, 

For them we'll never grieve. 
Adieu, my friends! — Come on, my dears, 

This journey we'll forego, 
And settle Licking Creek, 

In yonder Ohio.' " 

"The Scioto CcBnpany consisted of one hundred 
and fourteen proprietors, who made a purchase of 
twenty-eight thousand acres. In the autumn of 
1805, two hundred and thirty-four persons, mostly 
from East Granville, Mass., came on to the pur- 
chase. Although the}' had been forty-two daj's on 
the road, their first business, on their arrival, hav- 
ing organized a church before they left the East, 
was to hear a sermon. The fii-sttrec cut was that 



by which public worship was held, which stood 
just in front of the Presbyterian church. 

On the fir.st Sabbath, November 10, although 
only about a dozen trees had been felled, they h.eld 
divine service, both forenoon and afternoon, on 
that spot. The novelty of worshiping in the 
woods, the forest extending hundreds of miles each 
way ; the hardships of the journey, the winter set- 
ting in, the thoughts of home, with all the friends 
and privileges left behind, and the inijiression that 
such must be the accommodations of anew country, 
all rushed cm their minds, and made this a day of 
varied interest. When they began to sing, the 
echo of their voices among the tre<!s was so differ- 
ent from what it was in the beautiful meeting- 
house they had left, that they could no longer 
restrain their tears. Tliciy rript irlitn tlieij remem- 
bered Zion. The voices of part of the choir were, 
for a season, suppressed with emotion. 

"An incident occurred, which many said Mrs. 
Sigourney should have put into verse. Deacon 
Theophilus Reese, a Welsh Baptist, had, two or 
three years before, built a cabin, a mile and a half 
north, and lived all this time without public wor- 
ship. He had lost his cattle, and, hearing a low- 
ing of the oxen belonging to the Company, .set out 
toward them. As he ascended the hills overlook- 
ing the town plot, he heard the singing of the 
choir. The reverberation of the sound from hill- 
tops and trees, threw the g(jod man into a serious 
dilemma. The music at first .seemed to be beitind, 
then in the tree-tops, or in the clouds. He stopped, 
till, by accurate listening, he caught the direction 
of the sound ; went on an<l passing the brow of 
the hill, he saw the audience sitting on the 
level below. He went homo and told his wife that 
' the promise of God is a bond ' ; a Welsh proverb, 
signifying that we have securit}', equal to a bond, 
that religion will prevail cveryv.'here. He said : 
' These must be good peoiile. I am not afraid to 
iro amons them.' Thouiih he could not under- 
Stand English, he constantly attended the readuig 
meeting. Hearing the music on that occasion 
made such an impres.sion on his mind that, when 
he became old and met the first settlers. In; would 
always tell over this story. The first cabin liuilt 
was that in which they worshiped succeeding 
Sabbaths, and, before the cloise of the winter, they 
had a schoolhouse and a school. That church, in 
forty years, received more than one thousand per- 
sons into its uienibership, 

"Elder Jones, in ISOt!, preached the first ser- 
mon iu the log church. The Welsh Baptist 



108 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Church was orsianized in the cabin of David 
Thomas, Septeniber 4, 1808. April 21, 1827, 
the Granville membons were organized into ths 
Granville Church, and the corner-stone of their 
house of worsliip hud September 21, 182!). In 
t.h(! fall of 1810, the first Methodist sermon was 
preached here, and, soon after, a cla.<5S organized. 
In 1824, a chiuvli was built. An Kpiscopal 
church WiLS organized in May, 1827, and a 
church consecrated in 1838. In 184!*, there 
were in this township 403 families, of whom 214 
sustain family worsliip; 1431 persons over four- 
teen years of age, of wlu)m over 800 belong to 
church. The town hsid 150 familie,*, of whom 80 
have family worship. In 1846, the townsliij) 
furnished 70 school teachers, of whom 62 jirayed 
in school. In 1840, the township took G21 jieri- 
odical papers, besides three small monthlies. The 
first temperance society' west of the mountains wiis 
organized July 15, 1828, in this township; and, 
in 1831, the Congi-cgational Church j)a.ssed a l)y- 
law to accept no member who trafficked in or used 
ardent spirits." 

It is said, not a settlement in the entire West 
could present so moral and upright a view as that 
of Granville Township; and nowhere could so 
perfect and orderly a set of peo])le be found. 
Sur(!l3', the fiict Ls argument enough in favor of 
the religion of Jesus. 

The narrative of ;\Ir. Little also states that, 
when Granville was first settled, it was supposed 
that Worthington would be the capital of Ohio, 
between which and Zanesville, Granville would 
make a great half-way town. At this lime, wild 
animals, snakes and Indians abounded, and many 
are the marvelous stories preserved regarding the 
destruction of the animals and reptiles — the 
Indians being bound by their treaty to remain 
peaceful. Space forbids their repetition here. 
Suffice it to say that, as the whites increased, the 
Indians, animals and snakes ui.sippcared, until 
now one is as much a curiosity ;ts the other. 

The remaining .settlement in the southwest- 
ern part.s of Oliio, made immediatclj' after the 
treaty — fall of 1795 or year of 17!>t)— was in 
what is now Madison County, about a mile north 
of where the village of Amity tiow stands, on the 
banks of the Big Darb}-. This stream received its 
name from the Indians, from a Wyandot chief, 
n.imed l)arl)y, who lor a long time resided upon it, 
lu-ar the Union County line. In the fat! of 1795, 
Heiijauiiii Springer came I'rom Kentucky and selected 
Some land on the banks of the Big Darby, cleared 



the ground, built a cabin, and returned for his 
family. The next spring, he brought them out, 
and began his life here. The same summer he was 
joined by William Lapin, Joshua and James Ew- 
ing and one or two others. 

When Springer came, he found a white man 
named Jonathan Alder, who for fifteen years Lad 
been a captive among the Indians, and who could 
not sjieak a w(]rd of English, living with an Indian 
woman on the banks of Big Darby. He had been 
exchanged at ^\ aync's treat}', and, neglecting to 
profit by the treaty, was still li\ing in the Indian 
style. When the whites IxiCiuui; numerous about 
him his desii-e to find his relatives, and adopt the 
ways of the whites, led him to discard his squaw — 
giving her an unusual allowance — learn the English 
laugu ige, engage in agricultural pursuits, and be- 
come again civilized. Fortunatcl}', he coidd remem- 
ber enough of the names of some of his ]tarents' 
neighbors, so that the identity of his relatives and 
friends was easily established, and Alder became a 
mo.st useful citizen. He was very influential with 
the Indians, and induced many of them to remain 
neutral during the war of 1812. It is stated that 
in 1800, Mr. Ewing brought four .sheep into the com- 
munity. They were strange animals to the Indians. 
One day when an Indian hunter and his dog were 
jiassing, the latter caught a sheep, and was shot by 
]Mr. lowing. The Indian would have shot Ewing in 
retaliation, had not Alder, who was fortunately 
present, with much difficulty prevailed upon him 
to refrain. 

While the southern and southwestern parts of 
the State were filling with settlers, a.ssured of safety 
bj" ^Vayne's victories, the northern and eastern 
parts became likewise the theater of activities. 
Ever since the French had exjilorcd the southern 
shores of the lake, and English traders had car- 
ried goods thither, it was expected one day to be 
a valuable ])art of the West, It will be remem- 
ber(!d that Connecticut had ceded a large tract of 
laud to the Gineral (iovernment, and as soon as 
the cession was confirmeil. and land titles became 
assured, settlers flocked thither. Even lieiorethat 
time, hardy adventurers had exfjlored some of the 
country, and pronounced it a '-goodl}' land," 
ready ti'r the hand of enterprise. 

The first settlement in the Western Reserve, 
and, indeed, in the northern part of the State, was 
made at the mouth of Conneaut* Creek, in Ash- 
tabula County, on the 4th of July, 1796, That 



*Coiincaut, in the Sencci Innguagc, signifies "mafly fish." 



:^ 



n>> 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



100 



day, tho first surveyinu; party landed at tlio mouth 
of this cruek, and, on its eastern bank, near the 
lake .shore, in tin eups, pledged — as they drank the 
limpid waters of the lake — their country's welfare, 
with the ordnance aceonipauinient of two or thrt« 
fowling-pieces, discharging tho required national 
salute. 

The whole party, on this occa-^ion, numbered 
fifty-two persons, of whom two were females (Jlrs. 
Stiles and JMrs. (5iinn) and a child, and all deserve 
a lasting yilace iu the history of the State. 

The next day, they began the erection of a large 
log building on tlie sandy beach on the cast side 
of the stream. When done, it was named " Stow 
Castle," after one of the party. It was the dwell- 
ing, storehouse and general habitation of all the 
])ioneers. The party made this their headquar- 
ters part of the summer, and continued busily 
engaged in the survey of the Reserve. James 
Kingsbury, afterward Judge, arrived soon after 
the party began work, and, with his family, was 
the first to remain here during the winter follow- 
ing, the rest returning to the East, or going south- 
ward. Through the winter, Mr. Kingsbury's 
family suffered greatly for provisions, so much so, 
that, during the absence of the head of the family 
in New York for provisions, one child, born in his 
absence, died, and the mother, reduced by her suf- 
ferings and solitude, was only saved by the timely 
arrival of the husband aud father with a sack of 
flour he had carried, many weary miles, on his 
back. He remained here but a short time, re- 
moving to Cleveland, which was laid out that same 
fldl. In the spring of 1798, Alexander Harper, 
William McFarlaud and Ezra Gregory, with their 
families, started from Harpersfield, Delaware Co., 
N. Y., and arrived the last of June, at their new 
homes in the Far West. The whole population on 
the Reserve then amounted to less than one hun- 
dred and fifty jiersous. These were at Cleveland, 
Youngstown ami at INIentor. During the siunmer, 
three families came to Burton, and Judge Hudson 
settled at Hudson. All these pioneers suft'ered 
severely for food, and from the fever induced by 
chills. It took several years to become accli- 
mated. Sometimes the entire neighborhood 
would be down, and only one or two, who could 
wait on the rest "between chills," were able to do 
anything. Time and courage overcame, finally. 

It was not until 1798, that a permanent settle- 
ment was made at the mouth of Conneaut Creek. 
Those who came there in 1796 went on with their 
surveys, part remaining in Cleveland, laid out that 



summer. Judge Kingsbury could not remain at 
Conneaut, and went nearer the settlements made 
•about the Cuyahoga. In the spring of 1798, Thomas 
JMoutgomery and Aaron Wright settled here and 
remained. Up the stream they found some thirty 
Indian cabins, or huts, in a g(_)od state of preserva- 
tion, which they occupied until they could erect 
their own. Soon after, they were joined by others, 
and, in a year or two, the settlement was permanent 
and prosperous. 

The site of the present town of Austinburg in 
Ashtabula County was settled in the j'ear 1799, 
by two fiimilies from Couuecticut, who were in- 
duced to come thither, by Judge Austin. The 
Judge preceded them a short time, driving, in 
C(mipany with a hired man, .some cattle about one 
hundred and fifty miles through the woods, follow- 
ing an old Indian trail, while the rest of the party 
came in a boat acro.ss the lake. When they ar- 
rived, there were a few families at Harper.sburg ; 
one or two families at Windsor, twenty miles 
southwest ; also a few families at Elk Creek, forty 
miles northeast, and at Vernon, the same distance 
southeast. All these were in a destitute condition 
for provisions. In 1800, another family moved 
from Norfolk, Conn. In the spring of 1801, sev- 
eral families came from the same place. Part came 
by land, and part by water. During that sea.son, 
wheat was carried to an old mill on Kik Creek, 
forty miles away, and in some instances, half was 
given for carrying it to mill 'and returning it in 
flour. 

Wednesday, October 21, 1801, a church of six- 
teen members was constituted in Austinburg. 
This was the first church on the Reserve, and was 
founded by Rev. Joseph Badger, the first mission- 
ary there. It is a fact worthy of note, that in 
1802, Mr. Badger moved his family fi-om Bufl[;\lo 
to this town, in the first wagon that ever came 
from that place to the Reserve. In 1803, noted 
revivals occurred in this part of the "West, attended 
by the peculiar bodily phenomenon known as the 
" shakes " or "jerks." 

The surveying party which landed at the mouth 
of Conneaut Creek, July 4, 179G, .soon completed 
their labors in this part of the Reserve, aud ex- 
tended them westward. By the first of September, 
they had explored the lake coast as far west as the 
outlet of the Cuyahoga'*' River, then con.sidered 



*Cuy-ihoga, ia tho Indian language, signifies "crooked." — 
Uoice'^ Colli^dwns. 

"The Indians caltt'd the river 'Ciiyahoghan-tili,* 'Lake Kiver ' 
It i3, empliJitically. a Lake river. It rises iu lakes and empties into 
a lake." — Atwaters Hi torij of Ohio. 



1^ 



110 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



by all au important Western place, and one des- 
tined to be a gi-cat commercial mart. Time has 
verified the prophecies, as now the city of Cleve- 
land covers the site. 

As early as 1755, the mouth of the Cuyahoga 
River was laid down on the maps, and the French 
had a .station here. It was also considered an im- 
portant Y>o»t during the war of the Revolution, 
and later, of 1812." The British, who, after the 
Revolution, refused to abandon the lake country 
west of the Cuyahoga, occupied its shores until 
1790. Their traders had a hou.se in Ohio City, 
north of the Detroit road, on the jioint of the hill 
near the river, when the surveyors arrived in 
1796. Washington, Jeiferson, and all statesmen 
of that day, regarded the outlet of the Cuyahoga 
as an important place, and hence the early at- 
tempt of the surveyors to reach and lay out a town 
here. 

The corjjs of surveyors arrived early in Septem- 
ber, 1790, and at once proceeded to lay out a town. 
It w;is named Cleveland, in honor of Gen. Moses 
Cleveland, the Laud Company's agent, and for 
years a very prominent man in Connecticut, where 
he lived and died. By the ISth of October, the 
surveyors had completed the survey and left the 
place, leaving only Job V. Stiles and family, and 
Edward Paine, who were the only persons that 
passed the succeeding winter in this place. Their 
residence was a log cabin that stood on a spot of 
ground long afterward occupied by the Commercial 
Bank. Their nearest ncightiors were at Coune- 
aut, where Judge King.sbury lived; at Fort 
!McIntosh, on the south or ea.st, at the mouth of 
Big Beaver, and at the mouth t>f the river Raisin, 
on the west. 

The next season, the .surv(>ying]iarty came again 
to Cleveland, which they made their headquarters. 
Early in the spring, Judge Kingsbury came over 
fi'om Conneaut, bringing with him Elijah Guun, 
who had a short time before joined him. Soon 
after, ^laj. Lorenzo Carter and Ezekiel Hawley 
came with their families. These were about all 
who are known to have .settled in this place that 
summer. Tlie next year, 1798, Rodolphus Ed- 
wards and Nathaniel I)oane and their families set- 
tled in Cleveland. Mr. Doane had been ninety- 
two days on his journey from Chatham, Conn. In 
the latter jiart of the summer and fall, nearly everj' 
person in the settlement was down with the bil- 
ious fever or with the ague. Mr. Doane's flmiily 
consisted of nine pcr.sons, of whom Seth, a lad six- 
teen year'- of ;i'je. was the only one able to care for 



them. Such was the severity of the fever, that 
any one having only the ague was deemed quite 
fortunate. 3Iueh suffering for proper food and 
medicines followed. The only way the Doane 
family was supplied for two months or more, was 
through the exertions of this boy, who went daily, 
after having had one attack of the chills, to Judge 
Kingsbur}' s in Newburg — five miles awa^, where 
the Judge now lived — got a peck of corn, mashed it 
in a hand-mill, waited untO a second attack of the 
chills passed over, and then returned. At one time, 
for several days, he was too ill to make the trip, 
during which turnips comprised the chief article 
of diet. Fortunately, Maj. Carter, having only 
the ague, was enabled with his trusty rifle and dogs 
to procure an abundance of venison and other wild 
game. His familj-, being somewhat acclimated, 
suffered less than many others. Their situation can 
hardly now be realized. " Destitute of a physician, 
and with few medicines, necessity taught them to 
use such means as nature had placed within their 
reach. They sulistituted pills iVom the extract of 
the bitternut bark for calomel, and dogwood and 
cherry bark for quinine." 

lu November, fi)ur men, who had so far recov- 
ered as to have ague attacks no ofcener than once 
in two or three days, started in the only boat for 
Walnut Creek, Penn., to obtain a winter's supply 
of flour. When below Euclid Creek, a storm 
drove them ashore, broke their boat, and compelled 
their return. During the winter and summer fol- 
lowing, the settlei's had no flour, except that 
gTound in hand and coffee mills, which was, how- 
ever, considered very good. Not all had even that. 
During the summer, the Connecticut Land Com- 
pany opened the first road on the Reserve, which 
commenced about ten miles south of the lake 
shore, on the Pennsylvania State line, and extended 
to Cleveland. In January, 1799, 3Ir. Doane 
moved to Doane's Cornci-s, leaving only Maj. Car- 
ter's fiimily in Cleveland, all the rest leaving as 
soon as they were well enough. For fifteen months, 
the Major and his family were the only white per- 
sons left on the town site. During the spring, 
Wheeler W. Williams and .Maj. Wyatt built the 
first grist-mill on the Reserve, ou the site of New- 
burg. It was looked upon as a very valuable acces- 
,sion to the neighborhood. Prior to this, each fam- 
ily had its own hand-mill in one of the corners of 
the cabin. The old mill is thus described by a 
pioneer : 

■' The .stones were of the common grindstone 
grit, about iinir inches thick, and twenty in diame- 



'V 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Ill 



ter. The runner, or upper, was turned Ijy hand, 
by a pole set in the top of it, near the outer edge. 
The iipj)er end of the pole was inserted into a hole 
in a board fastened above to the joists, immedi- 
ately over the hole in the verge of the runner. 
One person fed the corn into the eye — a hole iu 
the center of the runner — while another turned. 
It was very hard work to grind, and the operators 
alternately exchanged places." 

In 1800, several settlers came to the town and 
a more active life was the result. From this time, 
Cleveland began to progress. The 4th of July, 
1801, the first ball in town was held at Major 
Carter's log cabin, on the hill-side. John and 
Benjamin Wood, and K. H. Blinn were managers; 
and Maj. Samuel Jones, musician and master of 
ceremonies. The company numbered aboutthirty, 
very evenly divided, for the times, between the 
sexes. " Notwithstandina; the dancers had a rough 
puncheon floor, and no better beverage to enliven 
their spirits than sweetened whisky, yet it is doubt- 
ful if the anniversary of American independence 
was ever celebrated in Cleveland by a more joyful 
and harmonious comjiaiiy than those who danced 
the scamper-down, double-shuffle, western-swing 
and half-moon, that day, in Blaj. Carter's cabin." 
The growth of the town, from this period on, re- 
mained prosperous. The usual visits of the Indi- 
ans were made, ending iu their drunken carousals 
and fights. Deer and other wild animals furnished 
abundant meat. The settlement was constantly 
augmented by new arrivals, so that, by 1814, Cleve- 
land wiis incorporated as a town, and, in 1830, as 
a city. Its harbor is one of the best on the lakes, 
and hence the merchandise of the lakes has always 
been attracted thither. Like Cincinnati and Chil- 
licothe, it became the nucleus of settlements in this 
part of the State, and now is the largest city in 
Northern Ohio. 

One of the earliest settlements made in the 
Western Reserve, and by some claimed as the first 
therein, was made on the site of Youngstown, jMa- 
honing County, by a Mr. Young, afterward a Judge, 
in the summer of 1796. During this summer, 
before the settlements at Cuyahoga and Conueaut 
were made, Mr. Young and jMr. Wilcott, proprie- 
tors of a township of land iu Northeastern Ohio, 
came to their possessions and began the survey of 
their land. Just when they came is not known. 
They were found here by Col. James Ilillman, 
then a trader iu the employ of Duncan & AVilson, 
of Pittsburgh, " who had been forwarding goods 
across the country by pack-saddle horses since 



178G, to the month of the Cuyahoga, thence to be 
sliipped on the schooner Mackinaw to Detroit. 
Col. Hillman generally had charge of all these 
caravans, consisting sometimes of ninety horses 
and ten men. They commonly crossed the Big 
Beaver four miles below the mouth of the She- 
naago, thence up the left bank of the Jlahoning — 
called by the Indians " Mahoni" or " Mahonick,'' 
signifying the "lick" or "at the lick" — crossing 
it about three miles below the site of Youngstown, 
thence by way of the Salt Springs, over the sites 
of i\Iilton and Ravenna, crossing the Cuyahoga at 
the mouth of Breakneck and again at the mouth 
of Tinker's Creek, thence down the river to its 
mouth, where they had a log hut in which to 
store their goods. Tliis hut was there when the 
surveyors came, but at the time unoccupied. At 
the mouth of Tinker's Creek were a few log huts 
built by ^Moravian Blissionaries. These were used 
only one year, as the Indians liad gone to the Tus- 
carawas River. These and three or four cabins at 
the Salt Springs were the only buildings erected 
by the whites prior to 179(], in Northeastern Ohio. 
Those at the Salt Springs were built at an early 
day for the accommodation of whites who came 
from Western Pennsylvania to make salt. The 
tenants were dispossessed iu 1785 by Gen. Harmar. 
A short time after, one or two white men were 
killed by the Indians here. In 1788, Col. Hill- 
man settled at Beavertown, where Duncan & 
Wilson had a store for the purpose of trading 
with the Indians. He went back to Pittsburgh 
soon after, however, owing to the Indian war, and 
remained there till its close, continuing in his busi- 
ness whenever opportunity offered. In 1796, 
when returning from one of his trading expeditions 
alone in his canoe down the Slahouing River, he 
discovered a smoke on the bank near the present 
town of Youngstown, and on going to the spot 
found Mr. Young and ]\Ir. Wolcott, as before men- 
tioned. A part of Col. Ilillman's cargo consisted 
of whisky, a gallon or so of which he still had. 
The price of " fire-water " then Wixs §1 per quart 
in the cuiTcncy of the country, a deerskin being 
legal tender for .§1, and a doeskin for 50 cents. 
Mr. Young proposed purchasing a quart, and 
having a frolic on its contents during the even- 
ing, and insisted on paying Hillman his cus- 
tomary price. Hillman urged that ina.smuch as 
they were strangtTs in the country, civility re- 
quired him to furnish the means for the entcrtain- 
I mcnt. Young, however, insisted, and taking the 
I deerskin used for his bed — the only one he had — 



lA 



113 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



paid for his quart of whisky, and an evening's 
frohe was the result. 

" Hillman remained a few days, when they ac- 
companied him to Beaver Town to celebrate the 
4th, and then all returned, and llillman erected a 
cabin on the site of Youngstown. It is not cer- 
tain that they remained hero at this time, and 
lienee the priority of actual settlement is generally 
conceded to Conneaut and Cleveland. The next 
ye:iT, in the fall, a Mv. Brown and one other per- 
son came to the banks of the Mahoning and made 
a permanent settlement. The same season Uriali 
Holmes and Titus Hayes came to the same locality, 
and before winter quite a settlement was to be seen 
here. It proceeded quite prosperously until the 
wanton murder of two Indians occurred, which, 
for a time, greatly excited the whites, lest the In- 
dians should retaliate. Through the efforts of 
Col. Hillman, who had great influence with the 
natives, they agreed to let the murderers stand a 
trial. They were acfiuitted upon some technicality. 
The trial, however, paeilied the Indians, and no 
trouble came from the unwarranted and unfortu- 
nate circumstance, an<l no check in the emigration 
or prosperity of the colony occurred."* 

As soon a.s an effective settlement had been es- 
tablished at Youngstown, otliers were made in tlie 
surrounding country. One of these was begun by 
William Fcnton in 1798, on the site of the pres- 
ent town of Warren, in Trumbull County. He 
remained here alone one year, when he was joined 
by Capt. Ephraim Quimby. By the last of Sep- 
tember, the next year, the colony had increased to 
sixteen, and from that date on continued prosper- 
ously. Once or twice they stood in fear of the 
Indians, as the result of quarrels induced bj- 
whisky. Sagacious persons generally saved any 
serious outbreak and pacified the nati\'es. Mr. 
Badger, the first mi^sionury on the Reserve, came 
to the settlement here and on the Mahoning, as 
soon as each was made, and, by his earnest labors, 
succeeded in forming churches and schools at an 
early day. He was one of the most efficient men 
on the Reserve, and throughout his long and busy 
life, was well known and greatly respected. He 
died in 1810, aged eighty-nine years. 

The S(!ttlem(nits given are about all that were 
made before the close of 17'.>7. In following the 
narrative of these settlements, attention is paid to 
the chronological order, as far as this can be done. 
Like those settlements already made, many which 

• Recollections of Col. nillmin. — //cure's AiiiKits. 



arc given as occurring in the next year, 1798, 
were actually begun earlier, but were only tem- 
porary preparation.s, and were not considered as 
made until the next year. ' 

Turning again to the southern portion of Ohio, 
the Scioto, Muskingum and Miami Valleys come 
prominently into notice. Throughout the entire 
Eastern States they were still attracting attention, 
and an increased emigration, busily occupying their 
verdant fields, was the result. All about Chilli- 
cothe was now well settled, and, up the banks of 
that stream, prospectors were selecting sites for 
their future homes. 

In 1797, Robert Armstrong, George Skidmore, 
Lucas Sullivant, William Domigan, James JMar- 
shall, John ])ill, Jacob Grubb, Jacob Overdier, 
Arthur O'Hara, John Brickell, Col. Cu!bert.son, 
the Deurdorfs, McElvaius, Selles and otliers, came 
to what is now Franklin County, and. in August, 
Mr. Sullivant and some others laid out the town of 
Franklinton, on the west bank of the Scioto, oppo- 
site the site of Columbus. The country about this 
locality had long been the residence of the Wyan- 
dots, who liad a large town on the city's site, and 
cultivated exten.?ive fields of corn on the river bot- 
toms. The locality had been visited by the whites 
as early as 1780, in some of their exj)editions, and 
the fertility of the land noticed. As soon as peace 
was assured, th.e whites came and began a settle- 
ment, as has been noted. Soon after Franklinton 
was established, a Mr. Springer and his son-in-law, 
O.sborn, settled on the Big Darby, and, in the sum- 
mer of 1798, a scattering settlement was made on 
Alum Creek. About the same time settlers came 
to the mouth of the Gahannah, and along other 
water-courses. Franklinton was the point to wdiich 
emigrants came, and from which they always made 
their permanent location. For several _years there 
was no mill, nor any such commodity, nearer than 
Chillicothe. A hand-mill was constructed in 
Franklinton, which was commonly used, unless the 
settlers made a trip to Chillicothe in a canoe. 
Next, a horse-mill was tried ; but not till 1805, 
when Col. Kiibourne built a mill at Worthington, 
settled in 18o:{, could any eiBcient grinding be 
done. In 1789, a small store was opened in Frank- 
linton, by James Scott, but, for seven or eight 
years, Cliillicothe was the nearest post office. 
Often, when the neighbors wanted mail, one of 
their number was furnished money to pay the 
postage on any letters that might be waiting, and 
sent for the mail. At first, as in all new localities, 
a great deal of sickness, fever and ague, prevailed. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



113 



As the people became acclimated, this, however, 
disappeared. 

The township of Sharon iu this county has a 
history similar to that of Granville Township in 
Licking- County. It was settled by a " Scioto 
Company," formed in Granby, Conn., in the winter 
of ISO 1-02, consisting at first of eight associates. 
They drew up articles of association, among which 
wa.s one limiting their number to forty, each of 
whom must be uuanimousl}- chosen by ballot, a 
single negative beingsufficient to prevent an election. 
Col. James Kilbourno was sent out the succeeding 
spring to explore the country and select and pur- 
chase a township for settlement. He returned in 
the fall without making any purchase, through 
fear that the State Constitution, then about to be 
formed, would tolerate .slavery, in which ca.se the 
project would have been abandoned. While on 
this visit, Col. Kilbourno compiled from a variety 
of sources the first map made of (_)hio. Although 
much of it was conjectured, and hence inaccurate, 
it was very valuable, being correct as far as the 
State was then known. 

'•As soon as information was received that the 
constitution of Ohio prohibited slavery, Col. Kil- 
bourne purchased the township he had previously 
selected, within the United States military land 
district, and, in the spring of ISOo, returned to 
Ohio, and began improvements. By the succeed- 
ing December, one hundred settlers, mainly from 
Hartford County, Conn., and Hampshire County, 
Mass., arrived at their new home. Obeying to the 
letter the agreement made iu the East, the first 
cabin erected was used for a schoolhouse and a 
church of the Protestant Episcopal denomination ; 
the first Saljbath after the arrival of the colony, 
divine service was held therein, and on tlu; arrival 
of the eleventh family a school was opened. This 
early attention to education and religion has left 
its favorable impress upon the people until this day. 
The first 4th of July was unicjuely and appropri- 
ately celebrated. Seventeen gigantic trees, em- 
blematical of the seventeen States fi)rming the 
Union, were cut, so that a few blows of the as, at 
sunrise on the 4th, prostrated each successively 
with a tremendous crash, forming a national salute 
novel in the world's history."* 

The growth of this part of Ohio continued 
without interruption until the c.stal)lishment of the 
State capital at Columbus, in 181G. The town was 
laid out in 1S12, but, as that date is considered re- 

*Howo's Collections. 



mote in the early American settlements, its history 
will be left to succeeding pages, and there traced 
when the histor}' of the State capital and State 
government is given. 

The site of Zanesvillo, in 3[u,skingum County, 
was early looked upon as an excellent jilacc to form 
a settlement, and, had not ho.stilities opened in 
1791, with the Indians, the place would have been 
one of the earliest settled in Ohio. As it was, the 
war so disarranged matters, that it was not till 
1797 that a permanent settlement was effected. 

The Muskingum country was ]'rinci]ial!y occu- 
pied, in aboriginal times, by the AVyandots, Dela- 
wares, and a few Senecas and Shawances. An In- 
dian town once stood, years before the .settlement 
of the country, in the vicinity of Duncan's Falls, 
in i\Iuskingum County, from which circumstance 
the place is often called '• Old Town." Near Dres- 
den, was a large Shawanee town, called Wakato- 
maea. The graveyard was quite large, and, when 
the whites first settled here, remains of the town 
were abundant. It was in this vicinity that the 
venerable Maj. Ca.ss, father of Lewis Ca.ss, lived 
and died. He owned 4,000 acres, given him for 
his military services. 

The first settlers on the site of Zanesville were 
William McCulloh and Henry Crooks. The lo- 
cality was given to Ebenczer Zane, who had been 
allowed three sections of land on the Scioto, Mus- 
kingum and Hockhocking, wherever the road 
crossed these rivers, provided other prior claims 
did not interfere, for opening '-Zane's trace." 
When he located the road across the Muskingum, 
he selected the place where Zanesville now stands, 
being attracted there by the excellent water privi- 
leges. He gave the section of land here to his 
brother Jonathan Zane, and J. Mclntire, who 
leased the ferry, established on the road over the 
Muskingum, to William McCulloh and Henry 
Crooks, who became thereby the first settlers. The 
ferry was kept about where the old upper bridge 
was afterward placed. The ferry-boaf was made 
by fastening two canoes together with a stick. 
Soon after a flat-boat was used. It was brought 
from Wheeling, by Mr. Mclntire, in 1797, the 
year after the ferry was established. The road cut 
out through Ohio, ran from AVheeling, Va., to 
Maysville, Ky. Over this road the mail was car- 
ried, and, in 1798, the first mail ever carried 
wholly in Ohio wa.s brought up from JMarietta to 
McCulloh's cabin by Daniel Couvers, where, by 
arrangement of the Postm;xster General, it met 
a mail from Wheeling and one fi'om Maysville. 



114 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



BlcCulloh, wlio could liardly read, was authorized 
to assort the mails aud send each ])ackago in its 
proper direction. For this service ho received 
8o() per annum ; but owing to his inability to read 
well, Mr. Convers generally performed the duty. 
At that time, the mails mot here once a week. 
Four years after, the settlement had so increased 
that a regular jiost office was opened, and Thomiis 
Do wdeu appointed Postmaster. He kept his office 
in a wooden building near the river bank. 

Messrs. Zane aud Mclntire laid out a town in 
ITOD, which thoy called Westbourn. When the 
post office was established, it was named Zanesville, 
and in a short time the village took the same name. 
A few families settled on the west side of the river, 
soon after MeCulloh arrived, and as this locality 
grew well, not long after a store and tavern was 
opened here. Mr. jMctntire built a double log 
cabin, which was used as a hotel, and in which 
Louis Philippe, King of Franco, was once enter- 
tained. Although the fare aud accommodations 
were of the pioneerperiod,the honoralile guestseems 
to have enjoyed his visit, if the statements of Lewis 
Ca.ss in his '' Camp and Court of Louis Philippe" 
may bo believed. 

In 1804, Mu.skinguni County was formed by the 
Legislatuiv, and, for a while, strenu<ms efforts made 
to .secure the State capital by the citizens of Zanes- 
ville. They cveu erected buildings for the use of 
the Legislature and Governor, and during the ses- 
sion of lSlO-11, the temporary .seat of govern- 
ment was fi.xed here. When the j)ermanent .State 
capital was cho.sen in ISIG, Zanesville was pa.ssed 
by, and gave up the liope. It is now one of the 
most enterprising towns in the Muskingum Valley. 

During the summer of 1T97, John Knoop, then 
living four miles above Cincinnati, made several 
expeditions up the Miami Valley and selected the 
land (ju which ho afterward locateil. The next 
spring Mr. Knoop, his brother Benjaniin, Henry 
Garard, Benjamin Handet and John Tildns estab- 
lished a station in what is now Miami County, near 
the present town of Staunton ^'illage. 1'hat sum- 
mvr, .^Irs. Knoop ]ilanted th(> first ajiple-lree in 
the .Miami* country. They all lived together fu' 
greater .safety for two years, during which time 
they were occupied clearing their farms and erect- 
ing dwellings. During the summer, the .site of 
l'i((ua was settled, and three young men located at a 
jtlaco known as " Freeman's Prairie." Those who 

'^Tlic word ;Mi:inii in the Indi-an tongilo Rignifir-il niothpr. The 
Miiimi^ wr-re th<- cri;.'iMiil ovvncrs of the viiUey by that uamo, and 
.tnirnicil [hey wlTo created tln-n*. 



settled at Piqua were Samuel Ililliard, Job Garard, 
Shadrac Hudson, Jonah Rollins, Daniel Cox, 
Thomas Rich, and a Mr. Hunter. The last named 
camo to the site of Piqua first in 1707, aud 
selected his home. Until 1799, these named were 
the only ones in this locality ; but that j-ear emi- 
gration set in, and vi.'ry sliortly occupied almost all 
the bottom land in Miami County. ^\'ith the 
increase of emigration, came the comforts of life, 
and mills, stores and other necessary aids to civil- 
izatitm, were ere long to be seen. 

The site of Picpui is quite historic, being the 
theater of many important Indian occurrences, 
and the old home of the Shawances, of which 
tribe Tecumseh was a chief. During the Indian 
war, a fort called Fort Pi(pia was built, near tlic 
residence of Col. John Johnston, so long the faith- 
ful Indian Agent. The fort was abandoned at the 
close of ho.stilitie.s. 

When the Miami Canal was opened through this 
part of the State, the country bcgau rapidly to 
improve, and is now probably one of the best por- 
tions of Ohio. 

About the same time the Miami was settled, a 
company of people fi-om Penn.sylvania and Vir- 
ginia, who were principally of German and Irish 
descent, located iu Lawrence County, near the iron 
region. As soon as that ore was made available, 
that part of the State rajiidly filled with settl(>rs, 
most of whom engaged in the mining and working 
of iron ore. Now it is very prosperous. 

Another settlement was made the same season, 
1797, on the C)hio side of the river, in Columbiana 
County. The settlement progressed slowly iiir a 
while, owing to a few difficulties with the Indians. 
The celebrated Adam Poe had been licre as early 
as 1782, and several localities are made locally 
famous by his and his brother's adventures. 

In this county, on Little Beaver Creek, near its 
mouth, the second paper-mill west of the Alle- 
ghanios was erected in ISOo-t*. It was the pioneer 
enterprise of the kiml in Ctliio, and was named the 
Ohio Paper-Mill. Its jiroprietors were John 
Rover and John Ciiulter. 

One of the most noted localities in the State is 
comprised in (ireen(! County. The Shawaneo 
town, "Old (,'hillicothe," was on the Little Miami, 
in this county, about three miles north of the site 
of Xenia. Tliis old Indian town was, in the an- 
nals of the We.st, a noted place, and is frecpiently 
noticed. It is first mentioned in 1773, by Capt. 
Thomas Bidlitt, of Virginia, who boldly advanced 
alone into the town and obtained tlio consent of 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



115 



the Indians to go on to Kentutky and make his 
settlement at the falls of the Ohio. His audacious 
bravery gained his request. Daniel Boone was 
taken prisoner early in 177S, with twenty-seven 
others, and kept for a time at Old Chillieothe. 
Through the influence of tlie British Governor, 
Hamilton, who had taken a great fancy to Boone, 
he and ten others were sent to Detroit. The In- 
dians, however, had an equal fancy for the brave 
frontiersman, and took him back to Chillicothe, 
and adopted him into their tribe. Aboiit the 1st 
of June he escaped from them, and made his way 
back to Kentucky, in time to prevent a universal 
ma.ssacre of the whites. In July, 1779, the town 
w;u3 destroyed by Col. John Bnwnian and one 
hundred and si.xty Kentuckians, and the Indians 
dispersed. 

The Americans made a permanent settlement in 
this county in 1797 or 1798. This latter year, a 
mill was erected in the confines of the county, 
which implies the settlement was made a short 
time previously. A short distance east of the 
mill two block-houses were erected, and it was in- 
tended, should it become necessary, to surround 
them and the mill with pickets. The mill was 
used by the settlers at " Dutch Station," in Miami 
County, fully thirty miles distant. The richness 
of the country in this part of the State attracted a 
gi-eat number of settlers, so that by 1803 the 
county was establLshed, and Xenia laid out, and des- 
ignated as the county seat. Its first court house, 
a primitive log structure, was long preserved as a 
curiosity. It would-indeed be a curiosity now. 

Zane's trace, passing from Wheeling to Mays- 
ville, crossed the Hockhocking* River, in Fairfield 
County, where Lancaster is now built. Jlr. Zane 
located one of his three sections on this river, 
covering the site of Lancaster. Following this 
trace in 1797, many individuals noted the desira- 
bleness of the locality, some of whom determined 
to return and settle. " The site of the city had 
in Rirmer times been the home of the Wyandot>s, 
who had a town here, that, in 1790, contained 
over .")00 wigwams and more than 1 ,000 souls. 
Their town was called Tarhee, or, in Ihigli.sli, the 
CraiiK-town,axi.ii. derived its name from the princi- 

* Tlie word ETocli-hock-ing in tlie Delaware language signifies 
ahoitle: llie Sliawaiu-t's bavo it We't-lha-f:a{/h-qna sepe, ie ; bottle 
river. .Tiilin White in the Amprican Pioneer say.s; ".\liont seven 
miles nort 'West of Laneaster, Uiere is a fall In tiie Ileclihocking of 
altout twnily feet. Above Ihefall for a short distatnu', the creek 
is very narrow and straight forming a neek, while at the falls it 
suddenly widens on each side and swells into the appearance of the 
body of a bottle. The whole, wheTi seen from above, appears exactly 
in the shape of a bottle, and from thi^ fact the Indiana called the 
river nock-hock-ing."' — Uoice^s Colhctiann. 



pal chief of that tribe. Another portion of the 
tribe then lived at Toby-town, nine miles west of 
Tarhe-town (now Royaltown ), and was governed 
by an inferior chief called Toby. The chief's wig- 
wam in Tarhe stood on the tank of the prairie, 
near a beautiful and abundant spring of water, 
whose outlet was the river. The wigwams of the 
Indians were built of the bark of trees, set on 
poles, in the form of a sugar- camp, with one square 
open, fronting a fire, and about the height of a 
man. The Wyandot tribe that day numbered 
about 500 warriors. By the treaty of Greenville, 
they ceded all their territory, and the majority, un- 
der their chief, removed to ITpper Sandusky. The 
remainder lingered awhile, loath to leave the home 
of their ancestors, but as game became scarce, they, 
too, left for better hunting-grounds.''* 

In April, 1798, Capt. Joseph Hunter, a bold, 
enterprising man, settled on Zane's trace, on the 
bank of the prairie, west of the crossings, at a 
place since known as " Hunter's settlement." For 
a time, he had no neighbors nearer than the set- 
tlers on the JIuskingum and Scioto Rivers. He 
lived to see the country he had found a wilderne.ss, 
full of the homos of industry. His wife was the 
first white woman that settled in the valley, and 
shared with him all the privations of a pioneer 
life. 

Sir. Hunter had not been long in the valley till 
he was joined by Nathaniel AYilson, John and Al- 
len Green, John and Joseph McMullen, Robert 
Cooper, Isaac Shaefer, and a few others, who 
erected cabins and planted corn. The next year, 
the tide of emigTation came in with great force. 
In the spring, two settlements were made in Green- 
field Township, each settlement containing twenty 
or more families. One was called the Forks of 
the Hockhocking, the other, Yaukeetown. Set- 
tlements were also made along the river below 
Hunter's, on Rush Creek, Raccoon and Indian 
Creeks, Pleasant Run, Felter's Run, at Tobeytown, 
Muddy Prairie, and on Clear Creek. In the fell, 
— 1799 — Joseph Loveland and Hezekiah Smith 
built a log gi-ist-mill at the Upper Falls of the 
Hockhocking, afterward known as Rock Jlill. 
This was the first mill on this river. In the latter 
pai't of the year, a mail route was establL»hed over 
the trace. The mail was carried through on horse- 
back, and, in the settlements in this locality, was 
left at the cabin of Samuel Coates, who lived on 
the prairie at the crossings of the river. 

* Lecture cf George Sandel-son. — Hoict'$ CuUections. 



IIG 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



lu the fall of the next year, Ebenezer Zane laid 
out Lancaster, which, until 1805, was known as 
New Lancaster. The lots sold yerj' rapidlj-, at 
850 each, and, in less than one year, quite a vil- 
laire appeared. December 9, the Governor and 
Judge.s of the Northwest Territory oriranized 
Fairfield County, and made Lancaster the county 
seat. The year followinj;, tlie Kev. John Wright, 
a minister of the Presbyteri.in Church, came, and 
from that time on schools and churches were esUib- 
lishcd and thereivfter regularly maintained at this 
place. 

Not ftr from Lanca.ster are immense mural es- 
carpments of sandstone formation. They were 
noted among the aborigines, and were, probably, 
used liy them as places of outlook and defense. 

The same summer Fairfield County was settled, 
the towns of Bethel and V\'illiamsbHrg, iu Cler- 
mont County, were settled and laid out, and in 
1800, the county was erected. 

A jsottlement was also made immediately south 
of Fairfi.'ld County, in Hocking County, by Chris- 
tian ^W'steuhavcr, a (iorman, from near llagers- 
to'.vn, Md. lie came in the spring of ITHS, and 
was soon joined by several families, who firmed 
(juite a settlement. The tt>rritory included in the 
county remained a part of Ross, Athens and 
Fairfield, until ISIS, when ITocking County was 
erected, and Logan, T>!uch liad been laid out in 
181G, was iuado the county seat. 

The country comprised in the county is rather 
broken, o.speci;dly along the Ilockhocking River. 
This broki^n country Wiis a favorite resort of the i 
Wj'andot Inilians, who could easily hide in the 
numerous grottoes and ravines made by the river 
and its affluents as the water cut its way through 
i!io sandstone rocks. 

In 179S, soon after Zane's trace was cut throtigh 
the country, a ^Ir. Gr.iliam located on the site of 
Cambridge, in Guernsey County, His was then 
the only dwelling between Wheeling and Zanes- 
ville, on the tmce. He remained here alone about 
two years, when he was succeeded by George Bey- 
mer, from i^omerset, I'cnn. Both these persons 
kept a tavern and ferry over Will's Creek. In 
April, ISOI), ?Ir. Beymer was succeeded bj- John 
Beatty, who came from lioudon, Va. His family 
consisted of eleven persons. The Indians hunted 
in this vicinity, and were froquent visitors at the 
tavern. In June, ISOO, Cambridge was laid out, 
and on the day the lots were offered for sale, sev- 
eral families from the British Isle of Guernsey, 
near the coast of France, sto]iped here on their 



way to the West, They were satisfied with the 
location and purchased many of the lots, and some 
land iu the vicinity. They were soon followed by- 
other families from the same place, all of whom 
settling in this locality gave the name to the county 
when it was erected in ISIO, 

A settlement was made in the central part of the 
State, on Darby Creek, in Union County, in the 
summer of 1798, by James and Joshua Ewing. 
The nest ye;ir, they were joined by Samuel and 
David Mi(eheil, Samuel "jMitchcH." Jr., Samuel 
Kirkpatrick and Samuel McCullough,and. in ISUO, 
by George and Samuel Reed, Robert Snodgra.ss 
and Paul Hodgson. 

"James 1'] wing's farm was the site of an an- 
cient and noted Mingo town, which was de.serted 
at the time the Mingo towns, in what is now Logan 
County, were destroyed by Gen. Logan, of Ken- 
tucky, in ITSG. When jlr. Kwing took posses- 
sion of bis f;um, the cabins were still standing, 
and, among others, the remains of a blacksmith's 
shop, with coal, cinders, iron-dross, etc. Jonathan 
Alder, fimuerly a prisoner among tlie Indians, 
says the shop was can'ied on by a renegade white 
man, named Butler, who lived among the ^lingoes. 
Extensive field; 
the vicinity of the town,'' 

Soon after the settlement was established, Col, 
James Curry located here. He was quite an influ- 
ential man, and, in 1820, succeeded in getting the 
county formed fi'om portions of Delaware. Frank- 
lin, ]\Iadison and Logan, and a part of the old In- 
dian Territory. Marysville was made the county 
seat. 

During the year 1789, a fort, called Fort Steu- 
ben, was built on the site of Steubenville, but was 
dismantled at the conclusion of ho.^tilities in 1795. 
Three years after, Bezaleel Williams and Hon. 
James Ross, for whom Ross County was named, 
located the town of Steubenville about the old 
fort, and, by lil)cral offers of lots, soon attracted 
quite a number of .settlers. In 1805, the town 
was incor]iorated, and then had a pojiulation of 
several hundred pei"sons. Jefferson County was 
created by Gov. St. Clair, July '-.K 1797, the year 
before Steubenville was laid out. It then included 
the large scope of country west of Penn.sylvania ; 
ca.st and north of a line from the mouth of the 
Cuyahoga ; southwardly to the ^Muskingum, and 
ea,st to the Ohio ; including, in its territories, the 
cities of Cleveland, Cauton, Steubenville and War- 



had formerly been cultivated in 



* Ilowe'ri Collections. 



ti:^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



119 



ren. Only a short time, however, was it allowed 
to retain this size, as the increase in emigration 
rendered it necessary to erect new counties, which 
was rapidly done, especially on the adoption c " the 
State froverumont. 

The (-ounty is ridi in early history, prior to its 
settlement by the Americans. It was the homt of" 
the celebrated Mini^o chief, Logan, who resid ;d 
awhile at an old Mingo town, a few miles below t le 
site of t^tenbenville, the ])laee where the troo )s 
under Col. A\'illiamson rendezvoused on their i i- 
famous raid against the Jloravian Indians ; ai d 
also where Col. Crawford and his men met, whf a 
starting on their unfortunate expedition. 

In the Reserve, settlements were often made 
remote from populous localities, in accordance with 
the wish of a proprietor, who might own a tract of 
country twenty or thirty miles in the interior. In 
the present county of Geauga, three families located 
at Burton in ITOS. They lived at a considerable 
distance from any other settlement I'or some time, 
and were greatly inconvenienced for the want of 
mills or shops. As time progressed, however, 
these were brought nearer, or built in their midst, 
and, ere long, almost all parts of the Reserve could 
show some settlement, even if isolated. 

The next year, 1799, settlements were made at 
Ravenna, Deerfield and Palmyra, in Portage 
County. Hon. Benjamin Tappan came to the site 
of Ravenna in June, at which time he found one 
white mau,a 3Ir. Honey, living there. Atthis date, 
a solitary log cabin occupied the sites of Bufl'alo and 
Cleveland. On his journey from New England, 
Jlr. Tappan fell in with David Hudson, the founder 
of the Hudson settlement in Summit County. 
After many days of travel, they landed at a prairie in 
Summit County. jMr. Tappan left liis goods in a 
cabin, built for the purpose, under the care of a hired 
man, and went on his way, cutting a road to the 
site of Ravenna, where his land lay. On his return 
for a second load of goods, tliey found the cabin 
deserted, and evidences of its plunder by the In- 
dians. Not long after, it was learned that the man 
left in charge had gone to Mr. Hudson's settle- 
ment, lie having set out immediately on his arrival, 
for his own land. Mr. Tappan gathered the re- 
mainder of his goods, and started back for Ravenna. 
On his way one of his oxen died, and he found 
himself in a vast forest, away from any habitation, 
and with one dollar in money. He did not falter 
a moment, hut sent his hired man, a faithful fellow, 
to Erie, Pcnn., a distance of one hundred miles 
through the wilderness, with the compass for his 



guide, requesting from (^apt. Lyman, the com- 
mander at the ibrt there, a loan of money. At 
the same time, he followed the township lines to 
Youngstown, where he became acquainted with 
Col. James Ilillman, who did not hesitate to .sell 
him an ox on credit, at a fair price. He returned 
to his load in a few days, found his ox all right, 
hitched the two together and went on. He was 
soon j(jined by his hired man, with the money, and 
together they spent the winter in a log cabin. He 
gave his man one hundred acres of land as a reward, 
and paid Col. Hillman for the ox. In a year or 
two he had a prosperous settlement, and when the 
county was erected in 1807, Ravenna was made 
the seat of justice. 

About the same time Mr. Tappan began his 
settlement, others were commenced in other locali- 
ties in this county. Early in May, 1799, Lewis 
Day and his son Horatio, of Granby, Conn., and 
Moses Tibbals and Green Frost, of Granville, 
Mass., left their homos in a one-horse wagon, and, 
the 29th of IMay, arrived in what is now Deerfield 
Township. Theirs wxs the fir.st wagon that had 
ever penetrated farther westward in this region 
than Canfield. The country west of that place 
had been an unbroken wilderness until within a 
few days. Capt. Caleb Atwater, of Wallingford, 
Conn., had hired some men to open a road to 
Township No. 1, in the Seventh Range, of which 
he was the owner. This road passed through 
Deerfield, and was completed to that place when 
the party arrived at the point of their destination. 
These emigrants selected sites, and commenced 
clearing the land. In July, Lewis Ely arrived 
from Granville, and wintered here, while those 
who came first, and had made their improvements, 
returned East. The 4th of Marcli, 1800, Alva 
Day (son of Lewis Day\ John Campbell and 
Joel Thrall arrived. In April, George and Rob- 
ert Taylor and James Laughlin, from Pennsylvania, 
with their families, came. Mr. Laughlin built a 
grist-mill, which was of great convenience to tlie 
S'jttlers. July 29, Lewis Day returned with 
his family and his brother-in-law, IMaj. Rogers, 
who, the next year, also brought his family. 

"Much suffering was experienced at first on 
account of the scarcity of provisions. They were 
chiefly supplied from the settlements east of the 
Ohio River, the nearest of which was Georgetown, 
forty miles away. The provisions were brought 
on pack-horses through tlu; wilderness. August 
22, Mrs. Alva Day gave birth to a child — a fe- 
male — the first child burn in the township. 



V 



120 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



N(ivonil)cr 7, tlio fii-st wedding took place. John 
Cainjilxdl and Sarah FAy were joined in wedlock 
by Calvin Austin, E.S(i., of SVarren. Ho was 
acconij)anied from Warren, a distance of twenty- 
seven miles, by Mr. Pease, then a lawyer, aftcr- 
WM'd a well-known Judge. They came on foot, 
there being no road; and, as they threaded their 
way through the woods, young Pease taught the 
Justice the marriage eeremonv hj' oft reneticion. 

" In 1 SDl', Franklin Township was organized, em- 
liracing all of Portage and parts of Trumbull and 
.Summit Couniie.s. About this time the settlement 
received acces-sions from all jiart,s of the East. In 
February, lS(!l, Rev. Badger came and began his 
labors, and two years later Dr. Sliadrac Bostwick 
organized a IMethodist Episcopal church.* The 
remaining settlement in this county, Palmp-a, was 
begun about the same time as tlic others, by David 
Daniels, from Salisbury, Conn. The ne.xt year he 
brought out his family. Soon after he was joined 
by E. N. and W. Bacon, E. Cutler, A. Thurber. 
A. Preston, M. Bois, J. T. ]3akhvin. T. and C. 
Gilbert, D. A. and S. Waller, N. Smith, Joseph 
Fisher, J. Tuttle and others. 

'• When this r.-gion was first settled, there was 
an Indian frail commencing at Fort Mcintosh 
(Beaver, Peiin.\ and extending westward to San- 
dusky and Detroit. The trail followed the liighest 
ground. Along the trail, parties of Indians were 
fre(]uently seen p;issing, for several yeai-s after the 
whites caiue. It seemed to be the great aboriginal 
thoroughfiirc from Sanduskj' to the Ohio River. 
Tiiere were several large piles of stones on the 
trail in this locality, under wliich human skeletons 
liave been diseovtivd. These are suj)posed to be 
the remains of Indians slain in war, or murdered 
by their enemies, as tradition says it is an Indian 
custom for each one to cast a stone on the gi-avc 
of an enemy, whenever he p:isses by. These stones 
appsar to have been pickcl up along the trail, and 
cast upim the heaps at difl'ercnt times. 

"At the point whei'e this trail crosses Silver 
Creek, Fredrick Daniels and others, in ISl 4. dis- 
covered, painted on several trees, various devices, 
evidenth' the work of Indians. The bark was 
careftdly shaved off two-thirds of the way around, 
and figures cut upon the wood. On one of the.se 
was delineated .seven Indians, equipped in a par- 
ticular manner, one of whom w;ts without a head. 
This >\as supposed to have been made by a party 
on their return westward, to give intelligence to 

'^ Ilowo'd collections. 



their fi'iends behind, of the loss of one of their 
party at this place ; and, on making search, a hu- 
man skeleton was discovered near by." * 

The celebrated Indiaii hunter, Brady, made his 
remarkable leap aero.ss the Cuyahoga, in this 
county. The county also contains Brady's Pond, 
a large sheet of water, in which he once made his 
escape from the Indians, from which circumstance 
it received its n;uue. 

The locality comprised in Clark County was 
settled the same summer as tho.se in Summit County. 
John Humphries came to this part ol' the State 
with Gen. Simon Kenton, in IT'.'O. With them 
came six families liom Kentucky, who settled 
north of the ' site of Springfield. A fort was 
erected on Mad River, for security sigainst the In- 
dians. Fourteen cabins were soon built near it, 
all being surrounded bj" a strong picket fence. 
David Lowerv, one of the pioneers here, built the 
first flat-boat, to operate on the (Jreat Jliami, and, 
in ISOtl. made the tii-st trip on that river, coming 
down fi-oni Dajlon. He took his boat and cargo 
on down to New Orleans, where he disposed of liLs 
load of •' five hundred venison hams and bacon." 

Springfield was laid out in 31<u-ch, ISOl. GriiTith 
Foos, who came that spring, built a tavern, which 
he comjdeted and opened in June, remaining in 
this place till 1814. He often .stated that when 
emigrating West, his ])avty were four days and a 
half getting from Franklintou, on the Scioto, to 
Springfield, a distance of forty-two miles. When 
crossing the Big Darljy. they were obliged to carry 
all their goods over on horseback, and then drag 
their wagons across with ropes, while some of tlu; 
party swam by the side of the wagon, to prevent 
its upsetting. 'J'he site of the town w;ls of such 
practical beautj- and utility, that it soon attracted 
a large number of settlei-s, and, in a few j'ears, 
Springfield was incorporated. In 1811, a church 
was built bj- the residents for the use of all denom- 
inations, 

Clark Count}' is made fluuous in aboriginal 
history, as the birthplace and childhood home of 
the noted Indian, Tecumseh.| He was born in 

*IIow«.'s Collections. 

f Tecunist'li. or Tecnmstip, was a son of PticUeshinwa, a member 
of tile KiscoiHike tribe, and Methoat.'iske, of llu- Turtle tribe of Ibe 
Sliawanee nati'^n. Tliey removeil from Floiida to Ohio soon aft.-r 
their 111 irriajie. The lather. Puckeshiiuva, rose to the rank of a ehief, 
and fell .-It tee b:illle of I'oiiit l'b.H..^»nt, in 1774. After ins de.-itii, 
the ni >ther, Meth'.nta ke, retnnuil 10 tlie south, where she died at 
an advanced age. Tecum- eli was liorn ab^iiit th.' year ITiiS. He 
early pIiowhI a pa^ion lor war, and, wlien only 27 years of age, was 
made a chief. Tlie next year he removed to Deer Creek, in the 
vicinity ef I'rbana. and troni there 10 Ihe f-iti- of Pi(ina, on the 
Great JFiami. In 175*S h-^ accejtted the invitalion of ihe Oelawares 
in the vicinilv of White River, Indiana, and from that time made 



IV 



the old Indian town of Piqua, the ancient Piqua 
of the Shawanees, on the north side of 3Iad Piiver, 
about five miles west of Springfield. The town 
was destroyed by the Kentucky Rangers under 
Gen. George Rogers Clarke in 1780, at the same 
time he destroyed '■ Old Chillicothe." Immense 
fields of standing corn about both towns were cut 
down, compelling the Indians to resort to the hunt 
with more than ordinary vigor, to sustain them- 
selves and their wives and children. This search 
insured safety for some time on the borders. The 
site of Cadiz, in Harrison County, was settled in 
April, 1799, by Alexander Henderson and his 
family, from WashinErton County, Penn. When 
they arrived, they found neighbors in the persons 
of Daniel Peterson and his iiimily, who lived near 
the ibrks of Short Creek, and who had preceded 
them but a very short time. The nest year, emi- 
grants began to cross the Ohio ia great numbers, 
and in five or six years lartre settlements could hi 
seen in tiiis part of the State. The county was 
crested in 1814, and Cadiz, laid out in 1S03, made 
the county seat. 

While the settlers were locating in and about 
Cadiz, a few families came to what is now Monroe 
County, and settled near the present town of 
Beallsville. Shortly after, a few persons settled on 
the Clear Folk of the Little Muskingum, and a 
few others on the east fork of Duck Creek. The 



next season all these settlements received addi- 
tions and a few other localities were also occupied. 
Before long the town of Beallsville was laid 
out, and in time became quite populous. The 
county was not erected until 181:^, and in 1815 
Woodsfield was laid out and made the seat of 
justice. 

The opening of the season of 1800 — the dawn 
cf a new century — saw a vast emigration west 
ward. Old settlements in Ohio received immense 
incresse of emigrants, while, branching out in all 
directions like the radii of a circle, other settle- 
ments were constantly formed until, in a few years, 
all parts of the State knew the presence of the 
v*hite man. 

Towns sprang into existence here and there ; 
mills and factories were erected; post offices and 
post-routes were established, and the comforts and 
conveniences of life began to appear. 

With this came the desire, so potent to the mind 
of all Ameri'.an citizens, to rule themselves through 
representatives chosen by their own votes. Hith- 
erto, they had been ruled by a Governor and Judges 
appointed by the President, who, in turn, appointed 
county and judicial officers. The arbitrary rulings 
of the Governor, St. Clair, had arrayed the mass 
of the people against him, and made the desire for 
! the second grade of government stronger, and 
! finally led to its creation. 



CHAPTER X. 



FORMATION OF TITE STATE GOVERXMFXT— OHIO A ST.A.TE— THE STATE CAPITALS— LEGIS- 
LATION— THE "SWEEPING RESOLUTIONS' —TEKPJTORLAL AND STATE GOVERNORS. 

SETTLEMENTS increased so rapidly in that 
part of the Northwest Territory included in 
Ohio, duriug the decade from 1788 to 1798, 
despite the Indian war, that the demand for an 
election of a Territorial Assembly could not be 
ignored by Gov. St. Clair, who, having ascertained 
that 5,000 free males resided within the limits of 
the Territory, issued his proclamation October 29, 
1798, directing the electors to elect representatives 
to a General Assembly. He ordered the election 

his fi^me wirn them. He was jnf^ actiro in the war of 1SI2 
at'nifi>rlbe Aiiierir^i'is, ami fni:i» llie liiii'? he b^^'an liis wurk to 
uiiitetlie tribes, his lii:ir -ly id so clo^Mly itlwntifinl Ilierpwiih that 
the i'o;i't-riH referred t.j tlielii--<t -r/ "f th-tt w.ir in siifceMiog pa^es. 
It III ly i)otl>eami-s t > "-av tintaU Bttirie^ rf^^Tiiin-^ ilie lu^mnrr 
of his <I-'.ith a-e Consi'Iered err>Deoii«. Ue was miji.ubtwlly kil1»'i 
in til >fiiit—'t of tiie hittle i f tii-tTtiiimes in Canada ia l&14,aDd his . 
body secretly htiried ly the Indians. 



to be held on the third Monday in December, and 
directed the representatives to meet in Cincinnati 
January 22, 1799. 

On the day designated, the representatives * 
assembled at Cincinnati, nominated ten persons, 
whose names were sent to the President, who 
selected five to constitute the Legislative Council, 



*Those elected were: from Washington County, Betnm Jona- 
than Mtijr- an-l r^nl K'-aring; from Hainiltoii County, William 
O.jlortli, William .McSlillan, John Smith, John LuilT.w, Bol>ert 
B-n\iaiii, Aarti'i C'i'dw*-ll and Isa-ac Martin; irora St. Clair County 
(Illinois), Sliidracli iS,»tid: from Knox (bounty i ln>liana\ Jxhn 
Small; from J!-<ndolph (bounty (illinoii*^, Jolin Edgar; from Wayne 
Oianty, Solomon Sii-ley, Jacob Visgar and Charles F. i babert de 
Ji-Dcaire; from Adams County, Jo-ejih l'arlini;t"n and Nathaniel 
Maviie; from J«-ff,-f>*.jii C" nty, James l*ritcliar, ; from K'j^ C"Urity, 
Tli'-nias WorihiujtiHi. Elias Lan^ham, Samuel Finiiley and Eduard 
TiSin. The five gentlemen, exc»-pt Vanderijiir^h, chosen as the 
tjpix;r House were all from counties afterward included in Ohio. 



\^W 



A 



123 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



or Upper House. These five were Jacob Burnet, 
Jauics Findlcy, Henry Vanderburirli, Robert 
Oliver and David Vance. Ou the Md of March, 
the Senate confirmed their nomination, and the 
Territorial Government of Ohio* — or, more prop- 
erly, the Northwest — wa.s complete. As this 
eompri.'^ed the essential business of this body, it 
was]jrorojj;ued by the Governor, and the A.'^sembly 
directed to meet at (he same place t^eptember Hi, 
17'J'J, and proceed to the enactment of laws for 
the Territory. 

That day. the Territorial Legi-slaturo met aprain 
at Cincinnati, but, ibr want of a quorum, did not 
orjianizc until the 24th. The Hou.se consisted of 
nineteen members, seven of whom were from Ham- 
ilton County, four from Ross, three irom Wayne, 
two from Adams, one from Jefferson, one from 
Wa.shiniiton and one from Knox. Assembliup; 
both branches of the Legislature^ Gov. St. Clair 
addres.sed them, recommending such measures to 
their consideration as, in his judgment, were .suited 
to the condition of the country. The Council 
then organized, electing Henry Vanderburgh, Presi- 
dent; William C. Schenek, Secretary; George 
Howard, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Scr- 
geant-at-arms. 

The House also organized, electing Edward Tif- 
fin, Speaker; John lleilly, Clerk; Joshua Row- 
land, Doorkeeper, and Abraham Carey, Sergeant- 
at-arms. 

This was the first legislature elected in the old 
Northwestern Territory. During its first session, 
it passed thirty bills, of which the Governor vetoed 
eleven. They also elected William Henry Harri- 
son, then Secretary of the Territory, delegate to 
Congress. The Legislature continued in session 
till i)ecember IS', having much to do in furming 
new laws, when they were [irorogued by the Gov- 
ernor, until the first Monday in Xovemln'r, l^Ui). 
The second session was held in Chillicodie, which 
had been designated as the seat of government by 
Congress, until a jiermanent cajiital should be 
selected. 

j\Iay 7, 1800, Conp'css passed an act establish- 
ing Lidiana Territory, including all the country 
west of the (Ireat Miami River to the .^Iississip])i, 
and appointed William Henry Harrison its Gov- 
ernor. At the autumn session of the Legislature 

*01lin n'-vfr cxisto'l .i-s a Territory jirAppr. It wns knnwii, ln.tli 
liff .ro :iM t a'l<-r llio tiM isioii of llu* .V ■rtli'V'St TiTrit-iry, sis tin? 

"Ti-rrit'T? ii.'rtliu<-«t uf tli'? olii.i R.v S'i'l, iis IIm- cmnTiy 

com prise- 1 ill HH liniilrt «as the |iriiir'|i;il tli'at-r ol netioii, tlie sli-.rl 
r-sniH" ^iV' II li(.ro irt lil.tdn l>erc»-!iry in llie l.iL'ieiil cu'irsrt {.t'eventM. 
O'li'i, (.-s Ohio, uever cxi&ted until the cri'atiuii uf tue Stule iti 
Slaicb, ISuS. 



of the eastern, or old part of the Territory, Will- 
iam McMillan was elected to the vacancy caused 
by this act. By the organization ol' this Territory, 
the counties of Kno.\, St. Clair and Randolih, 
were taken out of the jurisdiction of the old Ter- 
ritory, and with them the representatives, Henry 
Vandenburgh, Shadrach Bond, John Small and 
John Edgar. 

Before the time for the next Assembly came, a 
new election had occurred, and a few changes were 
the result. Robert Oliver, of ^larietta, was cho- 
sen Sp. aker in the place of Henry ^^anderburgh. 
There was censideralile business at this session ; 
several new counties were to be erected ; the coun- 
try was rapidly filling with people, and where the 
scrujiles of the (Governor could bo overcome, some 
organization was made. He was very tenacious of 
his power, and arbitrary in his rulings, affirming 
that he, alone, had the power to create new coun- 
ties. This dogmatic exercise of his veto power, 
his rights as ruler, and his defeat by the Indians, 
all tended against him, resulting in his displace- 
ment by the President. This was done, however, 
just at the time; the Territory came from the second 
grade of government, and the State was created. 

The third session of the Territorial Legislature 
continued from November 24, 1801, to January 
2o, 1802, when it adjourned to meet in Cincin- 
nati, the fourth Monday in November, but 
owing to reasons made obvious by subsequent 
events, was never held, and the third session 
marks the decline of the Territorial government. 

April 30, 1802, Congress passed an act " to 
enable the people of the eastern division of the 
territory northwest of the Ohio River, to form a 
constitution and State government, and for the 
admission of such States into the Union on 
an equal footing with the original States, and for 
other purposes." In pursuance of this act, an 
election had been held in this part of the Territory, 
and members of a constitution;il convention cho- 
.sen, who were to meet at Cliillicothe, November 
], to perform the duty assigned them. 

The people throughout the country contemplat- 
ed in the new State were anxious fi)r (he ado]ition 
of a State government. The arbitrary acts of the 
Territorial Governor had heightened this feeling ; 
the census of (he Terri(ory gave it (he lawful 
number of inhabitants, and nothing .s(ood in i(s 
way. 

The convendon met (he day designated and 
proceeded at once to its duties. When the time 
aiTived for the opening of the Fourth Territorial 



-S L> 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



12;? 



Legislature, the convention was in session and had 
evidently about completed its labors. The mem- 
bers of the Legislature (eight of whom were mem- 
bers of the convention) seeing that a speedy 
termination of the Territorial government was inev- 
itable, wisely concluded it was inexpedient and 
unnecessary to hold the proposed session. 

The convention concluded its labors the 29th of 
November. The Constitution adopted at that time, 
thougli rather crude in some of its details, was an 
excellent organic instrument, and remained almost 
entire until 1.S51, when the present one was 
adopted. Either is too long for insertion here, 
but cither will well pay a perusal. The one adopted 
by the convention in 1802 was never submitted 
to the people, owing to the circumstances of the 
times; but it was submitted to Congress February 
19, 1803, and by that body accepted, and an act 
passed admitting Ohio to the Union. 

The Territorial government ended March 3, 
1803, by the organization, that day, of the State 
government, which organization delined the pres- 
ent limits of the State. 

" We, the people of the Eastern Division of the Ter- 
ritory 01 tlie Uiiiteil States Northwist of the River 
Ohio, liaving the right of admission into tlie General 
Government as a member of tlie Union, consistent wilh 
the Constitution of the United States, the Ordinance 
of Congress of one thousand seven hundred and eighty- 
seven, and of the law of Congress, entitled 'An act to 
enable the people of the Eastern Division of the Terri- 
tory of the United States Northwest of the River Ohio, 
to form a Constitution and a State Government, and for 
the admission of such State into the Union on an c(|ual 
footing with the original States, and fur other purpo- 
ses ;' in order to establish justice, pnjmote the well- 
fare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves 
and our posterity, do ordain and establish the follow- 
ing Constitution or form of government; and do mu- 
tually agree with each other to form ourselves into a 
free and independent State, liy the name of the State 
of Ohio."* — Preamble, Cunstitution of 1S02. 

When the convention forming the Constitution, 
completed its labors and presented the results to 
Congress, and that body passed the act forming 



* The name of tho State is derived from tbo river forming its 
southern lio>U)<lary. lu origin is Boiiiewlmt obscure, I-nt is coui- 
moiily ascribeii to tlio ] mliuns. On tins ponit. Col. .lolmston says: 
"Tho Slmwaiioeso c;illi-J tbuOhio River '7ii.-jt»'-/)i-^t, S.-;).*, i. e , 'Enjle 
River.'' Tlie Wyiia lois were in the councry j^eneratioiis belore t'le 
Sliawanoese, and, rousequently, tbeir name of tlie river is tlin ptim- 
itive one ai.d sliould i-tand in preference to all ifthers. Ohio nijty 
be called an improveinen": on the expression, ^O-hcziih,* and was, no 
di'ubt, adopted by the earlv French voyatjera in their i)o}it-songs, 
and is subsIalitiHlly the B:*me wor i as used by the Wyandits: tlie 
meaning applied by the Trench, fair and beantiful Uu hetle river,^ 
beina th^ same precisely as that meant by the InJians — 'great, 
grand and fair to look upon* " — llowt-'n C'o//ec'/io,/s. 

Wpbsfer's Dictionary trives the word as of Indian origin, and its 
meaning to be, " Beautiful." 



the State, the territory included tlierein was di- 
vided into nine counties, whose names and dates of 
erection were as follows: 

Wa.shingtou, July 27, 1788; Hamilton, Janu- 
ary 2, 1790; (owing to the Indian war no other 
counties were erected till peace was restored); Ad- 
ams, July 10, 1797; Jeffer.son, July 29, 1797; 
II0S.S, August 20, 1798; Clermont, Fairfield and 
Trumbull, December 9, 1800; Belmont, Septem- 
ber 7, 1801. These counties were the thickest- 
settled part of the State, yet many other localities 
needed organization and were clamoring for it, but 
owing to St. Clair's views, he refused to grant 
their requests. One of tlio first acts on the as- 
sembling of the State Legislature, March 1, 1803, 
was the creation of seven new counties, viz., Gal- 
lia, Scioto, Geauga, Butler, Warren, Greene and 
Montgomery. 

Section Sixth of the "Schedule" of the Consti- 
tution required an election for the various oiEcers 
and llepresentatives necessary under tho new gov- 
ernment, to be held the second Tuesday of Janu- 
ary, 1803, these officers to take their seats and as- 
sume their duties March 3. The Second Article 
provided for the regular elections, to be held on 
the second Tuesday of October, in each year. The 
Governor elected at first was to hold liis office 
until the first regular election could be held, and 
thereafter to continue in office two years. 

The January elections placed Edward Tiffin in 
the Governor's office, sent Jeremiah ^lorrow to 
Congress, and chose tin Assembly, who met on the 
day designated, at Chillicothe. Michael Baldwin 
was chosen Speaker of the House, anil Nathaniel 
Massic, of the Senate. The -\ssembly appointed 
William Creighton, Jr., Secretary of State ; Col. 
Thomas Gibson, Auditor ; William McFarland, 
Treasurer; Return J. Meigs, Jr., Samuel Hun- 
tington and William Sprigg, Judges of the Su- 
preme Court ; Francis Dunlevy, Wyllvs Silliman 
and Calvin Pease, President Judges of the First, 
Second and Third Districts, and Thomas Worth- 
ington and John Smith, United States Senators. 
Charles Willing Byrd was made the United States 
District Judge. 

The act of Congress forming the State, con- 
tained cei'tain rerpiisitions regarding public schools, 
the " salt springs." public lands, taxation of Gov- 
ernment lanils, Synimes' purchase, etc., which the 
constitutional convention agreed to with a few 
minor considerations. These Congress accepted, 
and passed the act in accordance thereto. Tho 
First General Assembly found abundance of work 



■f- 



124 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



to do reirariliug those various items, and, at once, 
set themselves to the task. Laws were passed re- 
garding all these ; new counties created ; officers 
appointed for the same, until they could be elected, 
and courts and machinery of trovernment put iu 
motion. President Judges and lawyers traveled 
their circ\iits holding courts, often in the open air 
or in a log shanty : a constable doing duty as 
guard over a jury, probably seated on a log under 
a tree, or in the bushes. The President Judge in- 
structed the officers of new counties in their duties, 
and though the whole keeping of matters accorded 
with the times, an honest feeUng generally pre- 
vailed, inducing each one to pertbrni his part as 
eflectually as his knowledge permitted. 

The State continually filled with people. New 
towns arose all over the country. Excepting the 
occasional sicknesses caused by the new climate and 
fresh soil, the gener;d health of the people im- 
proved as time went on. They were iiiUy in ac- 
cord with the President, Jefferson, and carefully 
nurtured those principles of personal liberty eu- 
graftod in the fundamental lawof 1787, and later, 
iu the Constitution of the State. 

Little if any ciiange occun-cd in the natural 
course of events, following the change of govern- 
ment until Burr's expedition and plan of secession 
in 1805 and ISOG appeared. What his plans 
were, have never been definitely asccTtained. His 
action related more to the General Government, 
j'et Ohio was c;illed upon to aid in putting down 
his insurrection — for such it was thought to be — 
and deti'ated his purposes, whatever tiiey were.- 
His plans ended only in ignominious defeat; the 
breaking-up of one of the iinest homes in the 
Western country, and the expulsion of himself and 
all those who were actively engaged in his scheme, 
whatever its imports were. 

Again, for a period of four or five years, no 
exciting events occurred. Settlements contiiuu>d; 
mills and factories increased ; towns and cities 
grew ; counties were created ; trade eidarged, and 
naught save the common course of events trans- 
pired to mark the course of time. Other States 
were made from the old Northwest Territcjry, all 
parts of which were rajiidly being oc(U]iied by 
settlers. The danger from Indian hostilities was 
little, and the adventurous whites were,' rapidly 
occupying their eountiy. One thing, however, 
was yet a continual .source of annoyance to the 
Americans, viz., the British interference with the 
Indians. Their traders did not scruple, nor fail 
on every opportunity, to aid these sons of the 



forest with arms and ammunition as occasion 
oft'ered, endeavoring to stir them up against the 
Americans, until eveut-s here and cm the high seas 
culminated in a declaration of hostilities, and the 
war of 1812 was the result. The deluded red 
men found then, as they found in 1795, that they 
were made tools by a stronger power, and dropped 
when the time came that they were no longer 
needed. 

Before the opening of hostilities occurred, how- 
ever, a series of acts passed the General Assembly, 
causing considerable excitement. These were the 
famous "Sweeping Resolutions," pa.ssed in 1810. 
For a few years prior to their passage, considera- 
ble discontent prevailed among many of the legis- 
lators regarding the rulings of the courts, and by 
many of these embryo law-makers, the legislative 
power was considered omnipotent. They could 
change existing laws and contracts did they desire 
to, thoujrht many of them, even if such acts con- 
flicted with the State and National Constitutions. 
The ■• Sweeping Resolutions " were brought about 
mainly by the action of the judges in declaring 
that justices of the peace could, in the collection 
of debts, hold jurisdiction in amounts not exceed- 
ing fifty dollars without the aid of a jury. The 
Constitution of the United States gave the jury 
control in all sucli cases where the amount did not 
exceed twenty dollars. There was a direct con- 
tradiction against the organic law of the land — to 
which every other law and act is subversive, and 
when the judges declared the legislative act uncon- 
stitutional and hence null and void, the Legi.-^la- 
ture became suddeuly inflamed at their independ- 
ence, and proceeded at once to punish the admin- 
istrators of justice. The leuislature was one of 
the worst tliat ever controlled the State, and \v;is 
composed of many men who were not only igno- 
rant of common law, the nece.ssities of a State, and 
the dignity and true import of their office, but 
were demagogues in every respect. Having the 
power to impeach officers, that body at once did 
so, having enough to carry a two-thirds majority, 
and removed several judges. Further maturing 
their plans, the " Sweepei-s," as they were known, 
construed the law appointing cert,iin judges and 
civil officers for seven years, to mean seven years 
from the organization of the State, whether they 
had l)een officers that length of time or not. All 
officers, whether of new or old counties, were con- 
strued as included in the act, and, utterly ignoring 
the Con,stitution, an act was pas,scd in January, 
1810, removing every civil officer iu the State. 



^^ 



V 






1>L 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



125 



February 10, they proceeded to fill all these va- 
cant oiSces, fi'oin State officers down to the lowest 
county office, either by appointment or by ordering 
an election in the manner prescribed by law. 

The Constitution provided that the office of 
judges should continue for seven years, evidently 
seven years from the time thej' were elected, and 
not from the dat€ of the admission of the State, 
which hitter construction this headlong Legisla- 
ture had construed as the meaning. Many of the 
counties had been organized but a year or two, 
others three or four years ; hence an indescribable 
confusion arose as soon as the new set of officers 
were appointed or elected. The new order of 
things could not be made to work, and finally, so 
utterly impossible did the injustice of the proceed- 
ings become, that it was dropped. The decisions 
of the courts were upheld, and the invidious doc- 
trine of supremacy in State legislation received 
such a check that it is not likely ever to be repeated. 

Another act of the -\ssembly, during this pe- 
riod, shows its construction. Congress had granted 
a township of land for the use of a university, and 
located the township in Symmes' purchase. This 
Assembly located the university on land outside 
of this purchase, ignoring the act of Congress, as 
they had done before, showing not only ignorance 
of the true scope of law, but a lack of respect un- 
becoming such bodies. 

The seat of government was also moved from 
Chillicothe to Zanesville, which vainly hoped to be 
made the permanent State capital, but the next 
session it was again taken to Chillicothe, and com- 
missioners appointed to locate a permanent Ciipital 
site. 

These commissioners were James Findley, Jo- 
seph Darlington, Wyllys Silliman, Reason Beall, 
and William McParland. It is stated that they 
reported at first in favor of Dublin, a small town 
on the Scioto about fourteen miles above Colum- 
bus. At the session of 1812-13, the Assembly 
accepted the proposals of Col. James Johnston, 
Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, and Lyiio 
Starling, who owned the site of Columbus. The 
Assembly also decreed that the temporary seat of 
government should rem;iin at Chillicothe until the 
buildings necessary for the State officers should be 



erected, when it would be taken there, forever to 
remain. This was done in 181 G, in December of 
that year the first meeting of the Assembly being 
held there. 

The site selected f<ir the capital was on the east 
bank of the Scioto, about a mile below its junction 
with the Oleutangy. Wide streets were laid out, 
and preparations for a city made. The expecta- 
tions of the founders have been, in this respect, re- 
alized. The town was laid out in the .'^pringof 1812, 
under the direction of Moses Wright. A short 
time after, the contract for making it the caj)ilal was 
signed. June 18, the same day war was declared 
against Great Britain, the sale of lots took ])!ace. 
Among the early settlers were George McCor- 
mick, George B. Harvey, John Shields, Michael 
Patton, Alexander I'atton, William Altman, John 
CoUett, William McKlvain, Daniel Kooser, Peter 
Putnam, Jacob Hare, Christian lleyl, Jarvis, Genrgo 
and Benjamin Pike, William Long, and Dr. Joh.n 
M. Edmi'.ison. In 1814, a house of worship was 
built, a school opened, a newspaper — 77(«; Wist em 
Intelligencer and Columbus Gazette, now the 
Ohio State Journal — was started, and the old 
State House erected. In 1816, the "Borough of 
Columbus" was incorporated, and a mail route once 
a week between Ciiillicothe and Columbus started. 
In 1819, the old United States Court House was 
erected, and the seat of justice removed from 
Franklinton to Columbus. Until 1820, times were 
exceedingly " .slow " in the new capital, and but lit- 
tle growth experienced. The improvement period 
revived the capital, and enlivened it.s trade and 
growth so that in 1834, a city charter was granted. 
The city is now about third in size in the State, 
and contains many of the most prominent public 
institutions. The present eapitoi building, one of 
the best in the West, is patterned somewhat after 
the national Capitol at Washington City. 

From the close of the agitation of the " Sweeping 
Resolutions," until the opening of the war of 1812, 
but a short time elapsed. In fact, .scarcely had 
one subsided, ere the other was upon the country. 
Though the war was national, its theater of opera- 
tions was partly in Ohio, that State taking an act- 
ive part ill its operations. Indeed, its liberty 
depended on the war. 



V 



@ 1^ 



-^ s 



J 20 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



LIST OF TERRITORIAL AND STATE GOVERNORS, 

From th$ organization of the jlrsl civil government in the Northwest Territory (1788 to \?i02), of which the State of 

Ohio was apart, until the year 1880. 



NAME. 



(o) Arthur Si. Clair 

*C'hurle.s Willing; Byril 

(i) Kdward Tiffin 

(f) fThomas Kirlicr 

Samuel Huntington 

{(i) Itetiirn Jonathan Meigs.. 

fOthuiel Looker 

'I'liomas AVorthington 

(c) Etliiin Allen brown 

f Allen Trimble 

.loreiuiali Morrow 

Allen Trimble 

Duncan McArtluir 

Roljcrt Lucas 

Joseph Vance 

\V ihson Shannon 

Tlionias Corwin 

(/) Wilson Shannon 

^Thomas \V. Bartley 

M onlecai Bartlej 

William Bebh 

(a) Seabury ForJ 

\h) Reuben Wood 

(i)1[ William Meilill 

Salniou P. Chase 

William Denni.son 

David Tod 

k) John Brougli 

Charles Anderson 

Jaeob D. Cox 

Hutlierford B. Il.aycs 

Kilward F. Noye.s 

William Allen 

II) Rutherford B. Hayes 

(»i) Thomas L. Young 

Kichard M. Bishop 

Charles Foster 



COUNTY. 



Torm 

Commeaced. 



Term Ended, 



Hamilton. 
lU.ss , 



July 13, 



Trumbull 

Washington.. 

Hamilton 

Ross 

ihimiltou 

Highland 

Warren 

Highland 

Ross 

1 ike 

I 'hampaign .. 

lielmont 

Warren 

lielmont 

Richland 

Richland 

Butler 

(ieauga 

( riyaboga 

[•'airfiehl 

Hamilton 

Franklin 

Mahoniug 

(]uyahoga 

Montgomery. 

rrumbull 

Hamilton 

Hamilton 

Ross 



Nov. 

March 



,\dams March 

Dec. 

Dec. 

k\>r\\ 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Ian. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec, 

.Vpril 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

■July 

.Ian. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Aug. 

Jan 

Jan. 

Jan. 

.fan. 

Jan. 

March 

Jan. 



Sandusky.. 
Hamilton.. 
Hamilton.. 



Sandusky Jan. 



1788 Nov. 
1802] March 3, 
1803' March 4, 
]8(:i7|Dec. 12, 
1808:Dec. 8, 
1810 March 25, 
1814 Dec. 8, 



1814 

1818 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1830 
1832 
183G 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
184(3 
184'J 



Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Dec. 

.\pril 

Dec. 

Dec. 

Jan. 

Dec. 



1850 July 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Aug. 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Jan. 
1872'Jan. 
1874'jan. 
]87l3;M.arch 
1877Jan. 
1878, Jan. 
1880 



1853 
185G 
1800 
1862 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1868 



1-1, 

4, 
28, 
I'J, 
IS, 

7, 
13, 
13, 
16, 
14, 
13, 

3, 
12, 
22, 
12, 
15, 
14, 

'J, 
13, 
12, 
29, 

9, 
13, 

8, 
12, 
14, 

2^ 

14! 
14, 



1802 
1803 
1807 
1808 
1810 
1814 
1814 
1818 
1822 
1822 
1826 
1830 
1832 
1836 
1838 
1840 
1842 
1844 
1844 
1846 
1849 
1850 
1853 
1856 
1860 
1862 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1868 
1872 
1874 
1876 
1877 
1878 
1880 



{a) Artliur St. Clair, of PennsTlvaTiin,wna Governor of the Uorth- 
woBtT<rrritory,of wtiichOIiio wfwai>itrr,from Jiilyl:!, 17SS. wlien llio 
first civil povernnient Wi»3 establialied in tlio Territory, until aI)out 
tliocl «o of the .year lsri2, wlien ho was removed by the President. 

*Secretary of the Territtiry. and iva9 acting (governor uf the 
Territory after the removal of Gov. St. Clair. 

(fc) UesiKned March 3, 18"7. to aceept the offico of U. S. Senator. 

(c) Uetiirn Jonathan BIei;*a wa'* elected Governor on the ^ecoIld 
Tuesday of (>etol)er, 1S07, over Nathani* 1 Massie, who cont< sted the 
election of BI'igH, on thecrianid tliat "Ic^ had not ln-en a reaident of 
this State for four years next preceding the election, as refjuired hy 
the Ci>Tisti'utiou,'' and the General As^enitdy. in joint convention, 
declared that he was not eiigilile. The ollice was not Riven t) 
Ma^sio, nor does it appear, front tlio records that hoctainted it, hut 
Tliomas Kirker, actios Governor, continued todischarL'e the duties 
of thoofhce until December 12, ISOS, wlien Santuel iluntincton was 
ittaiiKunited, he having been electid oa the secoud Tuesday of 
October in that year. 

('t) Ke.*i{:oed IMarch 25, 18M, to accept the office of Postmaster- 
General of tho United States. 



(e) Resigned January 4, 1622. to accept the ofHce of United 
States t^enator. 

(/) Uesigued Aprill3, 1S44, to accept the olBco of Slinister to 
Blexieo. 

(</i The result of the election in 181S was not finally determined in 
joint convention of the two houses of the Getieral As'^embly until 
January lit, 184'.t, and tlie inauguration did not take place until ttie 
22d of that nuaith. 

t/i) Resigned July 15, 1853 to accept the offico of Consul to Val- 
paraiso. 

(.1) Rlected in October,lS,53, for the regular term, to commence 
on the second Plondav of January, 1854. 

(Ai Hied August 29, 1SC5. 

t Acting Governor. 

t Acting Governor, vice Wilson Sliannon, resigned. 

% Acting Governor, vice Keubea Wixjd, resigned. 

i Acting Governor, vice John Brough, deceased. 

(fl Kesigned March 2, 1877, to accept tho offico of President of 
the United Slates. 

(m) Vice Itathorford B. Hayes, resigned. 



•<' «- 



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.>^. 



niSTOKY OF OHIO. 



127 



CHAPTER XL 

THE WAR OF 1812— GROWTH OF THE STATE— CANAL, RAILROADS AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS 

—DEVELOPMENT OF STATE RESOURCES. 



IN Juno, 1812, war was declared against Great 
Britain. Bei'ure this, an act was passed by Con- 
gress, authorizing the increase of the regular army 
to thirty-five thousand troops, and a large force of 
volunteers, to .serve twelve months. Under this 
act, lleturn J. Meigs, then Governor of Ohio, in 
April and May, 1812, raised tliree regiments of 
troops to serve twelve months. They rendez- 
voused at Dayton, elected their officers, and pre- 
pared for the campaign. These regiments were 
numbered First, Second and Third. Duncan Mc- 
Arthur was Colonel of the First ; James Findlay, 
of the Second, and Lewis Cass, of the Third. 
Early in June these troops marched to Urbana, 
where they were joined by Boyd's Fourth Regiment 
of regular troops, under command of Col. Bliller, 
who had been in the battle of Tippecanoe. Near 
the middle of June, this little army of about 
twenty-five hundred men, under command of Gov. 
William Hull, of Michigan, who had been author- 
ized by Congress to raise the troops, started on 
its northern march. By the end of June, the 
army iiad reached the Maumee, after a very severe 
march, erecting, on the way, Forts Mc Arthur, Ne- 
cessity and Findlay. By some carelessness on the 
part of the American Government, no official word 
had been sent to the frontiers regarding the war, 
while the British had taken an early precaution to 
prepare for the crisis. Gov. Hull was very carci- 
ful in military etiquette, and refused to march, or 
do any ofiensive acts, unless commanded by his 
superior officers at Washington. While at the 
Maumee, by a careless move, all his personal 
efieets, including all his plans, number and strength 
of his army, etc., fell into the hands of the enemy. 
His campaign ended only in ignominious defeat, 
and well-nigh paralyzed future elforts. All Mich- 
igan fell into the hands of the British. The com- 
mander, though a good man, lacked bravery and 
promptness. Had Gen. Harrison been in com- 
mand no such results would have been the ease, 
and the war would have probably ended at the 
outset. 

15efore Hull had suiTendered, Charles Scott, 
Governor of Kentucky, invited Gen. Harrison, 



Governor of Indiana Territory, to visit Frankfort, 
to consult on the subject of defending the North- 
west. Gov. Harrison had visited Gov. Scott, and 
in August, 1812, accepted the appointment of 
Major General in the Kentucky militia, and, by 
hasty traveling, on the receipt of the news of the 
surrender of Detroit, reached Cincinnati on the 
morning of the 27th of that month. On the UUth 
he left Cincinnati, and the next day overtook the 
army he was to command, on its way to Dayton. 
After leaving Dayton, he was overtaken by an ex- 
press, informing him of his appointment by the 
Government as Commander-in-Chief of the armies 
of the Indiana and Illinois Territories. The army 
reached Piqua, September 3. From this ])lace 
Harrison sent a body of troops to aid in the de- 
fense of Fort Wayne, threatened by the enemy. 
On the Gth he ordered all the troops forward, and 
while on the march, on September 17, he was 
informed of his appointment as commander of the 
entire Northwestern troops. He found the army 
poorly clothed for a winter campaign, now ap- 
proaching, and at once issued a stirring address to 
the people, asking for food and comfortable cloth- 
ing. The address was not in vain. After his 
appointment. Gen. Harrison pushed on to Au- 
glaize, where, leaving the array under command of 
Gen. Winchester, he returned to the interior of the 
State, and establishing his headijuarters at Frank- 
liuton, began active measures for the campaign. 

Early in March, 1812, Col. John Miller rai.scd, 
under orders, a regiment of infixntry in Ohio, and 
in July assi^mbled his enlisted men at Chillicothe, 
where, placing them — only one liundred and forty 
in number — under command of Captain Angiis 
Lewis, he scut them on to the frontier. They erect- 
ed a block-house at Piqua and then went on to 
Defiance, to the main body of the armv. 

In July, 1812, Gen. Edward W. 'Tupper, of 
Gallia County, raised one thousand men for six 
months' duty. Under orders from Gen. Winches- 
ter, they marched through Chillicothe and Urbana, 
on to the Maumee, where, near the lower end of 
the rapids, they made an incffi?ctual attempt to 
drive oif the enemy. Failing in this, the enemy 



128 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



attaekcJ Tujijior ami his troops, who, though worn 
down with the marcli and not a Uttle disorganized 
through the jealousies of the officers, witiistood 
the attack, and rejmlsed the British and their red 
allies, wlio returned to Detroit, and the Americans 
to Fort JMcArthur. 

In tlie fall of 1SI2, (!en. Ilarrison ordered a 
detachment of six hundred men, mostly mounted, 
to destroy the Indian towns on the Missisinewa}^ 
River, one of the head-waters of the Wabash. 
The winter set in early and with unusual severity. 
At the .same tune this expedition was carried on, 
Bonaparte was retreating from Moscow. The expe- 
dition accomplished its design, though the troops 
suffered greatly from the cold, no less than two 
hundred men being more or less frost bitten. 

Gen. Harrison determined at once to retake 
Michigan and establish a line of defense along the 
southern shores of the lakes. Winchester was 
sent to occupy Forts Wayne and Defiance; Perkins' 
brigade to Lower Sandusky, to fortify an old 
stockade, and some Pennsylvania troops and artil- 
lery sent there at the same time. As soon as 
Gen. Harrison heard the results of the Missis- 
inoway expedition, he went to Chillieothc to con- 
sult with Gov. Meigs about further movements, 
and the best methods to keep the way between the 
Upper Miami and the Maumee continually open. 
He also sent Gen. Winchester word to move for- 
ward to the rapids of the ]\Iaumee and prepare for 
winter quarters. This Winchester did by the 
middle of January, 1813, establishing himself on 
the nortliern l>ank of the river, just above Wayne's 
old battle-ground. He was well fixed here, and 
was enabled to give his troops good bread, made from 
corn gathered in Indian corn-fields in this \'icinity. 

While here, the inhabitants of Frenchtowu, on 
the Raisin River, about twenty miles from Detroit, 
sent Winchester word claiming protection from the 
threatened British and Indian invasion, avowing 
themselves in sympathy with the Americans. A 
council of war decided in favor of their rerpiest, 
and Col. Lewis, \Wtii .■).')(l men, sent to their relief. 
Soon afler. Col. Allen was sent with more troops, 
and the enemy c;isily driven away from about 
Frencht(iwn. Word was sent to Gen. Winchester, 
who determined to march with all the men he 
could spare to aid in hoUling the post gained. He 
lefl, the 19th of January, with 2.')0 men, and ar- 
rived on the evening of the 20th. Failing to 
take the necessary precaution, from some unex- 
plained reason, the enemy came up in the night, 
established his batteries, and, the next day, sur- 



prised and defeated the American Army with a 
terrible loss. Gen. Winchester was made a pris- 
oner, and, finally, those who were intrenched in 
the town surrendered, under promise of Proctor, 
the British commander, of protection from the 
Indians. This promise was grossly violated the 
next day. The savages were allowed to enter the 
town and enact a massacre as cruel and bloodj' as 
any in the annals of the war, to the everlasting 
ignominy of the British General and his troops. 

Those of the American Army that escaped, ar- 
rived at the rapids on the evening of the 22d of 
Januaiy, and soon the sorrowful news spread 
throughout the army and nation. Gen. HaiTison 
set about retrieving the disaster at once. Delay 
could do no good. A fort was built at the rapids, 
named Fort Meigs, and troops from the south and 
west hurriedly advanced to the scene of action. 
The investment and capture of Detroit was aban- 
doned, that winter, owing to the defeat at French- 
town, and expiration of the terms of service of 
many of the troops. Others took their places, 
all parts of Ohio and bordering States sending 
men. 

The erection of Fort Meigs was an obstacle in 
the path of the British they determined to remove, 
and, on the 2Sth of February, 1813, a large band 
of British and Indians, under command of Proc- 
tor, Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-water, and other In- 
dian chiefs, appeared in the Maumee in boats, and 
prepared for the attack. Without entering into 
details regarding the investment of the fort, it is 
only ncce.ssary to add, that after a prolonged siege, 
lasting to the early part of .May, the British were 
obliged to abandon the fort, having been severely 
defeated, and sailed for the Canadian shores. 

Next followed the attacks on Fort Stephenson, 
at Lower Sandusky, and other predatory excur- 
sions, by the British. All of these failed of their 
design ; the defense of Maj. Croghan and his men 
constituting one of the most brilliant actions of the 
war. For the gallant defense of Fort Stephenson by 
Maj. Croghan, then a young man. the army merited 
the highest honors. The ladies of Chillieothc voted 
the heroic Major a fine sword, while the whole 
land rejoiced at the exploits of him and his band. 

The decisive efforts of the army, the p-eat num- 
bers of men offered— many of whom Gen. Harrison 
wiis obliged to send Iiome, much to their disgust — 
Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 
1813 — .all presaged the triumph of the American 
arms, soon to ensue. As soon as the battle on 
the lake was over, the British at Maiden burned 






HISTORY OF OHIO. 



129 



(lioir stores, and fled, Tvliile the Americans, under 
their gallant commander, followed them in Perry's 
vessel to the Canada shore, overtaking them on 
the River Thames, October 5. In the battle that 
ensued, Tecumseh was slain, and the British Army 
routed. 

The Tvar was now practically closed in the West. 
Ohio troops had done nobly iu defending their 
northern frontier, and in regaining the Northwest- 
ern country. Gen. Harrison was soon afcer elected 
to Congress by the Cincinnati district, and Gen. 
Puncan McArthur was appointed a Brigadier 
General in the regular army, and assigned to the 
command in his place. Gen. McArthur made an 
expedition into Upper Canada in the spring of 
1S14, destroying considerable projierty, and driv- 
ing the British farther into their own dominions. 
Peace was declared early in 1S1.5, and that spring, 
the troops were mustered out of service at Chilli- 
cothe, and peace with England reigned supreme. 

The results of the war in Ohio were, for awhile, 
similar to the Indian war of 1705. It brought 
many people into the State, and opened new por- 
tions, before unknown. Many of the soldiers im- 
mediately invested their money in lands, and became 
citizens. The war drove many people from the 
Atlantic Coast west, and as a result much money, 
for awliile, circulated. Labor and provisions rose, 
which enabled both workmen and tradesmen to 
enter tracts of land, and aided emigratitm. At the 
conclusion of Wayn/s war in 1795, proljably 
not more than five thousand people dwelt in the 
limits of the State ; at the close of the war of 1812, 
that number was largely increased, even with the 
odds of war against them. After the last war, the 
emigration was constant and gradual, building up 
the State in a manner that betokened a healthful 
life. 

As soon as the effects of the war had worn off, 
a period of tlepression set in, as a result of too 
free speculation indulged in at its close. Gradu- 
ally a stagnation of business ensued, and many 
who found themselves unable to meet contracts 
made in " flush " times, found no alternative but 
to fail. To relieve the pressure in all' parts of 
the West, CongTess, about 1815, reduced the 
price of public lands from $2 to §1.25 
per . acre. This measure worked no little 
hardship on those who owned large tracts of 
lands, for portions of which they had not fully 
paid, and as a consef{uence, these lands, as well 
as all others of this class, reverted to the 
Government. The general market was in New 



Orleans, whither goods were transported in flat- 
bt)ats built especially for this pupose. This com- 
merce, though small and poorly repaid, was the 
main avenue of trade, and did much for the slow 
prosperity prevalent. The few banks in the State 
found their Ijills at a discount abroad, and gradu- 
ally becoming drained of their specie, either closed 
business or tailed, the major part of them adopt- 
ing the latter course. 

The steamboat began to be an important factor 
in the river navigation of the West about this 
period. The fir.st boat to descend the Ohio was 
the Orleans, built at Pittsburg in 1812, and in 
December of that year, while the fortunes of war 
hung over the land, she made her first trip from the 
Iron City to New Orleans, being just twelve days 
on the way. The second, built by Samuel Smith, 
was called the Comet, and made a trip as far 
south as Louisville, in the summer of 1813. The 
third, the Vesuvius, was built by Fulton, and went 
to New Orleans in 1814. The fourth, built by 
Daniel French at Brownsville, Penn., made two 
trips to Louisville in the summer of 1814. The 
nsxt vessel, the iEtna, was built by Fulton & 
Company iu 1815. So fast did the business 
increase, that, four years afler, more than 
forty steamers floated on the Western watei's. 
Improvements in machinery kept pace with the 
building, until, in 1838. a competent writer stated 
there were no less than four hundred steamers in 
the West. Since then, the erection of railways 
has greatly retarded ship-building, and it is alto- 
gether probable the number has increased but 
little. 

The question of canals began to agitate the 
Western country during the decade succeeding the 
war. They had been and were being constructed 
in older countries, and presaged good and prosper- 
ous times. If onlj' the waters of the lakes and 
the Ohio River could be united by a canal run- 
ning through the midst of the State, thought the 
people, prosperous cities and towns would arise on 
its banks, and commerce flow through the land. 
One of the firmest friends of such improvements 
was De Witt Clinton, who had been the chief man 
in forv/arding the " Clinton Canal," in New York. 
He was among the first to advocate the feasibility 
of a canal connecting Lake Erie and the Oiiio 
River, and, by the success of the New York canals, 
did much to bring it about. Popular writers of the 
day all urged the scheme, so that when the Assem- 
bly met, early in December. 1821, the resolution, 
offered by Micajah T. Williams, of Cincinnati, 



f 






130 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



for the appointment of a committee of five mem- 
bers to take into consideration so much of the 
Governor's message as related to canals, and see if 
some feasible ]ilan could not bo adopted whereby a 
bcjrinnint; could be made, was quic-kly adopted. 

The ro])ort of the committee, advisinj;; a survey 
and examination of routes, met with the apjiroval 
of the A.sseiubly, and commissioners were ap- 
l)ointed who were to emjiloy an enjrineer, examine 
the country and report on the practicability of a 
canal between the lakes and the vivcr. The com- 
missioners employed James Geddcs, of Onondapra 
County, N. Y., as an euuineer. He arrived in 
Columbus in June, 1S22, and, before eij^ht months, 
the corps of enuineers, under his direction, had 
examined one route. DurinLj the next two sum- 
mers, the examinatiims continued. A inimber of 
routes were examined and surveyed, and one, from 
Cleveland on the lake, to Portsmouth on the Ohio, 
was recommended. Another canal, li-oni Cincin- 
nati to Dayton, on the Miami, was determined on, 
and prei)arations to commence work made. A 
Hoard of Canal Fund Commissioners was created, 
money was borrowed, and the mornins; of July 
4, 1825, the first shovelful of eartli was du^ near 
Newark, with imposing ceremonies, in the ]>rescnce 
of Do Wilt Clinton, (Jovernor of New Vork, and 
a mighty concourse of peoj)le assembled to witness 
the aus])i(ious event. 

Gov. Clinton was escorted all over the State to 
ai<l in developing the energy everywhere a]i]iareDt. 
The events were important ones in the history of 
the .Slate, and, though they led to the creation of 
a vast debt, yet, in the end, the canals were a 
benefit. 

The main canal — the Ohio and l',rie Canal — 
was not completed till 18152. The Maumee ('anal, 
from l)aytoTi to Cincinnati, was finished in 1834. 
They cost the State about 6(i,()0(l,IMHl. Kach of 
the main canals had branches leading to important 
towns, where their construction could be made 
without too nnich ex))ense. The Miamiand Mau- 
mee Canal, IVom Cincinnati northward along the 
Miami Uiver to Picpia, thenco to the Maumeo 
and on to the lake, was the largest canal made, 
and, for many years, was one of (he most ini]iortant 
in the Slate. It joined the Wabash Canal on the 
ea.>itern boundary of Indiana, and thereby saved 
the construction of many miles by joining this 
great canal from Toleilo to Evansville. 

The largest artificial lake in the world, it is said, 
■wa.s built to supply water to the Miami Canal. It 
cxi.st,s yet, though the canal is not much used. It 



is in the eastern part of Mercer County, and is 
about nine miles long by from two to four wide. 
It was formed by raising two walls of earth from 
ten to lliirly feet high, called respectively the c;ust 
and west embankments ; the first of which is about 
two miles in length ; the second, about f()ur. These 
walls, with the elevation of the ground to the 
north and south, formed a huge basin, to retain 
the water. The reservoir was commenced in 18!57, 
and finished in ] 845, at an exjiense of several 
hundred thousand dollars. ^Vhen first built, dur- 
ing the accumulation of water, much malarid 
disease prevailed in the surrounding country, owing 
to the stagnant condition of the water. The citi- 
zens, enraged at what they considered an innova- 
tion of their rights, met, and, during a dark night, 
tore out a portion of the lower wall, letting the 
w-ater flow out. The damage cost thousands of 
dollars to rejiair. All who participated in the 
proceedings were liable to a severe imjirisonment, 
but the state of feeling w.as such, in .Mercer County, 
where the offense was comiuitted, that no jury 
could be found that would try them, and theaflair 
gi-adually died out. 

The canals, so cfiicacious in their daj", were, 
however, superseded b}' the railroads rajjidly find- 
ing their way into the West. From I'higland, 
where they were early used in the collieries, the 
transition to America was easy. 

The first railroad in the United States was built 
in the summer of 182(1, from the granite ([uarr}' 
belonging to the 15unkcr Hill .Monument .\.«socia- 
tion to the wharf landing, three miles di.stant. The 
road was a slight decline from the ((uarry to 
the wharf, hence the loaded cars were j)ro- 
pellcd by their own gTavily. On their return, 
when enrpty, they were drawn up by a .single 
horse. ( )llier roads, or tramways, ipiickly followed 
this. They were built at the Penn.sylvania coal 
mines, in South Carolina, at New Orleans, and at 
IJallimore. Steam motive power was used in 18:51 
or 18l!2, first in America on the Baltimore i^ Ohio 
l\ailroad, and in Charlestown, on a railroad there. 

To transfer the.-ie highways to the We.<t was the 
(juestion of but a i'cw years' time. The )>rairies of 
Illinois and Indiana offered superior inducements 
to such enler|irises. and. early in 18;15. (hey began 
to be agitated there. In 1838, the first rail wa.s 
laid in Jlliiu>is, at Meredosia, a little town on tJic 
Illinois Uiver, on wlint is now the Wabash IJailway. 

"The first railroad made in Ohio," writes Caleb 
Atwatcr, in his "History of Ohio," in 1838, "was 
finished in 183G by the people of Toledo, a town 



>>, 



HISTORY OF Oilio. 



131 



some two years old then, situated near the mouth 
of Maumcc River. The road extends westward in- 
to >Jiclii^'un and is some thirty miles in len^^h. 
There is a road about to be made from Cincinnati 
to Springfield. This road follows the Ohio Kiver 
up to the Little Miami Iliver, and there turns 
northwardly up its valley to Xcnia, and, pa.ssing 
the Yellow Hprin;rs, reaches Kprintrfield. Its lonj^th 
must be about ninety miles. The State will own 
one-half of the road, individuals and the city of 
Cincinnati the other half This road will, no 
doubt, be extended to Lake Eric, at Sandasky 
City, within a few short years." 

"There is a railroad." continues Mr. Atwater, 
" about to be made from Painosville to the Ohio 
Iliver. There are many charters for other roads, 
which will never be made." 

Mr. Atwater notes also, the various turnpikes as 
well as the famous National road from Baltimore 
westward, then completed only to the niountain.s. 
'J'liis latter did as much as any enterprise ever en- 
acted in buildinji; up and populating; the West. 
It gave a national thoroughfare, which, ibr many 
years, was the principal wagon-way from the At- 
lantic to the Mi.s.si.ssippi Valley. 

The railroad to which Jlr. Atwater refers as 
about to be built from Cincinnati to Sprinjrfield, 
was what was known as the Mad Kiver Railroad. 
It is commonly conceded to be. the fir.st one built 
in Oliio.* Its history shows I hat it was chartered 
March 11, 1830, that work began in 1837; that 
it was completed and ofiened for business from 
Cincinnati to Milford, in December, 1842; to Xe- 
nia, in August, 1845, and to Sjtringfiold, in Au- 
gu.st, 184(i. It was laid with strap rails until 
about 1848, when the present form of rail was 
adopted. 

One of the earliest roads in Ohio was what was 
known as the Sandusk}-, Mansfield & Newark Rail- 
road. It was chartered at fir.'^t as the Moiirocville 
& Sandusky City Railroad, March 0, 18:i.j. March 
12, 183C, the Mansfield & New Haven road was 
chartered; the Columbus & Lake Erie, March 12, 

1845, and the Huron & Oxford, February 27, 

1846. At first it ran only from Sandusky to 
Monroeville, then from Mansfield to Huron. These 



•nnn. 7, D. MannflcM lUt^, in 1873, Ihntthi^ "fir't ni-timl piece 
of r;iilroHi] l:ti 1 Id Oliio. w;i4 niit'lo fii III" Ciiii-iiin.'iti & S;in<lfiKky 
ILijlroxd; Imt, about tlio eiiiil" lime wm havo tt'O l.ittln Mi:iini it lij- 
roH(], vrliicti W':i8 Kiirvcyc*! in IStOand 1>^.'J7. If tiii^. tho j:-iit.r,illy 
ncccptcd opinion, Is rftrp-ct, IIihu Blr. At\vHter*HCtat..mfnt na (rivon, 
in uTonfp. Hii* liiHtory i-, how-vpr, fr.-n.-rally con pil'jti to I»*i cor'fct. 
Written in 1838, lio surely oui£ht lo linow wh<Teof iio wan wntine, 
aa tiio railroada were llien only in Con»truction ; but few, if any, 
in operation. 



two were connected and consolidated, and then ex- 
tended to Newark, and finally, by connections, to 
Cohinibus. 

It is unnecessary to follow closely the history of 
the.se improvements through the years succeeding 
their introduction. At fir.st the State owned a 
share in nearly all railroads and canals, but finally 
finding itself in d-.'bt about S15,00(),(M)(» for such 
im|jrovements, and le;irniiig by its own and neigh- 
bors' experiences, that such policy was detrimental 
to the best interests of the people, abandoned the 
I)Ian, and allowed private parties entire control of 
all such works. After the close of the Mexican 
war, and the return to solid values in 1 854 or there- 
abouts, the increase of railroads in all parts of Ohio, 
as well as all parts of the West, was simply marvel- 
ous. At this date there are more than ten thou- 
sand miles of railroads in Ohio, alongside of which 
stretch innumerable lines of tclep'aph, a system of 
swift messages invented by Prof Jlorsc, and adopted 
in the United States about 1851. 

About the time railroad building began to ;i.-- 
sume a tangible shape, in 1S4IJ, occurred the cele- 
bi'at<;d political campaign known in history as the 
" Hard Cider Campaign." The gradual encroach- 
ments of the slave power in the West, its arrogant 
attitude in the Congress of the United States and 
in several State legislatures : its forcible seizure of 
slaves in the iiee Stat<«, and the enactment and 
attempted enforcement of the "fugitive slave" law 
all tended to awaken in the minds of the Northern 
people an antagonism, terminating only in the l.i' 
war and the abolishment of that hideoas .system in 
the United States. 

The " Whig Party" strenuously urged the- 
abridgment or confinement of slavery in the 
Southern vStates, and in the contest the party took 
a most active part, and elect<;d William Henry 
Ilan-i.son President of the United States. As he 
had been one of the foremost leaders in the war of 
1812, a resident of Ohio, and one of its most pop- 
ular citizens, a log cabin and a barrel of cider were 
adopted as his exponents of popular o))inion, as 
expres-sive of the rule of the common periple repre- 
sented in the cabin and cider, in turn representing 
their primitive and simple habits of life. He 
lived but thirty days aft«r his inauguration, dying 
on the Oth of April, 1841, when John Tyler, the 
Vice President, succeeded him as Chief Executive 
of the nation. 

The building of railroads; the extension of com- 
merce ; the settlement of all parts of the State ; 
its growth in commerce, education, religion and 



"<: 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



population, aro the chief events from 1S41 to the 
Mexican war. Hard times occurred about as often 
as they do now, preceded by " flush" times, when 
speculation ran rife, the people all infatuated with 



an insane idea that something could be had for 
nothing. The bubble burst as often as inflated, 
ruining many people, but seemingly teaching few 

lessons. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MEXICAN ■«'AR — CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE STATE— WAR OF THE REBELLION — OHIO'S 

TART IN THE CU.NFLICT. 



THE Mexican War grew out of the question of 
the annexation of Texas, then a province of 
Mexico, whose territory extended to the Indian 
Territory on the north, and on up to the Oreg(jn 
Territory on the Pacific Coast. Texas had been 
sattled largely by Americans, who saw the condi- 
tion of afl'airs that would inevitably ensue did the 
country remain under Mexican rule. They first 
took steps to secede from Mexico, and then asked 
the aid of America to sustain them, and annex the 
country to itself 

The Whig party and many others opposed (his, 
chiefly on the grounds of the extension of slave 
territory. But to no avail. The war came on, 
Mexico was conquered, the war lasting from April 
20, IS-IO, to May 30, 1S4S. Fifty thousand vol- 
unteers were called for the war by the Congress, 
and 810,000,000 placed at the disposal of the 
President, James K. Polk, to sustain tlie army and 
prosecute the war. 

. The part that Ohio took in the war may be 
briefly summed up as follows: She Jiad five vol- 
unteer regiments, five companies in the Fifteenth 
Infantry, and several independent companies, with 
her full proportion among the regulars. ^Vhen 
war was (leclare<l, it was something of a crusade to 
many; full of romance to others; hence, many 
more were offered than could be received. It was 
a campaign of romance to some, yet cue of reality, 
ending in death, to many. 

When the first call for troops came, the First, 
S^'cond and Third Regiments of infantry responded 
at once. Alexander Mitchell was made Colonel of 
llie First; John B. Wellrrits Lieutenant Colonel ; 
and L. Hamer Giddings, of Dayton, its Major. 
Thomas 1 lamia, one of tiio ablest lawyers in Ohio, 
started with the First as its Major, but, befiire the 
regiment left the State, ho was made a Brigadier 
General of Volunteers, and, at the battle of Mon- 
tere}-, distinguished himsolf ; and there contr.actcd 



di.seaso and laid down his life. The regiment's 
Colonel, who had been wounded at Monterej", came 
home, removed to Jlinuesota, and there died. 
Lieut. Col. Weller went to California after the 
close of the war. He was United States Senator 
from that State in the halls of Congress, and, at 
last, died at JN'ew Orleans. 

The Second Regiment was commanded by Col. 
George W. Morgan, now of Jlount Vernon ; Lieut. 
Col. William Irwiu, of Lancaster, and 3Iaj. Will- 
iam Wall. After the war closed. Irwin settled in 
Texas, and remained there till he died. Wall lived 
out his daj's in Ohio. The regiment was never in 
active field service, but was a credit to the State. 

The officers of the Thu-d Regiment were. Col. 
Samuel R. Curtis; Lieut. Col. G. \\'. McCook and 
!Maj. John Love. The fir.st two are now dead ; 
the Slajor lives in McConnellsviUe. 

At the close of the first year of the war, these 
regiments ( First, Second and Third i were mustered 
out of service, as their term of enlistment had 
expired. 

When the second ye.ir of the war began, the 
call i'or niiire troops on the part of the G<iverument 
induced the Second Ohio Infantry" t<,) re-organize, 
and again enter the service. William Irwin, of the 
former organization, was chosen Colonel; William 
Latham, of Columbus, Lieutenant Colonel, and 
William 11. Link, of Circleville, Major. Nearly 
all of them are now dead. 

The regular army was increased bj' eight Ohio 
companies of infantry, the Third Dragoons, and 
the Voltigeurs — •light-armed soldiers. In the Fif- 
teenth Regiment of the United States Army, there 
were five Ohio companies. The others were three 
from Jlichigan, and two from Wisconsin. Col. 
Morgan, of tiie old Second, was made Colonel of 
the Fifteenth, and John Howard, of Detroit, an 
old artillery officer in the regular army, Lieutenant 
Colonel. Samuel Wood, a captain in the Sixth 



"V 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



13:J 



United States Infantry, was made INIajor ; but was 
afterward succeeded by — — Mill, of Vermont. 
The Fifteenth wasin a numbv^r of skirmishes at first, 
and later in the battles of Contreras, Chcrubusco 
and Chapultepec. At the battle of Cherubusco, 
the Colonel was severely wounded, and JMaj. Will, 
with several officers, and a large number of men, 
killed. For gallant service at Contreras, Col. Jlor- 
gan, though only twenty-seven years old, was made 
a Brevet Brigadier General in the United States 
Army. Since the war he has delivered a number 
of addresses in Ohio, on the campaigns in Mex- 
ico. 

The .survivors of the war are now few. Though 
seventy-five thousand men from the United States 
went into that conflict, less than ten thousand now 
survive. They are now veterans, and as such de- 
liglijt to recount their reminiscences on the fields of 
Mexico. They arc all in the decline of life, and 
ere a generation passes away, few, if any, will be 
left. 

After the war, the continual growth of Ohio, 
the change iu all its relations, necessitated a new 
organic law. The Constitution of 1852 was the 
result. It re-affirmed the political principles of 
the "ordinance of 1787 " and the Constitution of 
18U2, and made a few changes necessitated by the 
advance made in the interim. It created the 
office of Lieutenant Governor, fixing the term of 
service at two years. This Constitution yet stands 
notwithstanding the prolonged attempt in 1873-7-1 
to create a new one. It is now the organic law of 
Ohio. 

From this time on to the opening of the late war, 
the prosperity of the State received no cheek. 
Towns and cities grew ; railroads multijilied ; coui- 
merca was extended; the vacant lands Vv^ere rapidly 
filled by settlers, and everything tending to the 
advancement of the people was well prosecuted. 
Banks, after much tribulation, had become in a 
measure somewhat secure, their only and serious 
drawback being their isolation or the confinement 
of their circulation to their immediate localities. 
But signs of a mighty contest were apparent. A 
contest almost without a parallel in the annals of 
history ; a contest between fi-eedom and slavery ; 
Ijetween wrong and right ; a contest that could 
only end in defeat to the wrong. The Republican 
]iarty came into existence at the dose of President 
Pierce's term, in 1855. Its object then was, prin- 
cipally, the restriction of the slave power ; ultimately 
its extinction. One of the chief exponents and sup- 
porters of this growing party in Ohio, was Salmon P. 



Chase; one who never faltered nor lost faith ; and 
who was at the helm of State; in the halls of Con 
gress; chief of one the most important bureaus of 
the Government, and, finally, Chief Justice of the 
United States. When war came, after the election 
of Abraham Lincoln by the llepublican party, Ohio 
was one of the first to answer to the call for troops. 
Mr. Chase, while Governor, had re-organized the 
militia on a sensible basis, and rescued it ft-om the 
ignominy into which it had fallen. When Mr. 
Lincoln asked for seventy-five thousand men, 
Ohio's quota was thirteen regiments. The various 
chaotic regiments and militia troops in the State 
did not exceed 1,500 men. The call was issued 
Ajiril 15, 1801 ; by the 18th, two regiments were 
organizsd in Columbus, whither these companies 
had gathered; before sunrise of the IDth the Jirst 
and srcond regiments were on then- way to Wa.sh- 
ington City. The President had only asked for 
thirteen regiments ; thirty were gathering ; the 
Government, not yet fully comprehending the 
nature of the rebellion, refused the surplus troops, 
but Gov. Dennisou was authorized to put ten 
additional regiments in the field, as a defensive 
measure, and was also authorized to act on the 
defensive as well as on the ofl'ensive. The immense 
extent of southern border made this necessary, 
as all the loyal people in West Virginia and Ken- 
tucky asked for help. 

In the limits of this history, it is impossible to 
trace all the steps Ohio took in the war. One of 
her most talented sons, now at the head of one of 
the greatest newspapers of the world, says, regard- 
ing the action of the people and their Legislature : 

"In one part of the nation there existed a grad- 
ual growth of sentiment against the Union, ending 
in open hostility against its integxity and its Con- 
stitutional law; on the other side stood a resolute, 
and determined people, though divided in minor 
matters, firmly united on the ((uestion of national 
supremacy. The people of Ohio stood squarely 
on this side. -Before this her people had been di- 
vided up to the hour when — 

" ' That fierce and sudJen flash across the rugged black- 
ness broke. 

And, with a voice th.at shook the land, the guns of Sum- 
ter spoke; 

•;:■ -x- ■;:• «»*«** 

And whei-eso'cr the summons came, thei-e ro.se the 

angry din. 
As when, upon a I'ocky coast, a stormy tide sets in.' 

" All waverings then ceased among the people 
and in the Ohio Legislature. The Union must be 



'-^ 



134 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



preserved. The white heat of patriotism and fe- 
alty to the flaj; that had been victorious in three 
wars, and liad never met luit temporary defeat 
then meked all parties, and dissolved all hesitation, 
and, April 18, ISOl, by a unanimous vote of 
ninety-nine Representatives in its favor, there was 
passed a bill appropriatiuj:; §r)0(),()()0 to carry into 
effect the requisition of the President, to protect 
the National Government, of whith sum 6-150, 000 
were to purchase arms and equipments for the 
troops required by that requisition as the quota of 
Ohio, and 850,0(10 as an extraordinary contingent 
fund for tlie Governor. The commissioners of the 
State Sinkinj;- Fund were authorized, by the same 
bill, to borrow this money, on the per cent bonds 
of the State, and to issue for the same certificates, 
freeinu' such Ijonds from taxation. Then followed 
other such legislation that declared tiie property of 
volunteers free from execution f.ir debt during 
their term of service; that declared any resident 
of the State, who gave aid and comfort to the 
enemies of the Union, guilty of treason against 
the State, to be punished by imjirisonment at hard 
labor for life; and, as it had become already evi- 
dent that thousands of militia, beyond Ohio's 
quota of the President's c;dl, would volunteer, the 
Legislature, adopting the sagacious suggestion of 
Gov. Denuison, resolved that all excess of volunteers 
should be retained and paid for service, under 
direction of the Governor. Thereupon a bill 
was passed, authorizing the acceptance of volunteers 
to form ten regiments, and providing 6500,000 
for their arms and equipments, and 81,500,000 
more to be disbursed for troops in case of an in- 
vasion of tlie State. Then other legislation was 
enacted, looking to and i)roviding against the ship- 
ment from or through the State of arms or mu- 
nitions of war, lo States either assuming to be 
neutrid or in oj)en rebellion; organizing the whole 
body of the State militia; jtroviding suitable offi- 
cers for duty on the stall' of the Governor ; re- 
quiring contracts for subsistence of volunteers to 
be let to the lowest l)idder, and authorizing the 
appoiiittuent of additional general ofVie(>rs. 

•'■ Uei'orc. the adjournment of that Legislature, 
the Speaker of the House had resigned to take 
command of one of the regiments then about to 
start for Washington City; two leading Senators 
had been appointed P>rigadier Generals, ami numy, 
in fact nearly all, of the other members of both 
houses had, in one capacity or another, entered the 
military service. It was the first war legislature 
ever elected in Ohio, and, under sudden pressure, 



nobly met the first shock, and enacted the first 
measvn-es of law for war. Laboring under difficul- 
ties inseparable from a condition so unexpected, 
and ill the performance of duties so novel, it may 
be historically stated that fir patriotism, zeal and 
ability, the Ohio Legislature of 18G1 was the 
e(|ual of any of its successors ; while in that exu- 
berance of patriotism which obliterated party lines 
and united all in a common effort to meet the 
threatened integrity of the United States as a 
nation, it surpits.sed them both. 

"The war was fought, the slave power forever 
destroyed, and under additional amendments to her 
organic law, the United States wiped the stain of 
human slavery from her (wcutcheon, liberating over 
four million human beings, nineteen-twentieths of 
whom were native-born residents. 

" When Lee surrendered at Appomattox Court 
House, Ohio had two hundred regiments of all 
arms in the National service. In the course of 
the war, she had furnished two hundred and thirty 
regiments, besides twenty-six independent batteries 
of artillery, five independent companies of cavalrj", 
several conqtanies of sharpshooters, large parts of 
five regiments credited to the ^Vest \ irginia con- 
tingent, two regiments credited to the Kentucky 
contingent, two transferred to the United States 
colored troops, and a large proportion of the rank 
and file of the Fifty-fourth and Sixty-fiflh Massa- 
chusetts Ilegiments, also colored men. Of these or- 
ganizations, twenty-three were infantry regiments 
furuished on the first call of the President, an ex- 
cess of nearly one-half over the State's quota ; one 
hundred and ninety-one were infantry regiments, 
furnished on subsequent calls of the President^ — 
one hundred and .seventeen for three years, twenty- 
seven fir one year, two i'oT sis months, (wo for 
three months, and forty-two for one hundred days. 
Thirteen were cavalry, and three artillery for three 
years. Of these three-years troops, over twenty 
thousand re-enlisted, as veterans, at the end of 
their long term of service, to fight till the war 
would end." 

As original members of these organizations, Ohio 
furnished to the National service the magnificent 
army of ol0,G51 actual soldiers, omitting from 
the above number all tho.se who p;ud commuta- 
tion money, veteran enlistments, and citizens who 
eiili.sted as soldiers or sailurs in other States. The 
count is made from the reports of the Provost 
Marshal General to the War Department. Penn- 
sylvania srave not quite 28,000 more, while Illinois 
fell 48,000 behind; Indiana, 116,000 less; 



-^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



137 



Kentucky, 235,000, and Wassacliusetts, 104,000. 
Thus Ohio more than niauitaineJ, in the National 
army, the rank amou.^ lier sisters whieli her popu- 
lation supported. Ohio furnished more trooj)s than 
the President ever required of her ; and at the 
end of the war, with more than a thousand men in 
ihc camp of the Siatc who were never mustered 
into the service, she siill had a credit on the rolls 
of the War Department ior 4,332 soldiers, beyond 
the ag^^re^ate of all quotas ever assigned to her; 
and, besides all these, 6,479 citizens liad, in lieu of 
])crsonal service, paid the commutation ; while In- 
diana, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Now York 
wore all from five to one hundred thousand behind 
their quotas. So ably, through all those years of 
trial and death, did she keep the promise of the 
memorable dispatch from her first war Governor : 
" If Kentucky refuses to fill her quota, Ohio will 
fill it for her." 

'■Of these troops 11,237 were killed or mor- 
tally wounded in action, and of these G,5G3 were 
left dead on the field of battle. They fought on 
well-nigh every battle-field of the war. Within 
forty-eight hours after the first call was made ior 
troops, two regiments were on tlic way to Wash- 
ington. An Ohio brigade covered the retreat from 
the first battle of Bull llun. Ohio troops formed 
tlie bulk of army that saved to the Union the 
territory afterward erected into West Virginia ; 
the bulk of the army that kept Kentucky from 
seceding; a large part of the army that captured 
Fort Dunalson and Island No. 10; a great jiart of 
the array that from Stone River ami Chickamauga, 
and Mission l{i<lge and Atlanta, swept to the sea 
and captured Fort InIcAI lister, and north through 
the Carolinas to Virginia." 

When Sherman started on his famous march to 
the sea, soma one said to President Lincoln, "They 
will never get through; they will all be captured, 
and the Ihiion v«i!l be lost." " It is impossible," 
replied the President ; "it cannot be done. Thr.re 
is a rnighty aiglit of fight in one hundred thou- 
sand Wcs/erii. men." 

Ohio troops fought at Pea Ridge. They charged 
at Wagner. They helped reileem North Carolina. 
They were in the sieges of Vicksburg, Cliarleston, 
Mobile and Richmond. At Pittsburg Landing, 
at Antietam, Getty.sburg and Corinth, in the 
Wilderne.ss, at Five Porks, before Nashville and 
Appcunattos Court House ; " their bones, reposing 
on the fields they won and in the graves they fill, are 
a perpetual pledge that no flag shall ever wave over 
their graves but that flag they died to maintain." 



Ohio's soil gave birth to, or furnished, a Grant, 
a Sherman, a Sheridan, a MePherson, a Rosecrans, 
a McClellan, a McDowell, a Mitchell, a Gilmore, a 
Hazen,a Sill, a Stanley, a Stoadmau,and olhor.s — all 
but one, children ofihecountry, reared at West I'oint 
for such emergencies. Ohio's war record shows 
one General, one Lieutenant General, twenty Slajor 
Generals, twenty seven Brevet Major Generals, and 
thirty Brigadier Generals, and one hundred and 
fifty Brevet Brigadier Generals. Her three war 
Governors vrerc William Dennison, David Todd, and 
John Brough. She furnished, at the same time, 
one Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, and 
one Secretary of the Treasury, Salmon P. Chase. 
Her Senators were Benjamin F. Wade and John 
Sherman. At least three out of five of Ohio's 
able-bodied men stood in the line of battle. On 
the head stone of one of these soldiers, who gave 
his life for the country, and who now lies in a 
National Cemetery, is inscribed these words : 

" We charge (ho living to preserve thatCoustitiUion we 
have died to defend." 

The close of the war and return of peace brought 
a period of fictiticjus values on the country, occa- 
sioned by the iuuuense amount of currency afloat. 
Property rose to unheard-of values, and everything 
with it. Ere long, however, the decline came, and 
with it " hard times." The climax broke over the 
country in 1873, and for awhile it seemed as if 
the country was on the verge of ruin. People 
found again, as preceding generations had found, 
that real value was the only basis of true prosper- 
ity, and gradually began to work to the fact. The 
Government established the specie basis by 
gradual means, and on the 1st day of January, 
1879, began to redeem its outstanding obligations 
in coin. The eftect was felt everywhere. Busi- 
ness of all kinds sprang anew into life. A feeling 
of confidence gTcw as the times went on, and now, 
on the threshold of the year 1880, the State is en- 
tering on an era of steadfast prosperity ; one which 
has a sure and certain foundalion. 

Nearly four years have elaped since the great 
Centennial E.xhibition was held in I'hiladelphia ; 
an exhibition that brought from every State in the 
Union the best products of her soil, flictories, and 
all industries. In that exhibit Ohio made an ex- 
cellent display. Her stone, iron, coal, cereals, 
woods and everything pertaining to her welfare were 
all represented. Ohio, occupying the middle ground 
of the Union, was expected to show to foreign na- 
tions what the valleys of the JMississippi and Ohio 



-V 



s> 



138 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CDukl i>riiduc(!. The State nobly stood tlio test 
and ranked foremost among all others. Her cen- 
tennial buildini>; was amonj^ the fii^st completed 
and among the n?alcst and be.st on the grounds. 
During the summer, the Centennial Commission 
extended invitations to tlic Governors of the several 
States to appoint an orator and name a day for his 



deavery of an address on the history, progress and 
resources of liis State. Gov. Hayes named the 
Hon. Edward I). Mansfield ior this purpose, and 
August nth, that gentleman delivered an addnss 
so valuable for the matter which it contains, that 
we here give a synopsis of it. 



onio i\ 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE CENTENNIAI^ADDRESS OF EDWARD D. MANSFIELD, LL. 

AU(;L"ST 9, 187(1. 



D., PHILADELPHIA, 



ONE huntlred years ago, the whole temtory, 
from tlu! Alleghany to the Rocky Mountains 
was a wilderness, inhabited only by wild beasts and 
Indians. The Jesuit and Moravian missionaries 
were the only w'hite men who had penetrated the 
wilderness or beheld it.s mighty lakes and rivers. 
While the thirteen old colonies were declaring 
their iiidej)endoncc, the thirteen new States, which 
now lie in the western interior, had no existence, 
and gave no sign of the future. The solitude of 
nature was unbrokcm by the stL^ps of civilization. 
The wisest statesman had not contem]ilated the 
probability of the coming States and the l)oldest 
patriot did not dream that this interiipr wilderness 
should soon contain a gi'oater population than the 
thirteen old States, with all the added growth of 
one Iiundred years. 

Ten years after that, the old States liad ceded 
their Western lands to the General Government, 
and the Cotigress of the United States had passed 
th(! ordinance of 1785, for the survey of the pub- 
lic territory, and, in 17S7, the celebrated ordinance 
wliich ornanixed tlio Northwestern Territory, and 
dedicated it to freedom and intelligi^nce. 

Fifteen years after that, and more than a ciuarter 
of a century after the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, the State of Ohio was admitted into the 
Union, being the seventeenth whicli accepted the 
Constituticn of the United States. It has .since 
grown up to be great, populous and prosperous 
under the influence of those ordinances. At her 
admittance, in US03, the tide of cmigTiition had 
begun to flow over the Alleghanies into the Valley 
of the i\Iissi.ssi]ipi, and, although no steamboat, no 
railroad then existed, nor even a stage coach helped 
the immigrant, yet the wooden " ark " (m the 
Ohio, and the heavy wagon, slowly winding over 



the mountains, bore those tens of thousands to the 
wilds of Kentucky and the plains of Ohio. In 
the spring of I7.SS — the first year of settlement — 
four thousand five hundred persons pa.ssed the 
mouth of the Muskingum in three months, and 
the tide continued to pour on for half a century in 
a wi<leuing stream, miugled with all the races of 
Europe and America, until now, in the hundredth 
year of America's independence, tlie five States of the 
Northwestern Territory, in the wilderness of 1770, 
contain ten millions of people, enjoying ail the 
blessings which peace and prosperity, freedom and 
Christianity, can confer uj)on any jieople. Of these 
five States, born under the ordinance of 17S7, Ohio 
is the first, oldest, and, in many things, the greatest. 
In some things it is the greatest State in the l^nion. 
Let us, then, attempt, in the briefest terms, to 
draw an outline portrait of this great and remark- 
able commonwealth. 

Let us observe its pliysical aspects. Ohio is 
just one-sixth part of the Northwestern Territory 
— to, 000 sipiare miles. It lies between Lake I'^rie 
and the Ohio River, having 200 miles of navigable 
waters, on one side flowing into the Atlantic Ocean, 
and on the other into the Gulf of Mexico. Through 
the lakes, its vessels touch on 0.000 miles of 
interior coast, and, through the Mississiii|)i, on 
S(>,000 miles of river coast; so that a citizen of 
Ohio may pursue his navigation through 42,000 
miles, all in his own country, and all wiliiia naviga- 
ble reach of his own State. He who luis circunmavi- 
gated the globe, has gone but little more than 
half the distance which the citizen of Ohio finds 
within his natural reach in this vast interior. 

Looking upon the surface of this State, we find 
no mountains, no barren .sands, no marshy wastes, 
no lava-covered plains, but one broad, compact 



>^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



139 



body of arable land, intersected with rivers and 
streams and running waters, while the beautiful 
Ohio ilows tranquilly by its side. More than three 
times the surface of Belgium, and one-third of the 
whole of Italy, it has more natural resources in 
proportion than cither, and is capable of ultimately 
supporting a larger population than any equal sur- 
face in Europe. Looking from this great arable 
surface, where upon the vciy liills the grass and 
the forest trees now grow exuberant and abundant, 
we find that underneath this surface, and easily 
accessible, lie 10,000 square miles of coal, and 
4,000 square miles of iron — coal and iron enough 
to supply the basis of manufacture for a world 1 
All tins vast deposit of metal and fuel does not in- 
terrupt or take from that arable surface at all. 
There you may find in one place the same machine 
bringing up coal and salt water from below, while 
the wheat and the corn grow u])on the surface 
above. The immense ma.sses of coal, iron, salt and 
freestone deposited below have not in any way 
diminished the' fertility and production of the soil. 

It has been said by some writer that the char- 
acter of a people is shaped or modified by the 
character of the country in which they live. If 
the people of Switzerland have ac(iuired a certain 
air of liberty and independence from the rugged 
mountains around vv^hich they live; if the people 
of Southern Italy, or beautiful France, have ac- 
quired a tone of ease and politeness from their 
mild and genial clime, so the people of Ohio, 
placed amidst such a wealth of nature, in the tem- 
perate zone, .should show the best fruits of peace- 
ful industry and the best culture of Christian 
civilization. Have they done so? Have their 
own labor and arts and culture come up to the ad- 
vantages of their natural situation? Let us exam- 
ine this growth and their product. 

The first settlement of Ohio wa.s made by a 
colony from New England, at the mouth of the 
Mu.skingum. It was literally a remnant of the 
officers of the Revolution. Of this colony no 
praise of the historian can bo as competent, or as 
strong, a3 the language of Washington. He says, 
in answer to imiuiries addressed to him: "No col- 
ony in America was ever settled under such favor- 
able auspices as that which ha.s just commenced at 
the IMuskingum. Information, prosperity and 
strength will be its charaeterislics. I know many 
of the settlers personally, and there never v/ere 
men better calculated to promote the welfare of 
such a community;" and ho adds that if he were 
a young man, he knows no country in which he 



would sooner settle than in this Western region." 
This colony, left alone for a time, made its own 
government and nailed its laws to a tree in the vil- 
lage, an early indication of that law-abiding and 
peaceful spirit which has since made Ohio a just 
and well-ordered community. The subsecjuent 
settlements on the Miami and Scioto were made by 
citizens of New Jersey and Virginia, and it is cer- 
tainly remarkable that among all the early immi- 
gration, there were no ignorant pcciple. In the 
language of Wa.shington, they came with " infor- 
mation," qualified to promote the welfare of the 
community. 

Soon after the settlement on the Muskingum 
and the Miami, the great wave of migration 
flowed on to the plains and valleys of Ohio and Ken- 
tucky. Kentucky had been settled earlier, but the 
main body of emigrants in subsequent years 
went into Ohio, influenced partly by the great 
ordinance of 17S7, securing freedom and schools 
forever, and partly by the greater security of 
titles under the survey and guarantee of the 
United States Government. Soon the new State 
grew up, with a rapidity which, until then, was 
unknown in the history of civilization. On the 
Maskingum, where the buffalo had roamed; on 
the Scioto, where the Shawanees had built their 
towns ; on the Miami, where the great chiefs of 
the Miamis hud reigned ; on the plains of San- 
dusky, yet red with the blood of tl;e white man ; 
on the Maumce, whire Wayne, by the victory of 
the " Fallen Timbers," had broken the power of 
the Indian confederacy — the emigrants from the 
old States and from Europe came in to cultivate 
the fields, to build up towns, and to rear the insti- 
tutions of Christian civilization, until the single 
State of Ohio is greater in numbers, wealth, and 
education, than was the whole American Union 
when the Declaration of Indejiendence was made. 

Let us now look at the statistics of this growth 
and magnitude, as they are exhibited in the cen- 
sus of the United States. Taking intervals of 
twenty years, Ohio had: In 1 SI 0, 230,700; in 
1830, 937,903; in 1850, 1.980,329; in 1870, 
2,605,260. Add to this the increase of population 
in the last six years, and Ohio now has, in round 
numbers, 3,0011,1)00 of people — half a million 
more than the thirteen States in 1776; and 
her cities and towns have to-day six times the 
population of all the cities of America one hund- 
red years ago. This State is now the third in 
numbers and wealth, and the first in some of 
those institutions which mark the progress of 



-►- 



110 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



niankiuil. That a small part of the wilderness of 
177(i b'.ioukl be more populous than the whole 
Union Wiis then, and that it should have made a 
social and mora! advance greater tlian lliat oi' any 
nation in the s;iuie time, uuist be regarded as one 
of the most startling and instructive i'acts which 
attend this year of commemoration. If such hiis 
been the social growth of Ohio, let us look at its 
physical development; this is bast expressed by the 
aggregate productions of the labor and arts of a 
peo])lc applied to the earth. In the census statistics 
of the United States these arc expressed in the 
aggregate results of agriculture, mining, manufact- 
ures, and commerce. Let us simpliiy tlie^o statis- 
tics, by comparing the aggregate and ratios as 
between several States, and bctweeu Ohio and some 
countries of ]:}iirope. 

T!ie aggregate amount of grain and potatoes — 
farinaceous food, produced in (Jhio in 1870 was 
lo4,!).'!8,4l;j bushels, and in 1S74, there were 157,- 
323,o!)7 bushels, being the largest aggregate 
amount rai.sed in any State but one, Illinois, and 
larger ])er S(|uare mile than Illinois or any other 
State in the country. The promises of nature 
were thu.s vindicated by the labor of man ; and 
the industry of Ohio has fulfilled its whole duty 
to the sustenance of the country and the world. 
She has raised more grain than ten of the old 
States together, and more than half raised by 
Great Britain or by France. I have not the 
recent statistics of Europe, but ^IiGregor, in his 
statistics of nations for lSiJ2 — a period of pro- 
found peace — gives the following ratios for (he 
loading countries of Europe: Great Britain, area 
120,:;24 miles; amount of gi-ain, 2(i2,500,0(K) 
bushels; rate per s(|uarc mile, 2,190 to 1; 
ii.ustria — area 2oS,(50:5 miles ; amount of grain, 
3GG,,S00,l)()() bushels; ratepersquareniile, 1.422lo 
1 ; France — area 215,858 miles ; amount of grain, 
2;5.'!,847,:!00 bushels ; rate per scjuaro mile, 1.080 
to 1. The State of Ohio — area per scjuare miles, 
40,000; amount of grain, 150,0011,000 bushels; 
rate per spiare mile, :j.750. Comljining the great 
countries of Great Britain. Austria, and France, 
we find that tliey had 594,785 square miles and 
produecdS()3,147,''>0()bushclsofgrain. which was, ;it 
the time these statistics were taken, 1,450 bushels per 
.S(|uare mile, and ten bushels to each one of the 
po]!ulation. Ohio, on the other hand, h.ad 3,750 
bushels per square mile, and fifty bushels to each 
one of the ]iopulation ; that is, there was five 
timi-s as much grain raised in Ohio, in proportion 
to the people, as in these great countries of Europe. 



As letters make words, and words express ideas, so 
these dry figures of statistics express facts, and 
these facts make the whole history of civilization. 

Let us now look at the statistics of domestic 
animals. Tiiese are always indicative of the state 
of society in regard to the ph3\sical comforts. The 
horse must furnish domestic conveyances; tli- 
cattle must furni.-ili the products of the dairy, ;ij 
well as msat, an 1 the sheep must furnish wool. 

Let us see how Ohio compares with other States 
and with Europj: In 1870, Ohio had 8,8i8,000 
domestic animals ; Illinois, 0,925,000 ; New York, 
5,283,000; Pennsylvania, 4,493,000; and other 
States less. The proportion to population in these 
States was, in Ohio, to each pers'in,3.3; Illinois, 
2.7; New Vork, 1.2; Pennsylvania, 1.2. 

Let us now see the proportiim of domestic ani- 
mals in Europe. The rosults given by .McGregor's 
statistics are : In Gn^at Britain, to each person, 
2.4-1; Hu.ssia, 2.00 ; France, 1.50 ; Prussia, 1.02; 
Austria, 1.00. It will be seen that the proportion 
in Great Britain is only two-thirds that of Ohio; 
in France, only ono-h;df; and in Austria and 
Prussia only one-third. It may be said that, in 
the course of civilization, the numljer of animals 
diminishes as the density- of population increa.seij ; 
and, therefore, this result might have been ex- 
pected in the old countries of Europe. But this 
does not apply to Eussia or Germany, still Ic^s to 
other States in this country. Bu.ssia in Europe 
has not more than half the den.sity of population 
now in Ohio. Austria and Pru.ssia have le.^sthan 
150 to the s(]uare mile. The whole of the north 
of Europe has not so dense a population as the 
State of Ohio, still less have the States of Illinois 
and Mi.ssouri. west of Ohio. Then, therefore, 
Ohio showing a larger proportion of domestic ani- 
mals than the north of Europe, or States west of 
her, with a population not so dense, wo see at once 
there must be other causes to produce such a 
phenomenon. 

Looking to some of the incidental results of this 
vast agricultural production, we .see that the- United 
Stales ex])or's to Europe immense amounts of 
grain and provisions ; and that there is manufact- 
ured in this count rj' an immen.se amount of woolen 
goods. Then, taking those statistics of the raw 
material, we find that Ohio produces one-fifth of 
all the W'iol; one-sivnitlt of ;J1 the cheese; one- 
elrjhtk of all the corn, and one-lcni/i of all the 
wheat ; and yet Ohio has but a Jhintrenih part of 
the jmpulation, and one-eight ietli, part of the sur- 
face of this country. 




Let us take another — a commercial view of this 
matter. We have seen that Ohio raises five times 
as much grain per square mile as is raised per 
square mile in the empires of Great Britain, France 
and Austria, taken together. After making allow- 
ance for the differences of living, in the working 
classes of this country, at least two-thirds of the 
food and grain of Ohio are a surplus beyond the 
necessities of life, and, therefore, so much in the 
commercial balance of exports. This corresponds 
with the fact, that, in the shape of grain, meat, 
liquijrs and dairy products, this vast surplus is con- 
stantly moved to the Atlantic States and to Europe. 
The monej' value of this esported product is equal 
to §100,01)0,000 per annum, and to a solid capital 
of §1,500,000,000, after all the su.stenance of the 
people has been taken out of the annual crop. 

We are speaking of agriculture alone. \Ve are 
speaking of a State which began its career more 
than a quarter of a century after the Declaration 
of Independence was made. And now, it may be 
asked, what is the real cause of this extraordinary 
result, which, without saj'ing anything invidious of 
other States, we may safely say has never been 
surpassed in any country? We have already 
stated two of the advantages possessed by Ohio. 
The first is that it is a compact, unbroken body of 
arable land, surrounded and intersected by water- 
courses, equal to all the demands of commerce and 
navigation. Next, that it was secured forever to 
freedom and intelligence by the ordinance of 1787. 
The intelligence of its future people was secured 
by immense grants of public lands for the purpose 
of education; but neither the blessings of nature, 
nor the wisdom of laws, could obtain such results 
without the continuous labor of an intelligent 
people. Such it liad, and we have only to take 
the testimony of Washington, already quoted, and 
the statistical results I have given, to prove that 
no people has exhibited more steady industry, nor 
has any people directed their labor with more in- 
telligence. 

After the agiicultural capacity and production 
of a country, its most important ]>liysical feature 
is its mineral products; its capacity fen- coal and 
iron, the two great elements of material civiliza- 
tion. If we were to take away from Great Britain 
her capacity to produce coal in such vast (juanti- 
tios, we should reduce her to a third-rate ]Hisition, 
no longer numbered among the great nations of the 
earth. Coal has smelted her iron, run her steam 
engines, and is the basis of her manuftutures. 
But when we compare the coal fields of Great 



Britain with those of this country, they arc insig- 
nificant. The coal fields of all Europe are .small 
compared with those of the central United States. 
The coal district of Durham and Northumberland, 
in England, is only 880 square miles. There are 
other districts of smaller extent, making in the 
whole probably one-half the extent of that in 
Ohio. Tile English coal-beds arc represented as 
more important, in reference to extent, on account 
of their thickness. There is a small coal district 
in Lancashire, where the workaljle coal-beds are in 
all 150 feet in thickness. But this involves, as is 
well known, the necessity of going to immense 
depths and incurring immense expense. On the 
other hand, the workable coal-beds of Ohio arc 
near the surface, and some of them require no ex- 
cavating, except that of the horizontal lead from 
the mine to the river or the railroad. In one 
county of Ohio there are three beds of twelve, six 
and four feet each, within fifty feet of the surface. 
At some of the mines having the best coal, the 
lead fi'om the mines is nearly horizontal, and just 
high enough to dump the coal into the railroad 
cars. These coals are of all (jualities, from that 
adapted to the domestic fire to the very best qual- 
ity for smelting or manufacturing iron. Ilecollect- 
ing these facts, let us try to get an idea of the coal 
district of Ohio. The bituminous coal region de- 
escending the western slopes of the Alleghanii s, 
occupies large portions of Western Pennsylvania, 
West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. I 
suppose that this coal fie'd is not less than fifty 
thousand square miles, exclusive of Western Mary- 
land and the southern terminations of that field in 
Georgia and Alabama. Of this vast field of coal, 
exceeding anything fi)und in Europe, about one- 
fifth part lies in Ohio. Prof Blather, in his 
report on the geology of the State (^first Geologi- 
cal Report of the State) says: 

" The coal-measures within Ohio occupy a space 
of about one hundred and eighty miles in length by 
eight3' in breadth at the widest part, with an area 
of about ten thousand .square miles, extending 
along the Ohio from Trumbull County in the north 
to near the mouth of the Scioto in the south. 
The regularity in the dip, and the moderate incli- 
nation of the strata, afford facilities to the mines 
not known to those of most other countries, espe- 
cially Great Britain, where the strata in which the 
coal is imbedded have been broken and thrown out 
of pl.ace since its deposit, occasioning many slips 
and faults, and causing much labor and expen.se in 
again recovering the bed. In Ohio there is very 



143 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



^ 

i* 



littlo difficult}' of this iiind, the faults being small 
and seldom ibund." 

Now, taking iuto consideration these geological 
facts, let us look at the extent of the Ohio coal 
field. It occupies, wholly or in part, thirty-.six 
counties, including, geographically, l-i,000 square 
miles ; but leaving out fractions, and reducing the 
Ohio coal field within its narrowest limits, it is 
1(1,1)00 square miles in extent, lies near the surface, 
and has on an average twenty feet thickness of work- 
able coal-beds. Let us compare this with the coal 
mines of Durham and Northumberland (^England), 
the largest and best coal mines there. That coal 
district is estimated at 850 square miles, twelve 
feet thick, and is calculated to contain 9,000,000,- 
000 tons of coal. The coal field of Ohio is twelve 
times larger and one-third thicker. Estimated by 
that standard, the coal field of Ohio contains 180,- 
000,000,000 tons of coal. .Marketed at only S2 
per ton, this coal is worth SjGO, 000.1 100,000, or, 
in other words, ten times as niucrh as the whole 
valu.ation of the United States at the present time. 
But we need not undertake to estimate either its 
((uantity or value. It is enough to say that it is a 
quantity which we can scarcely imagine, which is 
tenfold that of England, and which is enough to 
supply the entire continent for ages to come. 

Alter coal, iron is beyond doubt the must val- 
uable mineral product of a State. As the mate- 
rial of nianufacture, it is tlie most important. 
What arc called the " precious metals " are not to 
bj compared with it as an element of industry or 
profit. But since no manufaciures can bo success- 
fully carried on without fuel, coal becomes the first 
material element of the arts. Iron is unquestion- 
ably the next. Ohio has an iron district extending 
from the mouth of iho Scioto lliver to some point 
north of the -^lahoningKivcr, in Trumbull County. 
The whole length is nearlj' two hundred miles, and 
the breadth twenty miles, making, as near as we can 
ascertain, 4,000 square miles. The iron in this dis- 
trict is of various f|ualities, and is manufactured 
largely into bars and castings. In this iron dis- 
trict are one hundred furnaces, forty-four rolling- 
mills, and liftcen rail-mills, being the largest num- 
ber of either in any State in the Union, except 
only Pennsylvania. 

Although only the seventeenth Stato in its admis- 
sion, I (ind that, by the census statistics of LSTO, 
itisthe thir.l Stat > in the production of ironand inm 
manufactures. Already, and wirhiu the life of 
one man, this State begins to show what mu.st in 
future time be the va.st results of coal and iron. 



applied to the arts and manufactures. In the 
year 1S74, there were 420,000 tons of pig iron 
produced in Ohio, which is larger than the prod- 
uct of any State, except Pennsylvanui. The 
product and the manufacture of iron in Ohio 
have increased so rapidly, and the ba.sis for 
increase is so great, that we may not doubt that 
Ohio will continue to be the greatest producer of 
iron and iron fabrics, except only Pennsylvania. 
At Cincinnati, the iron manufacture of the Ohio 
Valley is concentrating, and at Cleveland the ores 
of Lake Suj)erior are being smelted. 

After coal and iron, we may place salt among 
the necessaries of life. In connection with the 
coal region west of the Alleghauies, there lies in 
Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio, a large 
space of country underlaid by the salt rock, which 
already produces immense amounts of salt. Of 
this, Ohio has its full proportion. In a large 
section of the southeastern portion of the State, 
salt is produced without any known limitation. 
At Pomeroy and other points, the salt rock lies 
about one thousand feet below the surface, but 
salt water is brought easily to the surface by the 
steam engine. There, the salt rock, the coal 
seam, and the noble sandstone lie in successive 
strata, while the green corn and the yellow wheat 
bloom on the surface above. The State of Ohio 
produced, in 1874, 3,500,000 bushels of salt, 
being one-fifth of all produced in the United 
States. The salt section of Ohio is exceeded onlj- 
by that of Syracuse, New York, and of Siigiuaw, 
Michigan. There is no definite limit to the 
underlying salt rock of Ohio, and, therefore, the 
production will be proportioned only to the extent 
of the demand. 

Having now considered the resources and the 
products of the soil and the mines of Ohio, we 
may proj)crly ask how far the people have employed 
their resources in the increase of art and manu- 
facture. We have two modes of compiu'ison, the 
rate of increase within the State, and the ratio 
they bear to other States. The aggregate value 
of the produces of manuflvcture, exclusive of 
minini^, in the hist three censu.scs were: in 1850, 
S(i2.o'92.0()0 ; in 1860, 8121,091,000; in 1870, 
S2(>9,7 13,000. • 

The ratio of increase was over 100 per cent in 
each ten yeai-s, a rate far beyond thatof the in- 
crease of population, and nuich beyond the ratio of 
increase in the whole counlrj'. In 1850, the man- 
ufactures of Ohio were one-sixteenth part of the 
in the country; in 1860, one-fifteenth 



I 



•X ' 



—9 






HISTORY or OHIO. 



143 



part; in 1870, oue-twelfth part. In addition to 
this, we find, from the returns of Cincinnati and 
Clevehxnd, that the value of the manufactured prod- 
ucts of Ohio in 1875, mu.st have reached 6400,- 
000,000, and, by reference to the census tables, it 
will be seen that the ratio of increase exceeded that 
of the great manuficturing States of New York, 
Massachusetts and Connecticut. Of all the States 
admitted into the Union prior to Ohio, Pennsylvania 
alone has kept pace in the progress of manufacture. 
Some little reference to the manufacture of leading 
articles may throw some light on the cause of this. 
In the production of agTiculturaJ machinery and 
implements, Ohio is the first State ; in animal and 
vegetable oils and in pig iron, the second; in cast 
iron and in tobacco, the third ; in salt, in machinery 
and in leather, the fourth. These facts show how 
largely the resources of coal, iron and agriculture 
have entered into the manufactures of the State. 
This great advance in the manufactures of Ohio, 
when we consider that this State is, relatively to 
its surflice, the first agricultural State in the 
country, leads to the inevitable inference that its 
people are remarkably industrious. When, on 
forty thousand S(|uare miles of surface, three mill- 
ions of people raise one hundred and fifty million 
bushels of grain, and produce manuflietures to the 
amount of |269,00(),000 (which is fifty bu.shels 
of breadstuff to each man, woman and child, and 
$133 of manufacture), it will be difficult to find 
any community surjjassing such results. It is a 
testimony, not only to the State of Ohio, but to 
t he industry, sagacity and energy of the American 
people. 

Looking now to the commerce of the State, we 
have said there are six hundred miles of coast line, 
which embraces some of the principal internal ports 
of the Ohio and the lakes, such as Cincinnati, Cleve- 
land, Toledo and Portsmouth, but whose commerce 
is most wholly inland. Of course, no comparison 
can be made with the foreign commerce of the 
ocean ports. On the other hand, it is well known 
that the inland irade of the country far exceeds 
that of all its foreign commerce, and that the larg- 
est part of this interior trade is carried on its 
rivers and lakes. The materials for the vast con- 
sumption of the interior must be conveyed in its 
vessels, whether of sail or steam, adapted to these 
waters. Let us take, then, the sliip-huilding, the 
navigation, and the exchange trades of Ohio, ;is 
elements in determining the position of this State 
in reference to the commerce of the country. At 
the ports of Cleveland, Toledo, Sandusky and Cin- 



cinnati, there have been built one thousand sail and 
steam vessels in the last twenty years, making an 
average of fifty each year. The number of sail, 
steam and all kinds of vessels in Ohio is eleven 
hundred and ninety, which is equal to the number 
in all the other States in the Ohio Valley and the 
Upper M ississippi. 

When we look to the navigable points to wliich 
these vessels are destined, we find them <jn all tliis 
vast coast line, which extends from the Gulf of 
Mexico to the Yellowstone, and from Duluth to 
the St. Lawrence. 

Looking again to see the extent of this vast in- 
terior trade wliich is handled by Ohio alone, via 
find that the imports and exports of the principal 
articles of Cincinnati, amount in value to S500,- 
000,000; and when we look at the great trade of 
Cleveland and Toledo, we shall find that the an- 
nual trade of Ohio exceeds $700,000,000. The 
lines of railroad which connect with its ports, are 
more than four thousand miles in length, or rather 
more than one mile in length to each ten square 
miles of surface. This great amount of railroads is 
engaged not merely in transporting to the Atlantic 
and thence to Europe, the immense surplus grain 
and meat in Ohio, but in carrying the largest part 
of that greater surplus, which exists in the States 
west of Ohio, the granary of the West. Ohio 
holds the gateway of every railroad north of the 
Ohio, from the 5lississippi to the Atlantic, and 
hence it is that the great transit lines of the coun- 
try pass through Ohio. 

Let us now turn from the progress of the art.'s 
to the progress of ideas ; from material to intellect- 
ual development. It is said that a State consists 
of men, and history shows that no art or science, 
wealth or power, will compensate for the want of 
moral or intellectual stability in the minds of a 
nation. Hence, it is admitted that the strength 
and pei'petuity of our republic must consist in the 
intelligence and morality of the people. A re- 
public can last only when tlu; people are enlight- 
ened. This was an axiom with the early legislators 
of this country. Hence it was that when Vir- 
ginia, Connectictit and the original colonies ceded 
to the General Government that vast and then un- 
known wilderness which lay west of the Allegha- 
nies, in the valleys of the Ohio and Mississippi, they 
took care that its future inhabitants should be an 
educated people. The Constitution was not formed 
when the celebrated ordinance of 1787 was passed. 

That ordinance provided that, " Religion, mor- 
ality, and knowledge being necessary to good 



^. 



W" 






144 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



government and the happiness of mankind, schools 
and the means of education shall be forever en- 
courai^cd;" and by the ordinance of 1785 for the 
survey of public lands in the Northwestern Terri- 
tory, Section 1(5 in each township, that is, one 
thirty-sixtli part, was reserved for the maintenance 
of public schools in said townships. As the State 
of Ohio contained a little more than twenty-five 
millions of acres, this, together with two sjiecial 
grants of three townships to univoi'sities. amounted 
to the dedication of 74t(,t)(IO acres of land to ihe 
maintenance of schools and coUccos. It was a 
splendid endowment, but it was manj- years before 
it became available. It was sixteen years after the 
passage of this ordinance (in 1803), when Ohio 
entered the Uniim^ and legislation upon this grant 
became possible. The Constitution of the State 
pursued the language of the ordinance, and de- 
clared that "schools and the means of education 
shall forever bccncouraged by legislative provision." 
The Governors of Ohio, in successive messages, 
urged attention to this subject uj)on the people; 
but the thinniiss of settlement, making it iuijio.s.si- 
ble, except in i'ew di.stricis, to collect youth in .suf- 
ficient numbers, and impossible to sell or lease 
lands to advantage, caused the delay of efficient 
eoliool system for many years. In 1825, however, 
a general law establishing a school system, and levy- 
ing a tax for its support, was passed. 

This Wiis again eularged and increased by new 
legislation in lS3(i and 1840. From that time to 
this, Ohio has bad a broad, liberal and ciiicieutsys- 
tcm of public instruction. The taxation iiir .schools, 
and the number enrolled in them at different pe- 
riods, will best show what has been done. In 
1855 the total taxation fiir school purjioses was 
S2, 672,827. The proportion of youth of school- 
able age enrolled w;is (17 per cent. In 1874 the 
amount raised by ta.\atiou was §7,425,135. The 
number enrolhid of schoolable ago was 70 per 
cent, or 707,943. 

As the schoolable age extends to twenty-one 
years, and as there are very few youth in school 
after fifteen years of age, it follows that the 70 
per cent of schoolable youths enrolled in the i)ub- 
lic schools must comprehend nearly the whole 
number between four and Si^oen years. It is im- 
portant to observe this fact, because it has been 
inferred that, as the whole number of youth be- 
tween five and twenty-one have not been enrolled, 
therefore they are not educated. This is a 
mistake; nearly all over fifteen years of age have 
been in the public schools, and all the native 



youth of the State, and all foreign born, young 
enough, have had the benefit of the public schools. 
But in consequence of the large number who 
have come from other States and from foreign 
countries, there are .still a few who are classed liy 
the census statistics among the "illiterate;" the 
proportion of this class, however, is less in propor- 
tion than in twenty-eight other States, and less in 
proportion than in Connecticut and Massachusetts, 
I two of the oldest States most noted for popular 
! education. In fact, every youth in Ohio, under 
twenty-one years of age, may have the benefit of a 
public education ; and, since the system of gi'aded 
and high schools has been adopted, ma}' obtain a 
common knowledge from the alphabet to the classics. 
The enumerated branches of .study in the ]iub- 
lic schools of Ohio are thirty-tour, including 
mathematics and astrononi)', French, German and 
the classics. Thus the State which was in the 
heart of the wilderness in 1770, and was not a 
State until the nineteenth century had begun, now 
jiresents to the world, not nierel}' an unrivaled de- 
velopment <'f material prosperity, but an unsur- 
passed system of pojmlar education. 

In what is called the higher education, in the 
colleges and universities, embracing the classics 
and sciences taught in regtdar classes, it is the pop- 
ular idea, and one which few dare to question, that 
we must look to the Eastern States for superiority 
and excellence; but that also is becoming an as- 
sumption without proof; a proposition difficult to 
sustain. The facts in regard to the education of 
universities and colleses, their fiicuhies, students 
and course of instruction, are all set forth in the 
complete statistics of the Bureau of Education for 
1874. They .show that the State of Ohio had the 
largest number of such iu>tiiutions; the largest 
number of instructors in their faculties, except one 
State, New Vork ; and the largest number of stu- 
dents in regular college classes, in proportion to 
their population, except the two Stales of' Connect- 
icut and Mas.sachusetts. Perhajis, if wc look at 
the statistics of classical students in the colleges, 
disregarding jireparatory and iiTcgular cour.scs, we 
shall get a more accurate idea of the progress of 
the higher education in those States which claim 
the best. In Ohio, 30 colleges, 258 teachers, 
2,130 students, proportion, 1 in 124; in IVnn- 
sylvania, 27 colleges, 239 teachers, 2.359 students, 
proportion. 1 in 150; in New York, 20 colioges, 
343 teachers, 2,704 students, proportion, 1 in 170; 
in thesix NewEngland States, 17 colleges, 252 teach- 
ers, 3,341 students, jnoportion, 1 in 105; in Illi- 



^^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



145 



iiois, 24 colleges, 219 teachers, 1,701 students, 
proportion, 1 in 1 10. 

This shows there are more collegiate institutions 
in (_)hio than in all New lOnglanJ ; a greater num- 
ber of college teachers, and only a little smaller ratio 
of students to the pojailation ; a greater number of 
such students than either in New York or I'l'iuisyl- 
vania, and, as a broad, general I'act, Ohio has niadi; 
more progress in education than either of the old 
States which formed the American Union. Such 
a fact is a higher testimony to the strength and the 
beneficent influence of the American (irovernmeut 
than any which the statistician or the historian 
can advance. 

Let us now turn to the moral aspects of the 
people of Ohio. No human society is found with- 
out its poor and dependent classes, whether made 
so by the defects of nature, by acts of Providence, 
or by the accidents of tbrtuue. Since no society 
is exempt from the.se classes, it must be judged 
not so much by the fact of their existence, as by 
the manner in which it treats them. In the civil- 
ized nations of ansiiputy, such as Greece and 
Rome, hospitals, infirmaries, orphan homes, and 
a.sylums for the infirm, were unknown. These 
are the creations of Christianity, and that must be 
esteemed practically the most Christian State which 
most practices this Christian beneficence. In Ohio, 
as in all the States of this country, and of all 
Christian countries, there is a large number of the 
infirm and depijndent classes; but, although Ohio 
is the third State in population, she is only the 
fourteenth in the proportion of dependent classes. 
The more important point, however, was, how does 
she treat them? Is there wanting any of all 
the varied institutions of benevolence? How does 
she compare with other States and countries in 
this respect? It is believed that no State or coun- 
try can present a larger proportion of all these 
institutions which the benevolence of the wise and 
good have suggested for the alleviation of suffer- 
ing and misfortune, than the State of Ohio. With 
3,500 of the insane within her borders, she has 
five great lunatic asylums, capable ot accommodat- 
ing them all. She has rusyluras for the deaf and 
dumb, the idiotic, and the blind. She has the 
best liospitals in the country. She has schools 
of reform and houses of refuge. She has "homes" 
for the boys and girls, to the number of SOO, who 
are children of soldiers. She has penitentiaries 
and jail.s, orphan asylums and infirmaries. la 
every county there is an infirmary, and in every 
pubHc institution, except the penitentiary, there is a 



school. So that the State has used every human 
means to relieve the suffering, to instruct the igno- 
rant, and to refonn the criminal. There are in 
the State 80,000 who come under all the various 
forms of the infirm, the poor, the sick and the 
criminal, who, in a greater or less degree, make 
the dependent class. For these the State has 
made every provision which humanity or justice 
or intelligence can require. A ynung State, de- 
veloped in the wilderness, she challenges, without 
any invidious comparison, both Europe and Amer- 
ica, to show her superior in the development of 
humanity manifested in the benefaction of pul)lic 
institutions. 

Intimately connected with public morals and 
with charitable institutions, is the religion of a 
people. The people of the United States are a 
Christian people. The people of Ohio have man- 
ifested their zeal by the erection of churches, of 
Sunday schools, and of religious institutions. So 
far as these are outwardly manifested, they are 
made known by the social statistics of the census. 
The number of church organizations in the leading 
States were: In the State of Ohio, G,48S ; in 
the State of New York, 5,627 : in the State of 
Pennsylvania, 5,984 ; in the State of Illinois, 4,298. 
It thus appears that Ohio had a larger number 
of churches than any State of the Union. The 
number of sittings, however, was not (piite as 
large as those in New York and Pennsylvania. 
The denominations are of all the sects kniiwn in 
this country, about thirty in number, the majority 
of the whole being IMethodists, Presbyterians and 
Baptists. Long before the American Indejicnd- 
ence, the Moravians had .settled on the JIahoning 
and Tuscarawas Rivers, Init only to be destroyed ; 
and when the peace with Great Britain was made, 
not a ve.stige of Christianity remained on the 
soil of Ohio ; yet we see that within ninety years 
from that time the State of Ohio was, in the num- 
ber of its churches, the first of this great Union. 

In the beginning of this address, I said tliat 
Ohio was the oldest and first of these great States, 
carved out of the Northwestern Territory, and that 
it was in some things the greatest State of the 
American Union. I have now traced the physi- 
cal, commercial, intellectual and moral features of 
the State during the seventy-five years of its 
constitutional history. The result is to establish 
fully the propositions with which I began. These 
facts have brought out: 

1. That Ohio is, in reference to the square 
miles of its surface, the first State in agriculture 



A^ 



^. 



14G 



HISTOET OF OHIO. 



of the Anurican Uiiiun; (bis, t(;o, notwithstand- 
ing it has 801 (,000 in cities and towns, and a larne 
development of capital and products in manu- 
factures. 

2. That Ohio has raised more prain per square 
mile tlian either France, Austria, or Great Britain. 
They raised 1,450 bushels per S(|uare mile, and 
10 bushels to each pL;rson. Ohio raised 8,750 
bushi^ls per square mile, and 50 bushels to each 
one of the population ; or, in other words, five 
times the proportion of gi-ain raised in Europe. 

3. Ohio was the first State of the Union in 
the production of 'iomostio animals, being far in 
advance of either New York, Pennsylvania or Illi- 
nois. The proportion of domestic animals to each 
person in ()hio was three and one-third, and in 
New Y(uk and Pennsylvania less than half that. 
The laruest proportion of domestic animals pro- 
duced in Euroi)e \vas in Great Britain and RtLssia, 
neither of which come near that of Ohio. 

4. The coal-field of Ohio Ls va.stl\' greater than 
that of Great Britain, and we need make no com- 
parison with other States in regard to coal or iron; 
for the 10,000 square miles of coal, and 4,000 
square miles of iron in Ohio, are enough to supply 
the whole American continent for ages to come. 

5. Neither need wo compare the results of 
comm(!rce and navigation, since, from the ports of 
Cleveland and Cincinnati, the vessels of Ohio 
touch on 42,000 miles of coast, and her 5,000 
miles of railroad carry her products to c\ cry par' 
of the American coniinent. 

(). Notwithstaiidiug the immense pro]ioriion 
and products of agriculture in Ohio, yet she has 
more than kept pace v^ith New York and New 
Eiiglaiiil in the ]irogTe.*s of manufactures during 
the last iwint}' yeai-s. Ilcr coal and iron ar; pro- 
ducing their legi!imate results in making her a 
great manufacturing State. 

7. Ohio is the first State in the Union as to 
the proportion of youth attending school; and the 
States west of the Alleghanies and north of the 
Ohio have more youth in school, proporlionably, 
than New England and New Y'ork. The facts on 
this suliject are so extraordiuarj' that I may be 
excused for giving them a little in detail. 

The ju-oponion of youth in Ohio attending 
school to till' ))opulation, is 1 in 4.2; in Illinois, 1 
in 4.;'; in Pennsylvania, 1 in 4.8; in New York, 
1 in 5.2 ; in Connecticut and Massiichu.setts, 1 in 
8.7. 

These ))roportions show that it is in the ^Vest, 
and not in the East, that education is now advanc- 



ing; and i: \\ hero that we see the stimulus given 
by the ordinance of 1787, is working out its great 
aud beneficent results. The land grant for educa- 
tion Wiis a great one, but, at last, its chief effort 
was in stimulating popular education ; for the Stale 
of Ohio has taxed itself tens of millions of dollars 
beyond the utmost value of the land grant, to 
found and maintaiu a system of public education 
which the world has not surpassed. 

We have seen that aijove and beyond all this 
material and intellectual development, Ohio has 
provided a vast benefaction of a.sylums, hospitals, 
and infirmaries, and special schools for the sujiport 
and instruction of the dependent classes. There is 
not within all her borders a single one of the deaf, 
dumb, and blind, of the poor, sick, and insane, not 
an orphan or a vagrant, who is not provided for 
by the broad and generous liberality of the State 
aud her people. A charity which the cla.ssic ages 
knew nothing of, a beneficence which the splendid 
hierarchies and aristocracies of Euroj)e cannot 
equal, has been exhibited in this young State, 
wliose name was unknown one hundred years ago, 
w-lio.<o people, from Europe to the Atlantic, and 
from the Atlantic to the Ohio, were, like Adam 
and Eve, cast out — ■'■■the icorld be/ore them where 
to choose." 

Lastly, we see that, although the third in pop- 
ulation, and the .seventeenth in admission to the 
Union, Ohio had, in 1870, G.400 churches, the 
largest number in any one State, and numbering 
among them every form of Christian worship. 
The people, who.se fields were rich with grain, 
whose mines were boundless in wealth, and whose 
commerce extended through thousands of miles 
of lakes and rivers, came here, as thej' came to 
New England's rock-bound coast — 

" With frccJom to worship God." 

The church and the schoolhoiisc rose beside the 
gTcen fields, and tlie morning bells rang forth to 
cheerful children going to school, and to a Chris- 
tian people going to the church of God. 

Let us now look at the pos.sibilitics of Ohio in 
the future development of the American Kepub- 
lican Republic. The two most j)opulous parts of 
Europe, because the most food-producing, are the 
Netherlands and Italy, or, more precisely. Belgium 
and ancient Lombardy ; to the present time, their 
]io|)ulation is. in round numbers, three hundred to 
the squ.ire mile. The density of population in 
England (iroper is about the s;ime. We may 
a.ssume. therefore, that three hundred to the .square 



"y 



>?-. 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



147 



mile is, ia round numbers, the limit of comfortable 
subsistence under modern civilization. It is true 
tliat modern improvements in agricultural machin- 
ery and fertilization liavo greatly increased the 
capacity of production, on a given amount of 
land, with a given amount of labor. It is true, 
also, that the old countries of Europe do not 
possess an equal amount of arable land with Ohio 
in proportion to the same .surface. It would seem, 
therefore, that the density of population in Ohio 
might exceed that of any part of Europe. On 
the other hand, it may be said with truth that the 
American people will not become so dense as in 
Europe while they have new lands in the West 
to occupy. This is true ; but lands such as those 
in the valley of the Ohio are now becoming 
scarce in the West, and we think that, with her 
great capacity for tlie production of grain on one 
hand, and of illimitable (juantities of coal and 
iron to manufeeture with on the other, that Ohio 
will, at no remote period, reach nearly the density 
of Belgium, which will give her 10,000,000 of 
people. This seems extravagant, but the tide of 
migration, which flowed so fast to the West, is 
beginning to ebb, while the manufactures of the 
interior offer greater inducements. 

With population comes wealth, the material for 
education, the development of the arts, advance 
in all the material elements of civilization, and the 
still grander advancements in the strength and 
elevation of the human mind, con('|uering to it.self 
new realms of material and intellectual power, 
aeijuiring in the future what wo have seen in the 
past, a wealth of resources unknown and undreamed 
of when, a hundred years ago, the fivthers of the 
republic declared their independence. I know 
how easy it is to treat this statement with eaisy 
incredulity, but statistics is a certain science ; tlie 
elements of civilization are now measured, and we 
know the progress of the human race as we know 



that of a cultivated plant. We know the resources 
of the country, its food-producing capacity, its 
art processes, its power of education, and the unde- 
fined and illimitable power of the human mind 
for new inventions and unimagined progress. With 
this knowledge, it is not difficult nor unsafe to .say 
that the future will produce more, and in a far 
greater ratio, than the past. The pictured scenes 
of the prophets have already been more than ful- 
filled, and the visions of beauty and glory, which 
their imagination failed fully to describe, will be 
more than realized in the bloom of that garden 
which republican America will present to the 
eyes of astonished mankind. Long before another 
century shall have ]ias.sed by, the single State of 
Ohio will present fourfold the population with which 
the thirteen States began their independence, more 
wealth than the entire Union now has ; greater 
universities than any now in the country, and a 
development of arts and manufacture which the 
world now knows nothing of You have seen 
more than that since the Constitution was adopted, 
and what right have you to say the future shall 
not equal the past ? 

I have aimed, in this address, to give an exact 
picture of what Ohio is, not more for the sake of 
Ohio than as a representation of the products 
which the American Hcpublic has given to the 
world. A State which began long after the 
Declaration of Independence, in the then unknown 
wilderness of North America, presents to-day 
the fairest example of what a republican govern- 
ment with Christian civilization can do. Look 
upon this picture and upon those of Assyria, 
of Greece or Rome, or of Europe in her best 
estate, and say where is the civilization of the 
earth which can equal this. If'a Komau citizen could 
say with pride, " Civis Romanns awn" with far 
greater pride can you say this day, "I am an 
American citizen." 




7\: 



148 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



EDUCATION* 



— EARLY 
SCHOOL 



scnooL 

SYSTEM- 



LAWS— NOTES— 
SCHOOL FUNDS- 



IXSTITLTES 
-COLLEGES 



AND 



EDUCATIONAL 
UNIVEKSITIES. 



JOURNALS— 



WHEN the survey of the Northwest Terri- 
tory was ordered by Conj^ress, March 21), 
1785, it was decreed that every sixteenth section 
of hind sliould be reserved for the "maintenance 
of pubhc schools within each township." The 
ordinance of 17S7 — thanl^s to the New Eualaud 
Associates — proclaimed that, " reiigiou, morality 
and knuwledjio bcina; essential to good <;overnmeut, 
schools and the means of education should forever 
be encouraged." The State Constitution of 1802 
declared that '• schools and the means of instruc- 
tion should be encouraged by legislative provision, 
not incon.sistent with the rights of conscience." 
In 1825, through the persevering eflbrts of Nathan 
Guilford, Senator from Hamilton County, Ephraim 
Cutler, Representative from Washington County, 
and other friends of education, a bill was passed, 
" laying the foundation for a gt^uoral system of 
common schools." This bill provided a tax of one- 
half mill, to be levied by the County Commis- 
sioners for school purposes ; provided for school 
examiners, and made Township Clerks and County 
Auditors school officers. In lS2it, this county 
tax was raised to three-fourths of a mill ; in 183-1 
to one nsill, and, in 1830, to one and a half mills. 
In Jlarch, 1837, Samuel Lewis, of Hamilton 
County.was appointed State Superintendent of Com- 
mon Schools. He was a very energetic worker, trav- 
eling on horseback all over the State, delivering ad- 
dressesand encouraging school officers and teachers. 
Through his efforts much good was done, and 

^ From tlie School Commis-ioners' fipp-^r's, princiiialty thoee of 
Tl.inus W. Il..rv..y, A. M. 

Note I. — 'I'lip first school taucht ill Ohio, or in thi^ Korthwe'itern 
Territory, w.i.i in 1T!U. The lirst teaclier wa** Maj Ail-tin Tnpprr, 
pldestson of Gen. B^iyvniiti Clipper, b..tli Kcvo iititi- arv olli. er:i. 
The room occupied wh.-* tin- Ranie as ih It ill uliich I he firsi I'oiirtwas 
held, and was nitiiateil in I lie iiortliuest liloiIi-liMtieent ilie;:arrison, 
cilled the Btncl^ade. at Slaiietla. Dunn;; tlii' [iiilian war seliool 
was also tailj;iital Fort Ilamiar. Point iMarieila, and al • tiler Ket- 
tlementa. A inoeting w.as held in Maiieita. April 2it, IT'.iT, t'l e.in- 
sider the erection nf a Pchool hnildin;r ..nitahle lor the inslruction 
01 the youth, and for roiidiictin:; reli^'ioilB seivieei. Resoliiiiona 
were adopted which h'd to the erecion of a Iniihlin!; eaUed the 
Muskinpjiim .\eadeniy. Tin- hnilding was of frame fertv f..'l hmg 
and twenty-four feet wide, and is yet(ls7S)8tatjdinA. 'I hehnildiiiK 
waslwelve f -Pt hi^li. w;tti an atchcd ceiling It St noil ii[>on a stone 
foundation, three step^ from the crouiid. There wereiw.iehimneva 
and a lohhy i>rojection. There was a cellar iindi-r the whole hiiild- 
inp. It stood upon a heaiiii'iil hit, fr intinj; the Mu-hiiipiini Uiver, 
and about sixty fc^t hack ftoai tlu- wtreel. Some largo trees were 



many important features engrafted on the school 
system. He resigned in 183'J, when the office was 
abolished, and its duties im])0sed on the Secretary 
of State. 

The most important adjunct in early education 
in the State was the college of teachers organized 
in Cincinnati in 1831. Albert Pickett, Dr. Jo.seph 
Ray, William H. McGufl'ey — .so largely known by 
his Readers — -and Jlilo G. Williams, were at its 
head. Leading men in all parts of the West at- 
tended its meetings. Their published deliberations 
did much for the advancement of education among 
the people. Through the efforts of the college, 
the first convention held in Ohio for educational 
purposes was called at Columbus, January 13, 
1836. Two years after, in December, the first 
convention in which the different sections of the 
State were represented, was held. x\t both these 
conventions, all the needs of the schools, both com- 
mon and higher, were ably and fully discussed, 
and appeals made to the people for a more cordial 
support of the law. No successful attempts were 
made to organize a permanent educational society 
until December, 1847, when the Ohio State Teach- 
ers' A.ssociation was formed at Akron, Summit 
County, with Samuel Galloway as President; T. 
W. Harvey, Recording Secretary; M. D. Leggett, 
Corres]Kinding Sc^cretary; William Rowen, Treas- 
urer, and M. F. Cowdrey, Chairman of the Executive 
Committee. This Association entered upon its 
work with commendable earnostne.s.s, and has .since 

upon the lot and on the street in front. Across the street was an 
open common, and beyond that the river. Imiuediately opjiosite 
the door, on enterin;^. was a liniad aisle, and, at the end of the 
aisle, afrainst the wall, W'jLsa desk or pulpit. On the ri^iht and left 
of the pulpit, against the wall, and fronting the jailpit, w.is a row 
of Klips. On each sideof the door, ftcing the pulpit, were tw.islitis, 
and, at each end of the room, one slip, The^se slip* werctationary, 
and were fitted "ith deskH that could be let down, and there were 
boxes in the desks lor holding books and paper'. In the center ef 
the roont was an open space, which could le- filled with luovahle 
seats. The fiist scliool was opened here in ISUO." — LeUcr of A, T. 

NoTF. 2 — .\nother evidence of the char^icter of th- New England 
A*isociatea is ih' founding of a public lii-rary as larly as 17%, or 
bef.ire AnothiT whs also cstaldishedat Belpri-nlaiiit the same time. 
Abundant evidence proves the existpiiee of these lihraiies, all tend- 
ing to the fict that tlio early settlers, though conquering a wilder- 
n. Ks and a (savage foe, would not allow their nient*.l faculties to 
lack for food. 1'lie character of the books shows that "s.Ud" 
reading predominated. 



a> V^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



149 



never abated its zeal. Semi-anuual meetinu'.s were 
at iir.st held, but, since ISJS, ouly anuuul iiuetings 
occur. Tliey arc always largely attended, and al- 
ways by the best and most energetic teachers. 
The Association lias given tone to the educational 
interests of the State, and has done a vast amount 
of good in popularizing education. In the spring 
of 1851, Lorin Andrews, then Superintendent of 
the Massiilon school, resigned his place, and be- 
came a common-school missionary. In Jul^', the 
Association, at Cleveland, made him its agent, and 
instituted me;usuros to sustain him. He remained 
zoalou.sly at work in this relation until lS5o, when 
he resigned to accept the presidency of Kenyon 
College, at Gambler. Dr. A. Lord was then chosen 
general agent and resident editor of the Journal 
of Education, which positions he filled two years, 
with eminent ability. 

The year that l)r. Lord resigned, the cs ofEcio 
relation of the Secretary of State to the common 
schools was abolished, and the oiEce of school com- 
missioner again created. H. H. Barney was 
elected to the place in October, 1853. The office 
has since been hold by Ilev. Anson Smyth, elected 
in 185G, and re-elected in 1859 ; E. E. White, 
appointed by the Governor, November 11, IBGll, 
to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of C. 
W. II. Cathcart, who was elected in 18G2; John 
A. Norris, in 18G5; W. D. Henkle, in 18U8; 
Thomas W. [larvey, in 1871; C. S. Smart, in 
1875, and the present incumbent, J. J. Burns, 
elected in 1878, his term expiring in 1881. 

The first teachers' institute in Northern Ohio 
was held at Sandusky, in September, 1845, con- 
ducted by Salem Town, of New York, A. D. Lord 
and 51. F. Cowdrey. The second was held at Char- 
don, Geauga Co., in November of the same year. 
The first insticuto in the southern part of the 
State was held at Cincinnati, in February, 1837; 
the first in the central part at Newark, in March, 
181-8. Since thjn these meetings of teachers have 
occurred annually, and have been theTneans of 
great good in elevating the teacher and the public 
in edueati(jnal interests. In 1848, on petition of 
forty teachers, county commissioners were author- 
ized to pay lecturers from surplus revenue, and the 
next year, to appropriate SI 00 for institute pur- 
poses, upon pledge of teachers to raise half that 
amount. By the statutes of 18(54, applicants for 
teachers were required to pay 50 cents each as an 
examination fee. One-third of the amount thus 
raised w;is allowed the use of examiners as trav- 
eling expenses, the remainder to be applied to in- 



stitute instruction. For the year 1871, sixty-eight 
teachers' insti.utes were held in the State, at which 
308 instructors and lecturers were employed, and 
7,158 teachers in attendance. The expense incurred 
was SlG,301.'Ji.», of which 810,127.13 was taken 
from the institute fund; S2,73U.34, was contrib- 
uted by members; §G8U, by county commis- 
sioners, and the balance, 81,371.50, was ob- 
tained from other sources. The last report of the 
State Commissioners — 1878 — shows that eighty- 
five county institutes were held in the State, con- 
tinuing in ssssiim 748 days; 41G instructors were 
employed; ll,4G(i teachers attended ; 822,531.47 
were received from all sources, and that the ex- 
penses were ^19,587.51, or §1.71 per member. 
There wa-s a balance on hand of §9,400.74 to com- 
mence the next year, just now clo.sed, whose work 
has been as progressive and thorough as any former 
year. The State Association now comprises three 
sections; the general association, the sujierintend- 
ents' section and the ungraded school .section. All 
have done a good work, and all report progTCss. 

The old State Constitution, adopted by a con- 
vention in 1802, was supplemented in 1851 by 
the present one, under which the General Assem- 
bly, elected under it, met in 1852. Harvey Rice, 
a Senator from Cuyahoga County, Chairman of 
Senate Committee on "Common Schools and 
School Lands,'' reported a bill the 29th of March, 
to provide ''for the re-organization, supervision 
and maintenance of common schools. " This bill, 
amended in a few particulars, became a law 
March 14, 1853. The prominent features of the 
new law were : The substitution of a State school 
tax for tlie county tax ; creation of the office of 
the Stiite School Commissioner; the creation of a 
Township Board of Education, consisting of repre- 
sentatives from the subdistricts ; tlio abolition oi' 
rate-bills, making education free to all the youth of 
the State; the raising of a fund, by a tax of one- 
tenth of a mill yearlv, " for the purpose of fur- 
nishing school libraries and apparatus to all the 
common schools." This "library tax" was abol- 
ished in ISGO, otherwise fhe law has remained 
practically unchanged. 

School journals, like the popular press, have 
been a potent agency in the educational history of 
the State. As early as 1838, the Ohio School 
Director was issued l)y Samuel Lewis, by legisla- 
tive authority, though aflcr six months' contiiui- 
ance, it ceasjd for want of support. The same 
year the Pcxtalozzian, by E. li. Sawtcll and II. 
K. Smith, of Akron, and the Common School 



ii£: 



loO 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



A'h-ociite, of Cincinnati, werj issued. lo iS4(!, 
the School Journal began to be laiblishej by A. 
]). Lord, of Kirtlaud. The same year saw the 
IWe School Clarion, by W. Bowen, of Ma.ssillon, 
and the School Friend, by W. 15. Sniitli & Co., 
of Cincinnati. The next jcar, \\ . II. Moore & 
Co., of Cincinnati, started tlie Western School 
Journal. In 1851, the Ohio Teacher, by 
Thomas Raine}', appeared; the News and Edu- 
cator, in 18G3, and the Educational Times, in 
18G6. In 1850, Dr. hord's Journal of Educa- 
tion was united with the School Friend, and 
bi'.came the recojrnizod oriran of tlic teachers in 
Ohio. Tlie Doctor remained its principal editor 
until 1S5G, when he was succeeded by Anson 
Smyth, who edited thejournal one year. In 1857, 
it was edited by John D. Caldwell ; in 1S5S and 
and 1851:t, by W. T. Cogge-shall; in lSGO,by Anson 
Smyth again, when it pas.sod into the hands of 
Ij. K. White, who yet coniiols it. It has an 
immense circidation among Ohio teachers, and, 
though competed by other journals, since started, 
it maintains its place. 

The scliool system of the State may be briefly 
explained as follows: Cities and incorporated vil- 
lages arc independent of township and county con- 
trol, in the management of schocjls, having boards 
of education and examiners of their own. Some 
of them are organized for school purposes, under 
special acts. Each township iia.s a board of edu- 
cation, composed of one member frmn each suIj- 
district. The township clerk is clerk of this board, 
but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local 
board of trustees, which manages its school afiairs, 
subject to the advice and control of the town-^ihip 
board. These officers arc elected on tlie first 
Monday in April, and hold their ollices three 
years. An enumeration of all tlio youth between 
the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearl}'. 
All public schools are recjuired to be in session at 
least twenty-four weeks each 3'ear. The township 
clerk reports annually such facts concerning school 
affairs as the law recpiires, to the county auditor, 
who in turn reports to the State Commissioner, 
who collects these reports in a general report to 
the Legislature each \'ear. 

A board of examiners is appointed in each 
county by the Probate Judge. This lioard has 
power to gr.int cenificates for a term not exceed- 
ing two years, and good only in tlu! county in 
wliich they are executed; they m.ay he revoked on 
sufficient cause. In 1804, a State Board of 
Examiners w;»s created, with power to issue life cer- 



tificates, valid in all parts of the State. Since 
then, up to January 1, 1879, there have been 188 
of these issued. They are considered an excellent 
test of scholarship and ability, and are very credit- 
able to the holder. 

The school funds, in 18G5, amounted to 83,271,- 
275.60. They were the proceeds of aiiprojiriations 
of land by Congress for school purjioses, upon 
which the State pays an annual interest of G per 
cent. The funds are known as the Virginia ]\lili- 
tary School Fund, the proceeds of eigiitccn quar- 
ter-townships and three sections of land, selected 
by lot from lands lying in the United States 
Military Reserve, appropriated for the u.se of 
schools in the Virginia Military Reservation; the 
United States Military School Fund, the proceeds 
of one thirty-sixth part of the land in the United 
States .Military District, appropriated "for the use 
of schools within the same;" the Western Reserve 
School Fund, the proceeds from fourteen (juarter- 
townships, situated in the United States Military 
District, and 37,758 acres, most of which was lo- 
cated in Defiance, Williams. Paulding. Xan Wert 
and Putnam Counties, appropriated for the use of 
the schools in the Western Reserve; Section 
16, the proceeds from the sixteenth section of 
each township in that part of the State in which 
the Indian title was not extinguished in 18(tl); the 
Moravian School Fund, the proceeds from one 
thirty-sixth part of each of three tracts of 
4,UUU acres situated in Tuscarawas County. 1 rig- 
inallv granted by Congress to the Society of United 
Brethren, and reconveyed by this Society to the 
Uniteil States in 1824. The income of these funds 
is not distributed by anj' uniform rule, owing to 
defects in the granting of the funds. The territo- 
rial divisions designated receive the income in 
proportion to the whole number of youth therein, 
whik; in the remainder of the State, the rent of 
Section 16, or the interest on the proceeds 
arising from its sale, is paid to the inhabitants of 
the ori'jiinally surve3'ed townships. In these terri- 
torial divisions, an incre;ise or decrease of popula- 
tion mu>t necessarily increiuse or diminish the 
amount each youth is entitled to receive; and the 
fortunate location or judicious sale of the sixteenth 
section may entitle one township to receive a large 
sum, while an adjacent townshi]) rec("ives a mere 
pittance. Tiiis inequality of benefit may be good 
for localities, but it is certainly a detriment to the 
State at large. There seems to be no legal remedy 
for it. In addition to the income from the before- 
mentioned funds, a variable revenue is received 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



151 



from certain fines and licenses paid to either county 
or towusliip treasurers for the use of schools; 
from the sale of swamp lauds ($25,720.07 allotted 
to the State in 1850 ), and from personal property 
escheated to the State. 

Aside from the funds, a State school tax is fixed 
by statute. Local taxes vary with the needs of 
localities, are limited by law, and are contingent 
on the liberality and public spirit of different com- 
munities. 

The State contains more than twenty colleges 
and univer.sities, more than the .same number of 
female seminaries, and about thirty normal schools 
and academies. The amount of property invested 
in these is more than 86,000,000. The Ohio 
Universitj' is the oldest college in the State. 

In addition to the regular colleges, the State 
controls the Ohio State University, fbrmerl}' the 
Agricultural and Mechanical College, established 
from the proceeds of the land scrip voted by Con- 
gress to Ohio for such purpo.ses. The amount 
realized from the sale was nearly §500,000. This 
is to constitute a permanent fund, the interest only 
to be used. In addition, the sum of $300,000 
was voted by the citizens of Franklin County, in 
consideration of the location of the college in that 
county. Of this sum $111,000 was paid for three 
hundred and fifteen acres of land near the city of 
Columbus, and 1112,000 for a college building, 



the balance beiuij ex])i'nded as circumstances re- 
quired, I'or additional buildings, laboratory, appa- 
ratus, etc. Thorough instruction is given in all 
branches relating to agTiculturc and the mechanical 
arts. Already excellent results are attained. 

By the provisions of the act of March 14, IS53, 
township boards are made bodies politic and cor- 
porate in law, and are invested with the title, care 
and custody of all school property belonging to 
the school district or township. They have control 
of the central or high schools of their townships ; 
prescribe rules for the di.sti-ict schools ; may appoint 
one of their number manager of the schools of the 
town.ship, and allow him reasonable pay for his 
services ; determine the text-books to be used ; fix 
the boundaries of districts and locate schoolliouse 
sites ; make estimates of the amount of money re- 
quired ; apportion the money among the districts, 
and are required to make an annual report to the 
County Auditor, who incorporates the same in his 
report to the State Commissioner, by whom it 
reaches the Legislature. 

Local directors control the subdLstricts. They 
enumerate the children of school age, employ and 
dismiss teachers, make contracts for building and 
furnishing schoolhouses, and make all necessary 
provision for the convenience of the district schools. 
Practically, the entire management rests with 
them. 



CHAPTER XV. 



AGRICULTURE— AREA OP THE STATE— EARLY AGRICULTURE IN THE WEST— ^I.\RKETS— LIVE 

STOCK — NURSERIES, FRUITS, ETC. — CERE.VLS — ROOT AND CUCURBITACEOUS 

CROPS— AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS— AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES— 

POMOLOGICAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



" Oft ilifl the harvest t.i their sickles yield, 

Their furrow oft the stubborn glebe ha.s broke; 

How jocund did they drive their teams atield ! 

How bowed the woods beneath their sturdy stroke." 

THE majority of the readers of these pages are 
farmers, hence a resume of agriculture in the 
State, would not only be appropriate, but valuable 
as a matter of history. It is the true basis of 
national prosperity, and, therefore, justly occupies 
a foremost place. 

In the year 1800, the Territory of Ohio con- 
tained a population of 45,305 inhabitants, or a 
little more than one person to the square mile. At 



this date, the admis.sion of the Territory into the 
Union as a State began to be agitated. When the 
census was made to ascertain the legality of the 
act, in conformity to the "Compact of 1787," no 
endeavor was made to asceitain additional statis- 
tics, as now ; hence, the cultivated land was not 
returned, and no account remains to tell how 
much existed. In 1805, three years after the ad- 
mission of the State into the Union, 7,252,85(i 
acres had been p\irchased from the (Jennral Ijov- 
ernment. Still no returns of the cultivated lands 
were made. In 1810, the population of Ohio was 
230, 7G0, and the land purchased from the (.Jor- 



-»^ 



153 



HIST0I5Y OF OHIO. 



ernnient amounted to U,93o,150 acres, of which 
amount, however, 3,509,814 acres, or more than 
one-third, was held by non-residents. Of the lands 
oeeupied by resident land-owners, there appear to 
have been 100,9o8 acres of (irs:-rate, 1,9:^9,600 
of second, and l,53rf,745 acres of third rate lands. 
\t this period there were very few exports from 
tlie farm, loom or shop. The people still needed 
all they produced to sustain themselves, and were 
yet in tiiat pioneer period where they were obii_.^'ed 
to produce all they wanted, and yet were opening 
new lana-:, and bringing the olu ones to a productive 
state. 

Kentucky, and the country on the Monongahela, 
lying aloug the western slopes of the Aiieghauy 
^louutaias, having been much longer settled, had 
begun, as early as 1795, to send considerable cjuan- 
tities of flour, whisky, bacon and tobacco to the 
lower towns on the 3iissLssippi, at that time in the 
possession of the ."Spaniards. At the French set- 
tlements on the Illinois, and at Detroit, wero 
being raised much more than coidd be used, and 
these were exporting also large quautilies of these 
materials, as well as peltries and such commodities 
as their nomadic lives furnished. As the Missis- 
sippi was the natural outlet of the West, any at- 
tempt to impede its free navigation by the various 
powers at times controlling its outlet, would lead 
at once to violent outbreaks among the \\'estern 
settlers, some of whom were aided liy uuscrujmlous 
persons, who thought to form au iudepeudeut 
Western country. Providence seems to liave had 
a watchful eye o\cr all these events, and to have 
.so guided them that the attempts with such objects 
ill view, invariably ended in disgrace to their per- 
peUators. This outlet to the \Vest was thought 
to be the oniy one that e .uld carry their produce to 
market, for none of the Wc-iterners then dreamed 
of the immense .system of railways now covering 
that part of the IJiiiou. As soon ;ts shij>-buildiug 
commenced at Marietta, in the year ISOO, the 
firmers along the borders of the Oliio and Musk- 
ingum Rivers turned their attention to the culti- 
vation of hemp. in addition tothiirothercmps. Ina 
few years .'-uthci'tnt was raised, not only to i'urnisli 
ciirdagc to the ships in the West, but large (|uan- 
tities were worked up in the various rope-walks 
and sent to the Atlantic cities. Iron had been 
discovered, and lurges on the Juniata were busy 
converting that necessary and valued material into 
implements of industry. 

By the year 180."), two ships, seven brigs and 
three schooners had been built and riu^ied bv the 



citizens of Marietta. Their construction gave a 
i'resh impetus to agriculture, as by means of them 
the surplus products could be carried away to a 
foreign market, where, if it did not bring money, 
it could be exchanged for merchandise equally 
valuable. Captain D.ivid Devoll was one of the 
earliest of Ohio's shipwrights. He settled on the 
ferale Muskingum bottom, about Sve miles above 
Marietta, soon af.er the Indian war. Here he 
built a -'floating mill," for making flour, and, in 
ISOl, a ship of two hundred and fifty tons, c.dled 
the Muskingum, and the brig Eliza (irecne, of one 
hundred and fifty tons. In 1S04, he built a 
schooner on his own account, and in the spring 
of the. next year, it was finished and loaded for a 
voyage down the Mississippi. It wa.s small, only of 
seventy tons burden, of a light draft, and intended 
to run (in the lakes east of New Orleans. In 
shape and model, it fully sustained its name. Nonpa- 
reil. Its complement of sails, small at first, w;>s 
completed when it arrived in Xew Orleans. It 
had a l.trge cabin to accommodate passengers, was 
well and finely j)ainted, and sat gracefully on the 
water. Its load was of assorted articles, and shows 
very well the nature of exports of the day. It con- 
sisted of two hundred barrels of flour, fifty barrels of 
kiln-dried corn meal, four thous;md pouuds of 
cheese, six thousand of bacon, one hundn^d sets 
of rum puncheon shooks, and a few grindstones. 
The fliur and mr^al w^ere made at Captain DevoH's 
I floating mill, and the cheese made iu Hclpre, at that 
date one of Ohio's most flourishing agricultural dis- 
tricts. The Captain and others carried on boating as 
well a.sthe circumstances of the days pLrmitted, fear- 
ing only the hostility of the Indians, and the duty 
the S|)aniavJs were liable to levy on boats going 
down to New Orleans, even if they did not take 
it into their erratic heads to stop the entire navi- 
gation of the great river by ve.ssels other than 
their own. By such means, merchandise was car- 
ried on almost entirely until the construction of 
canals, and even then, until modern time.s, the 
flal-boat was the main-stay of the shipper inhaliit- 
ing the country adjoining the upper Ohio and 
Mississippi Itivers. 

Commonly, very little stock was kept beyond 
what was necessary I'or the use of the fiimily and 
to perfoim the labor on the form. The Scioto 
\' alley w;ls perhai)s the only exception in Ohio to 
this general condition. Horses were brought by the 
emigrants from the flast and were characteristic 
of that region. In the French settlements in Illi- 
nois and about Detroit, French ponies, marvel» of 



'.^ 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



155 



ondurunci', were chiefly used. Tliey were impractic- 
able in luiuling the ioimense emi,i:;rant wagons over 
tlie mountains, and hence were comparatively 
unknown in Ohio. Until 182S, draft horses 
were chiefly used here, the best .strains being- 
brought by the ''Tunkers," '"Mennonites," and 
" Ormisli," — three religious sects, whose members 
were invariably agriculturists. In Stark, Wayne, 
Holmes, and Richland Counties, as a general thing, 
they congregated in communities, where the neat- 
ness of their forms, the excellent condition of 
their stock, and the primitive simplicity of their 
manners, made them conspicuous. 

lu 1S2S, the French began to settle in Stark 
County, where they introduced the stock of horses 
known as " Selim," "Florizel," "Post Boy" and 
''Timolen." These, crossed upon tlie descents of 
the Norman and Conestoga, produced an excellent 
stock of farm horses, now largely used. 

In the Western Reserve, blooded horses were in- 
troduced as early as 1825. John I. Van Meter 
brought fine horses into the Scioto Valley in 1815, 
or thereabouts. Soon after, fine horses were 
brought to Steubenville from Virginia and Penn- 
sylvania. In Northern Ohio (he stock was more 
miscellaneous, until tlie introduction of improved 
breeds from 1815 to 1835. By the latter date 
tlie strains of horses had greatly improved. The 
same could be said of other parts of the State. 
Until after 1825, only form and road horses were 
required. That year a race-course — the first in 
tlu! State — was established in Cincinnati, shortly 
followed by others at Chillicothe, Dayton and Ham- 
ilton. From that date the race-horse steadily im- 
proved. Until 1838, however, all race-courses 
were rather irregular, and, of those named, it is 
difficult to determine which one has jiriority of 
date over the others. To Cincinnati, the prece- 
dence is, however, generally given. In 1838, the 
Buckeye Cour.se was established in Cincinnati, and 
before a year had elapsed, it is stated, there were 
fifteen regular race-courses in Ohio. The effect 
of these courses was to greatly stimulate the stock 
of racers, and rather detract from drafl and road 
horses. The organization of companies to import 
blooded horses has again revived the interest in 
this class, and now, at annual stock sales, these 
strains of horses are eagerly sought after by those 
having occasion to use them. 

Cattle were brought over the mountains, and, 
for several years, were kept entirely for domestic 
uses. By 1805, the country had so far settled 
that the surplus stock was fattened on corn and 



fodder, and a drove was driven to Baltimore. The 
drove was owned by George llenick, of Chillicothe, 
and the feat was looked upon as one of great im- 
portance. The drove arrived in Baltimore! in ex- 
cellent condition. Tiie impetus given by this 
movement of Mr. llenick stimulated greatly the 
feeding of cattle, and led to the improvement of 
the breed, hercitolbre only of an firdiuary kind. 

Until the advent of railroads and the shipment 
of cattle thereon, the number of cattle driven to 
eastern markets from Ohio alone, was estimated at 
over fifteen thousand annually, who.se value was 
placed at $(J0O,()()O. Besides this, large tuimbers 
were driven from Indiana and Illinois, whose 
boundless prairies gave free scope to the herding of 
cattle. Improved breeds, "Short Horns," "Jiong 
Horns" and others, were introduced into Ohio as 
early as 1810 and 1815. Since then the stock 
has been gradually improved and acclimated, until 
now Ohio produces as fine cattle ;is any State in 
the Union. In some localities, especially in the 
Western Reserve, cheesemakiiig and dairy interests 
are the chief occupations of whole neighborhoods, 
where may be found men who have grown wealthy 
in this business. 

Sheep were kept by almost every family, in pio- 
neer times, in order to be supplied with wool for 
clothing. The wool was carded by hand, spun in 
the cabin, and frequently dyed and woven as well 
as shaped into garments there, too. All emigrants 
brought the best household and farming imple- 
ments their limited means would allow, so also did 
they bring the best strains of horses, cattle and 
sheep they could obtain. About the year 1809, 
Mr. Thomas llotcli, a Quaker, emigrated to Stark 
County, and brought with him a small flock of 
Merino sheep. They were good, and a part of 
them were from the original flock brought over 
from Spain, in 1801, by Col. Humphrey, United 
States Minister to that country. He liad brouglit 
200 of these sheep, and hoped, in time, to sec 
every part of the United States stocked with Me- 
rinos. In this ho partially succeedetl only, owing 
to the prejudice against them. In 1810, Messr.s. 
Wells & Dickenson, who were, for the day, ext<'n- 
sive woolen manufacturers in Steubenville, drove 
their fine flocks out on the Stark County Plains 
for the summer, and brought them back for the 
winter. This course was pursued for several years, 
until forms were prepared, when they were per- 
manently kept in Stark County. This flock was 
originally derived from the (Tumphrey inqiortatiou. 
The failure of Wells & Dickenson, in 1824, placed 



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156 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



<a good portion of tliis flock in the liands of Adam 
nildebrand, and became the basis of his celebrated 
flock. Mr. 'r. S. Humrickhouse, of Co.shoctou, 
in a communication regarding .sheeji, writi's as fol- 
lows: 

" The first merinos brought to Ohio were doubt- 
less by Setli Adams, of Zanesviile. They were 
Humphrey's Merinos — undoubtedly the best ever 
imported into the United States, by whatever 
name called. He kept them part of the time in 
Washington, and afterward in Muskingum County. 
He had a sort of partnership agency from Gen. 
Humphrey tor keeping and selling them. They 
were scattered, and, had they been taken care of 
and appreciated, would have laid a better found- 
ation of' flocks in Ohio than any sheep brouglit 
into it fi'oni that time till 1852. The precise date 
at which Adams Itrought them cannot now be as- 
certained ; but it was prior to 1S1.3, perhaps as 
early as 1801." 

"The first Southdowns," continues Mr. Hum- 
rickhouse," "New Leicester, Lincolnshire and Cots- 
wold sheep I ever saw, were brought into Coshocton 
County from England l;iy Isaac Maynard, nephew 
of the famous Sir John, in 1834. There were 
about ten Southdowns and a trio of each of the 
other kind.s. He was offered 6500 for liis Lin- 
coln.sliire i-am, in Buff'alo, as he pa.ssed through, 
but refused. He was selfish, and unwilling to put 
them into other hands when he went on a farm, 
all in the woods, and, in about three years, most of 
them had perished." 

The raising and improvement of sheep has kept 
steady tread with the growth of the State, and 
now Ohio wool is known the world over. In cpian- 
tity it is equal to any State in America, while its 
quality is unequaled. 

The first stock of hogs brought to Ohio were 
rather i)oor, scrawny creatures, and, in a short 
time, when left to themselves to pick a livelihood 
from the beech mast and other nuts in the woods, 
dcgeni^ratcd into a wild condition, almost akin to 
their originntors. As the country settled, however, 
they were gathered from their lairs, and, by feed- 
ing them corn, the farmers soon brought them out 
of tlu-ir semi-barbarous state. LnproNcd breeds 
were introduced. The laws for their jjrotection 
and guarding were made, and now the hog of to- 
day shows what inqjrovemcnt and eiviiizalion can 
do fin' any wild animal. The chief ciiy of the 
State has become iiimous as a slaughtering place; 
her bacon and sides being known in all the civil- 
ized World. 



Other domestic animals, mules, a.sscs, etc., have 
been brought to the State as occasion required. 
Wherever their iLse has been demanded, they have 
been obtained, until the State has her complement 
of all animals her citizens can iise in their daily 
labors. 

Most of the early emigrants brought with them 
young fruit trees or gi-afts of some favorite variety 
Irom the " old homestead." Hence, on the West- 
ern Reserve are to be found chiefly — especially in 
old orchards — New England varieties, while, in the 
localities immediately south of the Reserve, Penn- 
sylvania and Maryland varieties predcjminate ; but 
at Jilarietta, New England fruits are again found, 
as wi^ll as thrtjughout Southeastern Ohio. C)ne of 
the oldest of these orchards was on a Jlr. Dana's 
farm, near Cincinnati, on the Ohio River bank. It 
consisted of five acres, in wliidi ajjjile seeds and 
seedlings were planted as early as 1790. Part of 
the old orchard is yet to he seen, though the trees 
are almost past their usefulness. Peaches, pears, 
cherries and apples were planted by all the pioneers 
in their gardens. As soon as the seed produced 
seedlings, these were transplanted to some hillside, 
and the orcliard, in a few years, was a productive 
unit in the life of the .settler. The first fi'uit 
brought, was, like ever3'thing else of the jiioneers, 
rather inferior, and admitted of much cultivation. 
Soon steps were taken by the more enterjirising 
settlers to obtain better varieties. Israel Putnam, 
as early as 1796, returned to the East, partly to 
get scions of the choicest apples, and, partly, on 
other business. He obtained quite a quantity of 
choice apj)les, of some forty or fifty varieties, and 
sot them out. A portion of them were distrib- 
uted to the settlers who liad trees, to ingraft. 
From these old grafts are yet to be traced some of 
the best orchards in Ohio. Israel Putnam was one 
of the most jiromiucnt men in early Ohio days. 
He was always active in promoting the interests of 
the settlers. Anamg Ids earliest efhirts, that of 
improving llie fruit may well be mentioned. Ho 
and his lirother, .\aron W. Putnam, living at Bel- 
pre, opiposit<; Rlennerhasset's Island, began the 
nursery business soon afler tlieir ai'rival in the 
West. The apples brought by them I'rom their 
Connecticut home were used to commence the busi- 
ness. These, and the apples obtained from trees 
jilanted in their gardens, gave them a beginning. 
They were the only two men in Ohio engaged in 
the bu.sine.ss till 1817. 

In earl}' times, in the central part of Ohio, 
there existed a curious character known as ''Johnny 



-^\\ 



'A 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



157 



Applesecd." His real name was John Chapman. 
Ho received his name from his hahit of planting, 
along all the streams in that part of the State, 
apple-seeds fi'om which sprang many of the old 
orchards. He did this as a religious duty, think- 
ing it to be his especial mission. He had, it is 
said, been disappointed in his youth in a love 
affair, and came West about 1800, and ever after 
followed his singular life. He was extensively 
known, was quite harmless, very patient, and did, 
witliout doubt, much good. He died in 1847, at 
the house of a Jlr. Worth, near Fort Wayne, 
Indiana, who had long known him, and often 
befriended him. He was a minister in the Swed- 
cnborgiau Church, and, in his own way, a zealous 
worker. 

The settlers of the Western Reserve, coming 
from New England, chiefly fi'om Connecticut, 
brought all varieties of fruit known in their old 
homes. These, whether seeds or grafts, were 
planted in gardens, and as soon as an orchard 
could be cleared on some favorable hillside, the 
young trees were transplanted there, and in time 
an orchard was the result. Much confusion 
regarding the kinds of fruits thus produced arose, 
partly from the fact that the trees grown from 
seeds did not always prove to be of the same qual- 
ity as the seeds. Climate, soil and surroundings 
often change the character of such fruits. 
Many new varieties, unknown to the growers, 
were the result. The fruit thus produced was 
often of an inferior growth, and when grafts were 
brought fi-o;ii the old New England home and 
grafted into the Ohio trees, an improvement as 
well as the old homo fruit was the result. After 
the orchards in the Reserve began to bear, the 
fi-uit was very often taken to the Ohio River for 
shipment, and thence found its way to the South- 
ern and Eastern seaboard cities. 

Among the individuals prominent in introducing 
fruits into the State, were jNIr. Dille, of Euclid, Judge 
Fuller, Judge Whittlesey, and JMr. Lindley. 
George Hoadly was also very prominent and ener- 
getic in the matter, and was, perhajis, the first to 
introduce the pear to any extent. He was one of 
the most persistent and enthusiastic amateurs in 
horticulture and pomology in the West. About 
the year 1810, Dr. Jared Kirtland, father of 
Prof. J. P. Kirtland, so favorably known 
among horticulturists and pomologists, came from 
Connecticut and settled in Poland, Mahoning 
County, with his family. This family has done 
more than any other in the State, perhaps, to 



advance fruit culture. About the year 1824, 
Prof. J. P. Kirtland, in connection with his brother, 
established a nursery at Poland, then in Trumbull 
County, and brought on from New England above 
a hundred of their best varieties of apples, cherries, 
peaches, pears, and smaller fi-uits, and a year or 
two after brought from New Jersey a hundred of 
the best varieties of that State ; others were ob- 
tained in New York, so that thej' possessed the larg- 
est and most varied stock in the Western country. 
These two men gave a great impetus to fruit cult- 
ure in the West, and did more than any others 
of that day to introduce improved kinds of all 
fruits in that part of the United States. 

Another prominent man in this branch of indus- 
try was Mr. Andrew H. Ernst, of Cincinnati. 
Although not so early a settler as the Kirtlands, 
he was, like them, an ardent student and propa- 
gator of fine fi'uits. He introduced mcM^ than 
six hundred varieties of apples and seven hun- 
dred of pears, both native and foreign. His 
object was to test by actual experience the most 
valuable sorts for the diversified soil and climate 
of the Western country. 

The name of Nicholas Longworth, also of Cin- 
cinnati, is one of the most extensively known of any 
in the science of horticulture and pomology. For 
more than fifty years he made these his especial 
delight. Having a large tract of land in the 
lower part of Cincinnati, he established nurseries, 
and planted and disseminated every variety of 
fruits that could be found in the United States — 
East or West — making occasional importations 
fi-om European countries of such varieties as 
were thought to be adopted to the Western climate. 
His success has been variable, governed by the 
season, and in a measure by his numerous experi- 
ments. His vineyards, cultivated by tenants, gen- 
erally Germans, on the European plan, during the 
latter years of his experience paid him a hand- 
some revenue. He introduced the famous Catawba 
grape, the standard grape of the West. It is 
stated that Jlr. Longworth bears the same relation 
to vineyard culture that Fulton did to steam navi- 
gation. Others made earlier effort, but ho was the 
first to establish it on a permanent basis. He has 
also been eminently .successful in the cultivation of 
the strawberry, and was the first to firmly establish 
it on Western soil. He also brought the Ohio P]ver- 
bearing Raspberry into notice in the State, and 
widely disseminated it throughout the country. 

Other smaller fruits were brought out to the 
West like those mentioned. In some cases fruits 



^ 



l.)S 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



iiKligcntms to tlie soil were cultivated auj improved, 
and as iinproved fruits, are known favoraljly wliere- 
evor used. 

In elironoloa:}' and importance, of all the cereals, 
corn stands iiircmost. J)uring the early pioneer 
period, it was. the staple article of food for both 
Ulan and l)east. It could be made into a variety 
of forms of food, and as such was not only palata- 
ble but liiirhly nutritious and streujrilieuin^-. 

It is very tlifficult to determine wlietlier corn 
originated in America or in the Old World. 3Iany 
prominent botanists a-ssert it is a native of Turkey, 
and originally was known as " Turkey wheat." Still 
others claimed to have found mention of maize in 
Chinese writings antedating the Turkish discovery. 
Grains of maize were found in an Egyptian mum- 
my, which goes to prove to many the cereal was 
known in Africa since the earliest times. Maize 
was found in America when first visited by white 
men, but of its origin Indians could give no ac- 
count. It had always been known among them, 
and constituted their chief article of vegetable diet. 
It was cultivated exclusively by their squaws, the 
men considering it beneath their dignity to engage 
in an}' manual labor. It is altogether probable corn 
was known in the Old AVorld long before the New 
was discovered. The Arabs or Crusaders probably 
introduced it into Europe. How it was introduced 
into AmiTica will, in all probability, remain un- 
known. It may have been an indigenous plant, 
like many others. Its introduction into Ohio dates 
with the settlement of the whites, especially its 
cultivation and use as an article of trade. True, 
the Indians had cultivated it in small quantities ; 
each lodge a little for itself, but no effort to make 
of it a national support began until the civilization 
of the white race became established. From that 
time on, the increase in crops has grown with the 
State, and, e.Kcepting the great corn States of the 
AVest, Ohio produces an amount er|ual to any State 
in the Union. The statL^^tical tables printed in 
agricultural reports show the acres planted, and 
bushels grown. Figures speak an unanswerable 
logic. 

Wheat is probably the next in importance of the 
cereals in the State. It.s origin, like corn, is lost 
in the mists of antiquity. Its berry was no doubt 
used as food b^' the ancients for ages anterior to 
any historical records. It is oilen called corn in 
old writings, an<l under that name is lrc((uently 
mentioned in the Bible. 

"As far back in the vistas of ages as human 
records co, we find that wheat has been cultivated, 



and, with corn, aside from animal food, has formed 
one of the chief alimentary articles of all nations ; 
but as the wheat plant has nowhere been found wild, 
or in a state of nature, the inference has been 
drawn by men of unquestioned scientific ability, 
that the original plant from which wheat h.is been 
derived was either totally annihilated, or else cul- 
tivation h;us wrought so great a change, that the 
original is by no means obvious, or manifest to bot- 
anists." 

It Ls supposed by many, wheat originated in 
Persia. Others affirm it w;is knt)wn and cultivated 
in Egypt long ere it found its way into Persia. It 
was certainly grown on the Nile ages ago, and 
auning the tombs are found grains of wheat in a 
perfectly sound condition, that unquestionably 
have been buried thousands of years. It may be, 
however, that wheat was grown in Persia first, and 
thence found its way into Egypt and Afiica, or, 
vice versa. It grew first in Egypt and Africa and 
thence crossed into Persia, and from there found 
its way into India and all parts of Asia, 

It is also claimed that wheat is indigenous to 
the island of Sicily, and that from there it spread 
along the shores of the Mediterranean into Asia 
Minor and Egypt, and, as communities advanced, 
it was cultivated, not only to a greater extent, but 
with greater success. 

The goddess of agriculture, more especially of 
grains, who, bj' the Greeks, was called Demeter, 
and, by the Romans, Ceres — hence the name ce- 
reals — w;is said to have her home at Enna, a fertile 
region of that island, thus mdicating the source 
from which the Greeks and Komans deprived their 
Cirah'a. Homer mentions wheat and spelt a.s 
bread; also corn and barley, and describes his 
heroes as using them as fodder for their horses, as 
the people in the South of Europe do at present. 
Eye was introduced into Greece from Thrace, or 
by way of Thrace, in the time of Galen. In 
CcTJsar's time the Romans grew a species of wheat 
enveloped in a husk, like barley, and liy them 
called -a'ar." 

During the excavations of Hercnlaneum and 
Pompeii, wheat, in an excellent state of preserva- 
tion, was frecpieutly found. 

Dr. Anson Hart, Snj)erintendont, at onetime, of 
Indian Affairs in Oregon, states that he found 
numerous patches of wheat and flax growing wild 
in the Yackemas country, in Upper Oregon. There 
is but little doubt that both cereals were intro- 
duced into Oregon at an early period bj' the Hud- 
son Bay, or other fur companies. Wheat was also 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



159 



found by Dr. Boyle, of Coluiubus, Ohio, growing- 
in a wmilar state in the Carson Valley. It was, 
doubtless, brought tliere by the early Spaniards. 
In 15;J(), one of Cortez's slaves found several grains 
of wheat accidentally mixed with the rice. The 
careful negro planted the handful of grains, and 
succeeding years saw a wheat crop in Mexico, 
which found its way northward, probably into 
California. 

Turn where we may, wherever tlie foot of civil- 
ization has trod, there will we find this wheat 
plant, which, like a monument, has perpetuated 
the memory of the event; but nowhere do we find 
the plant wild. It is the result of cultivation in 
bygone ages, and has been produced Iiy '• progress- 
ive development.'' 

It is beyond the limit and province of these 
pages to discuss the composition of this important 
cereal ; only its historic properties can bo noticed. 
With the advent of the white men in America, 
wheat, like corn, came to be one of the staple prod- 
ucts of life. It followed the pioneer over the 
mountains westward, where, in the rich Jlissis- 
sippi and Illinois bottoms, it has been cultivated 
by the French since ItiOO. When the hardy New 
Englandcrs came to the alluvial lands adjoining 
the Ohio, jNIuskingum or Miami Rivers, they 
brought with them this "staff of hfe," and forth- 
with began its cultivation. Who sowed the first 
wheat in Ohio, is a question Mr. A. S. Guthrie 
answers, in a letter published in the Agricultural 
Report of 1857, as follows: 

" iMy father, Thomas Guthrie, emigrated to the 
Northwest Territory in the year 178S, and arrived 
at the mouth of the Muskingum in July, about 
three months after Gen. Putnam had arrived with 
the first pioneers of Ohio. My father brought a 
bushel of wheat with him from one of the frontier 
counties of Penn.sylvania, which he sowed on a 
lot of land in Marietta, which he cleared for that 
purpose, on the second Iiottom or j'lain, in the 
neighborhood of where the Court House now 
stands." 

Mr. Guthrie's opinion is corroborated by Dr. 
Samuel V. riildrcth, in his " Pioneer Settlers of 
Ohio," and Ls, no doubt, correct. 

From that date on down through the years of 
Ohio's growth, the crops of wheat have kept pace 
with the advance and growth of civilization. The 
soil is admirably adapted to the growth of this ce- 
real, a large number of varieties being grown, and 
an excellent (juality produced. It is firm in body, 
and, in many cases, is a successful rival of wheat 



produced in the great wheat-producing regions of 
the United States — Minnesota, and the I'arther 
Northwest. 

Oats, rye, barley, and other grains were also 
brought to Ohio from the Atlantic Coast, though 
some of them had been cultivated by the French 
in Illinois and about Detroit. They were at first 
used only as food for home cousumption, and, until 
the successful attempts at river and canal naviga- 
tion were brought about, but little was ever sent 
to market. 

Of all the root crops known to man, the potato 
is probably the most valuable. Next to w'heat, 
it is claimed by many as the stafi' of life. In 
some localities, this assumption is undoubtedly 
true. What would Ireland have done in her fam- 
ines but for this simple vegetable? The potato is 
a native of the mountainous districts of tropical 
and subtropical America, probably from Chili to 
Mexico ; but there is considerable diflicidty in 
deciding where it Ls really indigenous, and where 
it has s^jread after being introduced by man. 
Humboldt, the learned savant, doubted if it had 
ever been found wild, but scholars no less famous, 
and of late date, have expressed an opjiosite 
opinion. In the wild plant, as in all others, the 
tubers are smaller than in the cultivated. The 
potato had been cultivated in America, and its 
tubers used for food, long before the advent of the 
Europeans. It seems to have been first brought 
to Europe by the Spaniards, fi-om the neighbor- 
hood of Quito, in the beginning of the sixteenth 
century, and .sjiread through Spain, the Netherlands, 
Burgundy and Italy, cultivated in gardens as an 
ornament only and not for an article of food. 
It long received through European countries the 
same name with the batatas — sweet potato, which 
is the plant meant by all English writers down to 
the seventeenth century. 

It appears that the potato was brought fi'om 
Virginia to Ireland by Hawkins, a slave-trader, 
in 15t)5, and to England liy Sir Francis Drake, 
twenty years later. It did not at first attract nmcli 
notice, and not until it was a third time imported 
from America, in 1623, by Sir Walter Raleigh, 
did tiie Europeans make a practical use of it. 
Even then it wa.s a long time before it was ext<m- 
sively cultivated. It is noticed in agricu'tural 
journals as food fiu- cattle only a.s late as 171!'. 
Poor people began using it, however, and finding it 
highly nutritious, the Royal Geographical Society, 
in lGlj;i, adopted measures for its j)ropagation. 
About this time it began to be used in Ireland as 



IGO 



HISTOKY OF OHIO. 



food, aud from the boginuing of the ei<;hteeutli cent- 
ury, its u.so luLS never JeeliucJ. It Is uow known 
in every ([uarter of tlie world, aud Las, by cultiva- 
tion, been greatly improved. 

The inhabitants of America learned its use 
from the Indians, who cultivated it and other 
root crops — rutabagas, radi.shcs, etc., and taught 
the whites their value. When the pioneers of 
Ohio came to its fertile valleys, they brought 
improved species with them, which by cultiva- 
tion and soil, are now gTcatly increased, and are 
among the standard cro]is of the State. 

The eucurbitaceous ]ilants, stjnaslies, etc., were, 
like the potato and similar root crops, indigenous 
to America — others, like the melons, to Asia — 
and were among the staple foods of the original 
inhabitants. The early French missionaries of 
the West speak of both root croj)s and eucurbi- 
taceous plants as iu u.se among the aboriginal inhab- 
itants. -'They are very sweet and wholesome," 
wrote Marquette. Othcrsspeak iu thcsameterms, 
though Some (jf the j)lants in tliis order had found 
their way to these valleys through the Spaniards 
and others through early Atlantic Coast and Mex- 
ican inliabit;ints. Their use by the settlers of the 
We.st. especially Ohio, is traced to New England, 
as the first settlers came from that portion of the 
Union. Thc3' grov/ well in all parts of the State, 
and by cultivation have been greatly improved in 
quality and variety. All eucurbitaceous plants 
reijuire a rich, porous soil, and In' jiropor atten- 
tion to theu- cultivation, excellent result.s can be 
attained. 

Probablj' the earliest and most important ini])!r- 
ment of hu.sbaudry known is the plow. Grain, 
plants and roots will not grow well unless the soil 
in which they are planted be iirojierly stirred, 
hence the first recjuiri'mi/ut was an instrument that 
would fulfill such conditions. 

The first implements were ntde indeed ; gener- 
ally, stout woollen sticks, drawn through tlie earth 
by thongs attached to rude ox-yokes, or fast(!ncd 
to the animal's horns. Such plows were iu use 
among the ancient I-'gyptians, and may yet be 
found among uncivilized nations. Tlie Old Testa- 
ment furnishes numerous instances of the use of 
the plow, while, on the ruins of ancient cities and 
among the ]iyrami<ls of Egvpi, and on the buried 
walls of lialiyloii, anil other extinct citi(>.s, are rude 
drawings of tliis useful implement. As the use 
of iron became apparent and general, it was util- 
ized for plow-points, where the wood alone would 
not penetrate the earth. They got their plow- 



shares sharpened in Old Testament days, al.so 
coulters, which shows, beyond a doubt, that iron- 
pointed jilows were then in use. From times 
mentioned in the Bible, on heathen tombs, and 
ancient catacombs, the improvement of the plow, 
like other farming tools, went on, as the race of 
mau grew in intelUgence. Extensive manors in 
the old country required increased means of turning 
the ground, and. to meet these demands, ingenious 
mechanics, from time to time, invented improved 
plows. Strange to say, however, no imj)rovement 
wa.s ever made by the farmer himself This is ac- 
counted for in his haliits of life, and, too often, 
the disposition to "take things as they arc." When 
America was settled, the plow had become an Im- 
plement capable of turning two or three acres per 
day. Still, and for many j'ears, and even until 
lately, the mold-board was entirely wooden, the 
point only iron. Later developments changed the 
wood for steel, which now alone is iLsed. Still 
later, especially in j)rairie States, riding plows are 
used. Like all other imjirovements. they were 
obliged to combat an obtuse j)ublic mind among 
the ruralists, who surely combat almost every 
move made to better their condition. In many 
places in America, wooden plows, straight ax 
handles, and a stone in one end of the bag, to bal- 
ance the grist in the other, are the rule, and for no 
other reason iu the world are they maintained than 
the laconic answer: 

" JIv father did so. and w^hy should not I? Am 
Ibett<n-tliauhe?" 

Afii'r the jilow comes the haiTow, but little 
changed, save in lightness aud beauty. Formerly, 
a log of wood, or a brush harrow, sujiiilied its 
place, but in the State of Ohio, the toothed instru- 
ment has nearly always been used. 

The hoe is lighter made than formerly, and is 
uow made of steel. At first, the common inm 
hoe, sharpened by the blacksmith, was in constant 
use. Now, it is rarely .seen outside of the South- 
ern States, where it has long been the chief iiii]>le- 
mcnt in agriculture. 

The various small plows for the cultivation of 
corn and such other crops as ueces.«itated their use 
are all the result of modern civilization. Now, 
th.eir number is large, and, in many places, there 
are two or more attached to one carriage, whose 
operator rides. These kinds are much used in the 
Western States, whose rootle.<s and stoncless soil is 
admirably adapted to such machinery. 

When the grain became ripe, implements to cut 
it were iu demand. In ancient times, the sickle 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



161 



was the only instrument used. It was a sliort, 
curved iron, whoso inner edge was sharpened and 
serrated. In its most ancient form, it is doubtful 
if the edge was but little, if any, serrated. It is 
mentioned in all ancient works, and in the Bible is 
frequently referred to. 

" Thrust in the sickle, for the harvest is 
ripe," wrote the sacred New Testament, while 
the Old chronicles as early as the time of Moses : 
"As thou beginnest to put the sickle to the 
corn." 

In more modern times, the liandle of the sickle 
was lengthened, then the blade, which in time led 
to the scythe. Both are yet in u.se in many parts 
of the world. The use of the scythe led some 
thinking person to add a " finger " or two, and to 
change the shape of the handle. The old cradle 
was the result. At first it met considerable oppo- 
sition from the laborers, wlio l>rought forward the 
old-time argumeui of ignorance, that it would 
cheapen labor. 

Whether the cradle is a native of America or 
Europe is not accurately decided; probably of the 
mother country. It came into connnon use about 
1818, and in a few years had found its way into 
the wheat-producing regions of tiie West. Where 
small crops are raised, the cradle is yet much used. 
A man can cut from two to four acres per day, 
hence, it is much clicaper than a reaper, where the 
crop is small. 

The mower and reaper are comparatively mod- 
ern inventions. A rude reaping machine is men- 
tioned by Pliny in the first century. It was pushed 
by an ox through the standing grain. On its 
front was a sharp edge, which cut the grain. It 
was, however, impracticable, as it cut only a por- 
tion of the grain, and the peasantry prefeiTcd the 
sickle. Other and later attempts to make reapers 
do not seem to have been successful, and not till 
the present century was a machine made that would 
do the work required. In 1826, Mr. Bell, of 
Scotland, constructed a machine which is yet used 
in many parts of that country. In America, jMr. 
Hussey and Mr. JlcCormick took out patents for 
reaping machines of superior character in 183:1 
anil lSo4. At first the cutters of these machines 
were various contrivances, but both manufacturers 
soon adopted a serrated knife, triangular shaped, at- 
tached to a bar, and driven through "finger 
guards" attached to if, by a forward and backward 
motion. These are the common ones now in use, 
save that all do not use sen-afeil knives. Since 
these pioneer machines v.^cre intnx'uced into the 



harvest fields they have been greatly improved and 
changed. Of late years they have been constructed 
so as to bind the sheaves, and now a good stout 
boy, and a team with a " harvester," will do a.s 
much a-s many men could do a few years ago, and 
with much greater ease. 

As was expected by the inventors of reapers, 
they met with a determined resistance from those 
who in former times made their living by harvest- 
ing. It was again absurdly argued that they would 
cheajicn labor, and hence were an injury to the 
laboring man. Indeed, when the first machines 
were brought into Ohio, many of tiiem were torn 
to pieces by the ignorant hands. Others left fields 
in a body when the proprietor brought a reaper to 
his farm. Like all such fallacies, these, in time, 
passed away, leaving only their stain. 

Following the reaper came the thresher. As 
the country filled with inhabitants, and men in- 
creased their possessions, more rapid means than 
the old flail or roller method were demanded. At 
first the grain was trodden out by horses driven over 
the bundles, which were laid in a circular inclosure. 
The old flail, the trampiug-out by horses, and the 
cleaning by the .sheet, or throwing the grain up 
against a current of air, were too slow, and 
machines were the re.sult of the demand. In Ohio 
the manufacture of threshers began in 1846, in 
the southwestern part. Isaac Tobias, who came 
to Hamilton from Jliamisburg that year, coui- 
menccd building the threshers then in use. They 
were without the cleaning attachment, and simply 
hulled the grain. Two years later, he began 
manufacturing the combined thresher and cl(>aner, 
which were then coming into use. He continued 
in business till 1851. Four years after, the in- 
crca.sed demand for such machines, consequent 
upon the increased agricultural products, induced 
the firm of Owens, Lane & Dyer to fit their estab- 
lishment for tlie manufacture of threshers. They 
afterward added the manufacture of steam engines 
to be used in the place of horse power. Since 
then the manufacture of these machines, as well as 
that of all other agricultural machinery, has greatly 
multiplied and improved, until now it .seems a.s 
though but little room for improvement remains. 
One of the largest firms engaged in the manuiiict- 
ure of threshers and their component machinery is 
located at Mansfield — the Aultman & Taylor 
Co. Others are at Miussillon, and at other cities 
in the West. 

Modern times and modern enterprist^ have devel- 
oped a marvelous variety of agricultur.d implcinent.s 



1G3 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



— too many to bo lucutioncil in :i volunio like 
this. Under .special subjects they will occ:u-iunally 
1)0 found. The fanner's lil'c, so cheerless in pioneer 
times, and so full of weary labor, is daily becom- 
ing !e,ss laborious, until, if they as a cla.«s profit 
by the advances, they can find a life of ease 
in farm pursuits, not attainable in any other 
profes.sion. Now machines do almost all the work. 
They sow, cultivate, cut, bind, thresh, winuow 
and carr}' the grain. They, cut, rake, load, mow 
and dry the hay. They husk, shell and clean tlie 
corn. They cut and split the wood. They do al- 
most all ; until it seems ius though the day may 
come when the farmer can sit in his house and 
.simply guide the affairs of his farm. 

Any occujiation prijspcrs in jn-oporlion to the 
interest taken in it by its members. This interest 
is always heightened by an exchange of views, hence 
societies and periodicals exercise an influence at 
lii'st hardy rc-alized. This feeling among ]iromineut 
agriculturists led to tlie formation of agricultural 
societies, at first by counties, then districts, then 
by States, and lastly by associations of States. 
The day may come when a national agricul- 
tural fair maj' be one of the annual attractions of 
America. 

Without noticing the early attem2)ts to found 
such societies in Kurope or America, the narrative 
will begin with those of Ohio. The firet agricul- 
tural society organized in the Buckeye State was 
the Hamilton ('ounty Agricultural Society, Its 
exact date of organization is not now preserved, 
but to a certainty it ls known that the Society held 
public exhibitions as a County Society prior to 
IH'S.i. Previous to that date then; were, doul)t- 
les.s, small, jnivate exhibitions held in older local- 
ities, probabi}' at IMarietta, but no n^gular organi- 
zition seems to have been maintained. The 
Hamilton County Society held its fairs annually, 
with marked success. Its successor, the prejsent 
Si)c-i(;ty, is now one of the largest county societies 
in the Union. 

Daring the legislative session of 18.'>2-");>, the 
subject of agriculture seems to have agitated the 
minds of the people through their representatives, 
for the records ol' that session show the first laws 
pa.ssed for their benefit. The acts of that bod\' 
seem to have been productive of some good, for, 
though no reeonls of the number of societies or- 
ganized at that date exist, vet the record .shows 
that " man}' societies have been organized in con- 
formity to this act." etc. No doubt many societies 
held fairs from this time, for a greater or less 



number of yeai-s. .\giicultural journals'^' were, 
at this period, rare in the State, and the subject of 
agricultural improvement did not receive that at- 
tention from the press it does at tliis time ; and, 
fijr want of public spirit and attention to sustain 
these fairs, they were gradually discontinued until 
the new act respecting their organization was 
pa.ssed in 184(5, However, records of several 
county societies of the years between 1832 and 
184G yet exist, showing that in some parts of the 
State, tlic interest in these fairs was by no means 
diminished. The Delaware ('ounty Societj- re- 
ports for the year 1833 — it was organized in Jun- 
of that year — good progress for a beginning, and 
that much interest was manifested by the citizens 
of the county, 

Koss County held its first exliibition in the 
autumn of that year, and the rejiort of the mana- 
gers is quite cheerful. Nearly all of the exhibited 
articles were sold at auction, at greatly- advanced 
prices from the current ones of the day. The en- 
try seems to have been free, in an open indosure, 
and but little revenue was derived. Little was ex- 
pected, hence no one was dis;ippointed. 

Washington County reports an excellent cattle 
.show for that year, and a nundjer of premiums 
awarded to the successful exhibitors. This same 
year the Ohio Importation t!om])any was organ- 
ized at the l{oss County fair. The Company began 
the next season the imjiortation of fine cattle from 
England, and, in a few years, did incalculable good 
in this respect, as well as make considerable money 
in the enterprise. 

These societies were re-organized when the law 
of 1S4G went into effect, and, with tho.se that had 
gone down and the new ones started, gave an im- 
jietus to agriculture that to this day is felt. Now 
every county has a society, while district. State 
and inter-State societies are annually held; all 
promotive in tlieu' tendency, and all a benefit to 
every one. 

The Ohio State Board of Agriculture was organ- 
ized by an act of the Lcsglslature, )>assed February 
27, 1840. Since then various amendments to the 
organic law have been pa.ssed from time to time as 

*Thc western TilterwM |mb)i;'l)(Hl in Cincinnnti, in 1S26. It was 
"inisceliuneous," lint containeil many oxcelleiit articles on agri- 
cnlinre, 

Tlie F'lrm^s' Rtc.->ri \va3 published in Cincinnati, in 1S31, and 
continued for several years. 

The O.'iw rnrmer was ptiMished at IJatavia, Clermont County, in 
1S31. l.y llou. Samuel Medarv. 

Tlio*e were tho early asricnltunal journals, some of which yet 
survive, thotiirli in new name?, and untler new manaj;en)ent. Others 
have, nUo, aiiice been ailded, some of which have an exceedingly 
large circulation, and are an itifluence for much good in the Slate. 



^. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



163 



tlie n(!c('Sf^itii".s of the BuarJ and of ajiriuulture in 
tlic iStatc iloniandod. Tlio sauio day that the act 
was passed creating the State Board, an act was 
also passed providing for tlie erection of county and 
district societies, under wliicli hiw, with subsequent 
amendments, the present county and district agri- 
cuUurai societies are managed. During the years 
I'roni 184G down to the present time, great improve- 
ments have been made in the manner of conduit- 
ing these societies, resulting in cxhibitious unsur- 
passed ill any other State. 

Pomology and horticulture are branches of in- 
dustry so closely allied with agriculture that a 
brief resume of their operations in Ohio will be 
eniiniMitly adapted to these pages. The early 
planting and care of fruit in Ohio has already been 
noticed. Among the earliest pioneers were men of 
fine tastes, who not only desired to benefit them- 
selves and their couutrj', but who were possessed 
with a laudable ambition to produce the best fruits 
and vegetables the State could raise. For this end 
they studied carefully the topography of the coun- 
try, its soil, climate, and various influences upon 
such culture, and by careful experiments with fruit 
and vegetables, produced the excellent varieties now 
in use. Mention has been made of Mr. Longworth 
and Mr. Ernst, of Cincinnati ; and Israel and Aaron 
W. Putnam, on the Muskingum liiver ; Blr. Dille, 



Judges Fuller and Whittlesey, Dr. Jared Kirtland 
and his sons, and others — all practical enthu.siasts in 
these departments. At first, individual efforts alone, 
owing to the condition of the country, could be 
made. As the State filled with settlers, and means 
of communication became better, a desire for an in- 
terchange of views became apparent, resulting in 
the establishment of periodicals devoted to these 
subjects, and societies where dificreut ones could 
meet and discuss these things. 

A Horticultural and Pomological Society wa,s 
organized in Ohio in ISGG. Before the organiza- 
tion of State societies, however, several distinct or 
independent societies existed ; in fact, out of these 
grew the State Society, which in turn produced 
good by stimulating the creation of county societies. 
All these societies, aids to agriculture, have pro- 
gressed as the State developed, and have done much 
in advancing fine fruit, and a taste for pesthetie cul- 
ture. In all parts of the West, their influence is 
seen in better and improved fruit ; its culture and 
its demand. 

To-daj^, Ohio stands in the van of the V/estern 
States in agriculture and all its kindred associa- 
tions. It only needs the active energy of her 
citizens to keep her in this place, advancing 
as time advances, until the goal of her ambition is 
reached. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



CLIMATOLOGY— OUTLINE— VARIATION IN OHIO— ESTIM.^TE IN DEGREES— RAINFALL— AMOUNT 

—VARIABILITY. 



THE climate of Ohio varies about four degrees. 
Though originally liable to malaria in many 
districts when first settled, in consecjuenoe of a 
dense vegetation induced by summer heats and 
rains, it has became very healthful, owing to clear- 
ing away this vegetation, and proper drainage. 
The State is as favorable in its sanitary char- 
acteristics as any other in its locality. Ohio is re- 
markable for its high productive capacity, almost 
every thing grown in the temperate climates being 
within its range. Its extremes of h(!at and cold 
are less than almost any other State in or near the 
same latitude, hence Ohio suffers loss fr(jm the ex- 
treme dry or wet seasons whiidi aff'ect all adjoining 
States. These modifications are mainly due to the 
influence of the Lake Erie waters. These not 



only modify the heat of summer and the cold of 
winter, but apparently reduce the profusion of 
rainfall in summer, and favor moisture in dry jie- 
riods. No finer climate exists, all conditions consid- 
ered, for delicate vegetable growths, than that por- 
tion of Ohio bordering on Lake Erie. This is 
abundantly attested by the recent extensive devel- 
opmout there of grape culture. 

Mr. Lorin Blodget, author of "American Clima- 
tology," in the agricultural report of LSoo, says; 
"A district bordering on the Southern and \\'est- 
eni portions of Lake Erie is more favoralilein this 
respect (grape cultivation) than any other on the 
Atlantic side of the Rocky Mountains, and it will 
ultimately prove capable of a very liberal extension 
of vine culture." 



liL^ 



KU 



IIISTOKY OF OHIO. 



Kxpoiience lias proven 31 r. Blodgct correct in 
liis theory. Now extensive fields of" grajjes are 
everywhere found on the Lake Eric Slope, while 
otlior small fruits find a sure footintf on its soil. 

" Considering the climate of Ohio hy isother- 
mal linos and rain shadinjrs, it must be borne in 
mind," says Mr. Blodiret, in his description of 
Ohio's climate, from which these facts are drawn, 
" that local influences often requii'e to be considered. 
At the South, from Cincinnati to Steubenville, the 
deep river valleys are two degrees warmer than the 
hilly districts of tlie same vicinity. The lines are 
drawn intermediate between the two extremes. 
Thus, Cincinnati, on the plain, is 2' warmer than 
at the Observatory, and 4^ warmer for each year 
than Ilillsboro, Highland County — the one being 
oOO, the other l,ij(>(t, feet above sea-level. The 
immediate valley of the Ohio, Ironi Cincinnati to 
(rallipolis, is about 75^ for the summer, and 51'' 
for the year; while the adjacent hilly districts, 
300 to 500 feet higher, are ntit above To' and 52^ 
respectively. For the summer, generally, the 
river valleys are TA° to 75° ; the level and central 
portions 72° to 73°, and the lake border 70° to 
72°. A peculiar mildness of climate belongs to 
the vicinity of Kelley's Island, Sandusky and 
Toledo. Here, both winter and summer, the cli- 
mate is 2° warmer than on the highland ridge ex- 
tending fi'om jS'orwalk and Oberliii to Hudson and 
the northeastern border. This ridgi; varies from 
500 to 750 feet above the lake, or "850 to 1,200 
feet above sea level. This high belt has a summer 
temperature of 70°, 27° for the winter, and 49° 
for tlic year ; while at Satulu.sky and Kelley's 
Island the summer is 72°, the winter 2l)°, and the 
year 50°. In the central and eastern parts of 
the State, the winters are comiiaratively cold, the 
average falling to 32° over the more level districts, 
and to 29° on the highlands. The Ohio lliver 
valley is about 35°, but the highlands near it fall 
to 31° and 32° for the winter.'' 

As early as 1824, several persons in the State 
began taking the temperature in their rcsjiei-tive 
localities, for the spring, sunuuer, autumn and win- 
ter, averaging them ior the entire year. From time 
to time, these were gathered and published, inducing 
others to take a .step in the sanu^ direction. Not 
long since, a general table, from about tbrty local- 



ities, was gatliered and comj)iled, covering a period 
of more than a ijuarter of a century. This table, 
when averaged, sliowed an average tenijierature of 
52.4°, an evenness of temperature not equaled 
in many bordering States. 

Very imperfect observations have been made 
of the amount of rainl'all in the State. Until 
lately, only an individual here and there through- 
out the State took enoUgh interest in this matter 
to faithfully observe and record the averages of 
several yeai-s in succession. In consequence of 
this fact, the illustration of that feature of Ohio's 
climate is less satisfactory than that of the 
temperature. "The actu;d rainfall of different 
months and years varies greatly," says Jlr. Blod- 
get. "There may lie more in a month, and, 
again, the quantity may ri.se to 12 or 15 inches 
in a single month. For a year, the variation may- 
be from a minimum of 22 or 25 inches, to a maxi- 
mum of 50 or even (JO inches in the southern ]iart 
of the State, and 45 to 48 inches along the lake 
border. The average is a fixed quantity, and, 
although requiring a period of twenty or twenty- 
five years to fix it absolutely, it is entirely certain 
and unchangeable when known. On charts, these 
average (juantities are represented by depths 
of shading. At Cincinnati, the last fifteen years 
of ob.servation somewhat reduce the average of 
48 inches, of former years, ia 4G or 47 inches." 

Spring and simimer generally give the most rain, 
there being, in general, 10 to 12 inches in the 
spring, 10 to 14 inches in the summer, and 8 to 
10 inches in the autumn. The winter is the most 
variable of all the seasons, the southern jiart of 
the State having 10 inches, and the northern part 
7 inches or less — an average of S or 9 inches. 

The charts of rainfall, compiled f<)r the State, 
show a fall of 30 inches on the lake, and 4t) inches 
at the Ohio River. Betweenthe.se two points, the 
fall is r.iarked, beginning at the north, 32, 34, 3G 
and 38 inches, all near the lake. Farther down, 
in the latitude of Tuscarawas, Monroe and Mercer 
Counties, the fall is 40 inches, while the south- 
western ])art is 42 and 44 inches. 

The clearing away of forests, the drainage of 
the land, and other causes, have les.sened the niin- 
fall, making cunsiderablc difference since the days 
of the abori:;incs. 



s r- 



■^^ ^j' 



A 

(5j .>* 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



CHATTER XVII.* 

PUBLIC LANDS OF OniO — TIIR MV8TEIU1:;8 OK THK LARLV SURVFA'S- 

ITS ORICilX AND ORGANIZATION. 



-THE NEW CONNECTICUT— 



TO the inexperienced student of the lii.stury of 
Ohio, nothing is more perple.xinjr and un- 
.satisfactory, than the account of its public lands. 
Held theoretically by the conflicting claims of col- 
onies, eadi jealous of the other's ]irestige, and prac- 
tically controlled by the determined assertion of his 
cl.iim by the Indian, its territory came under the 
acknowledged control of the Genera! Government 
in a fragmentary way. and in the early surveys it 
lacks that regular arrangement which marks the 
larger part of the old Northwestern Territ<iry. But, 
to the early colonist, Ohio was the land of promise. 
The reports of the early exph>rers who had been 
sent to spy out the land were such as to stimulate 
the rapacity of gi'eedy adventurers to the highest 
pitch, and Ohio became at once the center of at- 
traction, not only to tliat class, but also to the pio- 
neer settlements of the East. The spirit of land 
speculation was fostered by the system of royal 
charters and favoritism, and colonial officials were 
rapidly acquiring titles to large tracts of the fertile 
lands of the Northwest. Lord Dunmore, who rep- 
resented the crown in Virginia, had made arrange- 
ments to secure a large portion of this territory, 
which were only frustrated by the precipitation of 
the Ilevoluiionar}' struggle. In all tliese operations 
the rights or interests of the Indians were ignored. 
.Might was the measure of the white man's right, 
and, in the face of formal treaties very favorable to 
the whites, the lands reserved to the natives were 
shamelessly bought and sold. Titles thus secured 
were oljviously of no value if the intogritj' of sol- 
emn treaties were to be respected, but, so generally 
had the pulilic mind been corrupted by the greed 
for gain, that this consideration ofl'ered no hindrance 
whatever to this sort of traffic in land titles. In 
ITTt), however, the colonies having renounced 
their allegiance to the mother countrj', and having 
assumed a position as sovereign and independent 
States, a summary end wa.s put to this speculation, 
and all persons were forbidden to locate in this ter- 
ritory, until its ownership and jurisdiction should 

♦Conipiled from Howe's Historical rollpctioiis of Oliio, and a 
pamphlet hy Judge W. W. Boyuton, of tlie Supreme Court of Ohio. 



be determined. Each Stxate claimed the right of 
soil, the jurisdiction over the district of countrj' 
embraced by the provisions of its charter, and the 
privilege of disj)osing of the land to subserve its 
own interests. The States, on the contrary, which 
had no such charter, insist<Ml that that these lands 
ought to be appropriated for the benefit of all the 
States, as the title to them, if secured at all, would 
be by the expenditure of the blood and moneys of 
all alike. The treaty of peace with England was 
signed at Paris, September ?>, 1783, and Congress 
at once became urgent in seconding this demand of 
the non charter-holding States. Under the char- 
ters held by the individual State, the General Gov- 
ernment was powerless to fulfill its agreement with 
the troops, to grant land to each soldier of the 
war, and the general dissatisfaction occasioned by 
this state of things, formed a powerful influence 
which finally brought about a general cession of 
these unappropriated lands, hold by the difierent 
States. In March, 1781, Virginia ceded her terri- 
tory situated northwe-st of the lliverOhio, reserving 
the tract now known as the Virginia Military- 
Lands. In 17S6, Connecticut ceded her territ(n-y, 
save the " Western Reserve ;'' reserveti cessions 
were made by Massachusetts in 1785, and l>v New 
York in 1780. 

When Ohio wtus admitted into the Feder.il 
Union in 180.^, as an independent State, one of the 
terms of admi.ssion was, that the fee simple to all 
the lands within its limits, excepting those pre- 
viously gTantcd or .sold, should vest in the United 
States. A large portion of the State, however, had 
been gi-anted tu- sold to various individuals, conjj)a- 
nies and bodies politic before this, and .subsequent 
dispositions of Ohio public lauds have generally 
been in aid of some public State enterprise. The 
following arc the names by which the principal 
bodies of land arc designated, taking their titles 
from the different forms of tran.sfer: 

1. Congress Lands. 

2. United States Military Lands. 

3. Ohio Company's Purchase. 

4. Donation Tract. 



^ 









,^ 



166 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



5. S3'mmcs' Purchase. 
(I. Refugee Tract. 

7. French (irant. 

8. Dohniuiii's (Jrant. 
!_). Moravian Latnli^. 

10. Zane's (Jran'. 

11. Maumeo Ri.aii l,uicls. 

12. Turnpike Lv.nN 

13. Ohio Canal Lands. 

14. School Lands. 

15. Colle-e Lands. 
IG. Ministerial l^ands. 

17. iSalt Sections. 

18. Virginia Miiitarv Lands. 

19. Western Reserve. 

20. Fire Lands. 

These grants, liowever, may properly be di- 
vided inti^ three general classes — Congress Lands, 
the Virginia Reserve and the Connecticut Reserve ; 
the Ibrnier including all lands of the State, not 
known as the 'N'irginia Military Land or the 
AV (.stern Reserve. Previous to any grants of this 
territory, the Indian title had to be aL-quired. Al- 
though the LInitcd St.-ites has suceeedL:d to the 
rigiits acquired by the Knglish from the Iroquois, 
there were numerous tribes that disputed the right 
of the dominant nation to cede this territory, and a 
treaty was accordingly made at Fort Stanwix, in 
1784, and in the following year at Fort iMcIn- 
tosh, by which the Indians granted all east of a 
line drawn from the mouth of the Cuyahoga 
River to the Ohio, and all south of what subse- 
f|uently Ijecame known as the Greenville Treaty 
line, or Indian boundary line. Ry this treaty, this 
line extended from the I'ort.age, between the Cuya- 
hoga and the Tuscarawas Branch of tlie Muskingum, 
"thence down that branch, to the cro.ssing above 
Fort Jjaurens, then westerly to the Portage of the 
Big Miami, which runs into the Ohio, at the 
nujuth of which the fort stood, which was taken 
by the French in 1752; thence along said Portage 
to the (ireat Miami, or Oniee River," wdience 
the line was extended westward, by the treaty of 
Greenville, in 1795, to Fort Recovery, and thence 
southwest to the nioutli of the Kentucky Rivi'r. 

Congress Lands are so called bccausi' they are 
sold to purchasers by the immcditite officrrs of the 
General Governnietit, conliirniably to such laws as 
are, or may be, from time to tinu!, enacted by 
Congress. Tliey are all rejinlarly surveyed into 
townships of six miles scpiare eai-li, nnder the au- 
thority and at tlie expense of the National Govern- 



meut. All tliese lands, except Marietta and a part 
of Steubenville districts, are numbered a-s follows : 



6 


5 


4 


3 


2 


1 


7 
18 


■-: 


'.1 


10 
l.j 
22 


11 


12 


17 


16 
lil 


14 


13 


19 


■J. 1 


23 
26 


24 
25 


30 


29 


28 


27 


31 


32 


33 


34 


35 


36 



The seven Ranges, Ohio Company's I'urchase, 
and Symmes' I'urchase are numbered as here ex- 
hibited : 



36 


3U 


24 


18 


12 


6 


33 


29 


23 


17 


11 


5 


34 


28 


22 


16 


10 


4 


no 

32 


27 


21 


15 


9 


3 


26 


20 


14 


8 
7 


2 


31 


25 


19 


13 


1 



The townships are again subdivided into sce- 
titnis of one mile square, each containing (540 acres, 
by lines running parallel with the town.ship and 
range lines. The sections are numbered in two 
different modes, as exliiliited in the preceding fig- 
ures or diagrams. 

In addition to the foregoing division, the sec- 
tions are again subdivided into four equal jiarts, 
called the northea.st quarter-section, soutlieast 
((Uarter section, etc. And again by a law of Con- 
gress, which went into cftect July, 1S20, these 
ipiarler-sections are also divided by a north-and- 






-r.lX, 



.^^ 



ik 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



167 



south line into two equal parts, called the east half 
fjunrter-section No. — , and west half fjuartcr-sec- 
tiiiii No. — , which contain ei^lity acres each. The 
niiniuium price was reduced by the same law from 
§2 to 61.2.') per acre, cash down. 

In establishing the township and sectional cor- 
ners, a post was first planted at the point of inter- 
section ; ihen on the tree nearest the post, and 
standing within the section intended to be desig- 
nated, was numbered with the marking iron the 
range, township, and number of the section, thus : 

R 21 R 20 

T 4 T 4 

S 304 1 S 31 The quarter corners arc marked 

— — 1 — 4 south, merely. 

R 21 3 2 R 20 

T 3 T 3 



S 1 



S 6 



Section No. 16 of every town.'hip is perpet- 
ually reserved for the use of seliools, and leased or 
sold out, for the benefit of schools, under the State 
government. All the others may be taken up 
either in sections, fractions, halves, quarters, or 
half-quarters. 

For the purpose of selling out these lands, they 
were divided into eight several land districts, called 
after the names of the towns in wliicli the land of- 
fices are kept, viz., Woo-stcr, Steubenville, Zanes- 
ville, Marietta, Chillicothe, etc., ete. 

In May, 1785, Congress passed an ordinance for 
ascertaining the mode of disposing of these lands. 
Under that ordinance, the first seven ranges, 
bounded on the north by a line drawn due west 
from the Pennsylvania State line, where it crosses 
the Ohio River, to the United States Military 
Lands, forty-two miles; and, on the west, by the 
same line drawn thence south to the Ohio River, 
at the southeast corner of Marii>tta Township, and 
on the east and south by the Ohio River, were 
surveyed in 1786-87, and in the latter year, and 
."iales were eflocted at New York, to the amount of 
§72,974. In 1796, further portions of these lands 
were disposed of at Pittsburgh, to the "amount of 
§43,446, and at Philadelphia, amounting to §5,- 
120. A portion of these lands were located under 
United States Military land warrants, and the rest 
was disposed of at the Steubenville Land Office, 
which was opened July 1, 1801. 

United States Military Lands are so called fi'om 
the circumstance of their having been appropriat- 
ed, by an act of Congress of the 1st of June, 
1796, to satisfy certain claims of the ofiicers and 



soldiers of the Revolutionary war. This tract of 
country, embracing these lands, is bounded as fol- 
lows : Beginning at the northwest corner of the 
original seven ranges of townships, thence south 
fifty miles, thente west to the Scioto River, thence 
up said river to the Greenville treaty line, thence 
northeasterly with said line to old Fort Laurens, 
on the Tuscarawas River, thence due cast to the 
place of beginning, including a tract of about 
4,000 square miles, or 2,560,000 acres of land. 
It is, of course, bounded on the north b}' the Green- 
ville treaty line, east by the " seven ranges of town- 
ships," south by the Congress and Rofiigee lands, 
and west by the Scioto River. 

These lands are surveyed into townships of five 
miles square ; these townships were then again, 
originally, surveyed into quarter townships, of two 
and a half miles square, containing 4,000 acres 
each ; and, subsef[uontly, some of these quarter- 
townships were subdivided into forty lots, of 1 00 
acres each, for the accommodation of those soldiers 
holding warrants for only 100 acres each. And 
again, after the time originally assigned for the 
location of these warrants had e-xjiired, certain 
quarter-townships, which had not then been loca- 
ted, were divided into sections of one mile square 
each, and sold by the General (iovernment, like 
the main body of Congress lands. 

The quarter-townships arc numbered as exhib- 
ited in the accompanying figure, 
the top being considered north. 
The place of each township is ascer- 
tained by numbers and ranges, the 
same as Congress lands ; the ranges 
being numbered from east to west, 
and the numbers from south to north. 

Ohio Company's Purcha,se is a body of land 
containing about 1,500,000 acrts ; including, how- 
ever, the donation tract, school lands, etc., lying 
along the Ohio River ; and including Meigs, nearly 
all of Athens, and a considerable part of Wash- 
ington and Gallia Counties. This tract was pur- 
chased by the General Government in the year 
1787, by Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sar- 
geant, from the neighborhood of Salem, in Massa- 
chusetts, agents for the " Ohio Company," so 
called, which had then been formed in Ma.ssachu- 
sctts, for the purpase of a settlement in the Ohio 
country. Only 964,285 acres were ultimately 
paid for, and, of course, patented. This body of 
laud was then apportioned out into 817 shares, of 
1,173 acres each, and a town lot of one-third of 
an acre to each share. These shares were made 



2 


1 


3 


4 






168 



HISTORY or OHIO. 



up to each proprioiov in tracts, one of GtO acres, 
one of 2G2. one of KiO, one of 100, one of 8, and 
another of 3 acres, besitles the bofore-niciitioncd 
town lot. Besides cvoi-y section IG, set apart, as 
elsewhere, for the supj.ort ofsciiools, ever^' Soction 
2!) is appropriated for the sujiport of religious 
institiitiuns. In addition to which were also 
granted two six-mile square townsliips for the nse 
of a college. But, unfortunatel}' for the Ohio 
Conipau\-, owing to their want of to|iogra|ihical 
knowledge of the country, the body of land selected 
by iheui, with .some partial e.\cei)*ions, is the 
most hilly and sterile of any tract of similar ex- 
tent in the State. 

Donation Tract is a body of 1(10.000 acres, set 
off in the northern limits of the Ohio Company's 
tract, and granted to them by Congress, provided 
they should obtain one actual settler upon each 
hundred acres thcrenf. within five years from the 
date of the grant : and that so much of the 100,- 
000 acres aforesaid, as should not thus be taken 
up. shall revert to the General Government. 

This tract ma)', in some respects, be considered 
a piart of the Ohio Company's purchase. It is 
s'tuated in the northern limits of Wa.shington 
County. It lie.s in an oblong shape, extending 
nearly seventeen miles from east to west, and about 
seven and a half north to south. 

Symmes' Purchase is a tract of 311,082 aci-cs of 
land in the southwestern (piarter of the State, 
between the Gr;tat and Little Miami Rivers. It bor- 
der.? on the Ohio lliver a distance of twcnty-.sevcn 
miles, and extends so far back from thelatler between 
the two iNIiamis as to include the fpianlity of laud 
just mentioned. It was patented to John Cleves 
Symmes, in ITiU, for 07 cents per acre. Every 
sixteenth section, or square niile, in each town- 
ship, was reserved tiy Congress fur the use of 
schools, and Sections 20 for the sup]»irt of relig- 
ious institutious, bcsidv-s fifteen acres around Fort 
Washington, in Cincinnati. This tract of land is 
now one of the mo.-t valuable in the State. 

Refugee Tract, a body of 1 Oti.ODO acres of land, 
granted by Congress to certain individuals who 
left the British Provinces during the Revolutionary 
war and e.'^poused the cause of tVeeddUi. i-i a nar- 
row strip of country, I'our and a half miles bujad 
iVoiu north to south, and extending eastwardly 
from the Scioto River forty -eight miles. It has 
the T'nited States t wenty ranges of military or army 
lands north, twenty-two ranges of Congress lands 
south. In the western borders of this tract is 
situated the town of CoIumbu.s. 



French Grant is a tract of 24,000 acres of land, 
bordering upon the Ohio River, in the south- 
eastern <|uarier of Scioto County. A short time 
after the Ohio Company's purchase began to be 
settled, an association was formed under the name 
of the Scioto Land Comjiany. A contract was 
made for the pundiase of a part of the lands in- 
cluded in the Ohio Ccmip iny's purchases. Plats 
and descriptions of the land contracted for were 
made out, and Joel Barlow was sent as an agent 
to Eurnpe to make .sales of the lauds for the bene- 
fit of the company ; and s;tles were effected of a 
(•( n<ider.ib!e part of the land to c mpanies and 
individuals in France. On February 10, 1791, 
two hundred and eighteen of ih se )iurchasers left 
Havre de Grace, in France, and arrived in Alex- 
andria, D. C , on the ;)d of May following. On 
their arrival, they were fold that the Scioto Com- 
pany owned no land. The agent insisted that 
they did, and promised to secure them good titles 
thereto, which he did, at Winchester. Brownsville 
and Charleston (now Well-burg). When they 
arrived at M;irietta, about fifty of them landed. 
The rest of the company proceeded to Gallipolis, 
wdiicdi was laid out about that time, and were as- 
sured by the agent that the place lay within their 
purchase. Every effort to secure titles to the 
lands they had purcha.sed having failed, an appli- 
cation was made to Congress, and in March, 1705, 
the above grant was made to these persons. 
Twelve hundred acres addiiional, were afterward 
granted, adjoining the above mentioned tract at its 
lower end, toward the mouth of the Little Scioto 
River. 

Dohrman's Grant is one six-mile-square town- 
Khip of 2!). 010 acres, granted to Arnold Henry 
Pohrman. f irmerly a v.oalthy Portuguest' mn chant 
in Lisbon, fir and in eonsiileration of his having, 
during the Revolu'ionary war, given shelter and 
aid to the American cruisrs and vessels of war. 
It is lo ated in the southeastern part of Tu.-cara- 
was County. 

Jloravian Lands are three several tracts of 
4,000 acres' each, originally srantcd by the old 
Continental Congre.-s in July, 17^*7, and coufirmed 
by act of Congress of June 1, 170G, to the Mora- 
vian I relhren at Bethlehem, in Pennsylvauia, in 
trust and liir the use of the Christianized Indians 
living thereon. They are laid out in nearly scjuare 
fiirms, on the Muskingum River, in what is now 
Tuscarawas County. They are called liy the nani'S 
of the Shoenbrnn. Gnadenhutten and Salem tracts. 

Zane's Tracts are three several tracts of one mile 



*^ 



'V 



^] • *^ 



lIISTOnY OF OHIO. 



169 



squ?re each — one on tlio IMu?kinguni Eivor, wbich 
inelndes the town of Zunosvillc- one at the cross 
of ihc Hocking KiviT, on which the town of Lancas- 
ter is laid out, and the tliird on the leflbank of the 
Scioto River, opposite Chillicothe. They were 
granted by Congress to one Kbcnezer Zane, in 
May, 1T8U, on condition that lie should open a 
road t'lrough them, from Wheeling, Va., to Jlays- 
villo, Ky. 

There are also three other tracts, of one mile 
square each, granted to Isaac Zane, iu the year 
1802, in consideration of his having been taken 
prisoner by the Indi:ins, when a boy, during the 
Revolulionary war, and living with them most of 
his life; and having during that time performed 
many acts of kindness and beneficence toward the 
American people. These tracts are situated in 
Champaign Coun'y, on King's Creek, from three 
to five miles north west frum Urhana. 

The Maumee Road's Lauds are a body of lands 
averaging two miles wide, lying along one mile on 
each side of the road, from the M aumee River, at Per- 
rysburg, to the western limits of the Western Re- 
serve, a distance of about furfy-six miles, and com- 
prising nearly GO, 000 acres. They were originally 
granted by the Indian owners, at the treaty of 
Browiistown, m 1808, to enable the United States 
to make a road on the line just mentioned. The 
(ieneral Government never moved into the busi- 
ness until Ffliruary, 182?), when Congress passed 
an act making over the aforesaid lands to the 
State of Ohio, provided she sliould, within four 
years thereafter, make and keep in repair a good 
road throughout the aforesaid route of forty-six 
miles. This road the State government has 
already made, obtained possession, and sold most 
of the land. 

'I'lirnpike Lands arc forty-nine sections, amount- 
ing to 31,o60 acres, situated along the western 
side of the Columbus and Sandusky turniiike, in 
the eastern parts of Seneca, Crawford and Marion 
Counties. They were originally granted by an act 
of Congress on JIarch 3, 1827, and more specifi- 
cally by a supplementary act the year following. 
The consider J tions for which these lands were 
granted were that the mail stages and all troops 
and property of the United States, which should 
ever be moved and transported along this road 
should pass free fi'om toll. 

The Ohio Canal Lands are granted by Congress 
to the State of Ohio, to aid in constructing her 
extensive canals. These lands compri.se over one 
million of acres. 



School Lands — By compact between the Uidted 
States and the State of Ohio, when the latter was 
admitted into the Union, it was stipulated, I'or and 
in consideration that the State of Ohio should never 
tax the Congress lands until after they should have 
been sold five yeai-s, and in consideration that the 
public lands would thereby more readily sell, that 
the one-thirty-sixth part of all the territory in- 
cluded within the limits of the State should be 
set apart for the support of common schools there- 
in. And for the purpose of getting at lands 
which should, in point of (pialily of soil, be on an 
average with the whole land in the country, they 
decreed that it should bo solettcd by lots, in small 
tracts each, to wit: That it should consist of 
Section No. 16, let that section be good or 
bad, in every township of Congress land, also 
in the Ohio Company's and in Symmes' Pur 
chases, all of which townships arc composed of 
thirty-six sections each ; and for the United States 
military lands and f!onnccticut Reserve, a num- 
ber of quarter-townships, two and a half miles 
square each (being the smallest public- .surveys 
therein, then made), should bo selected by the 
Secretary of the Treasury in different townshi])S 
throughout the United States military tract, 
equivalent in quantity to the one-thirty-sixth 
part of those two tracts respectively; and, for 
the Virginia military tract, Congress enacted 
that a quantity of land equal to the one- 
thirty-sixth part of the estimated quantity of 
land contained therein, .should be selected by- 
lot, in what was then called the "New Pur- 
chase," in quarter - township tracts of three 
miles square each. Most of these selections were 
accoidingly made, but in some instanec^, by the 
carelessness of the officers condncling the sales, (jr 
from some other cause, a few Sections 10 have 
been sold, in which case Congress, when applied 
to, has generally granted other lands in lieu 
thereof, as, for instance, no Section 10 was re- 
served in Montgoiuery Township, in which Co- 
lumbus is situated, and Congress aftia-ward 
granted therrfor Section 21, in township corner- 
ing thereon to the southwest. 

College Townships are three six-niile-s((nare 
townships, granted by Congress; two of them to 
the Ohio Company, for the use of a college to be 
established within their jiurchase, and one for the 
use of the inhabitants of Synimes' Purchase. 

Ministerial Lands — In both the Ohio Company 
and the Symmes' Purcha.se every Section 21) (equal 
to every one-thirty-sixth part of every township) 



sj'V 



-^ 



h 



k 



170 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



8 2 

4 1 



is reserved as a poriiiaiient fiiixl for th ■ sii]i]ii rt of 
a settled nunister. As tlie jiurcbasers of these two 
tract>s eaine IVoin j>arts of tlic Uuion wlierc it was 
customary and deemed necessary to liuve a regu- 
lar settUnl cleriivnian in every town, they tliereforc 
stiinilated in this orii;inal purchase that a pernia- 
nent fund in lands should thus be set apirt for 
this purchase. lu no other part of the State,. 
other than these two purchases, ;ire any lands set 
apart for this object. 

The Connecticut Western Reserve and the 
Fire Lands are surveyed into town.sbips of about 
five miles S(|uare ewh ; and these townships are 
then subdivided into four ijuarters ; 
and the.^o quarter townshiis arc 
numbered as in the accompanying 
figure, the top being considered 
north. And for individu d conven- 
ience, these are again subdivided, 
by private suixojs, into lots of from fiity to five 
hundred acres each, to suit individual purchasers. 

In its history, the ^Vcstern Reserve is far more 
important than any other of the early arbitrary 
divisions of the State. It was peopled by a dom- 
inant class that brought to this wilderness social 
forms and habits of thought that had been fostered 
in the I'uritan persecutions of England, and crys- 
tallized bv nearly half a century of pioneer life in 
Connecticut, into a civilization that has not yet 
lost its distinctive characteristics. D.iting their 
history ba'?k to the eirly part of the Si-venteentli 
century, the true descendant of the I'uritan points 
with piido to the permanency of their traditions, 
to the progressive character of their institutions, 
and marks their influence in the commanding 
power of tlio schoolhou.se and church. 

The earliest measure which maybe said to have 
aftected the history of the Reserve, originated in 
ItiOi). In this year, James I, granted to a com- 
pany called the Ijondon Company, a charter, under 
which the entire claim of Virginia to the soil 
northwest of the Ohio was asserted. It was 
clothed with corporate powers, ^\-ith most of its 
members living in I^ondon. The traA of country 
embraced within this charter was immense. It 
conimtnced it^ lioundaries at Point Comfort, on 
the Atlantic, and ran .south 200 miles, and thence 
west across the continent to the Pacific ; com- 
mencing again at Point Comfort, and running 
200 miles north, and from this point northwest to 
the .sea. This line ran through New York and 
Pennsylvania, crossing the eastern end of Lake 
Erie, and terminated in the .\rctic Ocean. The 



\ast enijara lying between the south line, the east 
line, the diagonal line to the northwest, and the 
Pacific Clcea'i, was claimed by virtue of this char- 
ter. It included over half of the North American 
Continent. Notwithstanding the charter of the 
London Company included all the territory now 
embraced witliin the boundaries of Ohio, James I, 
on tlie 3d of November, 1()20, by royal letters 
patent, granted to the Duke of Lenox and others, 
to I)e known as the Council of Plymouth, all the 
territory lying betwc(ni the fortieth and forty- 
eighth degrees of north latitude, and bounded ou 
the east by the Atlantic, and on the ^yest by the 
Pacific. This description embraced a large tract 
of the lands granted to the \'irginia or London 
Company. In IGoO, a portion of the same ter- 
ritory was granted to the Earl of Warwick, and 
afterward confirmed to him by Charles I. In 
](),'!!, the Council of Plymouth, acting by the 
Earl of Warwick, gi-anted to Lord Brook and V'is- 
count,s Say and Seal, what were supjiosed to be 
the same lands, although b)' a very imperfect de- 
scription. In 1(5(52, Charles II granted a charter 
to nineteen patentees, with such associates as 
they should from time to time elect. This a.sso- 
ciation was made a body corporate and politic, by 
the name of the Governor and Company of the 
English Colony of Connecticut. This charter 
constituted the organic law of the State for up- 
ward of one hundred and fifty years. The bound- 
aries were Ma.ssachusetts on the north, the .sea 
on the south, Narragansett River or Bay on the 
east, and the South Sea ( Pacific Ocean) on the 
west. This descrijttion embraced a strip of land 
upward of six miles wide, stretching ti'om the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, including a part of New 
York and New Jersey, and all the territory now 
known as the Western Reserve. 

In 1(581, fiir the coiusideration of £16,000 and 
a fealty of two beaver skins a year, Charles II 
granted to William Penn a cliarter embracing 
within its limits the territory constituting the 
present State of Pennsylvania. This grant in- 
cluded a strip of territory running across the en- 
tire length of the State on tlie north, and upward 
of fifly miles wide, that was embraced within the 
Connecticut charter. Massachusetts, under the 
Plymouth Charter, claimed all the land between 
the forty-first and titrty-fifUi degrees, of north lati- 
tude. In lt;()4, Chaiies II ceded to his brother, 
the Duke of York, afterward James II, by letters 
])atent, all the country between the St, Croix and 
the Delaware. At\er the ovcriluow of the srov- 



'f 



k. 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



173 



ernnient of " New Netherlands," then existing 
ujion tliat territory, it was claimed that the grant 
of the Diikc of York extended west into the Mis- 
sissippi \'alley. 

Thus matters sttjod at the commencement of 
the Revolution. A'irginia claimed all the territory 
northwest of the Ohio. Connecticut strenuou.s!y 
urged her titles to all lands lying between the ]>ar- 
allels 41° and 42° 2' of north latitude, from 
the Atlantic to the Pacific. Penn.sylvania, under 
the charter of KJSl, had taken pos.sessiou of the 
di.-rputed land lying in that State, and had granted 
much of it to actual settlers. New York and 
Massachusetts were efjually emphatic in the a.sser- 
tion of ownership to land between tho.se lines of lat- 
itude. The contention between claimants under 
the Connecticut and Pennsylvania charters, on the 
Susquehanna, frequently resulted in bloodshed. 
The controversy between those two States was 
finally submitted to a Court of Commissioners, ap- 
pointed by Congrei-s, upon the petition of Pennsyl- 
vania, under the ninth article of the confederation, 
which gave Congress power to establi.sh a Court of 
Commissioners, to settle disputed boundaries be- 
tween States, in case of disagreement. The court 
decided in fivor of Pennsylvania, and this decision 
terminated the controvensy. The qu(;stion of the 
title to lands lying west of Pennsylvania, wxs not 
involved in this adjudication, but remained a sub- 
ject for future contention. A party sprung up 
during the war that disputed the title of the 
States a-sserting it, to lands outside of State 
limits, and which insisted upon the right of the 
States by whose common treasure, dominion was to 
be .secured, to participate in the benefits and results 
arising from the joint and common -fTort for inde- 
pendence. This party was particularly strong in 
the smaller States. Those colonies that had not 
been the favored recipients of extensive land 
fjrants, were little inclined to acquiesce in claims, 
the justice of which the}" denied, and which could 
be s 'Cured to the claimants, only by the success of 
the Pievolution. 

There is little doubt, that the conflict in the 
early chart<>rs, respecting boundaries, grew out of 
the ignorance of the tinsfes in which they were 
granted, as to the breadth or inland extent of 
the American Continent. During the reign of 
James I, Sir Francis Drake reported, that, from 
the top of the mountains on the .Isthmus of Pan- 
ama, he tad seen both oceans. This led to the 
supposition that the continent, from east to west, 
was of no considerable extent, and that the South 



Sea, by which the grants were limited on the 
west, did not lie very far from the Atlantic ; and as 
late a.s 1740, the Duke of Newcastle addressed his 
letters to the •' Island of New England." Hence 
it was urged as an argument against the claims of 
those States a.ssorling title to Western lands, that 
the term, in the grants, of South Sea, being, by 
mutual mistake of the parties to the charter, an 
erroneous one — the error resulting inm misinfor- 
mation or want of cer.ainty concerning the local- 
ity of that sea — the claiming State ought not to 
insist upon an ownership resting upon .such a foot- 
ing, and having its origin in such a circumstance. 
Popular feeling on the subject ran so high, at times, 
as to ciuise apprehension for the safet}' of the confed- 
eration. In 1780, Congress urged upon the States 
having claims to the Western country, the duty to 
make a surrender of a part thereof to the United 
States. 

The debt incurred in the Revolutionary contest, 
the limited resources for it,s extinguishment, if the 
])ublic domain was unavailable for the purpo.se, the 
exl-tence of the unhappy controversy growing out 
of the a.sserted claims, and an earnest desire to ac- 
commodate and pacify confliciing interests among 
the States, led Congress, in 1784, to an impressive 
appeal to the States interested, to remove all rause 
fur further discontent, \>y a liberal cession of their 
domains to the General Government, for the com- 
mon benefit of all the States. 'J'he happy termi- 
n ition of the war found the public mind in a con- 
dition to be easily impressed by appeals to its pat- 
riotirm and liberality. New York had, in 1781), 
ceded to the United States, the lands that she 
claimed, lying west of a lino running south from 
the west bend of Lake Ontario ; and. in IIH'), Mas- 
sachusetts relinquished her claim to the same lands 
— each Stat« reserving the Sijme 19, 000 square 
miles of ground, and each a.sserting an independent 
title to it. This controversy between the two 
States was settled by an ef|ual division between 
them, of the disputed ground. Virginia had given 
to her soldiers of the Revolution iry war, and of the 
war between France and Eiigl'.nd, a pledge of 
bounties payable in Western lands ; and, reserving 
a sufficien amount of land to enable her to meet 
the pledge thus given, on the 1st of March, 1784, 
she relinquished to the United States, her title to 
all other lands lying northwest of the Ohio. On 
the 14th day of Se])tember, 178lj. the delegates in 
CoupT.ss. frimi the State of Connecticut, being au- 
thorized and directed so to do, rclin(|ulshed to the 
United States, all the right, title, interest, jurisdic- 



■^n. 



-r- 



:i>L 



174 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



tlon and claim that slie posseFstd to the lands ly- 
ing west of a line runninii north fi-oni the 41° 



nortlilatitudo, to42°: 



I beiMi!; 120 miles west of 



tlu! westei'n line of Pennsylvania. Tlie territory 
lying west of Pennsylvania, fur the distance of 120 
miles, and between the above-named di;grees of lat- 
itude, althongh not in terms reserved l)y the in- 
strument of eonvcyanec, was in faet reserved — not 
having been conveyed — and by reason thereof, was 
called the Western Reserve of Connecticut. It 
embraces the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull, 
l'ortage,Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga, !Mediua, Lorain, 
Huron. P]iie, all of Summit, save the townships of 
l^'raidilin and Greene; the two northern tiers of 
townships of iMahoning; the townsliijis of Sulli- 
van, Troy and lUiggles, of Ashland ; and the 
islands lying north of Sandusky, including Kelley's 
and Put-in-Baj-. 

Dnring the Revolution, the British, aided by 
Benedict Arnold, made ineur.sions in the heart of 
Coniiecticnt, and destroyed a large amount of 
]irope;-ty in tlie towns of Greenwich, Norwalk, 
Fairlirld, Danbury, New and East Haven, New 
Lundi^n, Ilicldield and Groton. There were up- 
ward of 2,000 persons and families that sustained 
severe losses by tlio depredations of the enemy. 
On the loth of Jlay, 17i>2, the Legislature of 
that Slate set apart and donated to the suffering 
iuhabilauls of these towns, 500,000 acres of the 
west part of the lands of the Reserve, to compen- 
sate them for the losses sustained. These lands 
were to bo bounded on the north by the shore of 
Lake Krie, south by the base line of the Reserve, 
west by its western line, and cast by a line par- 
allel with the western line of Pennsylvania, and 
so far from the west line of the Reserve as to in- 
clude within the described limits the 500.000 
acres. These are the lands now embraced within the 
counties of Huron and Krie, and tlie Township 
of Riiggles, in Ashland County. The islands 
were not included. The lands so given were called 
'• SufTercr.s' Lands," and those to whom they were 
given were, in ITOG, by the Legislature of Con 
neelicut, incorporated by the name of the " Pro- 
prietors of the half-million acres of land lying 
south of Lake Krie." After Ohio had become an 
inde])endent State, this foreign corporation was 
not found to work well here, not being subject to 
her laws, and, to relieve the (jwners of all enilt.ir- 
ra.ssment, on the ]5lh of April, ISOo. the Legisla- 
ture of this State conferred corporate jiower on 
the owners and jn'oprietors of the " llalf-uiilliori 
acres of laud lying south of Lake Krij," in the 



county of Trumbull, called "Sufferers' Land." 
An account of the losses of the inhabitants had 
been taken in pounds, shillings and jjcnce, and a 
price p)laced upon the lands, and each of the suf- 
ferers received land proportioned to the extent of 
his lo.ss. These lands subseipiently took the 
name of " Fire Lands," from the circumstance 
that the greater part of the losses suffered resulted 
from fire. 

In 1795, the remaining portion of the Reserve 
was sold to Oliver Pheljis and thirty-five others, 
who formed what became known as the " Connect- 
icut Land Company." Some uneasiness concern- 
ing the validity of the title arose from the fact 
that, whatever interest Virginia, i\Iassachusett,s or 
New York may have had in the lands reserved, 
and claimed by Connecticut, had been transferred 
to the United States, and, if neither of the claim- 
ing States had title, the dominion and ownership 
passed to the United States by the treaty made 
with I'higland at the close of the Revolution. 
This condition of things was not the only source of 
difficulty and trotdjle. The Reserve was so far 
from Connecticut as to make it impiracticable for 
that State to extend her laws over the same, or 
ordain new ones for the government of the inhabit- 
ants; and, having parted with all interest in the 
soil, her right to provide laws for the jieople was 
not only doubted, but denied. Congress had 
provided by the ordinance of 1TS7 for the gov- 
ernuK'ut of the territory northwest of the Ohio ; 
but to admit jurisdiction in the United Slates to 
govern this ]>art of that territory, would cast grave 
doubt upon the validity of the company s title. It 
was therefore insisted that the regulation.-, pre- 
scribed by that instrument for the government of 
the Northwest Territory had no o]>eration or 
effect within the limits ol the Ueservc. To fpiiet 
apprehension, and to remove all cause of anxiety 
on the subject. Congress, on April 28, 1800, 
anthori/.ed the President to e.Kecute and deliver, 
on the part of the Unite! States, letters patent to 
the (iovcrnor of Connecti ut, wh"reby the United 
Slates released, for the uses named, all ight and 
title to {he soil of the Heserve. and •onfirnied it 
unto llio.se who bad pureha.sed it from that State. 
The execution and delivery, however, of the letters 
l)alent were >ipon the condition that Connecticut 
should forever renounce ami release to the United 
States entire and complete civil juri.Miiction 
over the territory released. This condition was 
accepted, and thereupon Connect iiut transferred 
her jurisdiction to the United States, and the 



1\. 



V 



HISTORY OF OHIO, 



175 



United States released lier claim and title to the 
soil 

While this controversy was going on, there was 
another contestant in the field, having the advan- 
tage of actual occupancy, and in no wise inclined 
to recognize a title adverse to his, nor yield, upon 
more invitation, a possession so long enjoyed. 
This contestant was the Indian. By the treaty at 
Greenville in 1795, preceding treaties were con- 
firmed, and the different tribes released their 
claims to all territory east of the line of the Cuya- 
hoga Kiver and south of the Indian boundary line. 
This left the larger part of the territory of 
the Western Reserve still in the hands of 
the savage. On July 4, 18(15, a treaty 
was made at Fort Industry with the chiefs 
and warriors of the different nations settled 
in the northern and western sections of the 
State, by which the Indian title to all the lands 
of the Heserve, lying we.st of the Cuyahoga, was 
extinguished. By this treaty all the lands lying 
between the Cuyahoga and the Meridian, one 
hundred and twenty miles west of Pennsylvania, 
were ceded by the Indians for §20,000 in goods, 
and a perpetual annuity of §9,500, payable in 
goods at first cost. The latter clause has become 
a dead letter, because there is no one to claim it. 
Since this treaty, the title to the land of the Re- 
serve has been set at rest. 

The price for which this vast tract of land was 
sold to the Connecticut Land Company was 
§1,200,000, the subscriptions to the purchase fund 
ranging from §1.683, by Sylvanus Uriswold., to 
§108,185, by Oliver Phelps. Each dollar sub- 
scribed to this fund entitled the subscriber to one 
twelve hundred thousandth part in common and 
undivided of the land purchased. Having ac- 
quired the title, the Company, in the following 
spring, commenced to survey the territory lying 
east of the Cuyahoga, and during the years of 1796 
and 1797, completed it. The first surveying 
party arrived at Couneaut, in New Connecticut, 
July 4, 1796, and proceeded at once to celebrate 
the twentieth anniversary of American Inde})end- 
ence. There were fifty persons in the party, 
under the lead of Gen. Moses Cleveland, of Can- 
terbury, Conn. There will be found in Whittle- 
sey's Early History of Cleveland an extract from 
the journal of Cleveland, describing the particu- 
lars of the celebration. Among other things noted 
by him was the following : "The day, memora- 
ble as the birthday of American Independence 
and freedom from British tyrrany, and commemo- 



rated by all good, frecborn sons of America, and 
memorable as the day on which the settlement of 
this new country was commenced, and ( which ) in 
time may raise her head among the most enlight- 
ened and im|iri)vcd States'' — a prophecy already 
more than I'ultilled. 

For the purposes of the survey, a point where 
the 41st degree of north latitude intersected the 
western line of Pennsylvania, wa.s found, and from 
this degree of latitude, as a base line, meridian lines, 
five miles apart, were run north to the lake. 
Lines of latitude were then run, five miles apart, 
thus dividing the territory into townships five 
miles square. It was not until after the treaty of 
1805 that the lands lying west of the Cuyahoga 
were surveyed. The meridians and parallels were 
run out in 1806, by Abraham Tappan and his 
assistants. The base and western lines of the Re- 
serve were run by Seth Pease, for the Govern- 
ment. The range of townships were numbered 
progressively west, from the western boundary of 
Pennsylvania. The first tier of townships, run- 
ning north and south, lying along the border of 
Pennsylvania, is Range No. 1 ; the adjoining tier 
west Ls range No. 2, and so on throughout the 
twenty-four ranges. The township lying next 
north of the 41st parallel of latitude in each range, 
is Township No. 1 of that range. The township 
next north is No. 2, and so on progressively to 
the lake. It was supposed that there were 4,- 
000,000 acres of land between Pennsylvania and 
the Fire Lands. If the supposition had proved 
true, the land would have cost 30 cents per 
acre ; as it resulted, there were less than 3,000,- 
000 acres. The miscalculation arose from tlie 
mistaken assumption that the south shore of Lake 
Erie bore more nearly west than it docs, and also 
in a mistake made in the length of the cast-and- 
west line. The distance west from the Pennsyl- 
vania line, surveyed in 179(!-97, was only fifty-six 
miles, the survey ending at the Tuscarawas River. 
To reach the western limits of the Reserve a dis- 
tance of sixty-four miles was to be made. Abra- 
ham Tappan and Anson Sessions entered into an 
agreement with the Land Comp;iny, in 1805, to 
complete the survey of the lands between the Fire 
Lands and the Cuyahoga. This they did in 1806, 
and, from the width of Range 1 9, it is very evident 
that the distance from the east to the west line of 
the Reserve is less than one hundred and tw(Mity 
miles. This range of townshijis is gore-shaped, 
and is much less than five miles wide, circum- 
stances leading the company to divide all below 



^f 



'A 



liL 



176 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



Township G into trat-ts for the purpose of equaliza- 
tion. Tlie west line of Eanae 19, from north to 
south, as oriiiinalK' run, bears to the west, and 
between it and l{anu:e 20, as indicated on the uiap, 
there is a strip of land, also jrore-shaped, that was 
left in the first instance unsurveyed, the surveyors 
not knowing the exact whereabouts of the eastern 
line of the ••half -million acres" beloniring to the suf- 
ferers. In ISOG, Amos Spaiford, of Cleveland, and 
Almon liutrulcs, of Huron, were agreed on by the 
two companies to a.scertain and locate the line be- 
tween the Fire Lands and the lands of the Connecti- 
cut Company. They fir.st surveyed off the '" half- 
million acres" belonging to the " sufferers," ami, 
not agreeing with Seth I'ease, who had run out 
the base and west lines, a dispute arose between 
the two com])anies, which was finally adjusted be- 
fore the draft, by establishing the ea.stern line of 
the Fire Lands where it now is. This left a strip 
of land east of the Fire Lands, called .surplus lands, 
which was included in range 19, and is embraced 
in the western tier of town.ships of Lorain County. 
The mode of dividing the land among the indi- 
vidual purchasers, was a little peculiar, thougli 
evidently just. An equalizing committee accom- 
panied the surveyors, to make such observations 
and take such notes of the character of the town- 
ships as would enable them to grade them intelli- 
gently, and make a just estimate and equalization 
of their value. The amount of purcha.se-money was 
divided into 400 shares of 8?>,00(( a share. Certifi- 
cates were issued to each owner, showing him to be 
entitled to such proportion of the entire laud, as the 
amount he paid, bore to the purchase price of the 
wliole. Four townships of the greatest value were 
first selected from thai [lart of the Western Reserve, 
to which the Indian t'tle had been extinguished, and 
were divided into lots. P^ach township was di- 
vided into not less than 100 lots. The number of 
lots into which the four townships were divided, 
would, at le:ist, ecjual the 400 shares, or a lot to a 
sliaie, and each person or company of persons en- 
titled to one or more shares of the Keserve — each 
share being one four-hundredth part of the He- 
serve — was allowed to ])ar(icipato in the draft that 
wa.s determined upon for the division of the joint 
property. The eommitt<'e .appointed to seh^ct the 
four most valuable townships for such division, was 
directed to select of the remaining townsliijis, a 
sufficient number, and of the best f(uality and 
greatest value, to be used for efpirtlizing purposes. 
After this .selection was made, they were to choo,se 
the best remaining township, and this township was 



the one, to the value of which all others were 
brought by the equalizing process of annexation, 
and if there were several of equal value with the 
one so selected, no annexations were to be made to 
them. The equalizing townships were cut up into 
parcels of various size and value, and these jtarcels 
were annexed to townshijts inferior in value to the 
flantJdrd /oirii.i/ti/>. and annexatiuns of land from 
the equalizing townships, were made to the inferior 
town.ships, in quantity and quality, sufficient to 
make all equal in value to the standard adopted. 
When the townsliips had thus all been equalized, 
they were drawn by hit. There were ninety-three 
equalized parcels drawn east of the Cuyahoga, and 
forty-six on the west. The draft of the lands ea.st 
of the river, took place prior to 18(MI,and of those 
west of that river, on the 4th day of April, 18i»7. 
In the first draft, it required an ownership of 
812,903.23 of the original purchase money, to en- 
title the owner to a town.ship ; and in the second 
draft, it required an ownership of §20,087 in the 
original purchase-money, to entitle the owner to a 
township. 

The same mode and plan were followed in each 
draft. The townships were numbered, and the 
numbers, on separate pieces of paper, placed in a 
box. The names of the proprietors who had sub- 
scribed, and were the owners of a sufficient anifiunt 
of the purchase-money to entitle them toatownship, 
were arranged ia alphabetical order, and when it 
was necessary for several persons to combine, be- 
cause not owning severally, a sufficient amount of 
the purchase-money, or number of shares, to en- 
title them to a township, the name of the person of 
the company that stood alphabetically first, was 
used to represent them in the draft, and in case the 
small owners were unable, from disagreement 
among themselves, to unite, a committee was ap- 
pointed to select and class the proprietors, and 
those selected wore re((uired to associate them- 
selves together, for the purpose of the drafV. The 
township, or parcel of land, corresponding to the 
first number drawn from the box behuiged to the 
person whose name stood first on the list, or to the 
persons whom he rejircsented ; and the second 
drawn belonged to the .second person, and so down 
through the list. This was the mode adopted to 
sever the ownership in common, and to secure to 
each iiulividual, or comi>any of individuals, their 
interest in severalty. Soon alK>r the conveyance to 
the land comjianv, to avoid coinjilications arising 
from the death of its members, anil to facilitate the 
transmission of titles, the conqiany conveyed the 



lAi 



ffe^ 



IIISTOUY OF OHIO. 



177 



entire pureluiso, in trust, to John Morgan, Jolui 
Cadwell and Jonathan Brace; and as titles were 
wanted, either before or after tlie division by draft, 
conveyances were made to the purchasers by tlieso 
trustees. 

Little was known of tliis country at the time of 
its purchase by the Land Company. It was for- 
merly inhabited by a nation of Indians called the 
Erigas or Eries, from which the lake took its 
name. This nation was at an early date destroyed 
})y the Iroquois. In his '■ History of New France," 
published in 1744, in speakina; of the south shore 
of Lake Erie, Charlevoix sa3's : "All this shore is 
nearly unknown." An old French map, made in 
175.1, to be seen in the rooms of the Western Re- 
serve Historical Society, in Cleveland, names the 
country between the Cuyahoga and iSandusky 
Rivers, as Cauahogue ; and east of the Cuyahoga, 
as Gwahoga. This is also the name given to that 
river which is made to empty into Cuyahoga Bay; 
and the country designated as Cauahogue is indi- 
cated as the seat of war, the Mart of Trade, and 
the chief hunting grounds of the Six Nations of the 
lake. The earliest settlement was on the Reserve, 
at Warren, in 179S, though salt was made in 
Weathersfield, Mahoning County, as early as 1755, 
by whites, who made sliort sojourns there for that 
purpose. The number of settlers increased in this 
section until, in 1800, there were some sixteen fam- 
ilies. In 170ti. the first surveying party for the 
Land Company, landed at Conneaut, followed three 
years later by the first permanent settler. Then 
followed settlements in Geauga and Cuyahoga, in 
1798; in Portage and Lake, in 171H); Summit, in 
1800; Lorain, 1807, and Medina, in 1811. "The 
settlement of the Reserve commenced in a manner 
somewhat peculiai'. Instead of beginning on one 
side of a county, and progre.s.sing gradually into 
the interior, as had usually been done in similar 
cases, tlie proprietors of the Reserve, being gov- 
erned by difieront and separate views, began their 
improvements wherever their individual interests 
led them. Here we find many of the first settlers 
immersed in a dense forest, fifteen or twenty miles 
or more from the abode of any white inhabitants. 
In consequence of their scattered .situation, jour- 
neys were sometimes to be performed of twenty or 
fitly miles, for the sole purpose of having the staple 
of an ox-yoke mended, or some other mechanical 
job, in itself trifling, but ab.solutely essential for 
the successful prosecution of business. These jour- 
neys had to be performed through the wilderness, 
at a great expense of time, and, in many cases, the 



only safe guide to direct their course, were the 
township lines made by the surveyors. The want 
of mills to grind the first harvest, was in itself a 
great evil. Prior to 1800, many families used a 
small hand-mill, properly called a sweat-mill, which 
took the hard labor of two liours to supply flour 
enough fijr one person a single day. About the year 
1800, one or two grist-mills, operating by water- 
power, were erected. One of these was at Newburg, 
now in Cuyahoga Co. But the distance of many 
of the settlements from the mills, and the want 
of roads, often rendered the expense of grinding a 
single bushel equal to the value of two or three."* 
Speaking of the settlement of the Fire Lands, C. 
B. Squier, late of Sandusky City, says : " The 
largest sufferers, and, consequently, those who 
held the largest interest in the Fire Lands, pur- 
chased the rights of many who held smaller inter- 
ests. The pi'oprietors of these lands, anxious that 
their new territory should be settled, offered strong 
inducements for ])ersons to settle in this then un- 
known region. It is quite difficult to ascertain who 
the first settlers were, upon these lands. As early, 
if not prior to the organization of the State, sev- 
eral persons had squatted upon the lands at the 
mouth of the streams and near the shore of tlie lake, 
led a hunter's life, and trafficked with the Indians. 
But they were a race of wanderers, and gradually 
disappeared before the regular progress of thi> set- 
tlements. Those devoted missionaties, the Mora- 
vians, made a settlement, which the}' called New 
Salem, as early as 1700. on Huron River, about 
two miles below Milan. The first regular settlers, 
however, were Col. Jerard Ward, who came in the 
spiing of 1808, and Almon Rugglos and Jabcz 
Wright, in succeeding autumn." The next year 
brought a large inflow of immigration, which spread 
over the gjeater portion of both Erie and Huron 
Counties, though the first settlement in Sandu.sky 
City was not made until 1817. 

It was not until the year 1800 that civil govern- 
ment was orgatiized on the Western Reserve. The 
Governor and Judges of the Northwest Territory, 
under the ordinance of 1787, by proclamation in 
the following year, organized the county of Wash- 
ington, and included within it all of the Western 
Reserve east of the Cuyahoga; and in 1700, the 
year of the first occupation by the whites of the 
New Connecticut, the county of Wayne was erected, 
which included over one-ha'f of Ohio, all of the 
Western Reserve west of the Cuyahoga, with a 
part of Indiana, all of Mtchi(/iin, and the Ameri- 

*Judge Amzi Atwater. 



J_ 



ITS 



HISTORY OF OHIO 



can porliim of Lakos Superior, Huron, St. Clair 
and Erie, to the mouth of the Cuyahoga, with tlic 
eountyseatat Detroit. In ITi'T, Jefferson (!ounty 
was e.slabhsiu'il, anil the Western Reserve, oast of 
the Cuyaiiopi, heeanie a part of it, by res(ri<-tinn' 
tlie liniit.s ul' Wasiiinjztini. Connectieut and the 
Land Company refused to recognize the right of 
the General (iovernment to malce sueh disposition 
of the Reserve. Tiu; act of inclading this territory 
williin the counties of Wasliington, Jefferson aiul 
Wayne, tlu'y dechired to bo unwarranted, and tlio 
power of Congress to prescribe rules lor the gov- 
ernment of the same, they denied, and from the 
opening settleuu'nt in ITiU?, until the transfer of 
jurisdiclion to the (ieneral (iovernment was com- 
plete, on .May:!0, 18(1(1, the newsettlerswi'reentirely 
without nmnieipal laws. There was no regulation 
governing the transmission of, or success to, prop- 
erty on the deceases of the owner ; no regulations 
of any kind securing the protection of rights, or 
the redress of wrongs. The want of laws for the 
government of the settlors was seriously felt, and 
as earlv ;is ITiHi, the company petitioned the 
Legislature of Connecticut to erect the Reserve 
into a county, with proper and suitable laws to 
regulate tlu^ internal po'iey of the territory for a 
limited period. This ])etition, however, was not 
granted, ami for upward of four years the inter- 
course and conduct of the early settlers were ri'gu- 
latod and restrairu:d only by their Now England 
sens(^ of juslice and right. But on the Kith of 
July, ISOli, after Conni'cticut had released her 
jurisdiction to thi> I'nited States, the Western 
Reserve was I'n'cte.d into a county, by the name of 
Trundjull, in honor of the (Jovernor of Connecti- 
cut, Ijy th(! civil authority of Ohio. At the elec- 
tion in tlie fall of that year, I'Idward I'aine received 
thirtv-eight votes out of the forty-two east, tor 
member of the Territorial Ijcgislature. 'i'he elec- 
tion was held at Warren, the county seat, and 
was the first participation that the settlers had in 
the affairs of government hero. During the same 
year the Court of Quarter Sessions, a tribunal that 
did not survive the Constitution of ISdl'. was cs- 
tablislied and organized, and by it the county was 
divided into eight organized townslii|is. The town- 
ship of Ck'veland was one, and embraced a large 
portion of territory east of the Cuyahoga, but all the 
Reserve lying west of that river. On December 1, 
1805, (jcauga County was erected. L included 
within its limits, nearly all the present counties of 
Ashtabula, (ieauga, l.ake ami Cuyalioga. On 
February 10, 1807, there was a more general di- 



vision into counties. That jiart of the Western 
Res rve lying west of the Cuyahoga and north of 
Township No. 4, was attached to (ieauga, to he a 
part thereof until Cuyahoga should be organized. 
In the same year Ashtabula was erected out of 
Trumbull and (joauga, to be organized whenever 
its population would warrant it ; al.so, all that part 
of Trumbull whi(di lay w(>st of the fifth range of 
townships, was erected into a (bounty by the name 
of I'ortage, all of the Western lleserve west of the 
Cuyahoga and south of Township No. 5, being 
attached to it. The county of Cuyahoga was 
fiirnu'd out of (joauga, on the same date, February 
10. 1807, to be organized whenever its population 
shoulil be sufficient to ro((uire it, which occurred 
in 1810. 

On February 8, 180i(, Huron County was 
erected into a county, covering the Fire Jjands, 
but to remain attached to (ieauga and Portage, for 
the time being, for purposes of government. The 
eastern boundary of this county was subse(|uently, 
in 1811, moved forward to the Black River, but, 
in the year 1822, it was given its present bounda- 
ries, and, in 1838, Erie County was erected, di- 
viding its territory. (3n the 18th of February, 
1812, Medina was formed, and comprised all llie 
territory between the eleventh range of townships 
and Huron County, and south of Townshiii No. 
5. It was attached to Fortage, however, until 
January 14, 1818, when it received an in<lepoiid- 
ent organization. Lorain County was formed on 
the 2Gth day of December. 1822, from the outly- 
ing portions of Huron, Medina and (^uyahoga 
Counties. It was organized with an independent 
local administration, January 21, 1824. In 1840, 
were (U-gauized Summit County, on March '.\, and 
Lake County on IMarch (i; the former drawing 
fi-om Medina and Portage, and taking two town- 
ships from Stark Coutity, and the latter being 
fiirnKMl from (Ieauga and Cuyahoga. In 184(), 
Ashland (Jounty was fbrmt'd, taking three town- 
ships of the liescrve, on I'ebruary 2G, and .Maho- 
ning, on March 1, taking ten townships from 
Trundudl, leaving the boumlaries of the Reserve 
as marked at present. 

In the history of its .social development, the 
Western Reserve is not less interesting or peculiar 
than in the beginning ot its material interests. 
The history of the mother State was peculiar, and 
the Reserve, it was fondly hoped, would be a ro- 
proiUtclion of the maternal features and graces, a 
Now Ciuineetieut. A chronicler* of the early 

♦Charles W. Elliott. 






V 



.k 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



179 



history of New EnglanJ, writing of the New Ha- 
ven Colony of 1(5^57, says: "During the first 
year, little 'government' was needed or exercised. 
Each man was a lord to himselt'. On the 4th of 
June (1638), the .settlers met in Mr. Neuman's 
barn, and bound themselves by a sort of Constitu- 
tion. * * * They decided to make the Bible 
their law-book ; but by and by new towns were 
made, and new laws were needed, and they had 
the good sense to make tlieni. Their State was 
founded upon their church, thus expressed in 
their first compact, signed by one hundred and 
eleven persons : ' That church members only 
shall be free Burgesses, and that they only shall 
choose Magistrates and officers among themselves, 
to have the power of transacting all publiijue civil 
affairs of this plantation, of making an<l repealing 
laws, dividing of inheritances, deciding of differ- 
ences that may arise, and doing all things or busi- 
nesses of like nature.' " Twentj'-seven years later, 
when circumstances made a union of the two 
Connecticut Colonies neces.sary, the greatest and 
most la.stiug objection on the part of the New Ha- 
ven Colony was the lessening of the civil power 
of the church which would follow the union. In 
1680, the Governor of the United Colonies, thus 
dascribes the community: "The people are strict 
Congregationi«lists. There are four or five Seven- 
day men, and about as many Quakers. We have 
twenty-six towns and twenty-one churches. Beg- 
gars and vagabonds arc not suffered, but are bound 
out to service." These eharaeteristies of Connect- 
icut have been marked by all historians as well as 
the f\\cts, that .she " Early estaiilislied and sup- 
ported schools and colhiges ; her peojile iiave, from 
the outset, been industrious and hoiu'st ; crime has 
not abounded ; while talent and character, and 
courage and cleanliness, have been common through 
all her history." It was to reproduce these 
characterkstics througliout the territory embraced 
within the provisions of her charter, that the 
mother State labored. For one hundred and 
thirty years she followed this purpose with an un- 
deviating method. " One tract after another, suf- 
ficient for a municipal govcrnnu>nt, was granteil 
to trusty men, wlio were to iiirm a s(!ttlement of 
well assinted families, with the church, the meet- 
ing house, the settled ministry of the (Jo.spel, the 
.seliool, the local magistracy, and the demoi-ratio 
town-meeting repre.sented in the General Assem- 
bly. Under this metKod, self-governed towns in 
what is now a part of Pennsylvania, were once 
represented in the General .\ssemlily at Hartfurd 



and New Haven.''* It was with the hope of ex- 
tending this method to the Reserve that ('onnceti- 
cut .so .strenuously a.sscrtcd her jurisdiction to her 
Western lands; but in the years of rajiid growth 
.succeeding the war of the Revolution, the old 
method ju-uved no longer practicable, and the par- 
ent surrendered her offspring to the hands of 
abler guardians. But there remained a field in 
which solicitous regard could find action, and 
the impress of her work in this direction is 
plainly apparent to this day. It was her method 
of '■ missions to the new settlements" which had 
become cry.stallized into a system about this time. 
Of the scope and character of this work. Rev. 
Leonard Bacon thus sjieaks : " .'\.t first, individ- 
ual pastors, encoui'agcd by their brethren, and ob- 
taining permission from their churches, performed 
long and weary journeys on horseback into Ver- 
mont and the great wilderness of Central New 
York, that they might ])reach the Word and ad 
minister the ordinances of religion to such mem- 
bers of their flocks, and others, as had emigrated 
beyond the reach of ordinary New England priv- 
ileges. By degi-ees the work was enlarged, and 
arrangements for sustaining it were systenuitized, 
till in the year 170S, the same year in which the 
settlement of the Reserve began, the pastors of 
Connecticut, in thc'r General Associaiion, instituted 
the Missionary Society of Connecticut. In ISOiJ, 
one year after the jurisdicticm of the old State 
over the Reserve was fornudly relin(piished, the 
Trustees of the Missionary Society were incorpo- 
rated. As early as 180(1, only two years alter 
the first few families from Connecticut had planted 
themselves this side of Northwestern Pennsylvania, 
the first missionary made his ajipearance among 
them. This was the Rev. Joseph Badger, tiic 
apostle of the Western Reserve — a man of largo 
and various experience, :us well as of native force, 
and of venerable siniplicit)' in character and man- 
ners. In those days the work of the missionary 
to the new settlements was by no means the .same 
with what is now calk cl ' Home Mis-ionary ' work. 
Our modern Home Mi.-^sionary has his station and 
his home; his business is to gather around him- 
self a permanent congregation ; his hope is to 
grow up with the congregation which he gathers, 
and the aid which he receives is given to help the 
church support its pa-tor. But the old-fashioned 
'missionary to the now settlements,' was an itiner- 
ant. He had no station and no .settled home. If 
he had a family, his work was continually calling 

^ .\tidn S.S by Leonard Bacon, D. D. 



•T h 



-5) 'y 



4i 



_stj 






180 



HISTORY OF OHIO. 



hiiu away from theiu. He wont from one little 
settlement to another — from one lonely cabin to 
another — jireachiiii^ from house to house, and not 
often spending two consecutive Sabbaths in one 
place. The nature of the cminjration to the wilder- 
ness, in tliose dajs, required such labors. 

" It was soon felt that two missionaries were 
needed for the work amnnir the scattered settle- 
ments. Accordindy, the Kev. Ezokiel J. Chap- 
man was sent. He arrived on the Reserve at the 
close of the year ISOl, and returned to Connecti- 
cut in Ajiril, 18()o. His place w;is soon supplied 
by a youni: man ordained expressly to the work, 
the llev. Thomas lio))hins, who continued labor- 
ing; in this field from November, 18015, till April, 
180t;. In a leiter of his, dated June 8, 1805, 
I find the followin<;- statement: 'Since the be- 
ginning of the present year, I have been taking 
pains to m-.ike an actual enumeration of the fami- 
lies in this county.* The work I have just com- 
pleted. There are one or more families in sixty- 
four towns. January 1, 1S(I4, the number of 
families wa'? about 800. The first of last January 
there were a little more than 1100, of which 450 
are Yankees. There were tw'entyfour schools. 
There are seven churches, with a pr spect that 
two more will be organized soon, and more than 
twenty places where the worship of God is regu- 
larly maintained on the Sabbath.' " Such was the 
beginning of an influence to which the people of 
the Iveservo are principally indebted for the early 
and secure foundation of the church and school, 
and for that individuality which marks them as a 
peculiar and envied people in a great common- 
wealth made up of the chosen intellect and brawn 
of a whole nation. 

Owing to the peculinr relation of the Kcsei've to 
the General ( iovernment In early years, the history 
of it.s public .school fund is exceptional. By the ordi- 
nance of Congress in 1785, it was declared that 
Section 1 of every township should be rcserveil 
for (he maintenance of pub'ic schools in the town- 
.ship. TIk? ordinance of 1787, rc-affirnicd llie 
policy thus declared. The provisions of these ordi- 
nancfts, in this r<,'spect, were not a]5plicablc to, nor 
operative over, the retcion of the lieserve, because 
of the fact that the Cnitcd Slates did not own its 
Soil; and, although the entire amount p^iid to 
Conne(:ticut by the Land Company for the tcrri- 

*Triinil<iill Couiit>' tbeu iiiclit^t-d tlu- wholo of tho Iteserve. 



tory of the Reserve was set apart for, and devoted 
to, the maintenance of public schools in that State, 
no part of that fund was approjiriated to purposes 
of education here. There was an inequality of 
advantages between the people of the Reserve and 
the remainder of the State, in that respect. This 
ine(|uality was, howev.'r, in a measure removed in 
18()8, by an act of Congre.'-s, which set apart and 
a]ipropriated In the Western Reserve, as an equiv- 
alent lor Section lli, a sufficient quantity of land 
in the United States .^lililary Di>trict. to compen- 
sate the loss of that section, in the lands lying east 
of the Cuyahoga. This amount was equal to one- 
thirty -sixth of tbe land of the reserve, to which 
the Indian title had before that time been extin- 
guished. The Indian title to the lands of the Re- 
serve west of the Cuyahoga, not then having been 
extinguished, the matter seemed to drop from 
public notice, and remain so until 1829. At this 
date, the Legislature, in a memorial to Congress, 
directed its attention to the fact, that, by the treaty 
of Fort Industry, concluded in 1805, the Indian 
title to the land west of the Cuyahoga, had been 
relinquished to the United States, and prayed in 
roeognitiun of the flict, that an additional amount 
of land lying within the United States Military 
District, should be set apart for the use of the 
public schools of the Reserve, and'equal in quan- 
tity to one thirty-sixth of the territory ceded 
to the United States by that treaty. The memo- 
rial produced the desired result. In 1834, Con- 
gress, in compliance with a request of the Leg- 
islature, granted such an addiiional amount 
of land to the Reserve for school purposes, 
as to equalize its distribution of lands for 
such purpose, and in furtherance of its ob- 
ject tj carry into effect its determination to 
donate one thirty-sixth part of the ])ublic domain 
to the purposes of education. The lands first 
allotted to the Itcscrve for such jiurpose. were sit- 
uated in the Counties of Holmes and Tuscarawas, 
and in ISHl, were surveyed and .^old, the jiroceeds 
arising from their .sale ;is well as the funds arising 
from the sale of those subsequently appropri- 
ated, being placed and invested with other 
school funds of the State, and constitute one of 
the .sources from which the ])eople of the Reserve 
derive the means of sujiporting and maintaining 
their common schools. 










MEDINA COUNTY COURT HOUSE 



-U 



^ s 



,-> 



PART IL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY — PHYSICAL FEATURES — GEOLOGICAL SURVEY* — MATERIAL LESOUROES — AGRI- 
CULTURAL SYSTEM— IMPROVEMENT IN STOCK, ETC. 



THE relation of the pln-sical features of a 
country to its history is an important one, 
and he wlio would learn the hidden causes that 
make or mar a nation at its birth must seek in 
these ''the divinity that shapes its ends." 
Here is found the spring whence flow the 
forces that on tlieir Ijroader current wreck the 
ship of state, or bear it safely on to its appoint- 
ed haven. In these physical features are stored 
those potent industrial possibilities that make 
the master and the slave among the nations. 
From the fertile soil comes fruit-ladencd, peace- 
loN-ing agriculture ; from the roek-l)onnd stores 
of mineral wealth springs the rude civilization 
of the Pacilie slope, or the half-savage clashing 
of undisciplined capital and labor in the mining 
regions of Pennsylvania ; from the river rises 
the commercial metropolis, which, '-crowned 
with the glory of the mountains," and fed with 
the bounty of the plains, stands the chosen ar- 
biter between the great forces that join to make 
a nation's greatness. The influence of this sub- 
tile power knows no bounds. Here it spreads 
the lotus plant of ease, and binds the nation in 
chains of indolent efteminacj' ; here, among the 
bleak peaks of a sterile laud, 

"The heather on the irounfain height 
Begins to bloom on purple light," 

»CompiIeJ from the report cif Alfruil W. Wlirat, in the State 
Giiologicjii Survey, 



t3-pe of a hardy and iinconi|iiered r.ace ; here, it 
strews the sands of desert wilds, and man, with- 
out resourc, becomes a savage. 

These manifestations are scarcely less marked 
in the smaller divisions of the 8t;ite, and in 
thetn is found the natural introduction to a con- 
sideration of the civil, political and military his- 
tory of the count}'. 

Medina County is situated a little west of the 
middle line of the Western Picserve, which forms 
the northeastern corner of the State, and lies 
upon the broad summit of the water-shed that 
divides the drainage of the State. It is bounded 
on the north by Lorain and Cuyahoga, on the 
east by Summit, on the south by ^Yayne, and 
on the west by Lortun and Ashland Counties. 
Its form is nearly that of a rectangle, lying east 
and west. Its northwestern boundary is broken 
by its wanting one township in the 16th and 
two in the 17th Ilange. Its area given by the 
Auditor's summary of the deceunial assess- 
ment of 1880, is 262.208 acres, of which 101,- 
997 acres are arable, 100, .S81 acres in meadow 
and pasture land, and ."j^.OIU) acres are uncul- 
tivated or wood land. The average value, ex- 
clusive of buildings, $25.38 per acre. The 
whole county is somewhat rolling, tht; eastern 
part being especially marked in this respect. 
Here it is even hilly, reaching in Wadsworth 



ipv 



182 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Townstiip an uUitude of TOO feet above Lake 
Erie. Tbc western part is more level, the laud 
in the northwestern parts not having an elc\'a- 
tionof more that twoiuKh'cd and fift3-or three 
hundred feet al)i)ve the lalvc. Tn the western 
part is foiuid a considerable e.Ktent of swamp, 
a bod}' of some two thousand acres lying in Har- 
risville Township, which gives rise to the Black 
River, flowing in a generally northward direc- 
tion through Lorain County and fmding its out- 
let into Lake Erie at the village of Lorain, in the 
county of that name. Tiie Rocivy River, the more 
importantof the streams of this count}', finds its 
source in Montville at tin; foot of the high lands 
in the soutlieast part of the township, and, flow- 
ing in a gcnei'al northward direction, empties 
into the lake in Roekport Townsliip, in Cuyahoga 
County. The drainage southward is througii 
the Killhuck. ('iii|)|icwa and Styx Creeks, that 
evi^ntually fuid au oullct in the Muskingum 
River, and thence to tile Ohio River and the 
Gulf of jMe.vico. None of these streams reach 
an}' importance withni tiie limits of the county, 
though ample for tlio purposes of an agrioult- 
ural community, and furuisli motive [lower for 
a few mills. The hulk (jf the natural drainage 
is nortliward, though the few county ditches 
that exist in the county find an outlet south- 
ward. A single lake is formed in the county, 
situated on the boundary line betwticn La Fa}'- 
ette andWestfleld Townships. This is a pleas- 
antly situated body of water, and is made a 
place of considerable resort b}' picnic parties, 
considerable capital having been employed to 
adapt it to this purpose. It is a mile and a 
half long, and has been made; an outlet for a 
county ditch. It discharges its water through 
the Chippewa River. 

The soil of the county presents considerable 
diversity — ela}', loam, gravelly and sandy mixt- 
ures and muck being found. The westci'n por- 
tion is geneVally clay, but not of the still' una- 
dulterated quality found in many parts of Lor- 
ain County. In Jjitchfield and York Townships, 



however, which border on this county, the soil 
is the nearest to that described, the surface be- 
ing rather Hat. Tn Hinckley Township is found 
a loamj' soil, producing a growth of cliestnut, 
walnut, hickory and oak timber. In Ilarrisville 
Township is found clay, sand and muck. 

Bovvlder clay is found in many parts of the 
county, containing man}' pebbles of crystalline 
rock, granit(>, (piartz, etc., brought from the far 
North, and more and larger stones derived from 
some neighboring locality. Of these, the lar- 
gest bowlder in Ohio, with possibly one or two 
exceptions, may be seen in a field at the cross- 
roads one mile and a half from Lodi, and a lit- 
tle east. This mass of erratic rock is that va- 
riety of granite known as syenite. The feld- 
spar is a dark flesh color. It shows two per- 
pendicular sides, the highest of which measures 
twelve feet above the sod. One of these sides 
measures fil'teen feet across the face, and the 
other is ten and a half feet across. The sloping 
side rests against a grassy bank, and gives ac- 
cess to the top of the mass. The depth of the 
bovvlder below the soil cannot be stated ; ap- 
parently, it is consideralile, and perhaps the 
larger part of it is out of sight. If half of the 
mass is below ground, as can fairly be inferred, 
then tlie weight of the block may safely be 
put at about IG.") tons' weight. Two rod.s dis- 
tant from this block is another bowlder of 
the same character, evidently broken from it. 
This second block is nearly covered with the 
drift, the exposure being simply one corner, 
[iresenting three triangular surfaces. It pro- 
jects about seven feet above the sod. Another 
large mass of this rock lies near the two al- 
ready described, nearly covered with the drift. 
The exposure measures only three by six feet, 
though it can be struc'k with an iron probe 
some distance from tliis point. These speci- 
mens are of especial interest to those who un- 
derstand what were the transporting forces 
which brought these masses so far from their 
oriiiinal beds. 



^ ry 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



183 



The timber varies noticeably witli tlie chango 
in soil. Cliostnut in considcraljli! quantities is 
found aloll^■ the lodges and sand^' tracts in the 
eastern part, while another (luarter is made n[) 
of beeeli, sngar maple, oak and ash. The ten 
most abundant varieties of timl)er found in the 
county are in the following order : IJeech, ma- 
ple, oak. elm. ash, whitcnvcxjd, liiekory, bass- 
wooil, black walnut and butternut. Other va- 
rieties are found, in limited quantities, as fol- 
lows : Sycamore, ironwood, buckeye, willow 
and poplar — the first Ijeing found generally on 
the alluvia, lands of the river bottoms. 

Glacial markings are shown wherever the 
rock is exposed and is of such a nature as to 
retain them. The genera! trend of the striiB is 
southeast. A well-marked glaciatciJ surface is 
shown at the cpiarry of Henry A. Mills, in Wads- 
worth Township. The stria; rim southeast and 
northw'cst, the general dip of the glaciated sur- 
face being nearly ten degrees to the northwest. 
There is quite an extent of rock exposed along 
the road, alfording an nnusuall_y good opportu- 
nity to see a contiguous, well-marked, glaeier- 
l)laned surface. There ai'e a few short, single 
stria', which strike fifteen degrees more cast 
wardly, and were, perhaps, made by icebergs 
suceeading the glaciers, which made the greater 
[jortion of the linings. The last-mentioned set 
are generally far apart, and, usuall3-, but three 
to four feet long, while the glacial markings 
proper are continuous throughout the exposure, 
and are as true as '• chalk-lines." Tliere is a 
fine glaciated surface on the rock exposure in 
the northeastern part of Medina Township. 

The general section of the rocks exposed in 
the county is as follows : 

FKKT. 

1. Coal measures lUU 

2. Conglomerate l-j.j 

3. Cuyahoga shale (VVaverly group) 2.50 

The record of a boring in Litchfield Town- 
ship in 1S(J(), by Mr. J. V. Straight, gives the 
following section : 



FT. IS. 

1. Clay 1.5 

2. Shale 180 

;5. Hard slate 2 

4. While flint 2 

o. Coal 2 

0. 8li:ilo 1 

7. Sau'lstoiie 2-") 

Of the above series. No. 1 is drift day ; Nos. 
2 to G, Cuyalioga shale ; No. 7, Bereagrit. No. 

5, coal, is not true coal, but either a layer of 
carbonaceous shale, or a local accumulation of 
vegetable matter, such as is somi'tiuK's met with 
in the Waverly I'ocks. In Liverpool Townshi'p, 
a number of wells were boreJ, for various pur- 
poses, to a considerable depth, some to a depth 
of over 500 feet. No reliable record was kept 
of any of these borings, but, from a general 
statement, it is learned that the deepest one was 
put through the sandstone (IJerea grit), the 
Bedford, Cleveland, Krieaiid Huron shale, some 
lliiity layers (Hamilton), and then 501) feet into 
limestone (corniferous, water-linu^ and .Niagara) 
— a total depth of 1,450 feet. 

The coal measures reach into the southeast- 
ern part of the county, and coal No. 1 is worked 
with profit in three mines which are located in 
Wadsworth Township. The succession of rocks 
in this region of the coal measures, according 
to Mr. Julian Humphrey, tlie senior partner of 
the Diamond Coal Company, :uid :i man who 
has had thirty years' experience in drilling for 
coal, is as follows : 

IT. IN 

1. Drift 20 

2. Coar.^e samlsloue 40 

3. Dark soft shale 

4. White clay 4to(; 

6. Gray shale IG 

6. Chocolate shale l(i 

7. D.ark shale Hi 

8. Coal ;!to5 

9. Fireclay Itoti 

10. I'ire slonc, "bottom rock." 

Till! last stratum, a (piartzose sandstone, was 
not drilled through, ;is it is extremely hard. 






^1 



184 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Tlie conglomerate is siipposeil to be below the 
fire stone. Mr. Coleman has put dovvu some 
seventj'-flve driU-liolos in this section of the 
State, and says that this, his ideal section, is 
always essentially encountered where coal is 
found. The roof of shales of the Wadsw/)rth 
coal mines are generally mazes of fossil coal 
plants, all pressed into thin sheets and printed 
upon tlie shale as distinctly as if photographed. 
The thickness of the coal is in some cases over 
five feet, but it is generally thinner, the larger 
portion of the township affcjrding onl}' thin 
coal. This coal lies in pockets, and, as it is the 
lowest in the co.al series of Ohio, and forms the 
mnriiin of the great coal basin, it is more irreg- 
ular tiian the seams of coal which were depos- 
ited subsequently. The coal measures extend 
into Sharon Township, which lies directly north, 
and borings in the southeast and southwest cor- 
ners of this townsliip have shown the presence 
of coal, though not in (j\uuitities to justify min- 
ing (>[^erations. The coal (jnestion has agitated 
the community of (juilford Township — adjoin- 
ing Wailsworth on the west — to a considerable 
extent, but borings which have been made at 
se\'eral points, have not resulted in finding any 
coal. 

The carboniferous conglomerate is exposed 
in seven townships, all in the two eastern tiers 
save ('ruilford. But most of this conglomerate 
region shows the Cuyahoga shale of tlie Waverly 
group in the deeper ravines ; in fact, the pre 
vailing roek in ^ledina County is ol' this older 
division. Some fair Iniildiiig stone is quarried 
from the conglomerate, but a great proportion 
of tliis rock is unlit for building purposes. The 
charact,er of this rock varies materially in the 
several places wlien exposed. In gema'al, the 
pcbl)les contained in it art! quite small, and 
compose no considerable part of the formation, 
sand constituting the bulk of the material. The 
estimated thickness of this formation in .Aledina 
County is 135 feet. This division apiiears fur- 
ther west in Brunswli'k tiian in anv otlier 



township of the countj-, the extreme limit being 
about 100 rods west of the north and south 
center road, in the upper part of the township. 
It is liere nt^arly a pure sandstone, the quartz 
pebbles being comparatively rare. The product 
of the quarries in the rocky ravine two miles 
north of the center is variabh;, some of the 
stone being a fine white grit, while ranch of it 
is badly stained w>th large, dark patches. In 
Hinckley Township, the conglomerate is more 
al)undantly exposed than in any other town- 
ship. Immense perpendicular ledges, having 
curiously worn sides and caves, from which is- 
sue fine springs of never-failing water, are 
found here. The observant stroller over these 
extended rocky ledges sees many astonishing 
passages in the rock, made by the falling-awaj- 
of large masses, consequent upon the under- 
mining of the softer rock below. The small 
stream running northwartlly through the 
townsliii), was once a powerful wearing tor- 
rent that filled the valley, in the bottom of 
which it now so quietly fiows. These ledge 
exposures of the conglomerate are found, also, 
in the perpendicular bluffs along Spruce Run, 
in Sharon Township. This rock is found also 
in the eastern half of JMontville. Here, the 
grains of the rock are about the size of bird 
shot, with quartz pebbles as large as ijluc bird's 
eco's, scattered sparing!}' through the mass. In 
^yadsworth, the exposure is found one and 
three-fourths miles south of the center, li^'three- 
fourtlis of a mile west. A coarse-grained sand- 
stone, locally a conglomerate, is ([uarried some- 
what extensively at a place one mile north of 
the center of the village. Tiie dip at tlie cpuuMy 
as made out at the most norlliwesterly out- 
cropping of the ledge is toward the northwest, 
and would seem to be a local exception to the 
general dip. This is explicable on the suppo- 
sition that here was the limit of this deposit, 
and the slojie was naturally to the shore, the 
dip Iteing in the opposite direction or southeast. 
The conglomerate overlying the coal would ap- 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



18.-) 



pear to be the result of the washhiti iu of peb- 
bles, derived from the true and older conglom- 
erate. This roek is quarried to a greater or less 
extent in Brunswiek, Granger, Moutville and 
Wadsworth Townships. 

The Waverly series, or the upper division of 
it, now named Cuj'ahoga Shale, is the third and 
oldest group of rocks found in IMedina County, 
the greater portion of the drift lioing immedi- 
ately underlaid by this formation, which is ex- 
posed iu a majority of the townships. Roughlj" 
estimated, the Cuyahoga shale in this county 
may be said to have a thickness of 250 to 300 
feet. This group is exceedinglj' rich in fossils 
The lithological character of the Cuyahoga 
shale is quite varialjle, ranging from ver3' soft 
shale to a hard, argillaceous sandstone. Some 
of it, by exposure to weather, separates into 
thin, tough sheets, but the greater part crumbles 
down into da}-. A few beds contain lenticular 
concretion of lime and iron. The rock is usu- 
ally of a gra\" color, but in shade, as well as in 
composition and hardness, it differs ver^- greatly 
iu successive la^-ers. This rock is quarried for 
various purposes in Homer, Montville, Harris- 
ville. Guilford and Medina Townships. The 
rock in Homer is a soft, gray shale; with inter- 
spersed layers of hard, sandy shale, of a lighter 
color. The latter is occasionally worked out 
of the river Ijed and used for foundation stone 
for bridges, etc., but it is too hard to be cut 
well, and long weathering will cause it to dis- 
integrate or spill into thin slabs. Quarrj-iug 
along the Whetstone Creek, about a mile .south- 
east of Lodi, has been carried on in numerous 
places since 1840. The rock is chiefly" an ar- 
gillaceous sandstone, most of the beds being 
only a few inches thick, and the thickest not 
twenty inches. Large crevices run through all 
the rock, which is badlj- broken up. One mile 
west of Bridgeport, the town just across the 
county line iu Wayne County, there is a large 
quarry on the south side of the Killbuck River. 
At this exposure, the rock lies iu thicker beds 



than it does along the Whetstone Creek. This 
rock is also quarried in the ravine of Fall Creek, 
one and a half miles east of Seville. Whet- 
stones and grindstones have been extensively 
manufactured out of this rock in the noi-theast 
corner of Guilford Township, bj- David Wilson. 
The grit is coarser but not so sharp as that 
found in the stone of this group in Wadsworth. 
In the latter township, whetstones have been 
manufactured quite extensively from rock taken 
from the bed of Mineral Run, on laud located 
on the north border of the township, and ICO 
rods east of the Guilford line. These stones 
were manufactured by Rej-nolds, Sisler & Com- 
pany, of Manchester, Summit County, and are 
known as an " oil and water stone.'' It was 
worked into all shapes required bj' the market, 
some of it meeting the demands of surgeons 
and dentists. The three layers of stone found 
at this locality vary in fineness and softness, the 
lower ones being coarser and harder than the 
upper one, which was worked principally into 
hones, etc. The average thickness of the three 
laj-ers is four inches. In Montville, there is a 
sandstone quarry, situated about forty rods 
south of the Jledina line, and east of the La- 
fayette line about a mile. The stone is unreliable 
in quality, however, as it often splits into thin 
sheets after continued weathering. Judge Cas- 
tle put this stone into the foundation walls of 
some business blocks in Medina Village, and, in 
the course of twentj^ years, it had disintegrated 
so much that he was obliged to have it replaced 
with new stone. The quarrj' at Weymouth af- 
fords a fine-grained, drab-colored stone, valua- 
ble for monuments. A slab of this stone, in 
the cemetery, at Hinckley, has stood weathering 
over thirty j-ears, and now appears to be in 
better condition than a majority of the marble 
slabs in the same cemeterj'. This bed of stone 
is nearly two feet thick, but to be worked out, 
a large amount of superimposed soft shale has 
to be removed. 

There is no difficulty in getting water for 



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186 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



domestic or other purposes. In some places, 
wells are sunk to a considerable depth before a 
permanent supply- is secured, but there are no 
localities where water cannot be procured by 
boring. In Brunswicli, the wells are ^enerall3- 
deep, especially about the center. James Wood- 
ward makes tiiis statement about a well which 
he dug fiftj- rods north of the center: Below 
the alluvium there were twelve feet of yellow 
claj-, and below tlie yellow clay the well was 
dug forty-two feel into blue cLi}', which con- 
tained a little gravel throughout. This may 
be called a sample of the wells in this vicinity. 
In Hinckley Township, there are a number of 
fine springs ; in Litchfield are several ■■ flowing 
wells" that afford large, unfailing supplies of 
good water, and along the border of the princi- 
pal streams are found thes :■ never-failing sources 
of supply. In the western part of the count}- 
gas-springs and wells are frequentl\- found. 
One in Medina Township, a mile northwest of 
Weymouth, is the most easterh- one discov- 
ered. In this case the gas comes from a spring 
of water which has never been known to freeze 
over. Another spring of this character is found 
in the bed of the west branch of Rocky River, 
three miles north of 3Iedina Village, and west 
of the turnpike bridge. Similar springs are 
known in 8p,Micer, Litchfield and Ilarrisville 
Townships, but in no case has this gas been 
utilized. 

The economic geology of Medina County 
makes no great show. The mineral wealth of 
the county lies chiefh* in coal. Of ironstone 
there is but little, and that contains only a 
small per cent of iron, and of lime there is a 
notable lack. The absence of limestone sug- 
gested to the residents of Westfield Township 
the substitution of the marl which is found 
there in a swamp of some twenty acres. This 
material is like a whitish clay with minute 
shells, and when burnt, the liuio produced is a 
slia<lc between the white and gray lime in the 
markets, but the strength is not uearl}- equal 



to that of ordinary lime. ^Manj' of the houses 
in the township were formerly- plastered with 
this marl lime. No effort has been made to 
turn this deposit to account as a fertilizer. 
Peat is found in considerable quantities in this 
township, over 300 acres being covered with 
this material. A much larger area, however, 
of this material is found in Ilarrisville Town- 
ship. Here over two thousand acres are cov- 
ered with this material. One-half of this terri- 
tory has the deposit not over eighteen inches 
deep, the underlying clay being heavy, yet 
light colored. The average depth of the peat 
on 1.000 acres is about five feet. This large 
deposit of peat has as yet no economic value, 
but the time vaay come when such material 
maj' be worth the preparing for fuel. Salt is 
indicated in the wells and springs which are 
found on a narrow belt of land running west- 
wardly, and about eighty rods north of the cen- 
ter road of Spencer Township. The percent- 
age of salt in the water is small, yet it was 
enough to interfere with the working of a 
steam boiler, producing saline incrustations 
upon it. Salt licks are known in the township 
along this belt of salt territory and in Harris- 
ville Township also. 

The discovery of coal oil in neighboring 
parts of Lorain Count}- set parties at work 
boring for oil in Litchfield Township in 1800. 
Some 225 feet was penetrated and oil brought 
up by pumping, but not in anj- great amount. 
During the drilling gas escaped with a clear 
whistling sound, and when set on fire it blazed 
up from twcnt}' to thirty feet, the outlet being 
eight inches square. There are three other 
similar gas-springs in the township, of which, 
however, no use is made. In Liverpool Town- 
ship, the search for petroleum was somewhat 
more successful, ,though failing to warrant the 
expense of prospecting. Nine of the wells 
bored yielded small quantities of oil ; two 
others failed to afford any. Some wells which 
were sunk onl}- 100 feet '-struck oil." One 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



187 



hundred and fifty barrels of oil were taken 
from one well, and others yielded from thirty 
to forty barrels each. None of these can be 
profitaljlj^ worked for their oil at present prices. 
Gas comes continually from several of these 
wells. 

tralena has boon found in Homer, and a few 
parties, more sanguine than wise, engaged at 
one time in an attempt to develop it. 5Ir. 
Alfred W. Wheat, win.) marie a survej- of the 
county for the State Geological Eeport, says : 
" While traveling about the county, I not infre- 
quently had persons whisper in mj' ear. with 
great caution, the word ' lead ;' and I found 
several tracts of land under lease to parties 
who were confident that they should develop 
large deposits of galena. All parties were as- 
sured that such a search would be quite profit- 
less." A shale found in the southwestern part 
of Sharon was some years ago converted into a 
mineral paint at a mill in Bagdad. This was 
thought well of for the painting of outbuild- 
ings and farming implements, but has of late 
years been little used here. The ravine cut bj- 
Mineral Run in Wadsworth Township has 
shown some shales that have been used as 
paint. The section is approximately as fol- 
lows : Below the soil are, first, a buff colored 
shale, some twenty-five feet in thickness ; be- 
low this a darker shale, ten feet thick — both 
these shales are valuable for pigment ; below 
these shales a layer of ironstone, one foot 
thick ; then follow alternate la^-ers of soft 
shale and the whetstone rock, thickness not 
easily determined. Passing down the ravine a 
few rods, a shaly sandstone is exposed which 
gradually runs into a coarse-grained rock, con- 
taining very small pebhles. This ravine gives 
a section of eighty or niuetj' feet. An analysis 
of the ironstone found in ^Mineral Run was 
made bj' the State Chemist, Professor Worm- 
le\-. Tt had been supposed to be quite rich in 
iron. l)ut the analysis showed that it contained 
only two and a half per cent of metallic iron. 



The coal measures cover three-fourths of 
Wadsworth Township, which is the extreme 
southeasterly one in the county. By careful 
estimation it is thought that the workable coal 
extends over -150 acres in the township. Drill- 
ing has been done very generally over the coal 
territor3", and basins of excellent coal found and 
mapped out, but insufflcieut railroad facilities 
delayed the general development of it. Three 
mines are in operation, the coal being of good 
qualit}', such as sells in Cleveland on an equal- 
ity with the Willow Bank Coal. Of these 
mines, the Wadsworth Coal Companj- began 
shipping coal in December 1809. In 1871, the 
dail}' production of this mine was 150 tons, and 
the estimated product fully forty thousand tons. 
The coal is shipped by the Silver Creek Branch 
of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Rail- 
road. 

The Diamond Coal TTorks, of Humphrey, 
Coleman & Co., are situated two miles south- 
east of the village of Wadsworth, the railroad 
running close to the mine, which was first 
opened in December, 1869. In 1871, the dailj" 
shipments amounted to seventy -five tons per 
day, the jield for the j-ear aggregating some 
thirteen thousand tons. The Jlvers Coal Bank 
is in the northwestern part of the township, 
three miles from the other mines. It has some 
peculiar features. A conglomerate of mixed 
pebbles, etc., immediately overlies the coal in 
this bank, but is somewhat broken and tilted 
up, showing great crevices. The coal is broken 
up also, and shows manj^ mud cracks, but is of 
good quality. It does not fall to dust bj- 
weathering, or run together when burning in a 
grate. The market for this coal is a local one ; 
the towns to the north and west generally send- 
ing their wagons to this bank for their coal sup- 
plj'. Unfortunately, there is a large fissure in 
the floor of the mine through which comes a 
flow of water, rendering constant pumping nec- 
essarj-. The combined product of these mines, 
although the latter is giving indications of es- 






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188 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



haustion, for the ^-ear ending May 31, 18S0, was 
106,00(1 tons. 

Thechief material resource of Medina Countj-, 
however, lies in the varied productiveness of 
the soil with which it is faruislied. It is neces- 
sarily an agricultural rather than a mining or a 
manufacturing county-. It partalvcs largely of 
the prominent features that are cominon to 
the most of Northeastern Ohio, but without 
that flatness of surface that characterizes 
some of the more western counties of the 
Reserve. 

The first settlers here found a country thickly 
covered with a heavy growth of timijer, and the 
land, siiieldod from tiie piercing rays of the sun 
by the dense forest foliage, saturated with the 
moisture which the character of a large part of 
the country favored. To erect here a home, and 
render tiie laud subject to an annual tribute for 
the supi)ort of his family, tasked the powers of 
the pioneer to their utmost. It was an even- 
handed struggle for subsistence, and anything 
accomplished miglit safely be set down as an 
improvement. This was practically true for 
the first twenty years in the history- of a settle- 
ment. An average of five years was con- 
sumed before the frontier farm could be relied- 
upon to furnish support, and, in the meantime, 
the fare furnished by the abundance of game 
and wild fruit, was eked out with economical 
purchases of corn and wheat from the older 
settlements. After erecting a cabin with the 
aid of hospitable neighi)ors. from five to ten 
acres were felled. Tiiis was then 'chopped 
over," i. e., the trees were cut into suitable 
lengths for rolling into piles for burning. After 
the universal bee for rolling came the burning, 
which frequently engaged the services of the 
wife in attending the fire, while the husband 
chopped by the light thus aflbrded, carrying 
on their labors often to the small hours of the 
nicht. On a sin'jle farm this mu(;li was fre- 
quently accomplished in three months, and a 
small crop of corn harvested in the first year. 



but the average results were not so favorable. 
The efforts of the settler were directed toward 
getting ready for the " bee " as early as possible, 
for when the '■ rolling season " began, there was 
an uninterrupted demand upon the settler for 
from sis to eight weeks in the fields of his 
neighbors. Many were called upon when they 
could least afllbrd the time, but. from the neces- 
sities of the situation, there was no refusal pos- 
sible, and, large as this demand appears, it will 
not bo considered exorbitant when it is re- 
membered that a ■■ neighborhood " covered an 
area of miles in extent. With such an abund- 
ance of timber and the total lack of foreign de- 
mand, the prevailing tendencj" is to underrate 
the value of timber, and to carr^" the work of 
clearing to the ver3- verge of denuding the 
land of this important aid to agriculture. This 
tendency seems to have been quite marked in 
common with the whole Western Reserve. The 
percentage of the whole area of the county 
covered b}" timber, in 1853, was 29.39 per cent ; 
in 1S70, it was reduced to 23.31, and, during 
the last decade, it has been further reduced to 
20.46 per cent, while wood is still the principal 
article in use for fuel throughout the count}-, 
selling at very moderate prices, save when the 
bad roads of spring and winter make its deliv- 
ery more expensive than the timber itself 
Considerable ditHcult\- has been experienced 
of late \'ears in securing material for building 
from the native woods. Even before the intro- 
duction of railroads, pine lumber and brick 
came considerably into use as a matter of ne- 
cessity, and, of later years, this fact is still 
more marked. The use of wood as fuel has 
been largclj' a matter of necessity-, and the 
drainage on the timber supply less exacting, 
has not been felt. Coal found its way into the 
villages as fuel in 1809, when the mines were 
opened at Wadsworth. This was before railroad 
facilities were secured, and it was wagoned 
across the countr}-, giving rise to quite an active 
business in teaming. Manv of the farmers in 



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liiA 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



191 



thut vicinity have beguu using coal, also, as the 
more economical fuel. 

The prevailing s_ystem of agriculture in Me- 
dina County may properly be termed that of 
mixed husbandrj*. Specialties find little favor 
with the farmers. The practice is to cultivate 
the various kinds of grain and grasses, and to 
raise, keep and fatten stock, the latter business, 
however, being the leading pursuit of but a 
small in'oportion of the farmers. The mode of 
cultivating the farming lands has not l)een of 
the highest type. Provided with a tairly pro- 
ductive soil, and his father having made a fair 
support in a certain line of farming, the average 
farmer has not had the opportunity, or has not 
felt the need, of studying the principles of such 
branches of learning as relate to agriculture, and 
has frequenth' hesitated to receive, or promptly 
rejected, the teachings of science. A few per- 
sons, however, were found at a comparativelj' 
early day who brought to the business of farm- 
ing that amount of patient investigation which 
the greatest industry of this country demands, 
and farmers an^ becoming less and less unwilling 
to learn from others. This has had its effect 
upon the lui.sbandry of the county, which is at- 
taining a commendable thoroughness, and is 
rapidly improving in every respect. 

The soil is greatly diversified, and even on 
the same farm exhibits marked diflln'onces. 
The larger part of the western portion of the 
county is clayey soil, with here and there a 
mixture of sand alid gravel. In Ilarrisville, 
some 2,000 acres are eo\-ered with swamps. 
Jlost of the western and southern parts have 
been plowed, and the land, though easily shaken 
by jumping upon it, has been found quite safe 
for cattle all over it. In the eastern part of 
the county the proportion of clay is much less, 
and a fine loamy soil is met with, especiallj' in 
the northeastern part. Possessing soil, for the 
most part, that demands constant renewal, the 
subject of fertilizers was early l)rought to the 
attention of the farmers, but they have gener- 



ally been satisfied with such barn^-ard accumu- 
lations as the system of farming in vogue would 
furnish. Plaster has been found unsuited, it is 
thought, to the character of soils here, and has 
never gained much favor. Phosphates have 
come into limited use of late years, but only as 
an experiment, and the general \-oicc is that it 
does not " pay." 'Sov are any artificial means 
used to increase the barnj'ard supply, which is 
not infrequently treated as a serious inconven- 
ience rather than a fortunate possession of the 
farmer. The constant cropping of a field for a 
considerable number of years without renew- 
ing is not often met with in Medina County. 
Occasional field-; on the river bottoms are found 
which will bear such treatment and give good 
returns, but they are very limited in numlier. 
Rotation of crops has been the rule with the 
average farmer for some years, corn being the 
first crop planted on sod ground, followed by 
oats and then wheat. Flax is sometimes used 
on sod ground, especially a new piece of wood- 
land, and occasionall3' wheat is found to do 
well on sod ground. In the ordinary rotation 
of crops the manure is generally applied to the 
wheat crop, as it is thought it is more etfect- 
ively applied here, and leaves a better soil for 
the grass which follows. Deep plowing with 
the Michigan double plow was practiced to a 
considerable extent some twenty-five years ago 
with variable results. It afterward fell into 
disrepute on account of its heavy draft, or from 
the fact that the upper soil was buried so deep 
that sevei'al seasons were required to effect the 
proper mixture of the soils. Later, another 
system was adopted with satisfactory effects. 
Two plows were used and the team divided be- 
tween them. A shallow soil-plow turned over 
the surface, which was followed by a long steel 
plow without a turning board. The latter sim- 
ply raised and loosened the subsoil to a depth of 
twelve or fifteen inches, and upon this the top 
soil was turned by the lighter implement. This 
proved a vast improvement on the old plan, 



:fz 



t 



192 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



furnishing the requisite deptli veithout burying 
the upper soil, and loosening the subsoil, thus 
furnishing a natural escape for the excessive 
moisture which tlie character of the hard-pan 
too often resists, allowing it to escape only by 
evaporation. This method, experience showed, 
was onlj' necessary about once in eight years, 
and was not considered expensive, but the 
plan has of late years fallen into disuse, though 
subsoiling is still practiced to a considerable 
extent. The Oliver Chilled Plow, with a cutter, 
is used somewhat, but it has not worked into 
general use as j'et. Artiflcial drainage has not 
been extensively practiced. A large proportion 
of the countj' is high, rolling country with a 
natural drainage that has served the purpose of 
carr^'ing off the surplus water. There are six 
county ditches with an aggregate length of 
sixty-four miles, the longest of which reaches 
a distance of twenty-three miles. These were 
constructed at a cost of S5T,(JO0 and are located 
in Lafa_yette Townsliip and the marshy dis- 
tricts of Harrisville and Westfleld Townships. 
Under-draining and open-draining is carried on 
to some extent, but not so generally- as in 
man}' other parts of the State. 

The first tile establishment was erected at 
Mallet Creek, in 1873, and, in 1876, it reported 
a product of 10,000 rods as the result of three 
years' business. Good material for the manu- 
facture of tile was abundant, but there was not 
demand for all the establishment could make, a 
fact which occurs in but few counties in the 
State. Tile-draining, as a general thing, is 
looked ujjon simply as a means of carrying off 
the surface surplus of water, and l)ut little ac- 
count is made of it as a means of improving 
the character of the soil. 

The subject of grass lands is an important 
one in Medina County, from the fact that the 
grazing of stock for various purposes has been 
the loading business of the farmers from the 
first. Grain is principally raised for homo con- 
sumption, and the system of husl)andry, so far 



as anj- has prevailed, has been directed mainly 
to secure the best results for the grass crop. 
Timolhj' grass, with clover, is mainly relied 
upon for the supplj- of hay, meadows being 
turned over about once in five years. Slcadows 
are pastured to some extent in the fall, but are 
seldom " turned out " for this purpose, grass 
lands being seeded for the especial purpose for 
which they arc designed. Meadows are seldom 
under-drained, and have generallj- received very 
little attention in the way of top-dressing, the 
manure being generall\- applied to the wheat 
crop, which preceded the seeding down. Or- 
chard and blue grass have been introduced to a 
limited extent of late years, experiments with 
a mixture of these grasses having proved their 
value as pasture grasses. There is considera- 
ble hesitation manifested in experimenting with 
the blue-grass, as it is claimed b}' many — 
among them some scientific agriculturists — that 
the June grass, poa j^ratensis, is the same thing 
modified bj' the difference of soil and climate. 
Clover is sown in considerable quantities, prin- 
cipally for the seed. It is very frequently 
sown in combination with timoth}', for the pur- 
pose of producing a quality of hay highly 
esteemed for milch cows and sheep. It is used 
considerably, also, as pasturage, but the seed 
which commands a ready sale, at a good cash 
price, renders this disposition of the crop the 
most available, especially as it interferes with 
the other uses to only a limited extent. The 
most sjrious consoquenct« are felt in the slight 
use of this crop as a fertilizer. But few acres 
arc turned under annually', thougli there is evi- 
dence of an awakening in this direction. 

While the survey of the agriculture of JIc- 
dina County does not exhibit the cultivation of 
any specialty, it will be observi'd that the 
larger proportion of the energy and allention 
of the farming community has been centered 
alternately in dairying and sheep culture. But, 
while this is true, these ol)jocts have not ab- 
sorbed the aclivities of the farmers, to the exclu- 



'F 



HISTORY OF MEDIN^A COUNTY. 



193 



,k 



sion of other branches of flirm imlustr}'. The i 
aim of the earhest settlers, with their hinds as i 
their oiil\' resource, was to derive from these a 
complete support, and to this end, a system of 
mixed husbandrj- was a necessitj*. Their de- 
scendants, hedged about by the results of | 
experience, and aiming to sell their surplus 
products in such form as would take from the 
land the smallest amount of its fertilit}', have, 
from the nature of the case, followed in their 
footsteps. Grain has been raised for home 
consumption entirely, and has barely sufficed 
for that, until quite recentlj'. In the early cul- 
ture of wheat, a great man3' discouragements 
were met. The weevil and rust destroj'ed it 
year after j'car, and the land .seemed to be to- 
tally unfit for its cultivation. It was thought 
bj' the first settlers that it could be grown only 
on sod ground, and was, finally, for some j'ears 
adandoned, and a large part of the wheat used 
here was bought abroad. When advancement 
had been made, so fiir as to be able to accumu- 
late the barnj-ard droppings, manure was ap- 
plied to the wheat fields, and very creditable 
crops secured. During later years, and espe- 
ciall}- during the past three j-ears, there has 
been a marked improvement in the results of 
wheat Cloture. This is chiefly confined to the 
townships of Sharon, Wadsworth and Guilford, 
where the soil is more of the sandy and loamy 
character. 

The variety principally sown in later j'cars 
has been the Fultz (beardless), Lancaster or 
swamp (bearded), Todd and some Clavrson. 
The White Mediterranean has been expcri- 
mcuted with, but the leading variety during 
the last four years has been the Fultz. No 
particular system of cultivation has been gener- 
allj- adopted in regard to this grain. The prac- 
tice of plowing '• bare fallows," practiced at an 
earlier date, is occasionally done at present. 
The p.ast year, a field of clover in Medina 
Township was plowed under and sowed to 
wheat in the fall, a treatment which insures a 



profitable return, and is occasionally practiced. 
Wheat in early years was sown among the 
standing corn, and later, between the shocks 
that were placed in rows through the field, and 
the spaces thus left put in oats on the following 
spring. The latter methoil is occasionally 
practiced j-et, but generally an oat crop inter- 
venes. After plowing and seeding, the manure 
is applied as a top dressing, this being consid- 
ered the most effective way of applying fertil- 
izers. Where the drill is employed, as in a 
large portion of cases, tiie same rule is followed, 
although there are many cases where it is har- 
rowed in with the seed when sown broadcast 
or before drilling. The practice of sowing 
wheat upon the same ground for manj- success- 
ive j-ears is liecoming less known, though still 
followed here and there where the soil seems 
well nigh exhaustless. The breadth of land 
sown is bj^ no means uniform, varying about in 
proportion to the uncertainty^ of the product 
per acre. The wheat-growing townships in the 
southeast part of the count}' are prett}' constant 
in their cultivation of this grain, but in other 
parts the failure of the crop in a single year 
has the effect of turning the attention of a large 
number of farmers to other interests. The last 
few years have been especiallj* favorable to this 
crop, and a larger acreage than ever before has 
been sown, the product not oul}' sujiplyiug the 
home market but furnishing a surplus for ex- 
portation. The grain is usually threshed in 
the barn or in the barn3-ard. The first ma- 
chines, worked by horse power, were introduced 
here about 1835, Of late, machines worked by 
the portable steam engine have been the favor- 
ite, and very largelv used. 

Eye and barle}^ are but little cultivated. The 
former was early cultivated for the hogs and 
occasionally fed to sheep, but it has long since 
ceased to be a grain of considerable cultivation. 
It is principally grown now among the Ger- 
man population of the count}', and is valuable 
chiefly for the straw, which finds a ready sale 



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61 






194 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



ill liinili'd (iLuiiitilies for liindiag foriist:ilks. 
The average yield of the grain is about ten 
busliels per acre. Barley is occasionally raised, 
but not to so large an extent as in earlier years. 
The principal demand for this grain is for 
brewing, and the market is too distant to stimu- 
late its production, though it proves a valuable 
crop where the soil is fitted for its cultivation. 
Buckwheat was formerly- grown to a consider 
able extent, but of late years the cultivation of 
this grain has fallen off so that hardly the home 
supply is produced. Oats are exteusivel3- 
grown, l)ut find a demand at home for the full 
supply, It is a reasonably sure ciop, and, 
though occasionally affected by drought, it is 
relied upon with consiilerable confidence for 
home use. Rust has at times proved a serious 
drawback to the raising of this crop, and a late 
frost occasionally ruins the crop, but these have 
not been destructive of late years. 

The corn crop. ^^ hile not grown to the exclu- 
sion of the others, is the one on which the 
farmers of Medina County most confidently 
rely, and the land devoted to its culture is onl}^ 
limited by tiie necessities of the situation. It 
is far more stable in its yield, less liable to dis- 
ease, and may be slighted in its cultivation 
with greater impunity than any other crop. 
The soft varieties of seed are gencrallj- pre- 
ferred, and are usually planted on sod ground. 
In 18:'>5, there was some interest awakened in 
the "Baden" eorn._ This variety was promised 
to yield large returns, which was realizeil, but in 
an unexpected way. The stalks reached an 
enormous size, some developing a growth of 
three inches in diameter and some fifteen feet 
in height, but bearing not a single car of corn. 
It became quite notorious, and passed into the 
popular sayings as a mark of hollow pretension. 
It is nsuallj- well put in, the ground being pre- 
pared with consitlerable care. The praciice of 
fall plowing for corn obtains largely in the 
county, and shows satisfactory gaitfs on the 
spring plowing. The old way of '• going 



through '' the field a certain number of times 
before '• laying In- '' the crop, is still generally 
followed in the count}'. The practice of work- 
ing the corn until it " tassels out," which pre- 
vails in many places, is not followed to any 
great extent in 3Iedina County. This extra 
amount of cultivation is not thought to '• pay " 
b}' most of the farmers, and others are obliged 
by the exigencies of the season to forego this 
extra amount of attention. The farms are gen- 
erally small, and worked by the owner alone, 
and the clover and wheat cutting coming close 
together make it impossible for the farmer to 
bestow more time on his corn. The crop is 
usually cut and husked in the field, the stalks 
being removed and stacked at a convenient 
place for feeding in the winter. The custom of 
husking from the standing stalk, which was 
early much in vogue, was abandoned some time 
since, as wasteful of time and material. The 
lireadth planted and the yield per acre is some- 
what variable, but with improved cultivation 
the yield has increased, and more laud has 
gradually been devoted to it. 

The other crops that occupy, or have occu- 
pied, a more or less prominent place among the 
agricultural products of the county are pota- 
toes, flax and sorghum. The quality of the soil 
is well adapted to the raising of ])otatoes, and 
farmers who have given considerable attention 
to the proper cultivation of this highly- prized 
and indispensable esculent, have always been 
well rewarded for their Ial)or and painstaking. 
It is a staple vegetable, universally used, always 
commands a fair price, and its general (!ultiva- 
tion for exportation would undoubtedly prove 
highly remunerative. This fjict seems to have 
made no impression upon the farmers, as no 
more are produced than are used at home. The 
leading variety is the er,»!y rose, with the Peach- 
blow ami I'eerle.ss cultivated in considerable 
([uantities. The Snowflake is liighly prized l\v 
many, while other varieties are being cultivated 
as experiments or to suit individual tastes. 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



195 



The average yield of this crop is gooJ, and is 
not often seriously affected b-y disease or in- 
sects. 

Flax is grown to considerable extent, and, 
contrary* to its history in most parts of the State 
its cultivation is rather on the increase iu this 
count3'. A flax-mill at Seville stimulates its 
cultivation, and many farmers esteem it highly 
as :v valuable crop to sow upon sod ground to 
precede wheat. Its drain upon the fertility' of 
the soil is not seriously felt, and it is thought 
to have a beneficial effect in rendering the soil 
loose and friable. The seed commands a ready 
sale, and the fiber is always iu demand at the 
mill iu Seville. 

Sorghum is another exception to the general 
rule. It was introduced here about 1857, but 
most of the farmers conceived a dislike to it. 
It was planted in small quantities by a good 
many, but it was allowed to pass without any 
particular care, and manj' never harvested it at 
all. Two or three mills were bought, but com- 
paratively little molasses was manufactured. 
The first product, owiug to the lack of interest 
and information, and the carelessness with 
which it was manufactured, was sorry stufl". 
This result re-acted with discouraging effect 
upon the producers. Another cause which con- 
tributed to this result was the exercise of a 
ruinous economj^ on the part of the mass of the 
farmers. Instead of purchasing new seed and 
sparing no pains to make a fair trial of this new 
crop, the majority of those who planted a sec- 
ond crop procured seed from their ueiglibors, 
and allowed the farm-work to seriousl}' interfere 
with the cultivation of the cane. The result 
was that it deteriorated in quantity and quality, 
and the whole thing was voted a failure. No 
great eff<->rt was made to jjroduee sugar, as the 
expense proved an insurmmintable barrier to 
its successful prosecution. A limited amount 
of cane is still planted and some sirup manu- 
factured, but it has no sale and is made simply 
for home use. 



Tobacco is cultivated here and there by in- 
dividuals for the private use of the producer, 
and it may well be hoped that its culture may 
not be further extended. It is an exacting 
crop upon the land, and, sooner or later, the 
exhaustive process will ultimatel}- work the 
deterioration of any neighborhood or farming 
district where its culture is a prominent part 
of the farming operations. 

The forests of Medina County are well sup- 
plied with the sugar maple, and farmers ha\'e 
not been slow to utilize them in the way of 
making sugar. It was the practice at an early 
date, to manufacture this product in grain sugar, 
as it proved more available for the uses of the 
iiousehold, but of late years it has found a more 
valuable market in cakes and as sirup. 

A survey of this branch of Jledina County's 
agriculture would hardly be complete without 
some reference to the late fro-sts of 1859 and 
1845. The frost of 1859 came on a Saturday 
night in June. The previous niglit had brought 
a fall of rain, and on Saturday it cleared off 
with a cool atmosphere, which grew colder as 
night approached. In the morning, the " killing 
frost " had left scarcely a vestige of the grow- 
ing crops alive. Corn was about eight or ten 
inches high, and potatoes had reached the 
growth that made the effect of the frost most 
damaging. All grain was ruined, and the peo- 
ple found themselves face to face witli " perilous 
times," if not starvation. -The frost had been 
general over the State, aud the situation was 
considered alarming. Some time was lost in 
unavailing regrets, and some crops that might 
have been saved by prompt cutting off" even 
with the ground were lost by dehiv. Fort- 
unateh', there were some late crops that had 
not come forward enough to become involved 
in the general disaster, and others were saved 
by favorable locations. The less fortunate 
farmers set at once to repair the misfortune so 
far as possilile. The corn and potatoes were 
replanted, buckwheat was sowed in the place of 






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196 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



wheat, and, thunks to an imusually long season, 
these crops were fairly matured. There was a 
large proportion of soft corn, hundreds of bush- 
els of which proved almost a complete loss. 
In 1845, the frost occurred on turee successive 
Mondays in ]May or June, and each frost fol- 
lowed b}' a burning sun. Crops on exposed 
situations were completol}' destroj'ed, and the 
severe drought that followed completed the sum 
of miserj-. To this was added such a swarm 
of grasshoppers as has scarcely been seen in 
this State. They attacked buildings, fences 
and tools with such vigor as to cause con- 
sideralale damage in this wa}'. Farmers who 
usually' mowed fifty tons of hay got scarcely 
one, and the tools used in the field had to be 
hid to keep the woodwork from being made too 
rough to use, by these insatiable insects. 

Fruit-culture may be safely said to be j'et in 
its infancy in Medina County. The first settlers, 
deprived for a time of its use, and realizing the 
great demand in every family for tlie important 
article of food, early set about planting orchards. 
But little care was exercised, in a majority of 
cases, in the s('leetion o ' varieties, or in the 
care of orchards after once well set. One of the 
earliest apple orchards was started from seeds 
saved from apples eaten by the family while on 
their way to a new iiome in the wools. This 
orchard was, for a time, the most impi:>rtant iu 
the county. The lack of railroads has had the 
effect of retarding the development of this in- 
terest, and even now, taking into consideration 
the value of good fruit as a substantial element 
of food, as a valuable agent in preserving and 
promoting healtii, and as a luxurj- which all 
classes may enjoy, this subject has not received 
the attention wliich its importanpe merits at 
the hands of tlic careful agriculturist. The old 
apple orchards liave lieen priibli<' producers, 
and, in favorable seasons, iiundreds of bushels 
have been allowed to waste for the lack of a 
inarlcet. At an early day, consideraI)le fruit 
was dried, and the practice is kept up to a con- 



siderable extent at present, with a fair local de- 
mand.* 

The (juality of the apples in the county is 
hardly adapted to the market demands of the 
present. This requires a large, fair-looking 
apple, without much regaixl to the taste or 
grain of the fruit. The apple orchards of this 
county are selected chiefly with respect to the 
taste of tlie owner, no attempt having as yet 
been made to grow fruit for market. The lead- 
ing varieties found liere are the Eambo, Bell- 
flower. Seek-no-Further, Russet, Rhode Island 
Greening, Rpitzenberg, Northern Spj', Baldwin, 
Fall Piin in Queen Anne, Red Astrakhan, Sweet 
Bough and Early Harvest. King of Tompkins 
County is among the later varieties, and is in 
the line of the market demands, as is the 
Tulpehocken. The former is the favorite for 
a laige apple, some of the fruit measuring 
fourteen and one-half inches in circumference, 
and at tlie same time retaining a fine flavor 
and smooth texture. The apple is the hardiest 
and most reliable of all the fruits for this re- 
gion, and there arc more acres in apple orchards 
than in all other fruits combined. 

Peaches, bj- reason of the unfavoral)leness of 
the climate, are, of late j'cars, exceedingly un- 
certain, and ai-e but little planted. Forty years 
ago. this fruit was as certain and prolific in its 
yield as apples, but succeeding years have 
wrought such climatic changes that there is a 
fair crop of this fruit oul\- about once in five 
years. Late frosts iu the spring usuallj' cut ofl' 
the crop, either in the blossom or when the 
young fruit has just formed ; and, in addition to 
this, there occurs every few years a winter of 
such severity that even the trees themselves 
are seriously injured or destroyed. There are 
several peach orcliards in the count\-, princi- 
pally locali'il in the eastern part of the county. 
'I'ho case of elierries of the finer kind is very 

■ .\n " .Tpiil* factiiry " in MiMlin.i ViHago !ms. for the Inst fow 
years, lipfii entraf^cti in *Ir,\iiiL' fri;it for tlio inaikft. Sane 30,00) 
bil.sli.-Ls of appl.-s \V(>rf booglil (iiirnig llie pr'-.s(>nt fail (ISSOi, at 15 
c.-ntsiuT l.iislifl, ami at that i>.ico tilery isitt present no profitable 
deniaini for the dried fruit. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



197 



similar to that of peaches, as the trees are 
somewhat tender and the blossoms are liable to 
be dostrojed by late frosts in the bpring. The 
hardier kinds, such as the Early Richmond, the 
Morellos and Ma}- Duke are much more reliable 
and hardy, and often yield flue crops. Pears 
are planted in small way principallj', though 
there are occasional orchards of considerable 
size. The first trees of this sort were seedlings, 
which of late years have been supplanted b}' 
dwarfs or their outgrowth of half-standards. 
The latest additions, however, are of the stand- 
ards. The teudenc}' to blight, which the pear- 
tree shows here as elsewKere in Ohio, prevents 
any extended attention to the orchard culture 
of this fruit. No effective remedy has as yet 
been devised for this scourge of the pear tree, 
unless the recent discussion of horticulturists 
have struck the root of the matter. In 'the re- 
cent session of the jMontgomei-j' Horticultural 
Societ}', it was set forth that " the blight seldom, 
if ever, attacks trees which have their stems 
shaded by their branches ; while tiic branches 
themselves — the foliage — is defended from the 
direct rays of the summer sun daring the hot- 
test part of the day, by some screen such as is 
aflibnled by a building or another tree which 
shades them from about 1] A. M. to 3 P. M., 
more or less. Another fact regarding the per- 
manent thriftiness of pear-trees is, that, if the 
roots can penetrate deeply' into wholesome soil, 
or otherwise can occupy a stratum which sup- 
plies them uniform!}' as to moisture and tem- 
perature, they succeed." Plums are scarcely 
grown at all, owing to the prevalence of the 
curculio insect, although the trees seem to 
grow well and remain healthy. 

The lack of an easy access to market has 
been a groat drawback to the orchard culture 
of fruit. A generous provision for family wants 
has all that has been aimed at, and the consid- 
erable surplus that has grown out of this, has 
been converted into cider or gone largely to 
waste. This feature is aggravated bv the un- 



fortunate habit of the most reliable orchards of 
bearing full crops every alternate year, with 
scant ones or failures between. The effect of 
this habit on the market, is disastrous to the 
grower, and only those reap the harvest, who, 
by careful management, secure a good crop in 
the " off year.'' The presence of good facilities 
for transportation, and a reliable nursery in the 
county, may be trusted to awaken a lively in- 
terest in this matter of fruit-growing. 

The eulti\'ation of small fruits for market has 
received but little general attention. The cul- 
tivation of strawberries, raspberries, etc., in 
gardens, for private use, extends to more per- 
sons each year, and more are used. There is, 
however, a growing surplus which finds its way 
to the villages, going a good way toward sup- 
plying the demand. In the matter of black- 
berries, the wild fruit is the strongest compet- 
itor against the cultivation for private use or 
market. Grapes have received some attention, 
in a small way, in this county. The hardier va- 
rieties of this fruit succeed reasonably well in 
this county, especially when the sand soil pre- 
dominates. Some attempts at small vineyards 
have been made, but with no marked results. 
The Isabella, lona, Conconl and Delaware arc 
found, but the necessaiy amount of care is sel- 
dom bestowed, and the results, when compared 
with more favoralile localities, are not flatter- 
ing. 

In the matter of stock-breeding, there is a 
very general interest, though the number of 
those who make it a specialty, or a leading feat- 
ure of their farm industry, is small. Probably 
less than one-third can be placed in this class, 
though among these may I)e included a major- 
ity of the WHnilthier farmers. Among this 
portion of the farming eomuHinity, a persever- 
ing, patient, investigating spirit has been man- 
ifested, that has a(-complished large results for 
the stock of the count}'. Xo class of stock has 
been slighted in this respect, though perhaps 
cattle and sheep have proflted most. 



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198 



HISTORY OF MEl'IXA roUNTT. 



It is quite natural tliat tlie earlj- history of 
the horse in Jledina County should be some- 
what oliscure. In the early settlement, the na- 
ture of farm worlv called for the steadj' strength, 
the freedom from accident and the easy keep- 
ing of the ox, and horses found no general de- 
mand until the pioneers could afford the luxury 
of speed in travel. It was not long before this 
demand made a marked 'change in the charac- 
ter of the teams, which has continued until 
now one would scarcely meet with an ox team 
upon the road in a month's tra\el through the 
county. The eai'ly stock of horses were such 
as could be bought in the older settlements, and 
were marked by no particular characteristic of 
breed or quality. The only demand was for 
tiie ordinary- purposes of the farm, and the peo- 
ple were not only not in position ■■ to look a 
gift horse in the mouth."' but were quite as 
powerless to be f:\stidious in regard to an}- 
horse. Among the earliest efforts to improve 
upon this stock was the importation of a horse 
called '■ Blucher." But little is remembered of 
his characteristics or pedigree, but he was ex- 
tensively used, and was considered desirable at 
that time, though modern improvements have 
caused them to be remembered as an inferior 
grade. Succeeding him came " Duroc " and 
" May Duke," which left their impress upon the 
stock of the county to a marked degree. This 
is especially true of the latter animal, and the 
"May Duke" horses were sure to carry otf the 
premiums when shown at the early fairs. These 
horses were owned at Seville, and are described 
as a cross between a heav}-, general-purpose 
hor.sc and a genuine roadster. This was the 
character of the animal in general demand, 
and a great manj' of their colts were got in the 
county. In or about 1 852, F. Q. Foot, of West- 
field, brought in a Black Hawk Jlorgan horse, 
named '• David Hill." He was a fine black an- 
imal, weighed about one thousand pounds, could 
trot a mile in about three minutes, and suited 
the popular taste better than anything that had 



preceded liim. Ilisstock was found very largely 
in the northern part of the county, and proved 
excellent I'oadsters. Closely following him, or 
about the same time, Hiram Sykes, of Hinck- 
ley, brought " Eastman Morgan " from Ver- 
mont. He was sired bj- '• Sherman Morgan," 
and was a little faster horse than his immediate 
predecessor in Medina Count}'. Speed had be- 
gun to be quite an object among the younger 
class of the fanning community. The boys 
were beginning to own horses of their own, and 
preferred a horse that could leave the dust in 
others' eyes to one better fitted for heavy work. 
With this class the Vermont 3Iorgan was a 
great favorite. The horse in question was a 
•■ bloeky, pony-shaped'' animal, weighing about 
twelve hundred pounds, and surprised horse- 
men with his speed, as there was nothing about 
him to promise it. Though used a good deal 
in the county, he never got any trotters, though 
all were found to be good roadsters. 51. Lyon 
brought in a chestnut stallion from Vermont 
about the same time, but he was not so popular 
as the one just mentioned. There is some di- 
versity of opinion, at this time, as to the merits 
of the old Jlorgan strain. There are those who 
complain of hoof diflficulties, though this is 
claimed, by the friends of the strain, as the re- 
sult of injudicious management when the ani- 
mal is young. Bred for speed, the owner was 
anxious to develop it as soon as possible, and 
frequently trained his young horse at an early 
age. when most likely to injure the foot. 

Perhaps the most celebrated strain of horses 
— a strain the repute of which has not passed 
away with the animals that represented it — was 
the Stranger breed. Tlie founder of this breed 
a was horse brought from Kentucky by a stran- 
ger, and sold, when a twoyearold colt, for .?70, 
to Horace Hatch, of Jledina. This was about 
1,S,")(J ; he was kept here about four years, and 
sold for $3,000, but he proved a short-lived an- 
imal, dying soon afterward. Though here but 
a short time, he left a good deal of his stock in 






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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



199 



tlie county, all of which showed more or less of 
the fine qualities of the sire. " Che5tnut Tom " 
was one of his colts, which was bought b^v Mr. 
Hitch when a colt. He possessed the charac- 
teristics of his sire iu a large degree, and was 
a general favorite among horse-breeders. " Tom 
B.," by " Chestnut Tom," was a fine specimen 
of the Stranger strain of horses, and trotted in 
2:37, and afterward was sold at a high price. 
"Eric Abdallah" and " Hotspur" made a sea- 
son at Wellington a little later than this, and 
loft a large numlijr of colts in Lorain Countj^ 
and soma in Melina. The first is a ■' general 
purpo-se" hors'j, noted as a spirited, active and 
fleet traveler, with surprising powers of endur- 
ance. He made, at one time, a single dash of 
ten miles in the extraordinary- time of thirty-one 
minutes and nine seconds. "Hotspur," how-, 
ever, seemed to be the greater favorite in Me- 
din:i, and two of his colts, " Hotspur Chief," 
owned in Homer, and •' Hotspur Joe," owned 
by Emory, in Cleveland, were kept in the 
stud in this county. They were bred, too, 
quite extensively, and manj- of their get are to 
be found in the county. " Hotspur Joe " was 
kept soma three years by the Shanks Brothers, 
but was finally sold, and went to Kansas for 
breeding purposes. " Nettie," a Hotspur colt 
owned by Shanks brothers, developed consider- 
ble speed, trotting a mile in 2: 35, and was sold 
for $1,500. 

Among the more modern horses, " General 
Hayes," a young horse recently sold by Shanks 
Brothers for $3,000, is perhaps most prominent. 
He was sired by old " Flying Hiatoga," and out 
of a mare by " Stranger ; " — fine trotting stock on 
both sides. He was bought at Berlin Heights 
when about two j-cars old for $1,000, and kept 
iu stud for some two years and a half, and, 
after three weeks' training, he was put on a pri- 
vate track, when he displayed such speed as to 
sell readily for $3,000, to Mr. Emory, of Cleve- 
land. 

It will be observed that the general demand 



thus far was for a light, active horse. This is 
still true, though perhops confined more gener- 
aWy to the northern part of the countj'. Of 
late, the demand in the southern part has been 
for a heavier horse, and the "general purpose " 
Clydesdale and Norman are finding more favor, 
especially in the township of Wadsworth and 
Guilford. This division is the more noticeable 
from the fact that the heavy horses are found 
in the hilliest part of the county, a country to 
which they are generallj' considered least 
adapted. Of the latter class, Seth Baughman, of 
Wadsworth, brought in a fine Clydesdale stallion. 
He was a large, well-built horse, and attracted 
lovers of the draft horse. Tliis class of horses 
are of Scottish descent, of the largest size, 
averaging from sixteen to eighteen hands high, 
with ponderous bodies, stout limbs, hairy at 
the fetlocks, of high and noble carriage, and un- 
surpassed in weight and strength. They occa- 
sionallj^ reach a weight of seventeen and even 
eighteen hundred pounds. S. A. Earle, of 
Friendville, has a stallion of this breed, recent- 
ly introduced, and a half-brother of "General 
Hayes," which he calls "Joe Geigcr." The 
latter is a well-bred horse, and has developed 
some speed. He was raised in Pickaway 
County, is a dark bay, stands sixteen and one- 
half hands high, and weighs over twelve hun- 
dred pounds. His sire was " Hiatoga," or 
better known as " Old Togue," a grandson of 
the founder of the strain in Virginia. " Bonnie 
Scotland," the Clydesdale stallion, is a dark 
bay, sixteen and three-fourths hands high, and 
weighs, in good condition, 1,800 pounds. He 
was bred in Sterlingshire, Scotland, by Andrew 
Stuart, Esq., of Kip Dowrie, and imported to 
Canada in 1876. He was imported into Syra- 
cuse, N. Y., in the spring of 1880, and there 
bought b}- Mr. Earle. The Normans have not 
been popular iu this county, for the reason that 
the general taste demanded a light, active ani- 
mal. In 1878, however, William Smith, of 
Hillsdale, Michigan, made a season in the 



f 



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soo 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



county with a fine horse of this breed. He was 
cousidoralily used, and the stock finds ready 
sale at good figures. They are natives of 
France, and embody more speed in action than 
the ordinary draft horse, together with great 
strength of limb and power of locomotion. 
Their average size is from sixteen to seventeen 
hands high, compact in body, s^'mmetrical in 
shape, clean in limb and enduring in labor. One 
of the best-lircd horses now owned in tlie county 
is " Membrino Thorn," recentl3- imported to this 
county by Jacob Miller, latel}- deceased. He was 
bred on the celebrated stoclc-farm of Dr. Hurd. 
of Kentucky, and broiiglit to the southern part 
of the State, where Mr. .Miller found him. Tiie 
horse is a fine black animal, weighing, in good 
flesh, about eleven hundred and fifty pounds, 
and standing fifteen and three-fourths hands 
high. lie is a fine-appearing, high-headed ani- 
mal of the roadster class, and has got quite a 
large number of colts in the count3', the older 
ones being about three and one-half years. The 
principal breeders of horses in the county ai'e 
Shanks Brothers, in Litchfield, and S. A. Earle, 
of Fricndville. Mr. Miller, before his death, 
had given a good deal ol' attention to this class 
of stock, preparing a track and arranging to 
develop this business, but death put an end to 
his plans before they had reached tlieir culmi- 
nation. 

In tlie Medina Garxtlr of April 21, 18.30, i.s 
the following on the subject of the hor.ses of 
the county: '-.Mk'dina can boast of a better 
stud of horses than an}' other county in this 
State. At our State fairs, we invariably' take 
most of the premiums, and always receive 
praise for their fine style and purity of blood. 
The following horses arc among the luimber 
who have received considerable promiueuce : 
Buckey(! l>oy, owne.l by Dr. Carponlei- ; Em- 
psror, owned by Uuhliard & Hall ; Stranger, 
owned l)y il. S. Hatch ; Eastman IMorgan, 
owned by H. Sykes ; Odd Fellow, owned by ('. 
II. Hill. Tlie following are fast coming into 



notice, and have appeared at our count}- fairs, 
man}- of which have taken premiums. They 
are a good stock of horses : May Duke, 
owned by S. Beedle ; Yankee Lad. by L. W. 
Ladd ; Duke of York, by A. Hubbard ; Jack 
Best, by C. Halliwell ; Green Mountain Mor- 
gan, by A. Brown ; Black Hawk Messenger, 
by S. A. Earle ; Prince, by D. Kreider ; Black 
Tiger, by A. Miner, and David Crockett, by H. 
C. Galehouse." 

Mules have never been received with favor 
by tlie gener.al mass of the farmers. Their 
appearance was not prepossessing, and those 
conditions to which this animal is supposed to 
be best fitted have never existed in this coun- 
ty, and the mule has therefore not secured 
much of a foothold. 

The introduction of cattle into tte county- 
was as early as the coming of the first settler. 
Cows were a necessary part of the pioneer's 
outfit, without which his chances for obtaining 
a reasonably comfortable existence were very 
poor indeed, and few families were without 
them. But, once here, it required all the care 
and diligence of the settler to protect them 
against the ravages of wild beasts and disease. 
Wolves were not so dangerous to cattle as in 
man}- places, but now and then a yearling or 
calf was sacrificed to their voracious appetites. 
Tlie murrain, a little later, took off scores of 
these animals, entailing consideralili^ privation 
before they could be replaced. Then tlie 
marshes and the rank vegetation t(jok their 
quota, so that in spite of the employment of 
all the avail;rt)le children of the settlement as 
herders, and the dosing of cattle with alum, 
soot and soft soap, hundreds fell victims to the 
snares of a new country. Under such circum- 
stances, the efibrt was narrowed down to a 
struggle to maintain, rather than inipri)ve, tlie 
breed. The people who settled this couuty 
were from New York and the Now England 
States, where the shorl-horn l)reed of cattle 
had been introduced as early as 1800. Subse- 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



301 



qucnt to the war of 1812, still larger importa- 
tions bad been made, and short-horn grades 
were not unfrequently met with in the New En- 
gland States at the time this countrj- drew up- 
on them for its settlement. This general interest 
was soon transferred to Ohio bj- the way of 
Keutuck}' more largel}- than from the East, 
and, in 1834, the " Ohio Importing Company " 
was formed to Import short-horn Durhams from 
England. Seven bulls and twelve cows, nine- 
teen in all, were imported and exhibited in the 
following year at the State fair. This company 
subsequently' increased the number of their 
importation to thirty head. In 1852, the "Sci- 
oto Importing Company " imported sixteen 
head, and, in the following year, a similar eom- 
panj-, formed in Madison County, imported 
twenty-two head. In 1854. similar companies 
were formed in Clinton an<l Clark Counties, by 
which some forty more animals were brought 
to the State. Amid all this activity in tlie im- 
provement of stock, it is not to be expected 
that the enterprising people of this county 
sliould fail to profit by it. Not long after the 
introduction of these cattle by the Ohio com- 
pany, Messrs. Wheatle3- and Spencoly, of Gran- 
ger, separatelj- introduced the breed here. Lit- 
tle more is remembered of the matter than this 
liare fact. E. A. AYaruer dealt in this stock 
early, bringing in a bull kno^n as Talle\Tand, 
a namesake, if not a descendant, of one of the 
cows brought in by the Ohio company. Other 
leading bulls of this herd were Solomon, Ab- 
salom and Gen, Grant. For years, Mr. Warner 
was a leading breeder of this class of stock, 
though he discarded the practice of registering 
his cattle in the herd book. In 1855, Mr. T. S. 
Sliaw bought a bull in Sullivan, which was 
r.aiscd on the farm of Cassius M. Clay. It was 
a fine white animal, the favorite color of that 
stock farm, anfl, after sta3'ing here three or 
four \*ears, it was sold and taken to the West. 
The herd of A. L. Clapp was started in 1874, 
b}' the purchase of a hull, i'unch 8,881, bred 



by J. G. Hagerty, of Licking County, Ohio, a 
heifer of William Whcatley, of llichlield, Sum- 
mit County, and. soon after, a cow of l'. Unkev, 
Elyria, Ohio. This cow was bred by M'illiam 
Warfleld, of Kentucky. In August. 1877, an- 
other heifer, of the Rose of Sharon strain, was 
purchased of J. G. llagerty. The herd now 
consists of thirteen IumiI. 

A letter from C. C. Cottingham, at Sharon 
Center, thus details the history of the short- 
horns in his vicinity: "In 1810, John Bell 
bought a bull of Raw Jackson, of Orange, 
Cuyahoga County, and, four years later, bought 
another from the same man. These two bulls 
did much to improve the native cattle. In 
1859, I bought a cow of Raw Jackson, which 
he had recently purchased of Samuel Thorn, of 
New York. Ten 3-ears later, we started our 
present herd with four cows purchased of John 
Jackson, of Orange, Cuyahoga Count}-. In 
1871, I bought of J. G. Hagerty, of Licking 
County, Duke 9,787, and subsequently added 
two young cows. In 1874,1 purchased Scot- 
tish Crown 24,795, of William Miller, of Can- 
ada. Three j'ears later, in connection with T. 
G. Briggs, I bought one of the Bates family, 
Duke of Winfield 22,985. Have sold for 
breeding purposes, forty head, and have in mv 
herd at present twentj'-seven head. 

" In 1864, George Waters, Sr., bought a cow 
of Raw Speuely. Sr., of Granger. Some years 
later, he bought Punch 8,881 and a cow of J. 
G. Hagert}-, of Licking County. 3[r. Waters 
was quite successful, and, at his death, some 
eight years after, had a fine herd, which was 
sold at public sale. 

"In 1869, Adam Turner started his present 
herd from cows bought of J. Woodward, of 
Sharon, and J. L. Beck, of Guilford, and, prob- 
ably, for the number of cows, has raised more 
calves than any other lirceder in the township. 
T, G. Briggs keeps a herd of short-horns, tiic 
first of which he purchased from G. AVatcrs, 
Sr., in 1872. He has since purchased several 



V 



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202 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



head from the Canada West Breeding Associa- 
tion, and has at present seventeen head in his 
herd. 

" George Waters, Jr., has a small herd, es- 
tablished in 1875 b^- the purchase of two cows 
of D. C. Wilhelm, of Licking County'. He aft- 
erward bought a bull of J. G. Hagerty. 

S. S. Totman started his herd with sis cows 
in 1875-7fi, bought of George Waters, Jr., of 
Sharon. Pylvesler & King, of Granger, and has 
now a herd of flftejii head. T. C. and E. 
Woodward have small herds, descendants of a 
cow purchased b}' their father (Jolin Wood- 
ward. Sr.,) of Raw Jaclvson in 1859. Most of 
the farmers in the northern part of Sharon 
have resorted to Short-horn blood for the im- 
provement of their stock." 

The report to tlie Short-horn Breeders' Asso- 
ciation, from Medina County in 1876, repre- 
sented that there were six or eight herds in the 
county, with a poor demand for the stock, not 
more than one in twenty- of the farmers using 
this blood for the improvement of their herds. 
Besides Mr. Cottingliam, none reported save 
J. B. Porter, of Hinckley, as follows : Herd 
established, 1868 ; first .animals were Lady 
Queen, by son of Starlight 5.200 ; Kate Dar- 
ling, by King Duke 8,400; Red Rose, by same; 
Lady Butterfly, by Master Butterfly 17,702; 
purchased Kinallor Tiiird 14,G6S. Have now 
fourteen cows and heifers and two bulls : breed- 
ing l)idl now in use. Decoration 22,.") H. There 
is less apathy among the farmers now than 
shown by the report in 1S76, thougii the de- 
mands of tlie dairying business, which is a lead- 
ing interest in Jledina, has much to do with 
the number of those who care to breed fine 
stock. 

The earliest eflTort to impi'ovc this class of 
stock, however, was by the introduction of the 
De\on blood. J(jel Brigham, who had been a 
farmer in Ilarrisville, went into merchandis- 
ing, and on one of ids visits to New York his 
farmer's instinct lead iiim to liuv two Devon 



calves at $55 apiece. At this early time, 
when it was noised about what Mr. Brigham 
had done, there was considerable curiosit}- 
manifested to see them. Iram Packard bought 
one and kept it for some j-ears. Thi.s is a 
strikingly distinct breed in form and quality, 
medium in size, uniformly red in color, and 
comely in appearance. This blood, or that 
which was closely allied to it, seems to have 
been imported into New p]iigland in the seven- 
teenth century, and the native stock of that 
section has for man3- generations borne strong 
resemblances to this stock. It tailed to gain a 
footing here, and passed aw\aj- before the Short- 
horn fashion. Frazer & Owens, of Seville, are 
breeding this class of cattle and m.ike a credit- 
able showing at the fairs. 

The Ayrshires h.ave been introduced within 
the last decade. There are several herds of 
grades, but the only pedigree stock of this 
blood in the count\- is in the herd of F. B. 
Clark, of Medina. This breed is said to have 
originated in the district of Ayrshire, in Scot- 
land, b}' a cross of Short-horn l.nills from tlie 
north of England on the common or native 
Kyloe cow of Scotland, and cultivated into 
their present excellent dairy qualities b}- care- 
ful and persistent breeding. They are higldj- 
esteemed bj- those who are partial to them for 
their large yields of milk, which render them 
much more profitable for dairy uses than the 
common cow of the country. In size, they are 
about the size of the common native cattle ; in 
color, usually red or brown more or less mixed 
with white, and in sh.ape, more like the Short- 
horn than others, though lacking their fine con- 
tour and comeliness of appearance. It was 
these characteristics that led Mr. CLark to go 
into the breeding of this stock. He was inter- 
ested in dairying, and he became convinced 
that ho could make 20 pov cent more out of his 
grass with Ayrshire cows than any other blood. 
He started his herd in 1871. buying a bull, 
" Sir Robert," of C. C. Fuller, in Portage count}-. 



Al^ 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



203 



to which he hvcd the common cows of his dairy, 
A little later he went to see a fiimous cow, 
'• Dandy," in the herd of A. J. Miller, of Lorain 
Connty. Tliis cow had given 10,000 pounds 
of milk in ten consecutive months, and was 
with calf at that time. Mr. Clark was so 
pleased with the animal that he agreed to take 
her calf when three days old, provided it could 
stand, at $50. His next purchase was a year- 
ling bull imported from Canada, Cornhill 1st, 
and when old enough used him for breeding 
purposes, sending '-Sir Robert" to the shani- 
bles. The present breeding bull is of his own 
breeding, •' Cornhill 2d." The herd consists of 
five head of full-blood, registered stock, twenty 
head of from oae-half to three-quarter blood. 
On his farm he has some forty head of cattle, 
all of his own breeding, and it is his intention 
to use Ayrshire exclusively for dairy purposes. 
The Jerseys are represented by a single herd 
of thoroughbred stock, that of George Burr, 
of Lodi. Tiiere seems to be a distinction be- 
tween the " Herd Book stock " and that regis- 
tered in the '• American Jersey Cattle Club Herd 
Register." The former is not considered ex- 
clusive enough, and much stock is found regis- 
tered there that is considered below the caste 
of the pure Jersey, hence they sustain a sort 
of high and low church relation to each other. 
The Alderney, Guernsey and Jersey, gencralhj 
speaking, have a common origin, and owe their 
distinctive qualities to the manner of breeding, 
tastes and preferences of the propagators of 
this stock, for generations past. In size, they 
are smaller than our native cows, delicate in 
form. uni(iuo in shape, diversified in color, and 
blood-like in appearance. The prime quality 
claimed for the cow is the exceeding yellow color 
and rich quality of her milk, cream and butter, 
in all which she stands without a rival, although 
iier quantity of milk is moderate, compared with 
the weight of butter which it yields. The herd 
of Mr. Burr was started in 1877, by the pur- 
chase of a young bull, " Duke of Medina No. 



4,075," of Frank Ford, in Portage County. The 
sire of this bull was " Butter Stamp No. 700," 
and was imported in '-Butler Jlinc" from the 
Island of Jersey. His dam, Ford's "Nellie 
No. 3,395 " and granddam, " Lady Palestine 
No. 2,769," are descendants of a long line of 
deep and rich milkers. In December of 1878, 
two fine young heifers were purchased in Indi- 
anapolis, for Miss Bertha Burr, and added to 
the herd. These heifers, " Brendus No. 6,302," 
and " Carmen No. 0,301," were sired by 
'•Marius No. 760," bred by I. J. Hand, and 
purchased for the Beech Grove herd at a cost 
of $500. One of these heifers is squirrel gray 
in color, with full, black points, and both were 
bred to " Le Brock's Prize No. 3,350," an im- 
ported bull of great promise, winning the first 
prize over all Jerseys at the Royal Agricultural 
Show. He was purchased by J\Ir. Jackson, and 
put at the head of the Beech Grove herd at 
Indianapolis. These cows both subsequently 
dropped heifer calves. In December, 1879, the 
bull '■ Opetrus No. 4,128," sired by '-One Tan," 
and out of Petrus, which is at present the head 
of the herd, was bought out of the same herd 
in Indiana. Having purchased the heifer " Le 
Broemer No. 10,(!70," from his sister, Mr. Burr 
now has five cows and heifers, and one bull in 
his herd. These animals are all dark breeding, 
and several of full solid color and full black 
points. The cows " Brendus " and " Carmen," 
when twenty-four months old, gave tweh'e 
pounds and thirteen ounces of butter in seven 
daj-s, without extra feed, and made over one- 
half pound of butter a day each, within an av- 
erage of eight weeks of calving. 

Sheep were introduced into Medina Co. al- 
most as early as any stock. The first set- 
tlers seemed to have looked the ground all 
over, and to have prepared for an isolated ex- 
istence in the woods. In these plans, sheep 
formed a conspicuous item, as the production 
of wool for the various articles of clothing 
seemed nearly indispensable. But the number 



-^N 



Aj\ 



204 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



and boldness of the wolves miide sheej)-raisiug 
a burden upon the frontier farmer, taxed as he 
was with the cares and anxieties of a '• clear- 
ing," that he could ill afford, and many soon 
gave up, the experiment. Others, however, per- 
severed in spite of discouragements, and the 
county has probably not bcea without sheep 
since their first introduction, though the num- 
ber has been very small at times. After the 
wolf had been exterminated under the influence 
of liberal bounties paid for their scalps, the 
dogs caused serious havoc among them, a 
farmer sometimes finding as many as twenty- or 
thirtj' killed and wounded in a single night. 
It did not need an\- outside encouragement to 
wage a war of extermination upon these ani- 
mals, and many a sheep-killing dog was sum- 
marily" disposed of It is difficult to determine 
the characteristics of the earlj" sheep. In 
ISIG, Wells & Dickinson, large woolen manu- 
facturers at Steuljenville, had large flocks of 
Spanish merino sheep, derived from the Hum- 
phrey- importations. Tliese were pastured at 
thistime on tlie Stark County plains, and were 
the talk of stock admirers of the State. In 
1824, the failure of this firm caused these 
sheep to be scattered in small parcels all over 
the State, and they fell into the hands of many 
who cared more to improve on the common 
stock than to breed full-blooded animals. In 
this way some of these superior grades came 
to this county", and were owned as early as 
1830 by William Chambers, of Guilford Towji- 
ship. Tiiese sheep were characterized bj" a 
light carcass and fleece, tliough the latter was 
of fine texture and good fiber. American cul- 
tivation has done much to improve these origi- 
nal and subsequent importations, so that at this 
da\' no fine-wooled sheep in the world excel, 
and few equal, the American ^leriuos in the 
heavy product of tlieir fleeces, or the size and 
stamina of their bodies. Of the latter class 
there are several fine flocks in this county. 
Asa Farnum, Esq., of Ciiippewa Lake, has 



been engaged in growing flne-wooled sheep for 
the last fort}- years. The flock of Alexander 
Brothers, of Westfield, is one of tlic best, and 
was started in ISCl, bj' purcliases from the 
flock of 31r. Farnum. The breeding of regis- 
tered sheep for sale, however, has been of more 
recent date with these gentlemen. In Decem- 
ber, 1879, their entire flock of previous breed- 
ing was sold, and the foundation of a new 
flock laid bj' the purchase of three y-earling 
ewes and one ram, on September 16th of that 
year. These were drawn from the flock of E. 
Townsend, of Pavilion Center, Genesee Co., X. 
Y., and, on January 20. ISSO, twenty yearling 
ewes, from the flock of J. E. Gilmore, of the 
same place. These latter animals were bred, 
however, by Townsend. Since these purchases, 
additions have been made from time to time, 
until their flock now numbers fifty-one breed- 
ing ewes from one to two years old, which were 
derived b}- Mr. Townsend from the celeljrated 
Hammond flock of Vermont. In addition to 
the names noted, those of A. L. Clapp, of Chat- 
ham, William Kennedy, of Brunswick, and J. 
Barueby, of York, should be mentioned as 
dealers in this class of stock. 

About 1842, Xatliauicl Pierce introduced in 
the south part of Granger some Saxon sheep 
from the flock of H. D. Grove, of Hoosick, 
Rensselear Co., X. Y. 3Ir. Grove, who was a 
native of Saxony-, made various importations 
from his native land. In a letter from yvhich 
these facts have been derived. Hon. Halsej- 
Ilulburt, of Seville, adds : '■' Mr. Grove died — 
perhaps in the yv inter of 1843-44 — the oyvner 
of the flock in Granger, and it was sold at pii' ■ 
lie sale by his administrators in October, 
1!^44, and widclj- scattered over the country. 
Old Gov. 3Iorris, of Highland Co., Ohio, was 
present and purchased some. I liad lyventj- of 
the ewes, and bred them until I found their 
light fleeces — two and one-lialf to three pounds 
— did not pay, and gradually increased their 
fleeces Ij}- merino bucks, to an average, in late 



i^ 






':E. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



205 



years, of eight pounds. With the Saxons I 
bought the foot-rot, which has coutiuued iu my 
flock ever since. In June, I disposed of my 
sheep to be rid of it. and have purchased in 
Wisconsin. It is problematical, I think, whether 
merino sheep can be kept on our level lands 
without foot-rot (our great discouragement in 
wool- growing) as an accompaniment." 

Of the coarser-wooled, mutton sheep, the 
Cotswold blood was introduced as early as 
1852, bj' J. L. Beck, of Guilford. In that year, 
he purchased a buck and two ewes from the 
flock of George Shaw, of Sussex County, New 
Jersej', paying $40 for the one, and $20 each, 
for the rest, the three sheep costing in Medina 
County a little more than $tl3. These ani- 
mals were of the best blood in the country, and, 
by the exercise of great care and excellent 
judgment, Mr. Beck has succeeded in maintain- 
ing the character of his flock. The second 
buck used was of his own breeding, bj' his Jer- 
se}' ewes and a buck owned by Jlr. Bell, of 
Sharon, who was also interested in this class of 
sheep. Mr. W. H. Witter, of Blontville, and 
Mr. Shaw, just south of Medina, were somewhat 
interested in these sheep, and exchanges were 
made among these gentlemen for breeding 
bucks of the various flocks. The sixth buck 
of Mr. Beck's flock, was purchased of William 
Squires, of Lorain County, of whom he had 
bought a buck and some ewes the year pre- 
vious. His seventh breeding buck was an im- 
ported animal, and was purchased at an ex- 
pense of $200 ; the ninth was an imported ani- 
mal purchased of William Moffltt, of Cuyahoga 
Couut3-, etc. Sufficient is given to show the 
care exercised in the selection of his animals ; 
and the reputation his flock has achieved, 
shows the estimation in which his judgment is 
held b^' grow(!rs of coarse wools. There is a 
good demand for all his surplus stock, and not 
a little interest is awakened in this class of 
sheep. Mr. Beck's flock now consists of twenty- 
nine ewes, and three bucks. 



Of the middle wools — abnTntrrftt in fleece, 
massive in tlie quantity, and delicious in the 
excellence of their flesh — is found the South- 
down and Shropshire. Of the latter, two bucks 
have been irai)artcd by William King, of 
Granger. Of the Southdowns, there are a few 
specimens in the county, but they are proving, 
generally, popular. Sheep are raised in Jb-diua 
for the woo! , and. though general opinion d<jes 
not accept the dictum of the fine wool growers 
merino grades are the leading characteristics of 
the sheep in the count}'. The alternation by 
many of the farmers from dairying to sheep- 
raising, is not calculated to do the most for the 
character of either industry, and experience 
will probably prove that in this, as well as else- 
where " a rolling stone gathers no moss." 

Swine were the earliest and the most easily 
maintained of any stock on the frontier farms. 
No family was so poor as to be without them, 
and none were so rich as not to need tiiem. 
In most parts of the county the_v were allowed 
to run at large in the forest, gradually taking 
on tlio nature of the wild hog, which were 
found here hy the first settlers. This breed of 
hogs were of thin flesh, large bones, thick skin 
and formidable tusks. They were wholly unfit 
for food, though the exigencies of pioneer life 
often made them the only resource. Their 
skin was used for tanning purposes, and fur- 
nished a very desirable leather for horse col- 
lars and other parts of the harness. The woods 
breed of hogs, however, has long since become 
extinct in this county, and, where it used to 
take two years to make a 200-pound hog, a 
300 and 400 pound hog cau be made in nine to 
twelve months. The principal breeds are the 
Suff'olk, Chester White, and Berkshire. The 
latter was the first introduced, but the}- were 
then a rough, coarse-boned animal, and were 
soon abandoned. A fine-boned Suflblk was in- 
troduced later, but they were foinid as much in 
the one extreme as the early Berkshircs had 
been in the other. A cross between these and 



20G 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUXTY. 



the Chester White h;is produced ;v favorile ani- 
mal wiih man\-. A later Berkshire, which an- 
swers the demands of the critic, is now found 
in the county, and great pains are being taken 
to preserve the breed in all its puritj-. The 
Yorkshire hog was introduced in Harrisville, 
in 1874, 1)3" John Warner. Esq. This breed 
matures earl^y, puts on a large quantity- of fat 
and keeps within the limits of the " small 
breeds." Some of Mr. Warner's April pigs 
dress this winter ISo pounds, which is consid- 
ered a ver_v good showing. There is an objection 
found, that they are rather better to furnish 
lard than racss-pork. The Magie and Poland- 
China are also occasioaally found, but there is 
not the same iuterest manifested in this branch 
of stock-raising as in others. 

Dairying came to this country by right of 
succession. In the old Connecticut, this had 
been a prominent feature of the farm industry 
before the beginning of the nineteenth century, 
and the early settlers coming from New England 
brought the custom with them. Here it found 
a congenial soil, and, growing with the growth 
of the county, it is now one of the chief sources 
of revenue. Tlie first effort to estalilish tliis 
enterprise in this county was probably in 1816. 
In Northrup's history of ^Medina County, it is 
related of Mrs. William Warner, that --she 
thought her table ponrly suj)i)lied if cheese was 
wanting." Knowing tliat her husband was daily 
employed, and had not lime to attend to all 
that must be done, she undertook to make a 
cheese-press. She rolled a short log to the 
corner of the cabin, and fixed it firmly on one 
end, next she took a puncheon and placed one 
end in the opening between the logs, and soon 
made the discovery that a few stones placed on 
the other end would create leverage. She used 
the riin of an old sieve for a cheese rim, into 
which she placed the curd, surrounded by a 
cloth ; placed that on top of the upright log, 
adjusted the puncheon properly, put the stones 
in place, and soon had the satisfaction of know- 



ing that cheese could be pre.sscd and made. 
That rndel3' constructed press was used by her 
for many years, and she has the satisfaction of 
telling that from then until the present time 
(1 8G0) she has never been without cheese, and 
that always made bj- herself" This was not 
an isolated case, save perhaps in the rudeness 
of tUe press and the time of beginning the man- 
ufacture. It was early observed that the soil 
was best adapted to grazing, and soon sug- 
gested an increase in the number of cows. But, 
before there was a market for the surplus make, 
cheese was made for home consumption, and 
most families could afford the luxury of cheese. 
After the construction of the canal from Cleve- 
land to Portsmouth, which opened up a market 
to this county, considerable cheese was made 
in a pri\ate way and marketed in the various 
towns that were accessible. In 1847, C. B. 
Chamberlin, a native of Vermont, settled in 
Montville Township, and purchased 500 acres 
of land, in the following year put on 100 cows, 
and began dairying on a scale never before 
known in this count3-, and perhaps not on the 
" Reserve." The most of the laud had been 
cleared before feed was abundant, and he made 
from 200 to 300 pounds of cheese per da}-. 
This he continued for some eight years, gener- 
allj' marketing his product in Chillicothe, where 
he went ever}' week. Occasionally he con- 
tracted his make at Akron or Cleveland. In 
the meanwhile his operations excited great 
interest among the farmers in the county, and 
people came from a considerable distance away 
to see him " bandage a cheese in the press. ' 
This practice, now so common, was then un- 
known, and was considered a great novelty. 
About 1855, a number of the farmers enlarged 
their dairy operations to a considerable extent, 
among whom may be mentioned F. B. Clark, 
Andrew Ila'ght and J. II. Sedgwick. At this 
time the implements and ai)purlenances of the 
dair}- were very rude. The milking was done 
in open ^ards, and milking barns were unknown. 



vS;- 




ml 













n ^^^^^. 




lv^< 



fiuyi^ J^ ' ^^ ^^,^ 



^^i^/Z 



^ll 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



209 



Cheeses were thin and small, and were held 
through the season. In the fall, when ready 
for market, thej' were frequently shipped in 
rough casks made for the purpose. Welling- 
ton soon grew into a market for this product, 
and the greater proportion of the cheese made 
in the county was hauled there by the farmers. 
The factory system in this county, dates from 
18GC, in Litchfield Township. Cheese factories 
originated, it is said, in Herkimer County, N. 
Y. The dairy business began on a considera- 
ble scale there, as early as 1800, and, by 1830, 
a trade had been established with England for 
the product of this industry. From there it 
spread to the Western Reserve, beginning in 
the northeastern part, and coming to Medina, 
as above indicated. The Litchfield Factory 
was built by Benedict & Brooker, and A. D. 
Hall, of Geauga County, was secured to initiate 
them in the mysteries of combined action in 
the dairy business. "Cheese meetings" be- 
came a common thing at once all over the 
county. Mr. Hall was an enthusiast upon the 
subject, and he and his wife were paid high 
wages for their instruction and assistance in 
placing the factory system on its feet here, 
some private cheese-makers employing them to 
give instructions in the factory system of manu- 
facture. In 1867, Chamberlin & McDowell 
erected a factory in iMcdina, and about the 
same time, similar enterprises were inaugurated 
in most of the northern and northeastern town- 
ships. Since, the dairy business has been an 
important interest, forming one of the most 
profitable sources of revenue. These factories 
have more than doubled the manufacture ; have 
lessened the labor to the farmer, and increased 
the price of the manufactured article. Fac- 
tories have not found encouragement in the 
southeastern part of the county, or in localities 
where the (lennan element is predominant. 
They are generally given to wheat culture, and 
are not to be diverted from this sort of hus- 
bandry. There are some fourteen factories 



now in the county, though all have not been in 
operation during the past season. The season 
of 1879 was very poor for cheese makers, and 
the farmers made luiste to dispose of their cows 
and put on sheep. Last season the price of 
cheese greatly improved, but the patronage was 
so poor that many factories could not afford to 
continue business on the percentage plan, and 
closed their operations. The average capacity 
of these factories is from thirty to forty cheeses 
per day, receiving the milk of some 400 cows. 
Few have, of late years, worked up to their full 
capacity, though some have received the milk 
from 500 to 600 cows at times. Private dairy- 
ins is still continued, in some instances on so 
large a scale as, perhaps, to be properly classed 
as a private factory. 

The principal market for this product of late 
years has been at Wellington, where, by a sys- 
tem of partnership with factory men, the inter- 
est has been built up into immense proportions. 
The springtide in this business was from 1860 
to 1874. During the war, Mr. F. B. Clark, one 
year, realized §90 per cow, selling his home- 
made cheese at an average of 16j cents per 
pound. Mr. C. B. Chamberlin was not only 
earliest in the dairying business, but for a num- 
ber of years foremost in the fiictory business. 
Selling the first factory in Slediua to his part- 
ner, he fitted up the old mill for the business, 
which was burned aljout 1874 with some thou- 
sand cheeses. He at once put up another fac- 
tory in the village, which is considered the 
model establishment of the count}'. He has 
three others in various parts of the county. In 
1875, he engaged in purchasing the product for 
the Eastern markets, wintering some 12,000 
boxes that year in New York City. In 1876, 
he bought 25,000 boxes, and 30,000 boxes in 
the following year, all of which he shipped to 
Philadelphia. The larger proportion of the 
cheese made here of late has been marketed at 
Wellington, though not an inconsiderable 
amount is sent elsewhere on private account. 









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210 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



A noticeable and fiivoraltle feature of the 
agriculture of tlie county is tiie moilerate size 
of the farms. B}' the census of 1S70, it ap- 
pears that there were tiien 2,722 farms, of which 
over 2,000 were less than one hundred acres 
each, and of the latter number, a few more than 
half were farms of less than fifty acres each. 
The census of the present year (1880) shows 
the number of farms at present to be 15,086, 
and. at the same time, a fallin^r-off in the popu- 
lation. The natural inference from the imper- 
fect returns as yet received would seem to be 
that lamilies were generally smaller, and that 
the larger farms had been di\'ided. the average 
farm now not reaching over eighty-five acres. 
These farms are well tilled, the buildings wll 
improved, the grade of stock equal to the best 
in the State, and a general well-to-do air of 
neatness and comfort prevails everywhere 
througiiout the farming community. Improved 
agricultural implements are found everywhere, 
the farmers readih' perceiving the advantage 
to be gained by thorough equipment for their 
work. In the matter of markets, the railroad 
facilities provided within the last decade have 
solved the problem that for years vexed the 
farming community of Morrow County. Tiie 
question of highways is 3-et an uafathomcd 
m3-stery. Like most of the Western Reserve, 
Jledina is at the mercy of its clay roads. Sand 
and gravel in suitable quantities cannot be 
found here, and the great inquiry is, as to how 
these roads shall be constructed to absorb the 
least moisture. In the State Agricultural Re- 
port of 1870, ten miles of graveled road was 
reported, but it would probably puzzle the (eld- 
est inhabitant to locate the road. The '• ri\er 
road '' is the one prol)ably relerriHl to, wlicro, 
in places, the gravel of tiie river has been put 
on to the highway. It is lost sight of, however, 
at every muddy season. The bridging of t!ie 
county is not an important item of ex[)ense. 
The Rocky liiver and tlie Black River are tiie 
principal streams of tlie county, wliicii can be 



easily spanned an3-where in one hundred feet. 
The old covered bridges of the earlier days 
still continue to be favorites witli the people, 
though of late iron bridges have been intro- 
duced to some extent. 

Agricultural societies grew up very naturally 
in this comrauuity. They were a prominent fea- 
ture of the farming communities of Connecti- 
cut, anil, some years before any regularly' organ- 
ized effort was put forth io this end. the peo|)le, 
anxious to transfer the customs and traditions 
of their early liome to this land, spontaneously 
came together to show their stock and compare 
their respective merits. On June .3. 1833. the 
Coanty Commissioners directed the Auditor to 
call a meeting of the farmers of the county, for 
the purpose of forming an Agricultural Society. 
For some reason, there was no adequate result 
from this effort A great many of the farmers 
had earh' become interested in horses and cat- 
tle, and for some }-ears, on a certain day. they 
met at the public square, where an impromptu 
organization of committees was had. who passed 
tlieir judgment upon the respective merits of 
tlie animals present, without regard to entries. 
This custom gradually- grew in importance 
until the farmers' wives brought the results 
of their handiwork, and the whole farming 
community joined in a sort of '■ harvest home " 
holiday. An important feature of these gath- 
erings was the array of yokcnl oxen, and 
it was not uncommon to see, at these 
times, twenty or thirty yoke in "a string." 
Tills practice was continued after the I'eguhir 
organization of a societj', and i)remiums were 
otfered to the township tliai should send the 
longest " string" of yoked cattle. In 1845, a 
permanent organization was formed, and. in 
spite of a vigorous opposition on the part of the 
minority, leased, rather than bought, seven acres 
of 3Ir. Bionson, just east of the foundry. The 
contrael was for ten years at .S70 per year, dur- 
ing wliicli time a large building which served 
as lloral, domestic, art and mechanical halls. 






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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



211 



was built. At the expiration of the lease, the 
Society louml itself in debt to the extent of 
$100. A sjurited meeting of the society at the 
Court House canvassed the subject, and the 
old-time minority carried considerable weight 
with their " I-told-you-so ' argument. Mr. W. 
H. Witter, a prominent advocate of the pur- 
chasing policy, was made President, and a di- 
rector from each township, who should solicit 
the farmers from their respective localities to 
take stock at $5 per share, the funds to be de- 
voted to the purchase of grounds for holding 
the fair. This bid fair to fail, when, later, a 
meeting of the directors revealed that but little 
or no stock had been subscribed. Mr. Witter 
was appointed as a soliciting committee, and in 
a few mouths' time succeeded in raising $1,200 
in this way. Eighteen acres were at once pur- 
chased of the Selkirk estate, and fitted up for 
the use of the society. The building of the 
Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling 
Kailro.id, cut off an acre and a half of their 
grounds, and, in 1877, A. I. Root, desiring a 
place to put his growing business, made over- 
tures to the society, and bought their land at 
$100 per acre. The society at once secured 21 
acres of land, a little southwest, paying the 
same price per acre. The society has had a 
vigorous growth, and is in prosperous <-in-ura- 
stances. A large frame building combines the 
accommodations, sometime3 divided among 
several halls. Accommodations for stock, in 
the way of sheds, stalls and pens, are abundant, 
and an eating-hall provides means for the 
refreshment of the society's guests and mem- 
bers. The track is a half-mile circle, which 
was constructed at a cost of $l/)00, and is com- 
manded by a comfortably arranged grand stand. 
One of the most unique premiums oll'ered by 
this society was a small (lag, made of cotton 
cloth thirty-three by fifty^is inches, painted 
with the usual number of stripes and stars, em- 
blazoned with a device consisting of a joll3-- 
lookin^ human face with thumb on nose, which, 



as interpreted, meant, "Take me if you can." 
This was offered to the county which would 
bring in the largest delegation to the county 
fair of 1878, and was awarded to the Summit 
County delegation. 

The origin and historic value of this flag is 
connected with one of the greatest sleighrides 
ever known in Jledina, and one to which the 
older people of the county revert with unusual 
satisfaction. In 1856, there was an unprece- 
dented amount of sleighing, and sometime in 
February of that year, the people of Solon 
Township, Cuyahoga County, got up a sleigh- 
ing party consisting of seven four-horse teams, 
and among other decorations carrying the Hag 
in question. The people of Twinsl)urg, Summit 
County, through which the Solon party passed, 
made up their minds to go to Solon and take 
the flag. They harnessed up fourteen four- 
horse teams, went to Solon, and brought the 
flag home. Royalton, Cuyahoga County, then 
rallied thirty-eight four-horse teams, and took 
back the flag ; and thus, like the kniglit-errants 
of old, it traveled from one township to an- 
other, with an increased number of four-horse 
teams each time. It soon became a county 
matter — Cuyaiioga, Medina and Summit Coun- 
ties were to try tiseir strength, and the county 
mustering the largest number of four horse 
teams was to bear away the flag. On the lUh 
of March, the parties met cit West Richfield, 
with alt the teams they could muster. Medina 
County had 140 four-horse sleighs, Cuyahoga 
had 151 four-horse teams, and Summit, 171, a 
total of 462 four-horse sleighs— each sleigh 
containing an average of fourteen persons — 
1,848 horses, 6,408 persons, besides a large 
number of one and two horse sleighs. 

Summit County, of course, took the flag. 
The Jledina delegation, on their return home, 
immediately called a meeting to make arrange- 
I mcnts for another trial. It came off on the 
18th, at Akrin. The procession was fitted out 
with devices, banners, bands of music, etc., and 



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213 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



entered Akron about noon, amid the firing of 
cannon, the ringing of bells, and the shouts of 
the people, who extended to them a most hearty 
welcome. The teams were counted, and ^le- 
dina rolled up 182 four-horse teams, besides 
one four-mule team, hitched up with ropes, 
which was thrown out by the committee, be- 
cause not horses. The teams filed through the 
city, and the result was telegraphed from one 
to the other with shouts of victory — the citi- 
zens of Akron joining heartih' in the same — 
until the whole city was in one deafening roar. 

President Pierce of Hudson College presented 
the flag to the county of Medina, with some ap- 
propriate remarks, which were responded to by 
Charles E. Bostwick, Chief Marshal of the Me- 
dina delegation ; after which, two songs were 
sung, composed for the occasion. After re- 
freshments, the Medina delegation returned 
home with the flag, the happiest eompanj-, 
doubtless, that were ever brought together. 

Another fxir association exists in the counts- 
known as the "District Agricultural Society 
of Wayne and ^Medina Counties, Ohio." This 
grew out of a desire to aid in building up the 
village of Seville, where the fairs are held, and 



some little dissatisfaction with the county asso- 
ciation. A meeting of the citizens of Seville 
and vicinity was called for the 5th of June, 
18G0. There was a good attendance, a general 
expression of opinion was had, and committees 
appointed to forward the project. On the 11th 
of the same month, another meeting was held, 
and subsequently an association was formed 
with the following officers : S. G. Foote, Presi- 
dent ; D. D. Dowd, Vice President ; J. A. Bell, 
Secretary; Cornelius Welsh. Treasurer ; Charles 
Eddy, 0. S. Owen, John Coolman, Jacob KnuflT, 
Joseph McGlennen. J. C. Johnson and J. T. 
McDowell, Directors. Twelve acres just north 
of Seville was leased of L. A. Parker, fenced, 
necessary buildings erected, a oue-third-of-a- 
mile track laid out and graded, and the first 
exhibition held on the 11th. 12th and loth of 
October, 1860. The enterprise proved highly 
successful for several s'ears in succession ; the 
grounds were enlarged, more commodious 
buildings were erected, and a good half mile 
track constructed. The fair is still liberally 
patronized, and bids fair to be one of the insti- 
tutions of the county for years to come. 



PRE-HISTOKIC RACE.S- 
WHITES- 



y\ 



CnAl'TER II. 

■ RE>r.\INS OF MOUND BUILDEK.S— INDIAN DOMINATION— COMING OF THE 
-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY— CIVIL DIVISIONS AND 
CEN.SL 15— PUBLIC BUILDINGS— FOLITICU.. 



''T^IIE earliest history of ^Medina County, in 
-L common with that of the State, is veiled 
in mystery-, and what siiare it had in the pre- 
historic times can be only guessed. It is the 
opinion of antiquarians that three distinct races 
had inhabited North America prior to the 
coming of the present inhabitants. Of these, 
the builders of those magnificent cities the 
ruins of which strew for miles the plains of 
Central America, were the first. '• The mind is 



r 



startled," says an eminent writer on this sub- 
ject, •• at the remoteness of their antiquity, when 
we consider the vast sweep of time necessar}- 
to erect such colossal structures of solid ma- 
sonry, and afterward convert them into the 
present utter wreck. Comparing their com- 
plete desolation with the ruins of Baalbce. 
Palmyra. Thebes and Memphis, they must have 
been old when the latter were being built." Of 
this race, no trace has been found within the 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



213 



limits of this country, and whether Ohio ever 
shook under the step of their marching, or its 
wilds ever echoed to their cries, is still an open 
question. " The second race,'' continues the 
same writer, " as determined by the charactei' 
of their civilization, were the Mound-Builders, 
the remains of whose works constitute the most 
interesting class of antitjuities found within the 
limits of the United States. Like the ruins of 
Central America, they antedate the most ancient 
records ; tradition can furnish no account of 
them, and their character can only lie partially 
gleaned from the internal evidences which they 
themselves afford. They consist of the remains 
of what were, apparently, villages, altars, tem- 
ples, idols, cemeteries, monuments, camps, for- 
tifications, etc. The farthest relic of this kind, 
discovered in a northeastern direction, was near 
Black River, on ^he south side of Lake Ontario. 
Thence iney extend in a southwestern direction 
b\- way of the Ohio, the Mississippi, Mexican 
Gulf, Texas, New Mexico and Yucatan, into 
South America." Some of the most interesting 
and extensive of these works are found in Ohio. 
At the mouth of the Muskingum, on Licking- 
River, near Newark, at Circleville on the Scioto, 
and on Paint Creek, near ChiUicothe, are found 
some of the most elaborate of these mounds, 
stored with some of the most important relies 
ever discovered. But, with all the discoveries and 
investigations made thus far. but little progress 
has been made toward a knowledge of their ori- 
gin, civilization or destiny, Thej- existed here, 
and builtthe works over which the archasologists 
spend their efibrts in vain, but what was the 
nature of their stay here, or the character of 
their civilization, is as far from comprehension 
as ever. Col. Whittlese}-, writing of this race, 
saj'S : " There is no evidence that they had 
alphabetical characters, picture writing or hie- 
roglyphics, though they must have had some 
mode of recording events. Neither is there 
any proof that they used domestic animals for 
tilling the soil, or for the purpose of erecting 



the imposing earthworks they have left. A 
very coarse cloth of hemp, flax or nettles, has 
been found on their burial hearths, and around 
skeletons not consumed by fire." The more 
important of these mounds are found in the 
southern part of the State, and it is conjectured 
that the remains found in the northern part 
ma}' have been built by portions of the race 
not contemporary with the builders of the 
southern structures. The difference in the ex- 
tent and importance of tiicsc northern structures 
seems to indicate a people far less in numbers 
as well as industry, and whose principal occu- 
pation was to war among themselves or against 
their neighbors. Along the watershed in this 
State, which lies along the southern line of 
Wyandot and Crawford Counties, extending 
irregularis^ east and west, there is a space where 
but few of these ancient earthworks appear. It 
is conjectured, therefore, that this space was 
the " debatable ground " of the warlike tribes 
of the Mound Builders, and that the works that 
are found on eithei side of this line were the 
outposts of opposing forces. Whatever the 
truth may lie in regard to these fanciful theo- 
ries, the fact that Jledina County was the 
scene of the busy activities of this strange peo- 
ple, is beyond question. The traces of their 
occupation are abundant in all sections of the 
county, important earthworks appearing in the 
townships of Granger, Medina, Montville, Guil- 
ford and Harrisville, for a description of which 
we are indebted to tlie State Geological Report. 
In Guilford, an ancient fort, now quite oblit- 
erated, once stood on land one mile north and 
one-half mile east of Seville. In Granger, a 
similar earthwork stood on land one-half mile 
east of Grangerslnirg, the remains of which 
are but an indistinct remnant of the original 
fortification. It once consisted of a circular 
trench with emliankment, and was, iiciliaps, 
ten rods across, the northern c'xtremit\ being 
now cut off liy the public road. A perpetual 
spring fed a small stream which flowed along 



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214 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COIXTY. 



the base of the wall. On Mr. John Ai-cher's 
hmcl, in Moiitvillc. known a,s the Philip King 
i'arm, two niile.s southfast of .^ledina village, 
is found a wolldefiued wound, which has never 
been devolopcd. It is nearly midway between 
llocky Hivcn- and Champion Brook, and per- 
haps fifty rods above their junetion. The 
inound is now some ten feet high and seventy 
feet in diameter, though centuries of wash- 
ing and years of plowing have extended its 
borders and rounded its outlines. The soil of 
the mound is different from that of the "bot- 
tom huid" on whieh it is built. The nearest 
ridge or l):ink is about thirty- rods distant. 
Flint arrow-heads abound on the surface about 
the mound. Near the village of Weymouth, in 
.Medina Township, is the most important forti- 
lii-alion in the county. It is located just south 
of llio bn.sine.ss houses of the village, and is 
one of the best preservetl and most interesting 
of its kind which can be seen in this region, 
iiike other such evidences of the old power and 
importance of the race known as Mounii Build- 
ers, this fortification is popularly called an In- 
dian fort. The oldest Indian traditions, how- 
ever, know nothing of the Ijuilding of these 
mounds, and the gi'owtli of trees upon them 
|)laces the date of their erection from six to ten 
centuries ago. The fort is an entrenched pro- 
jection of land, which has abi'upl, bhift' outlines, 
excepting at its rear connection with the main- 
land. The river having made an abrupt turn 
Ijack upon itself there was formed a peninsular- 
like i)rq',ecliou of land, having shale bluffs 
over fifty feet high. The defense of this point 
was easy after trenches had been cut across the 
neck. Three such trenches arc now plainly 
discernible, and they bear on the surface evi- 
dence of the former greatness of the w(n-k. 
Tiie trenches are 210 feet long, the width of the 
point of land : the iimer trencli is liiiO feet back 
from the end of the point ; the middle trench 
is 41 feet from the iimer one ; and the outer 
trench is 41) feet from the niidtlle one, or 450 



feet from the end of the point. The trenches run 
east and west, the point of land i)eing a south- 
ward projection. Even now, after many centuries 
of change, the average depth of the trenches is 
three feet, while in some places it is five to six 
feet, the embankment projecting above the gen- 
eral level of the land about two feet, making the 
bottoms of tlic trent'hes below the tops of the 
embankments five feet, and in places seven feet. 
Early settlers of the townshi]) thought this high 
point of land, this old fortification, a superior 
place for a burying-ground, and it was used for 
this purpose for some j'ears ; a few of the lirown- 
stone slabs still stand as reminders of the pio- 
neer whites who dispossessed the red man of 
this territory which had once supported the 
semi-civilized Mound Builders. To get at this 
cemetery, a road was cut through the center of 
the three embankments. The Clinton Line 
Railroad, which was never built, was to have 
passed just in the rear of the other trench, and 
some excavation was done toward cutting a 
roadway across the point. Fortunately, that 
worlv was not carried far before it was aban- 
doned, leaving this old relic of a departed race 
but little defaced. 

In llarrisville. just south of the public green 
in Lodi. is located a mound of considerable 
importance. Upon this mound Judge Harris 
erected a dwelling about ISIJO. and made some 
valuable discoveries in the course of his opera- 
tions. The elevation of the mound above the 
general level of the land upon which it stands 
is twelve feet. The outlines are yet quite dis- 
tinct, though the grading of the yard has some- 
what changed the original appearance. When 
the first settlers came, the mound was covered 
with large trees, among them several black 
walnuts which were over two feet in diameter. 
The longest measurement of the mound is 100 
feet — this is from norlli to .south. The east- 
andwest measurement is K!5 feet. Cpon this 
large mound, wen; formerly two knolls 40 feet 
apart. Each was about two feet high antl ten 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



215 



across, with a distinct ditch around it. One 
Icnoll was upon tlie east side, the other on the 
west, the house resting upon the edge of both 
linolls. 

In digging the cellar of the liouse, nine hu- 
man skeletons were found, and. like such speci- 
mens from other ancient mounds of the country, 
the}' showed that tlie Mound l>uilders were men 
of large stature. The skeletons were not found 
lying in such a manner as woidd indicate any 
arrangement of the bodies on the part of the 
entombei's. In describing the tomb, Mr. Al- 
bert Harris said : " It looked as if the bodies 
had been dumped into a ditch. Some of them 
were buried deeper than others, the lower one 
being about seven feet below the surface. When 
the skeletons were found, -Mr. Harris was twenty 
years of age, yet he states that he could put one 
of the skulls over his head, and let it rest upon 
his shoulders, while wearing a fur cap at the 
same time. The large size of all the bones was 
remarked, and the teeth were described as 
''■ double all the way round." They were kept 
for a time, and then again buried by Judge Har- 
ris. At the center of the mound, and .some nine 
feet below the surface, was fouml a small monu- 
ment of cobble-stones. The stones, or bowlder^ 
composing this were regularly arranged in 
round Ia3'er3, the monument being topped off 
with a single stone. There were about two 
bushels in measure of these small bowlders, 
and mixed with them was a quantit}- of char- 
coal. The cobble-stones, charcoal and skele- 
tons were the only things noticed at the turn 
of digging the cellar, in 1830. Many j-ears 
later, in 18G9, as digging was being done 
to lay stone steps at the front of the house 
(the north side), two other and smaller skeletons 
were found only three feet below the surface. 
The interment of these two bodies was proba- 
bly much more recent than that of those found 
deeper down, and a different race of men may 
have put them there. Doul)tless there are 
other skeletons in the mound at present, as the 



digging referred to was done solely for the pur- 
pose mentioned, and not for the sake of learn- 
ing anything concerning these relics, and no 
care was taken to fully investigate this very in- 
teresting matter. >Ir. Harris thinks that the 
ground in front of the house, if dug over would 
afford many valuable relics. This mound may 
po.ssibly go back in history to the time when the 
Harrisville swamp was a lake, and the region 
about good hunting territory. Great quanti- 
ties of flint arrow-heads and stone axes have 
been found about the marshes. There are large 
numbers of these stone relies to be found in 
other parts of the county, but the}' have long 
ago lost their attraction save for the few to 
whom they speak a "various language." 
Among the relics of this class to be found here 
are many of the Indian tribes, who, if the more 
modern theories are to be accepted, are a far 
more ancient people. But, whether we consider 
the red Indian the original possessor of this 
land, or the natural successor of the Mound 
Builders, his earlv historj' is equally obscure. 
The Indians were found in full possession of 
the whole country so far as the earliest white 
explorers could determine, but the character of 
their customs and habits of life, and the uncer- 
tainty of their vague traditions, have left but 
little material for the use of the historian. The 
earliest pioneers found this State inhabited by 
Iroquois, Delawares, Shawanoes, Miamis, \Vy- 
audots and Ottawas. These nations were all 
sul-ijcct to the warlike Iroquois or Five Na- 
tions, and occupied their respsctive lands sub- 
ject to the pleasure of their conquerors. The 
first of these tribes occupied tliat part of the 
State east of the Cuyahoga lliver, and a line 
drawn irregularly south from the source of that 
river to the Ohio. The AVyandots and Ottawas 
occupied a strip of country forty miles. Iving 
along the south and west shores of Lake Erie. 
west of the Cuyahoga River. The rest of the 
State was divided in latitudinal sections, occu- 
pied b}' the Delawares, Shawanoes and Jliamis, 



IfZ 



it 



1 21G 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



proceeding west of the Iroquois territory in 
the order named. In 1084 and 1726, the dom- 
inant nation ceded to the English all their 
claims west of Lake Erie, and sixtj' miles in 
width along the south shores of Lakes Erie and 
Ontario, from the Cu\'ahoga to the Oswego 
River. In ITT-t, the same nation ceded to the 
Americans all the couutr}- claimed by that 
tribe west of Pennsylvania, and on January 21, 
in the following year, a treaty with the W}-an- 
dot, Delaware, Chippewa and Ottawa nations, 
the former subjects of the Iroquois, a new 
boundary was fixed. In the transactions with 
the English, the Iroquois lost their hold on the 
subject nations of Ohio, and the Delawares, 
upon whom had been heaped the greatest in- 
dignities by their savage conquerors, suddenly 
assumed their former warlike prowess, and be- 
came the most powerful enemies of the whites. 
During the Revolutionary- war as the allies of 
the British, and at the head of the Northwestern 
Confederacy of Indians to oppose the cessions 
made bj- the Iroquois, thev became the terror 
of the whites, and defeated some of the best 
Generals of colonial times. 

In the spring of 1794, an effort on the part of 
the State was made to retrieve the disasters in 
the Northwest, and Gen. Wayne, with about 
three thousand five hundred troops, assembled 
at Greenville, to subjugate the Delawares and 
their allies. In August of that year, the hostile 
forces encountered each other at the foot of the 
rapids in Maumee, when, after a short but 
deadly conflict, the Indians were completelv de- 
feated. Thej- were not conquered, however, 
and it was not until their whole country had 
been overrun, their cornfields destroyed, and 
forts erected in the very heart of their domain, 
that they would sue for peace. On August 3, 
17it5, a grand council was held at Greenville, 
with representiilives of eleven of the most pow- 
erful tribes of the Northwest. In this council, 
by far the larger representation was from the 
tribe of the Delawares, numbering 381 braves. 



The treat}' concluded at Fort Jlclntosh fixed 
the line of boundary, beginning " at the mouth 
of the river Cuyahoga, and to extend up said 
river to the portage, between that and Tusca- 
rawas branch of the Muskingum, thence down 
that branch to the crossing-place above Fort 
Laurens, then westerlj- to the portage of the 
Big Miami, which runs into the Ohio, at the 
mouth of which branch the fort stood which 
was taken bj- the French, 1752 ; then along 
said portage to the Great Jliami, or Omee 
River, a id down the south side of the same to 
its mouth ; then along the south shore of Lake 
Erie to the mouth of Cuyahoga River, where it 
began." At Greenville, this boundary line was 
confirmed, and extended westward from Lora- 
mie's to Fort Defiance, and thence southward to 
the mouth of the Kentucky River. This territory 
thus set off was given to the Delawares and Wy- 
andots. In 1805, the different tribes relinquished 
their claims on all lands west of the Cuyahoga, 
as far west as the western line of the Reserve, and 
south of the line, from Fort Laurens to Lora- 
mie's Fort. 

At the close of the treaty at Greenville, 
Buckongehelas, a Delaware chief, addressed 
Gen. Wayne as follows : - Father, j-our children 
all well understand the sense of the treaty which 
is now concluded. We experience daily proofs 
of your increasing kindness. I hope we may 
all have sense enough to enjo\" our dawning 
happiness. Many of your people are yet among 
us. I trust they will be immediately restored. 
Last winter, our king came forward to you with 
two, and, when he returned with j-our speech to 
us, we immediately prepared to come forward 
with the remainder, which we delivered at Fort 
Defiance. All who know me know me to be a 
man and a warrior, and I now declare that I 
will, for the future, be as steady and true a 
friend to the United States as I have, hereto- 
fore, been an active enemy." The promise of 
the warrior thus voluntarily given was faithfulh' 
maintained by the people. They resisted all 



V 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



317 



the solicitations of Teeuinseh's agents, and 
through the war of 1812 remained the standi 
friends of the Americans, and frequently ren- 
dering valuable service as scouts and sharp- 
shooters. 

The territory now comprised within the lim- 
its of Medina County was thus early taken 
from the control of the original savage possess- 
ors. The treaties, however, only extinguished 
the right of the savages to retard immigration, 
and did not necessarily remove them from this 
tract of land until forced off by the growth of 
settlements. It was not until the general paci- 
fication of the Indians, in 1817, that the Re- 
serve could be said to be free to white settle- 
ment, though, as a matter of fact, thcj' had 
some years before abandoned this locality, save 
a few straggling bands near Wooster, at the 
mouth of Portage River, in Trumbull County, 
and near Chippewa Lake. There is no evi- 
dence that the savages ever had a permanent 
residence in Medina, and it is proliable, that, for 
years before the coming of the whites, this 
locality was simply visited by hunting parties 
in quest of the game which once filled the for- 
est. Up to the war of 1812, it was the custom 
of the Indians to meet every fall at Cleveland 
in great numbers, and pile up their canoes at 
the mouth of the Cuyahoga River. From this 
point, they scattered into the interior, and 
passed the winter in hunting. In the spring, 
they returned, disposed of their furs to traders, 
and, launching their bark canoes upon the lake, 
returned to their towns in the region of the 
Sandusky and Maumce, where they remained 
until the succeeding fall, to raise their crops. 
Others came by land, a trail leading from San- 
dusky to the Tuscarawas River, passing very 
near the residence of Jlr. Harris. It was a 
narrow, hard- trodden bridle-path. In the fall, 
the Indians came upon it from the west to this 
region, remained through the winter to hunt, 
and returned in the spring, their horses laden 
with furs, jerked venison and bear's oil, the lat- 



ter being an extensive article of trade. The 
horses were loose, and followed in single file. 
It was no uncommon sight to see a single 
hunter returning with as man\' as twenty po- 
nies laden with his winter's work, and usually 
accompanied with his squaw and papooses, 
all mounted. The Indians often built their 
wigwams in this vicinity, generally near Chip- 
pewa Lake, but frequently within a few rods of 
the cabins of the settlers in Harrisville. They 
were seen but very little, however, after the 
close of the war of 1812, though it is said that 
the wigwams of the W3-andots could be .seen 
occasionally along Center Creek, in Litchfield 
Township, as late as 1822. The earliest set- 
tlers found them friendl}', though having but 
little occasion to have dealings with them. 

The first survey of this part of the Western 
Reserve was made in 1790, and settlements 
followed at Cleveland in the same year, in 
Trumbull County in 1798, in Portage County 
in 1799, in Summit in 1800, in Medina in 1811, 
and in Lorain in 1817. It will be observed 
that settlements on the Reserve followed the 
retreat of the savages at a much greater dis- 
tance than in most parts of the State. Some 
of these lands were sold as earl3- as 1786, and. 
in May, 1795, the whole of the Western Re- 
serve, save the " Fire Lands," was disposed of 
by the State of Connecticut to a land companj- 
formed there. The members of this corapan}- 
were generally persons of wealth, who bought 
the land for the purpose of speculation, and 
frequently held the tracts falling to their pos- 
session out of the market for j'ears. Another 
obstacle was found in the fact that the lands 
were much of them held at a price considera- 
bly higher than that asked for Government 
land, and tracts early disposed of were sold 
through pei'sonal friendship and influence or 
from ignorance of cheaper lands, and not be- 
cause they were better or cheaper. There were 
some advantages, however, accruing to settlers 
on the Reserve that may have been taken into 



MS 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 






consideration, iiud may have had considerable 
weight in making up. the decision of tlie pur- 
chaser. The hind was all taxable, and public 
inii-Tovemcnts were not laid solely ui)on the 
few pioneers that had taken up their homes in 
a township. ■ In many cases, the lands of the 
original iji-ojirietor were made to bear the 
brunt of the expense of sehoolhouses and 
ro;uls, and freipiently secured a ciiurch or two 
liy simply doing the work after material liad 
been pro\ided by the land specnlator. These 
considerations, to the thrifty Xcw Englauder, 
who knew tlie value of church and school, 
were undoubtedly made to outweigh the disad- 
vantages of the situation. In later 3'ears, when 
the public lands of Ohio were prettj- generally 
taken up, these advantages, in connection with 
land at no higher rates than were demanded 
elsewhere, made the Reserve a verj- desirable 
location. 

The earliest trace of the white man in Medi- 
na Count}' was fonud in Wadswortii Township. 
Here, on the west l)ank of Holmes' Brook, near 
the north side of tlie road, stood a large beech- 
tree, which bore on its nortli face, the lettei-s 
distorted by its growth, the legend, '■ Philip 
M'ard. 171>7. " and beneath it. in the followii.g 
descending ordei-, '^T. D., K. C, W. V." M"ho 
Pliilip Ward and his three companions were, or 
what errand brought them here, is an unsolved 
problem. The date is of the year following 
the first landing of immigrants and surve3ors 
at Conneaut, but no such name appears in the 
published li.st of those persons. It i.s probable 
that these mementoes were cut into tiie tree In- 
adventurous hunters who had pushed tlieir way 
into the wilds of Ohio from some of the front- 
ier settlements of Pennsylvania or New Vork. 
The silent witness of their prosonoe has long 
since been removed, it having been cut down in 
183-1, when the road was straigiitened. The 
first white man to come with a view of making 
a settlement was Judge Josepli Harris, then a 
3-oung married man, a native of Connecticut, 



and a resident of Randolph, in Portage County 
Ohio. 

In ISO", the Connecticut Land Company had 
made a division of their lands west of the Cuy- 
ahoga River, and Township 1, in Range I(i. 
together with 2,000 acres in Township 1, Range 
15, as a compensation for swamj) land in the 
former, was drawn Ijy the Torringford Com- 
])any, an organization that had been formed to 
take a share in the great land companj-. The 
members of this organization were Nehemiah 
Ga3lord, John and Jaliez Gillett, Solomon Rock- 
well and brothers, Ilezekiah Huntington. Will- 
iam Battell, Russell Burr, heirs of Job Curtis, 
Tiiomas Huntingi.on. Roy Tyler. Wright & Sut- 
letf. Joseph Haines, Martin Kellogg. Carr and 
Loomis. Joseph Battell and Eliphalet Austin. 
In ISIO, this property-, known now ;is Harris- 
ville Township, and a part of WsstQeld. was 
surveyed into lots of 100 acres each, and jlr. 
Harris secured as agent for the sale of the 
land. He was given a share in the lands of the 
Torringford company, and the privilege of se- 
lecting 200 acres as location for a pioiicer set- 
tlement, to be deducted from his u;it!i\ided 
portion. 3Ir. Harris at once made a visit to 
the new country, and. selecting a site for his 
cabin, went home, to return in the following 
jear with his faniilv and efl'eets. He was joined 
in his new home, in June of 1811, byiJeorgc 
and Russell Burr, members of the Torringford 
company, with their wives, and, a little later, 
by C.dvin and Lyman Corljin, from Boston, 
Mass. Mr. Justus ^Varn^r had been in Liver- 
px;! Township, during the winter of 1810, to 
inspect the situation, and, being pleased with 
the outlook, and having corresponded with a 
."\Ir. Coit, the proprietor of the township, he 
bought land, and, in the same year that marked 
the date of settlement in Harrisville. Mr. Warner, 
accompanied by Alpheu.s Warner and his wife, 
and Moses l>euiining, made a settlement in 
Liverpool. IIardl\- had these families settled 
down to their new life when the starllin2 news 



?J? 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



219 



of Hull's siirremlci- and the landing of British 
ti'oops at Huron was brought to their ears. 
Both sottlemeuts repaired at once to a place of 
greater safety : but, learning the nature of the 
reports, and finding that no immediate danger 
impended, the}- returned. The news of the dis- 
aster iu the Northwest was more effective in re- 
straining immigration, and it was 1814- before 
the next settlers came into the eountj'. In this 
year, the Harrisville community received large 
accessions, and new settlements were made in 
Medina and W'adsworth Townships. 

The latter township had been previously di- 
vided into niue tracts and ai)portioncd to the 
various proprietors. Number 1 belonged to 
Elijah Wudsworth, then a resident of Canfield 
Township, in Mahoning County, and Daniel 
Dean and Oliver Durham, coming to that town 
and becoming acquainted with Mr. Wadsworth, 
finally purchased land in his tract, and, coming 
here, settled in that part of the county Slarch 
17. 1814. On October 3 of the same 3'ear, Ze- 
nas Hamilton, a native of Daubur}', Conn., set- 
tled in Medina. A small clearing of some three 
acres had been made, soma time before this, 
by a Jlr. Hii".:uan and lirothers, of Aurora, but, 
after putting up a cabin and accomplishing this 
little, they left, and never returned. It was in 
this deserted cabin that Mr. Hamilton moved, 
with his family of seven or eight children, in 
the fall of 1814. 

The line of travel toward the new settlements 
was by the waj- of Cleveland. Persons from 
East found it most convenient to tak3 the 
established linos of travel to Erie or Buffalo, 
and then, shipping by the lake, to land at 
Cleveland. The first road toward the south 
was from Cleveland to Wooster, passing through 
the very central portion of the undeveloped 
country. The older settlements at Wooster at- 
tracted man}" persons, who came to vi.sit friends 
and those prospecting for land were naturally 
drawn to this locality by acquaintances there. 
All this travel passed through ^ledina, and Mr. 



Boardman, the principal proprietor of Medina 
Township, alive to the advantages of the situa- 
tion, secured Rufus Ferris as an agent for the 
sale of his land, and, placing him in Medina 
with abundant means, set about utilizing the 
advantages offered by the location of his lands. 
Mr. Ferris kept open house and devoted him- 
self to the entertainment of strangers who were 
likely to buy land, and at the same time pushed 
the work of clearing and improving the place 
with all the means at bis command. From 
this time forward, the Medina community was 
the principal point from which the settlement 
of the county was directed. In the meantime, 
Brunswick had been settled in 181,"i ; in the 
following year a settlement was maile in Shar- 
on, in Westfleld, Guilford and (iranger in 1S17, 
and in Chatham, ^Montville and Hinckley in 
1819. 

The settlement of Medina County was not the 
result of a regular advance of the line of pio- 
neer colonies from the East. Tiiis overllow 
population had found a barrier about the "Re- 
serve," and, passing into the public lands lying 
■adjacent on the south, had built up thriving 
centers before the wilderness of this section 
'was invaded by the white man. There were 
none of the regular class of squatters in this 
county. There were no natural or Indian clear- 
ings, and the certainty of being obliged to soon 
surrender any improvements that might be 
made, deterred this class of emigrants from 
locating. Others who came were brought here 
often by becoming heir to property located in 
the new country, or through the influence of 
neighbors who had become owners of lands. 
Agents for the different original proprietors, 
were numerous and were eager to interest per- 
sons likely to need cheap land for a home. 
The settlements were thus irregularly made in 
the county. Instead of proceeding from some 
base of supply along one edge of the wildi'r- 
ness and passing to the interior as their acces- 
sions increased, the first settlers established 



^k^ 



220 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



themselves ia the very heart of the count}'. 
" ]\Ian\- openings were made at a distance of 
many miles from each other, necessitating jour- 
neys of ten or fifteen miles for the sole pur- 
pose of getting some mechanical job done. 
In getting to and from mill, days were spent ; 
and for many years the nearest post ofBce was 
at Cleveland, to which place a man would 
spend two daj-s in going and returning, for sake 
of a single letter. On such journe3's the ax, 
blanket and bell were the pioneer's outfit, and 
with these he cut out his road, protected him- 
self from the rigors of the climate, and recov- 
ered his oxen, turned out to graze at night. 
Where he taiTied at night an unbroken wilder- 
ness was his inn. and the howling wolf his onlj^ 
companion."* Of the life of this class of pio- 
neers, an English traveler gives a vivid picture, 
in a series of letters written from this country' 
in 1818. Comparing them with the class of 
squatters, he sa\'s : " The next class of settlers 
differs from the former, in having considerable 
less dependence on the killing of game, in re- 
maining in the midst of a growing population, 
and in devoting themselves more to agriculture. 
A man of this class proceeds on small capital ; 
he either enlarges the clearings begun in the 
woods by his backwoodsman predecessor, or 
establishes himself on a new site. On his ar- 
rival in a settlement, the neighbors unite in 
assisting him to erect a cabin for the reception 
of his family ; some of them cut down the 
trees, others drag them to the spot with oxen, 
and the rest build up the logs. In this way, a 
house is commonly reared in oue da}-. For 
this well-timed assistance, no immediate pay- 
ment is made, and he acquits himself b}- work- 
ing for his neighbors. It is not in his power 
to hire laborers, and he must depend, there- 
fore, upon his own exertions. If his family is 
numerous and industrious, his progress is 
greatly accelerated. Il(! does not clear away 
the forests by dint of labor, but girdles the 

* Xortbrop's "History of Bledina County." 



trees. By the second summer after this opera- 
tion is performed, the foliage is completeh- 
destroyed, and his crops are not injured by the 
shade. He plants an oi chard which thrives 
abundanth' under ever}^ sort of neglect. His 
live-stock soon becomes much more numerous 
than that of his backwoods predecessor ; but, 
as his cattle have to shift for themselves in the 
woods where grass is scanty, the}' are sma'.l 
and lean. He does not sow grass seed, to suc- 
ceed his crops ; so that his land, which ought 
to be pasturage, is overgrown vfith weeds. The 
neglect of sowing gi-ass seed deprives him of 
hay, and he has no fodder laid up except the 
blades of Indian corn, which are much withered 
and do not appear to be nutritious food. The 
poor animals are forceil to range the forests in 
winter, where they can scarcely procure any- 
thing which is green, except the buds of the 
underwood, on which they browse. Trees are 
sometimes cut down that the cattle may eat the 
buds. "Want of shelter completes the sum of 
misery. Hogs suflcr famine during the drought 
of summer and the frosts and snows of winter, 
but they become fat by feeding on the acorns 
and beechnuts which strew the ground in au- 
tumn. Horses are not exempt from their share 
in these common suflerings, with the addition 
of labor, which most of them are not able to 
undergo. » * * 'y\^q utensils used 
in agriculture are not numerous. The plow 
is short, clumsy, and is not calculated to make 
either deep or neat furrows. The harrow is 
triangular, and is yoked with one of its angles 
forward, that it may be less apt to take hold of 
stumps of trees in its way. Light articles are 
carried on horseback, hea\y ones by a coarse 
sledge, by a cart or by a wagon. The smaller 
implements are the ax, the pick-ax, and the 
cradlo-sc}'the — by far the most commendable 
of backwoods apparatus. » * * 'j-q. 
day, I have seen a number of young women on 
horseback with packages of wool, going to or 
returning from the carding m.achine. At some 



^-. 



V 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



231 



of the houses, the loom stands under a small 
porch by the door." 

Tha political organization of the " Reserve," 
lai-gely influenced by the private enterprise 
which had purchased this vast tract, was more 
methodical than that of the larger parts of the 
State. This territory wag surveyed in town- 
ships five miles square, upon a plan which con- 
temphited the convenience and success of the 
people who should develop the country. The 
township lines of the survej- were alwaj's iden- 
tical with the line of political division, and, 
though it was often found necessary to attacii 
an unsettled township to one more developetl, 
for judicial purposes, it never lost its identity, 
and was known upon the tax-list and in popular 
parlance by the name of the original purchaser 
or by its township and range number in the 
original survey. In t)ie formation of counties 
the same rule has been observed, and town- 
ships have been transferred from one county 
organization to another, but never divided 
among several. The first survey of this vast 
wilderness known as the '• Western Reserve " 
was made in 17t)G, and immigration invited to 
that portion which lay cast of the Cuyahoga 
lliver. In 1800, Trumbull, the eighth county 
in the State, was formed by the Territorial Gov- 
ernment, embracing within its limits the whole 
"Reserve." In 1805, Geauga was formed, and 
on June 7, 1807, the counties of Ashtabula, 
Cuj'ahoga and Portage, were erected. The lat- 
ter included the territory that has since been 
formed into the counties of Portage, Summit 
and Medina, with the county scat at Ravenna. 
On Februar}^ 18, 1812, Medina was erected 
" from that part of the Reserve west of the 11th 
Range, south of the numbers five and east of 
the 20th Range, and attached to Portage County- 
until organized." At that time there was but 
a single settlement, and tiiat but four days old. 
The eastern tier of townships which have since 
been taken off, had enough settlements which 
warranted this action on the part of the Legis- 



lature. In 1818, the county of Medina was or- 
ganized as an independent subdivision of the 
State. The county was then composed of eight- 
een townships — Norton, Copley. Bath, Rich- 
field, Wadsworth, Granger, Hinckley, Guilford, 
Montville, Medina, Brunswick, Westfield, Liver- 
pool, Harris ville, Grafton, Sullivan, Penfield 
and Huutingdon. December 20, 1822, Lorain 
County was formed from Huron, Cuyahoga 
and Medina, taking from tlie latter all tlie 
township? in Ranges 19, 18 and 17 below num- 
ber five, and Township 4 in the IGth Range. 
On March 3, 1810, Summit County was formed 
from Portage, Stark and Medina, the latter con- 
tributing till' townships of Norton, Copley, Bath 
and Richfield, in Range 12, and receiving from 
Lorain the townships Homer and Spencer in the 
17th Range, leaving the present arrangementof 
townships. 

The population of the county at the time of 
its first organization was prol^ably not far from 
two thou.sand persons, though it is arrived at 
bj' simply guessing. Mr. Northrop, in his his- 
tory of IMedina County, gives an estimate of the 
population in 1818, of the various townships 
now in the country, which foot up to 2,469. 
Comparing this estimate with the census of 
1820, and it shows onl3' a little larger yearlj' 
increase than is shown in the decade from 1820 
to 1830, which was very probabl3' the case. 
But, while the aggregate seems probable, the 
distribution as given below from Mr. Northrop's 
work seems quite the reverse. In this, seven 
townships which were not organized till after 
1830, are credited with a population of 4G7. 
This number ought probably to be referred to 
the whole territory lying west of Range 15. 
The early settlement was principallj' drawn 
from Connecticut, though there were lai'ge ac- 
cessions from New Kngland families that had 
moved to New York, Pennsylvania and other 
parts of Ohio previous to their coming here. 
In Homer and Spencer Townships, however, 
the original settlement was made considerablv 



^\<^ 



>v 



V^i: 



'k 






2-23 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COI'XTY. 



later and b_y (leniians generally from Pennsyl- 
vania. In the southeastern and eastern parts 
of the county, the original stock of New En- 
glanders has been supplanted b^- a thrifty class 
of Germans, who, b\- their persevering industry, 
have added largely to the resources of the 
county. The influx of population up to 1850 
was regular and rapid, the population increas- 
ing from 2.4(<0in 13 IS, to :i,090 in 1S20, 7.500 
in 1S30, 18,360 in 1840, and 21,441 in 1850. 
Since then, however, there has been a gradual 
falling-otf in the census returns of aliout two 
tiiousand cacli decade. The reason for this 
r A"ograde movement in population is not well 
defined. It is probably due to the fact that 
many have gone farther West, where cheaper 
lands may be secured, and to the general fact 
shown in the census of the State at large, that 
many of tlic youth have been called in various 
ways to the citie.-,:. The census of the townships 
and villages for the last live decades, are as fol- 
lows : 





CKN.-iL'S. 


1SI3 


If 40 


is-.o 


ISOO 


1S70 


ISSO 




lliV 
107 
I.-:4 

2M 

■i;i 
us 

S'T 
or. 
2H) 
ig;! 

S7 
Uli 

bl 

227 
"79 
124 


1,11'.| 

9-4 

1.40:: 

1.2 fi 

1,2.S7 

GliU 

M< 

7.'<- 

I..M12 

1,4:!") 

91.i, 

1,".I4 

•Ml 

1,4SI 

1.1 til 

us: 

i 


1,417 
1,107 
l,:iI7 
l.SUII 
1,477 
1,110 
II112 
l,:i;)2 
1.:'.I2 
2,20 ; 
2,011 
1,077 
1,519 
1 ,:«fi 
1,022 
1.122 
1,211 
1,009 


1.209 
l.li-.ll 
1.1121 
1,S20 
1,220 
1.2.i9 
99:i 

1 :i2.s 

l.II.S 
LSI 17 
2,1. ■'9 
9i7 
l,:il:! 

1,US2 

l,7ii:i 
1,122 
l,iiri9 

1,2;!4 


9.-0' 

9S(I 

9S7 

1.MI9 

1.IS2 

972 

8SU 

1,109 

soil 
1 12-. 
l,.')->:ii 
1,097' 
l.l:il 

929 
2.2s:l 
1,02:) 

S.'^li 
l.l.iil 

949 


94-1 


rimUiam 


1, ) 

99S 


(;iii fi.rd 


1,S72 


UiuTi-sviilo 

Hm- ktej 


l.risi 

90.2 


II..ni"r 

Ln K:iV'-tIe 

l-i:.lifi.|,l 


si;-i 

1,1 '97 

.^r. 1 
1 :5:>9 




790 


Moritville 


S29 


Sliarou 

.'^jH'iiCfr 


1,197 

,S9S 

s 17 


Wostticld 


l,04.s 




1,0111 


Villiigcof M.'itiiiii 

Villi«B of S.'iill" 

Village of Wadswiitli.... 


i,4as 

i,'2'l7 


Totals 


2.1l".l 


ix,;i«i 


24,441 


22. .'.17 


20.o''2 


21 .-147 



Investigations into tlic earlier records of the 
Commissioners' Court is met, at the outset, by 
the following ominous entry on the (irst page 
of the Commissioners' Record: ''Wliereas, a 
certain book called tlie •Commissioners' Kec- 
ords,' in which were all the records of the 
county since its organization, was feloniously 
stolen from the Commissioners' office, on the 



night of the eighth of Decemlier, instant, to- 
gether with certain petitions, road reports, and 
bonds on petitions, with the minutes of the 
proceedings of the regular December session ; 
therefore, resolved that the following orders be 
entered in a book, to be provided as a Com- 
missioners' Record, etc." The serious loss thus 
indicated makes the history of the first six \-ears, 
among the mo-it important in tiie history of a 
county, rest largely upon tradition. There are 
other sources of partial information, and this 
loss has been remedied to a considerable extent 
through the [laticiit research instituted and 
placed on record by Hon. F. R. Loomis, then 
one of the editors of the Medina Gautle. 

The first election held in accordance with the 
requirements of the act organizing the county, 
resulted in the choice of Abraham Freese as 
Auditor, Lalhrop Seymour as Sheriff, and John 
Freese as Recorder. The Commissioners were 
then appointed l.iy the Court of Common Pleas, 
the members of which were elected b}- the joint 
ballot of the Legislature. The first court was 
composed of George Tod, of "Warren, Trumbull 
County, as President Judge, and Joseph Il:ir- 
ris, of HarrisviUc, Isaac Wolton, of Iliclilicld, 
Frederick Brown, of Wadsworth, as Associate 
Judges. In April, 1818, this court appointed 
Miles Clark, of -, Timothy Doan, of 'Wey- 
mouth, and Andrew Deining, of Brunswick, as 
County Commissioners, The county seat had 
been fixed by the special Commissioners at 
Medina Village. As an inducement to tliis end, 
FJijah Boardman, the original owner of Medina 
Township, hail offered to the county a plat of 
ground containing some 1500 acres more or less. 
This gift was subject to the condition of locat- 
ing the seat of justice thereon, and was made 
before the county was organized. Latiirop 
Seymour was made '■ Director of Lands" to re- 
ceive the gift for the county, and when the 
condition had been fulfilled, and the property 
passed into the control of the Commissioners, 
the '-Director of Lands " was empowered to 



^f' 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



233 



dispose of this propert}- for the benefit of the 
county. Lots 1, 2, 3 and 4, facing the public 
square on the west, were reserved for the site 
of the public buildings, and what is now the 
public squ.are was set apart for that purpose, 
and a contract entered into with Austin Badger 
to clear it. Improvements were carried forward 
on the property remaining in the hands of the 
county until all were sold. Among the first 
actions of the Board of Commissioners, was 
the appointment of Rufus Ferris as Treasurer, 
and the providing of a place for the first session 
of the court. But little improvement had been 
made in the village, as the i)roperty had not 
been oftered for sale. Mr. Ferris had a cabin 
which was fully occupied by his family, but a 
frame liarn which had recently been erected a 
little northeast of the public square, offered 
accommodations which were secured by the 
Commissioners. This sufficed for the first term 
of court, when the upper part of a double log- 
house, which had been reared on the site of the 



Barn.ard Bloclc, by Ilickox and B.idgcr, was 
secured. Here the court held its sessions until 
the more imposing structure was erccXed across 
the street. Of the present townships, five were 
erected before the date of the organization of 
the county. Of these, Medina, Wadsworth and 
Brunswick were erected in the same year, I)}' 
the Commissioners of Portnge County. The 
balance, save Homer and Spencer, erected by 
the authorities of Lorain County, were organized 
under the authority of Medina officials. There 
has been no occasion to change the boundary 
lines, though for temporary purposes, the pres- 
ent township of Sharon was attached to Gran- 
ger, La Fayette to Westfield, York to Jlcdina, 
Chatham to IlaiTisville, Litchfield to (iraft.ou 
and afterward to Liverpool, Homer to Sullivan 
and Spencer to Penfleld. 

The townships as thej' now stand, with 
their villages and post otliecs, with the dates 
of origin, will be found in the accompanying 
table : 



TOWNSHIPS. 



Bruns\vick. 
CL:i(h.-im 



branger 

Guilford 

Ilarri.sviU'^.. 



Hinckley ... 

Homer 

La Fayette., 

Litclifiefl .. 

Liverpool ... 

Me Una 

Muiitville .. 

*.Sfi;irnn 



Speiieer 

Wadswortli. 

Westficia... 



York . 



When Organized 



1818 
1833 

1820 

1819 

1817 

182.5 
1833 
1832 

1831 

1816 
1818 
1820 

1830 

1832 
1818 

1820 
18.32 



Villages. 



I Out.l 



.Seville.. 
Lodi 



1828 

No plat.. 



Liverpool ;184-'). 

Medina |1818. 



W.idstvorth .. 
LeKoy 

York 



I 



r>i-iinswick 

Cliatiiaiii 

I Heiiison'sCoruei'.^.. 

[ Granger 

j Kiver Styx 

( jSeville 

( Pawnee 

1 jLodi 

/ liemiett's Corners 

) Hinckley 

HomeTville 

f JCliippewa Lake... 

\ Wliitilesey 

J Erharl 

I Litolilield 

Liverpool 

Medina 

Toe 



I \ Sliaron Center.. 

Spencer 

1[No plat IWadsvvorth . 



1S2G. 



No plat.. 



( Friendsville... 

\I-e Hoy 

) Atilieyville ... 
\ Mallet Creek.. 



When Estiililishcd. 



March 1-5, 1820. 
.hme 20, 1837 
.March 14, 185.5. 
March 31, 1828. 
Pehniaryll,1828. 
.•Viigiist 6, 1825. 
■lanuary 21, 1879. 
January 21, 1829. 
Deccml)er31,18G3 
.April 2, 182-5. 
October 2'), 1844. 
February 13, 1873. 
October 4, 1850. 
.March 13, 1873. 
March 12, 1832. 

.\pril 24, 1819. 
March 12, 18G0. 
July 8, 1850. 
May 27, 1833. 
lanuary 22, 1834. 
February 24, 182:'.. 
February 7, 1867. 
April 5, 1825. 
.lune 25, 1833. 
.Inly 20, 1837. 



*Oreanized a3 G-ask. fF^r'nerly Guilford, 
corporaled 1866. 



^Furmerly Karrisonville Reserve. ^Formerly Marr. liFornierly Coddingville. ^In- 



^^ 



M^ 



^jv> 



224 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Apropos of this table, it may be said tliat 
there are now tliree money-order oflices in this 
county, INIedina, Seville and Wadsvvorth. The 
rates of postage that proved so great a burden 
to the early pioneers, were, according to the 
acts of March 1825 and 1827, then in force, "on 
a letter composed of o/ie piece of jyajxr," for 
any distance not exceeding 30 miles, G cents ; 
over 30 miles and not exceeding 80 miles, 10 
cents ; over 80 miles and not exceeding 150 
miles, Vlh cents; over 150 miles and not ex- 
ceeding 400 miles, ISJ cents ; over 400 miles, 
25 cents. " A letter composed of two pieces 
of pa^er was charged with douhle these 
rates ; of three pieces, with triple, and of 
four pieces, with quodruple. One or more 
pieces of paper, mailed as a letter, and weigh- 
ing an ounce, shall be charged with quadruple 
postage ; and at the same rate should the weight 
be greater." The contrast between that day 
and this needs no learned homil3- to set it forth. 

The first sessions of the Commissioners were 
held in the cabin of )Ir. Ferris, as that was the 
only cabin in the corporation at that time. 
During the next j'ear, two double log houses 
were erected, which were opened to -entertain 
man and beast." These were the resort of the 
county officials, until more suitable quarters 
were [irovided. For some \'ears the officers did 
not reside at the seat of ju.stice, but came up at 
stated periods, as did most of the citizens of the 
count}-, to transact such business as demanded 
attention. The contract for the first court 
house was let to Benjamin Lindslej-, late in 
1818, or carl}- in the following year. It was to 
be a rectangular brick, two stories high, sur- 
mounted by the inevitable cupola of that time, 
and was to be situated on the southwest corner 
of Liberty and Court Streets. The brick was 
burned that \-car, in the vicinity of the village, 
but for some reason, the contractor lailed, after 
carrying on the work for a while, to complete it. 
At any rate, on the 10th of August, 1821, the 
commissioners, John Bigelow, Ebenezer Harris, 



and Stephen Sibley, made a new contract with 
John Frecse and Timothy Doanc, to finish the 
structure. Wiiat it was to be, is best set forth 
in the following article of agreement : 

This article of agreement, entered into this 19th day 
of August, 1821, between John Bigelow, Ebenezer Har- 
ris and Stephen Sibley, as Commissioners of Medina 
County, on the first part, and John Freese and Timothy 
Doane on the second part — witncsscth: That the party 
of the first part have contracted with the party of the 
second part, to complete for said county of Medina, the 
court liouse now building, agreeably to the following 
plan. 111.. : In the southwest corner, a room is to be done 
off by lathing and plastering ; the plastering is to be 
put on with one good, substantial scratch coat, one 
good and handsome overcoat, the whole to he white- 
washed ; the w-indows to be cased, and supplied with 
window springs; wash-board around the room ; a door 
to be made, and cased with one and one-half inch board 
or plank. In the northeast corner of said building, 
there is a room to be done off in a similar manner. The 
northwest corner room to be done in a similar manner, 
and a ceiling of two-inch boards, well planed and 
grooved, run seven feet from the northeast corner of 
the room seven feet west, then to angle behind the 
stairs, until it comes to the wall. The two halls on the 
lower floor to be lathed and plastered in like manner 
with the northeast and southwest rooms, and a seat 
joining on the division of each room. The windows in 
the southeast room to be cased n-ith double architraves, 
which are to extend from the top of the windo%vs to the 
ground floor. There are to be panels under each window; 
the room to be lathed and plastered like the other. 
There is to be one panel door in each apartment, the 
whole to be made of one and one-half inch black wal- 
nut, or butternut, and well cased. There is to be a 
good, decent, substantial railing on the outside of the 
stairs, and the whole of the windows in the building are 
to be well cased and supplied with springs. The whole 
of the upper story of said building is to be lathed and 
plastered, and have wash-boards as below. There is to 
be a handsome circular molding struck in the wall 
over the center of the court room, three feet in diameter, 
the center of which is to project and contain a hook of 
suitable strength to support a large chandelier, when 
deemed expedient ; there are also to be additional hooks 
to support the requisite number of stove-pipes. There 
are to be two rooms partitioned off from a wall which 
is to be run across the landing cast and west, near the 
bead of the stairs ; there is to be a double panel door 



^ 



>^. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



227 



in this pMrlilion. The two rooms are to be partitioned 
otT east of the stairs, and the east room is to contain 
two-thirds of the space. These division walls are to be 
lathed and plastered on both sides, and there is to be a 
row of seats around each of these rooms. The latliing 
of. these divisions must be on good and substantial 

uds. There is to be a hatchway left over jne of these 
small rooms as an accommodation in case of fire. There 
is to be a good latch, catch, etc., on each door, of brass 
or wrought iron, and also a bolt of the same material. 
For other work to be done in the upper or court room, 
reference is had to the plan hereunto annexed, with 
this understanding, that said circular table is to be made 
of bUck w.alnut, butternut or cherry, supported on 
I'"'" ineleaf lobe covered with green baize, to cover 

or tht edge of the table, and secured by a molding 
igether with small brass nails in sufficient quantity for 
durability and ornament. The circle in front of the 
bar aud back ot the jury seals to be of long panels, two 
feel and eighi inches high, and capped with a decent 
and substantial molding. The front of the Judge's 
seat and Clerk's seat to be of panel work in asinjilar 
manner; the molding on the top, however, to be 
broad and answer as a kind of table for writing, etc. 
The Sheriff and prisoner's box also to be of panel. The 
other work in the upper story to be done in a plain, 
good and substantial manner. All the doors are to be 
supplied with Ijcks and keys, to be well hung and com- 
pleted ; and finally, the whole building is |to be com- 
pleted in the above manner and style, so that the luild- 
ing, when complete, shall not be wanting in any of 
those small conveniences or ornaments so necessary in 

public building. For, and in consideration of the 
•ihc> e, the party of the first part agree to pay unto the 
(lariy uf the second part, rtie sum of $1,5U0 on the 
Ist day of December, 1822, provided, the said house is 
;ompIeled in manner and form as above written, by 
Ihe p:f!ty of the second part, by said 1st day of Decem- 
ber, 1622. The above mentioned sum of $l,.50O to be 
paid from notes in the hands of the Director of I'utilic 
Lands against the proprietors of the public lands ; and 
for the faithful performance of the foregoing agreements, 
we do hereby bind ourselves, heirs and assigns. In 
tes'imony whereof we hereunto set our hands and seals 
the day and year first above written. 

.JOHX BlOELOW. [seat.]. 

Ebexezeb Harris, [seal]. 
Stephen Sibley. [seal]. 
.Toils' Freese. [seal]. 

Tl.MOTIIY DOANE. [seal]. 



In presence of 
Benjamin Lindsley, 
Eela B. Clark. 



It may bo Tvcll to add that the building 
fi'onted to tlie east, and thtit tlie plan shows the 
location of the stairs in tlie northwest corner of 
the building. A partition running cast and 
west cut off the court-room from the stairway' 
and left space east of the stairway that was de- 
voted to counsel and jury rooms, as noted 
above. The Judge's bench was in the south 
part of the room, immediatolj- in front of which 
was the Clerk's desk, aud in front of this was 
the circular counsel table referred to above. 
Back of this aud in the line of the railing 
which divided the bar from the audience, were 
the sheriff and criminal Ijoxes side bj- side. On 
either side of the counsel table, vrere long 
benches for the grand and petit juries. The 
rest of the space was furnished with seats for 
the accommodation of spectators. In the lower 
floor, the main entrance was on Court street, 
from which, a large hall led back through the 
center of the building between the offices de- 
scribed above. The northwest corner was 
thrown into the hall and formed a sort of an 
ante-room, which opened on to Liberty street 
by a side door near the foot of the stairs. 
When this building was full}- completed, it is 
impossible to discover. As late as 182(5, the 
records show that the Commissioners ordered a 
purchase of 100 feet of 10x12 glass, some iron 
scrapers for the steps, and some fire fenders for 
the offices, and at the .same time ordered the 
laying of some stone door-steps for the court 
house. This was probablj- the finishing stroke, 
and were things not contemplated in the con- 
tract. Before the court house was completed, 
however, the Commissioners had caused a log 
jail to be erected on a site about midway of 
the block that faces the public square on the 
west. But little can be ascertained in regard 
to this pioneer institution. It was built of 
hewed logs, the corners being dovetailed to- 
gether. A\'ho had the contract, or what the 
further character of the building was, cannot 
now be ascertained ; though one of the work- 



V 



3^ 



228 



IIISTOnY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



men, Jlr. Badger, is still living, he does not re- 
memlior anj- of its tbaractcristics. In 1829, 
the public square, which was nearly all that re- 
mained to the count}' of its "public lands'' at 
that time, was inclosed by a fence. The '• Di- 
rector of Public Lands " had contracted with 
Austin Badger to clear it, and it had subse- 
quently been sowed to oats and seeded down, 
and, the 3-ear mentioned, the Commissioners 
contracted with Benjamin Lindsley to construct 
a fence about it at $2.50 per rod, the fence 
to lie completed by the 25th of JIay. The 
contractor seems to have been one of those 
unfortunate people who are always '-behind- 
hand " in life, and the date set for the comple- 
tion of the contract was extended to the IGth 
of Jul}-, and it was finished then onl}- through 
the Commissioners threatening to have it done 
at the contractor's expense. In later 3'ear3, the 
fence was taken awaj', and the square made a 
public common. A picture of tlie village in 
1840, which is pronounced bj- old citizens to be 
accurate, shows Ijut two trees and a flagstaff 
standing on this ground. Since then, the pres- 
ent grove has baea added, and proves a useful 
as well as ornamental feature of the county 
seat. 

On March 15, 1830, an advertisement was 
inserted in the Cleveland ITrraJd, then the only 
paper in this vicinity-, calling for sealed propo- 
sals for the erection of a fire-proof building, 
18x40 feet, one story high, suitable for the pub- 
lic olfices. In the following December, the 
Commissioners entered into a contract with 
Messrs. Oviatt & Bronson, for 8G00, to erect 
this edifice. It was eventually built two stories 
high, with four offiass. Two were entered fi-om 
the front street, and, in th3 middle, an entrance 
and hall le;l to the two situated in the rear part 
of the building. Two windows furnisliod the 
liglit for i\\i ofriaes, and an arched brick ceiling 
encouraged the belief that they were fire- 
proof Tlie upper rooms, save the southwest 
one, were rented for oflices to the various law- 



j-ers, Judge Samuel McClure having an office 
there at one time. On January 3, 1833, a con- 
tract was entered into by the Commissioners 
with Stephen N. Sargent and Uriah II. Peak, 
for the construction of a brick jail on the rear 
of Lot Xo. 1. The conditions of the contract 
arc not fully set forth in the records, but, from 
other evidence, it is understood that the con- 
sideration was Lot No. 2, valued at $425, and 
$1,500 in cash. This sutliced the purposes of 
justice until l.'^ol, though not without some 
risk of the escape of prisoners, which now and 
then occurred. On July 19 of this year, the 
Commissioners bought of George Anson 102| 
feet from the east side of Lot Xo. 75, for $358.75, 
and at once invited proposals for the building 
of a new jail, to be placed upon this site. Six 
proposals, varying from $6,400 to $10,075 
were received, and, on the 2d of December, 
1851, a contract was entered into with Harris 
& Varnim to build the jail for $7,000. The 
cells were constructed of stone, all " grouted," 
and the balance of the structure of brick, and 
is still serving the county. The old jail was 
sold a little later, to Barton Green, for $900. 

In 1340, the Commissioners began to feel that 
a new court house was demanded. At this 
time the stone of the foundation, which was 
got out of Champion Creek, had begun to crum- 
ble and the brick to fall out of place, and the 
Commissioners began to look al)out for a new 
site for the court house which should succeed 
it. Lot X^o. 80 was bought in March of this 
year for $1,200, and, in the following Septem- 
ber, the following entry was made upon their 
records : " The Commissioners, after examining 
the different piojiosals presented to them, and, 
after mature deliberation, have agreed to ac- 
cept the proposal of D. II. Weed, which said 
proposal is in substance as follows, to wit : 
Said Weed agrees to build a new crourt house 
for the old court house and public offices and 
the ground on which said buildings stand, and 
the land adjoining belonging to the count}-, ex- 



:^ 



-'A 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



cept the ground reserved by the count}' for the 
jail, which said ground so reserved by the 
county for the jail, commences at a stake stuck 
bj^ the said count}- commissioners, west from 
the northwest corner of the public offices, and 
to run north and west from said stake, parallel 
with the lines of said lot or lots, herebj' intend- 
ing to I'eserve all the ground on which the jail 
now stands, and southeast of the jail to the 
lines running north and west from said stake ; 
and, also, said Weed is to have the additional 
sum of $3,100. Said Weed is not to have pos- 
session of the court house and public offices 
until the new court house is finished." The 
contractor went to work in the following year, 
and, bj' August, had completed the foundation. 
The building was placed on the site where it 
still stands, and was completed that year. It 
was surmounted by a cupola which was Gn- 
nished with a " gilt ball sixteen inches in diam- 
eter." Later, the Commissioners directed that 
the building should be painted with " red lead 
and Spanish brown, for which Weed shall be 
allowed $50, but," the record naively adds, " if 
he won't paint it for that, the Auditor may 
make the best bargain possible." The natural 
growth of business soon made the court house 
too small to accommodate it, and an agitation 
was begun with a view to secure greater facili- 
ties. The object was generally approved, but, 
upon the means to accomplish this end, there 
was not the same unanimit}-. It was finall}' 
decided by the Commissioners to make addi- 
tious to the old structure, and the result has 
been, while the general appearance of the out- 
side has been greatly improved, an examina- 
tion exhibits the old-time folly of " putting new 
cloth into old garments." After considerable 
deliberation, the nature of the work not de- 
manding a vote of approval from the people, 
the Commissioners gave notice of their inten- 
tion to make additions to the court house on 
March .30, 1872. In the following July, the 
contract was let to W. G. Tilley, for $17,.300. 



The improvements added two large rooms on 
the first and on the second floors, that were 
greatly needed. These are situated one on 
either side, the intervening space serving be- 
low as a re-entrant vestibule, and above as a 
covered balcony. The whole is surmounted bj- 
an ornamental belfry, provided with a dial for 
tl;e purpose of a tower clock. A bell of about 
1,000 pounds' weight has been hung in the tower, 
and a fine vault constructed for the records and 
moneys of the county. The whole cost is set 
forth in the following final statement of the 
contractor : 

To amount due iiniler contract § 17, -300 00 

To extra stone work for i'uunilation 491 75 

To extra galvanized iron, work and mate- 
rial ordered 950 15 

To extra plastering, work and material or- 
dered 558 60 

To extra brickwork, work and material or- 
dered 2% 54 

To extra framing, finishing and carpenter 

work, court room, halls, and material... 1,320 SO 

To extra painting and graining 310 00 

To extra lumber for framing, sheathing old 

roof, etc 908 23 

To extra labor on same 800 00 

To drafting details of work 100 00 

Total .5 2:;, 030,07 

To this there was an addition of $72. GO for 
furniture for the various offices by the contract- 
or, besides the expense of superintending the 
building, which formed something of an item. 

The subject of an infirmar}- was broached as 
early as 183G, but the project was not favorably 
received, and it lay dormant until lS.")t. In 
this .year, a farm was bought in La Fayette 
Township, of John S. Jones, which, together 
with more recent additions, now reaches to 273 
acres. In June, the Board of County Commis- 
sioners, consisting of Carr G. Rounds, J. M. 
Henderson and James S. Redfield, contracted 
with William Ilickox & Brother to build a 
brick County Infirmary building, 29x59 feet, 
for the sura of $2,200. The work was com- 
pleted in the following December, and accepted 
and paid for by the Commissioners in January. 
Early in lSG-1, this building was destroyed by 



V 



^ 



230 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



fire, caused, it is supposed, by the act of some 
of the insane iamates ; the building proved a 
complete loss, save an insurance of some $1,700. 
On May 18, lo64, the Board of Commissioners 
contracted with William Hickox for the erection 
of the present structure for $8,900. In 1861, a 
two-story brick building, 30x41 feet, was erect- 
ed by William Ilickos, just southeast of the old 
Infirmar3- building. The contract was let by 
the Commissioners on the 5th of February, 
at a cost of $1,800. The farm is supplied with 
good outbuildings, including a brick wash- 
house, laundry and bakery combined, 20x.33 
feet, an ice-house and milk-room, a smoke- 
house, coal-house, etc. The form is nearly all 
under cultivation ; a portion of it which was 
swamp laud has been thoroughly- drained, and 
has been cultivated for some years. A large 
part of the support of the institution is raised 
on the farm, but there is an average draft on 
the county of about $4,000. 

The first person admitted to the infirmary, 
was Charles Olcott. of .Medina Village, who was 
admitted February 5, 1855, at the age of sixty- 
one j'ears. Mr. Olcott had a fiue education, 
was a member of the bar, and had served as 
Prosecuting Attorney of the county ; he had 
filled various offices of trust, and, for many 
years before his misfortunes, had been a pronii- 
inent citizen. At his death the court adjourned 
and the bar passed the usual resolutions and 
attended the funeral. There were forts-tbree 
applicants for admission on the first day that 
the institution was fairly- opened, and during 
the year the total number of applicants was 
sixty -live. The average each year since has 
not varied materialh' from that number ; usu- 
alh" varying at each annual report .somewhere 
between ftflv and sixty inmates. William F. 
Nye. appointed from AVestlield in ]Si"4, is still 
in charge of the institution, and is remarkable- 
successful in his management. 

Politically, Medina Count}' is not conspicu- 
ous. Like eddies in a stream, it circles about 



its own center, receiving an impulse from the 
national political current, but is situated just 
beyond the broad sweep of its power. Political 
preferment during the first twent3--five j-ears 
of the history- of the countj- was looked upon 
as an expensive honor of doubtful value. The 
great majority of the people had come from the 
middle class of society in the " Land of Stead}- 
Habits,'' whose ambition had never soared to a 
loftier flight than to the time-honored position 
of Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, etc. The 
change of residence to a new countr}", where 
the necessities of the situation tasked their en- 
ergies to the utmost simply- to gain a subsis- 
tence, had not shown a tendency to stimulate 
their aspirations for public honors. In fact, 
the office sought the man, frequently " going a 
begging," and it was not an infrequent thing 
for a man to decline a proffered nomination 
simpl}- because he could not afford to give his 
time. Xominations were made "through the 
nearest newspaper, the Cleveland IL raid act- 
ing for j-ears in that cajjacity for Medina, or b}' 
personal announcements and solicitation of 
friends of the candidate. Up to 1830, the party 
lines of the two great political organizations 
had not been very rigidl}- drawn, in fact, had 
been scared}- drawn at all, and a candidate 
trusted for his election far more to his personal 
popularity than to the allegiance of his partv 
adherents. 

The abduction of Jlorgan in 1827. which 
formed so powerful a weapon in the politics of 
New York and in many parts of Ohio, had its 
effect upou society in Jledina, but it cannot 
properly be said to have effected the political 
situation here. A paper published at Ravenna 
in the anti-Masonic interest, found a very large 
support here, but this sentiment was not hedged 
in by any party lines. Democrats and their 
opponents, whether by the name of Federalist 
or Wliig. subscribed to both sides of the ques- 
tion, and it was never brought forward publiclj- 
as a text. In 1833. when Gen. Dulhan North- 



V 



lA 



HISTORY OF jMEDIXA COUNTY. 



231 



rup was a candidate for Eeprcsentative to the 
General Assemb!}-, his friends who urged his 
cause, described him to tlic opponents of the 
order as •• not a JIason," and to its friends as 
" not an Anti-Mason," and he was elected. 

At this time, the old parties had become dis- 
integrated in this countj-, and had not as j-et 
become fixed in the party crj-stallization which 
succeeded. The question of internal improve- 
ments b}- the General Government, introduced 
by Henry Clay, awakened a livch' interest at 
that time among the people living in a half- 
subdued wilderness. Prosperous growth in 
Medina County had long been delayed by the 
lack of waj'S and means of transportation, and 
this question impressed the average mind as a 
practical issue, and it proved the entering- 
wedge which has since wrought such a marked 
division of political sentiment. The great 
tariff agitation which succeeded, changed the 
places of some who had taken the Whig side 
of the first issue, so that, while it strengthened 
the line of separation, it made a nearlj- equal 
division of the political forces in the county. 
In 1S34, John Newton, of Richfield, then in 
3Iedina Countv. was the first candidate elected 
in the county, distinctive!}' as a Whig. lie 
was succeeded in the following year, as Repre- 
sentative to the General Assembly, by Philo 
Welton, a Democrat, who, in turn, gave waj- in 
1836 to Mr. Newton, who was re-elected. In 
1835, James S. Carpenter, a j'oung unmarried 
man from New York, establisiied a Whig paper 
in Medina, and through his efforts gave the 
preponderance of power to the party with 
which he was affiliated, so that the successful 
candidates for the succeeding seven years were 
chosen from the Whig partj-. 

In the meanwhile, just as parties seemed to 
have settled down to a placid state of routine 
existence, another disturbing element was 
brought into the political arena, and rapidly 
acquired a commanding influence. Anti-slaver}- 
sentiments were cherished bv the adherents of 



both parties, but, tiiough cherished to a greater 
or less extent since the date of the Missouri 
Compromise, they had been kept in abeyance, 
and all political action based on them was 
strongly deprecated by all alike. But the 
specter would not down at such bidding. Soon 
after the founding of the Western Kcservo Col- 
lege at Hudson, in 1828, the Ohio Obserccr ivas 
established as the organ of the Presbyterian 
Church, and brought its weekly discussions of 
colonization and emancipation before its numer- 
ous readers in this count}'. In 1833, Oberlin 
College was established in Lorain Count}", and 
its radical attitude in relation to the crime of 
slavery kindled the flame that lliintly burned 
into a conflagration. An anti-sla\-ery society, 
few in numbers but powerful in influence, was 
established in Medina about the same time. 
Among its members was Timothy Hudson, a 
man of considerable proper;}-, and popular 
throughout the county, who published a small 
paper devoted to the dissemination of anti- 
slavery literature. To the sum of these influ- 
ences should be added IVie ConstitationalUt, 
the paper esta'jlislieu by Judge Carpenter, 
which had taken advance grounds on the ques- 
tion of slaver}- from the very first. With such 
influences at work among a people of Puritanic 
convictions, it was impossible to keep the ques- 
tion in political subjection. 

In the local campaigns of 1S37 and 1838, 
there were e-\'idences of a near uprisal of the 
anti-slavery sentiment, which finally came in 
1839. At the Whig convention that year, a 
disposition was manifested on the part of some 
of the more conservative members of the party 
to rebuke the radical wing for their outspoken 
utterances. The challenge thus thrown down 
was readily accepted by the anti-slavery lead- 
ers, who declareil in opi'n convention, that no 
nominee of that body could be elected, wlio did 
not subscribe to anti-slavery sentiments. The 
practice then was to hold two conventions on 
the same dav — a delegate convention, in which 



^^ 



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in 



232 



HISTORY OF ilEDIXA COU^sTY. 



the nominations of the party were made and a 
ticket arranged, and a mass convention, to ■nliicli 
the action of delegates was reported. Tliis 
accomplished, the presiding officer of the dele- 
gate body repaired to the mass convention, where 
he submitted the ticlcct prepared for the indorse- 
ment of the larger asscmbl\-. The result of 
the deliberations of the delegate convention, 
after the bold utterance of the anti-slaverj- 
leaders, was the nomination of 3Ir. Car[)enter. 
When his name was announced to the mass 
convention, it was his first intimation of the 
honor that had fallen on him. and ho hastened 
at once to call the attention of that body to his 
position on the anti-slavery question, and to 
warn none to indorse him under an}- misappre- 
hension of the facts. To crown the confusion of 
the conservative leaders, JMr. Carpenter was 
heartily indorsed, and elected by a handsome 
majority. In the succeeding year, the AVhigs 
nominated Albert A. Bliss, of Eh'ria, another 
pronounced anti-slavery man, and elected him, 
Birnej- getting in Medina County in the same 
yeai", ('?ci<» votes for President. In 1841, Mr. 
Bliss was re-elected from Lorain, and Lorenzo 
Warner from Medina, both pn^nounced anti- 
slaver}- men. In the succeeding }-car. however, 
the Democrats succeeded in electing their can- 
didate, lliehard Warner, of Sharon, without anj- 
concessions to the anti -slavery element. There 
were several causes contributing to this result, 
though it in no sense indicated a change in 
puVilic sentiment. 

In 1S28. Lorain County had been associated 
with Medina in a Joint-State Representative 
District. In the former county the influence 
of Oberlin had been very effective in molding 
the sentiment of the home society, and so long 
as the relation of these counties rem-.uncd un- 
disturbed, the anti-slavery branch of tiie Wliigs 
controlled the party organization. In IS 12. 
under the new census, the \Vliigs of .^ledina 
were thrown upon their own resources, and the 
more radicil members of the party, distrusting 



the majority, withdrew and voted with the 
'•Liberty part}-," or refrained from voting at 
all. About this time, also, the controversial 
war waged against the theological andi^^olitical 
dogmas of Oberlin had reached its culminating 
point, man}' of its enemies advocating and 
hoping for the rescinding of the college char- 
ter by the Legislature, aud many of the Whigs 
voted for the opposition candidate to express 
their dissent from its theological tenets. It 
was freely charged by the Whigs that Warner 
would vote to rescind the charter with the hope 
of thus forcing their recalcitrant members to 
support the regular party candid,ate. The re- 
sult, however, was rather to lose votes for their 
candidate as indicated above, but, to his honor 
bo it said, !Mr. Warner indignantly denied the 
imputation, and, when the matter came up in 
the legislature, worked and voted against the 
measure. 3Ir. ^Varner was re-elected to the 
Forty-second Assemialy. and in 1844. Earlc 
Moulton was elected by the Whigs. He was 
elected for a second term and was succeeded 
by Mr. H. G. Blake, who served two terms. 
Both of these gentlemen were Anti-slavery 
Whigs. In the meantime, the Free-Soil party 
had absorbed the "Liberty men," and. having 
secured the balance of power, received over- 
tures from the Democrats. Without any dis- 
tinct coalition, however, James C. Johnson 
was elected in 1848, by the Hemocratie organi- 
zation, though many of the }ounger members 
were Free-Soil in sentiment. Karly in the fol- 
lowing year, Aaron Pardee, of Wadsworth, after 
consultation with many of the Free-Soil leaders 
in the county, issued a call for a convention of 
all persons opposed to slavery, making the 
ground of union so broad that large accessions 
were received from both of the dominant par- 
ties. There was at least one bond of union 
between the Free-Soil and Democratic organiza- 
tions iu tiieir hostility to the Whigs, and. the 
younger Democrats gaining control of the ma- 
chinery of their party, the convention resulted 



'lA 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



233 



in another, a little later, in which the Demo- 
crats and Free-Soilers formed a coalition and 
nominated for Representative to the Legisla- 
ture Philip Thomson, an old "Liberty man" 
and one of " the seven thousand" who voted 
forBirney in 1840. There was no little dissat- 
isfaction expressed at this arrangement by the 
older members of the Democratic party, but 
the}' were cv'entually wheedled or forced into 
a support of the ticket. The Whigs, recogniz- 
ing the power behind the throne, nominated Hal- 
sej' Ilnlburt, another Birne^' man, but the die 
was east that doomed them to defeat. Jlr. Thom- 
son could have been re-elected, but, declining 
the honor, and the older members of the Dem- 
ocratic organization resuming power, the coali- 
tion fell to pieces, and Mr. James C. Johnson 
was elected by the Democratic organization 
in 1850, and re-elected in 1852. In 1853, the 
Whigs achieved a final victory. In this j'ear 
the}' nominated Dr. Edwin H. Sibley, an anti- 
slavery man, who was opposed b}' Francis D. 
Kimball as the regular candidate of the Dem- 
ocratic party. The latter organization was not 
heartily unanimous in the nomination of its 
candidate. He was an earnest temperance 
man and strongly imbued with aiiti-.slavery 
sentiments. This nomination was looked upon 
as due to the prevailing influence of tiie younger 
portion of the party, and many of the older 
members felt greatly dissatisfied. The result 
was that E. A. Warner was announced as an 
independent candidate, and divided the strength 
of the Democratic party. Barney Prentice 
represented the Free-Soilers and received a con- 
siderable vote. 

The passage of the " Nebraska Bill " in the 
winter of lS53-5i heated the political elements 
of Medina to the fusing point, and early in the 
following spring a convention was called to 
protest against this extension of slavery. This 
call brought metnljers of all parties togetiier at 
the court house, and, though tlisagresing as to 
the means to be employed to rid the laud of the 



curse of slavery, they were thoroughly united 
against its further extension. The result of 
this gathering was a call for a delegate conven- 
tion, a little later, to put a ticket in the field 
which should exi ress the sentiment of the 
combined anti-slavery forces. Among the 
representative men of the different political ele- 
ments in the later convention, were W. II. Can- 
field and M. C. Hills, Whigs ; F. D. Kimball, 
Democrat; Timothy Burr and Nathan Nettle- 
ton, of the Liberty party. After an interchange 
of views and a formulation of their purposes, 
the following ticket was nominated and subse- 
quently elcetod : For Probate Judge, Dr. Henry 
Warner (Democrat); for Auditor, G. W. Tyler 
(Liberty) ; for Sheriff, John Rounds (Whig) ; 
for Recorder, S. J. Hayslip (Whig) ; for Clerk, 
0. S. Codding (Whig) ; for Commissioner, Will- 
iam Crane (Democrat). Since then the Repub- 
lican organization has been unilbrmly success- 
ful by a majority ranging from 500 to 1,200 
votes. Up to 182 t, this Representative District 
included Portage and Medina, from which two 
members were sjnt after 1819. During the 
four 3'ears previous to 1828, jMedina was alone, 
when Lorain, then newly organized, was joined 
with this county for representation until lS-11 ; 
since then ^Medina alone has constituted a 
representative district. The State Senatorial 
District has been subject to little change since 
the organization of the county. " After the or- 
ganization of Portage County (of which Jledina 
was a part), in 1808, David Abbott was elected 
Senator in October of that 3-ear to represent 
the counties of Geauga and Portage in the 
Senate of the Eighth General Assembly, hold at 
Chillicotho, and m the Ninth, which convened at 
Zanesville, the first Monday in December, 1810, 
he represented Geauga, Cuyaiioga and Portage. 
He also represented the same constituency in 
the Tenth General Assembly, held at the same 
place. In October, 1812, Peter Hitchcock, of 
Geauga Count}', was elected Senator to repre- 
sent the counties of Geauga, Cuyahoga, Portage 



3^ 



s^V 



231 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



■.uv\ Ashtabiihiiii the Elevoiitb General Assem- 
bly, and toak his scat in that body on the 7th 
of December, 1812, the session convening at 
Chillicolhc again. He continued to rcprc- 
s:';i' t'i3 suma counties as Senator during tlic 
Tsvelfth, Thirteentli and Fourtecntli General 
.\^-i.Mnl)'i.;3, and was elected Speak. T of the 
Fourteenth. In Ojtol)er, 1810, Aaron Wh-cler 
:i;i! A'ln )a Rugbies \vi>re elected Senators from 
Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Huron and Por- 
tage Counties. They took their seals in the 
Fifteenth General Assembly, which convoaed 
in Colum'.)U:i on Monday, Doeomber 2, 1810, 
and were bolii continued in the Sixteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly. In the Seventeenth, A.aron 
Wheeler and John Campbell were the Senators, 
and in the Eighteenth John Campl)ell and Al- 
inou lluggles represented the same -territory 
whicli now included Modijia County as an or- 
g \nization."* From this point Portage and 
Medina Counties were associated together as a 
S,?natorial District, until 1828, when Cuyahoga, 
.^Iedina and Lorain were formed into a district. 
This arrangement continued until 18)!!l, when 
Medina and Lorain Counties were constituted 
a Senatorial District, a union which has contin- 
ued to the present, and is known as the Twen- 
ty-seventh Senatorial District of Ohio. Tnder 
the apportionment of 1871, a full ratio for rep- 
resentation in the State Senate was fix(Ml at 
7(j.l-M) inhabitants. The Twenty-seventh Dis- 
trii.-t, coni|)rising the c->unlies of .'Medina and 
Lorain, had a total population of but oO, 100 ; 
the Twenty-ninth District, comprising the 
cou'.ities of Asldand and llichland, !ui,d a total 
population of 54,449. The two districts not 
having, separately, population enough to entitle 
them to a Senator, were, therefore, consolidated 
under the title of Joint District No. 27 and 29, 
whoso joint population entitled them to si.\' Sen- 
ators in ten years. Tlu^ apporLionnient com- 
mittee assigned one Senator as the quota for the 
first four terms, and two for the fifth. The Sen- 

♦ Miilinn f;a.::Ho, J^in-.Kiry ;;, 1870. 



atoi's elected to represent this district have 
been James A. Bell, of Medina, for the first 
term ; Andrew M. Burns, of Mansfield, for the 
second and third terms ; Thomas M. Beer, of 
Ashland, for the fourth terra, and ^Ir. Beer and 
R. A. llorr, of Lorain, for the fifth term. 

The Congressional District, of which ^ledina 
County was a part, changed so often, and I\Ie- 
dina's share in its history was for raanj' j-ears 
so unimporlant, that it may properlj' be sum- 
marized in a few words. Sulhce it to say that, 
among the more important members of Con- 
gress, in which .Medina has been most interested, 
were I'llisha Whittlesey, John W. Allen, Sherlock 
J. Andrews, N. S. Townsend, Philemon Bliss, 
H. G. Blake, Judge Welker and James Monroe. 
Of these, the only citizen of Medina County 
was 11. G. Bla.ke, and him the people delighted 
to honor. Coining to the county when a mere 
lad, he i-osc, b^' his own unaided eflbrts, from a 
larmer"s boy to the positions of clerk, mer- 
chant, lawyer and statesman. Cordial, .sympa- 
thetic and generous in his social intercourse, 
active and self-reliant in his business, conscien- 
tious and liberal minded in his political career, 
he won the loving esteem of his friends, and 
commanded the respect of his foes. April S, 
1S71'>, he was attacked with the congestion of 
the lungs, which ultimalely dev<^loped into 
pneumonia, and. notwithstanding the best med- 
ical aid, he died, on Sunday, the lOth inst., in 
the fifty-seventh year of his age. 

AVe take the following sketch of his life from 
the Medina On.zrl/,- of April 21, 1870 : - Har- 
rison (Irav Blake was born March 17. 1819, at 
New I'ane, Windham Co., Vt. His parents 
were also natives of that State, and had four 
children, Mr. Blake being next to the youngest. 
The melancholy and yet heroic death of his 
mother has become historical, and been cele- 
brated in the literature of the century. In De- 
cemb.-r, 1821, Mr. Blake's father and mother 
slarled from their home in a sleigh- to visit 
friends, their journe3' leading over the Gieen 



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IIISTOllY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



235 



Jlountains. The mother had an infant of a few 
months' age with her, wlio is still living, and 
from whose lips only yesterdaj' we heard the 
story repeated — 3Irs. Rebecca De Groat. The 
part^- was caught in a snow-storm ; the road 
became impassable for their sleigh, and they 
abandoned it, unhitching the horse and pro- 
ceeding on horseback. The cold was intense, 
and their siilferings were severe. Night was 
coming on, and the father, leaving his wife and 
child with the horse, hastened on foot to seek 
assistance. His cries were heard at a house in 
the mountains, but, owing to a misapprehension 
on the part of the familj- that it was another 
person, whom they knew to be out, and who did 
not need their helj), they did not respond. In 
the morning, Mr. and JMrs. Blake were found. 
He was lying in the snow but a few hundred 
yards fi'om his wife, his feet frozen, and so 
nearly unconscious that he could only hold up 
his hand, with two fingers opened out, to indi- 
cate that there wore other sufferers. 3Irs. 
Blake was found totallj- unconscious and frozen 
in every limb ; but the child was alive, and 
sleeping, wrapped in the clothing which its 
mother had taken from her own body to pre- 
serve its life. Thej' were carried to the nearest 
house, and restoratives applied. The mother 
gasped once after being taken into the warm 
room, but she died without showing an)' other 
sign that she lived through the horrors of the 
night. It may be meutioued, in this connec- 
tion, that, in one of his campaign tours, while 
H. G. Blake was speaking in Holmes County, 
a couple of old men introduced themselves to 
him as members of the party who rescued his 
parents in tlic mountains. 

"The family' wa-> broken up bj- this event, 
and II. G. Blake was taken by .^Ir. Jesse 
Rhoades to raise. They lived in Salem, Wash- 
ington Co., N. Y., until 1830, when Mr. Ilhoades 
removed to Guilford, this county. There young 
Blake, a lad of eleven j-ears, worked on a flirm, 
clearing up new laud, for several 3'ears — stud}'- 



ing, as he had opportunitj-, by the fire-light, 
lamps and candles being an expensive . luxury. 
During his boyhood, he at times was sent to 
school in the winter, but he never had the ad- 
vantages of acadcmj- or college training. Mrs. 
Blake met him the first day he came to Guil- 
ford, and their childhood was pas.5cd together, 
as near neighbors. For one year in S<n-ille he 
studied medicine with Dr. ^lills, and there is 
no doubt, if he had adopted that profession, he 
would have become an eminontlj- successful 
pln'sician. 

" In 1836, he came to Medina and went into the 
store of Durham & Woodward as clerli:, at the 
same time turning his attention to the study of 
the law, and afterward reading under the super- 
vision of Judge J. S. Carpenter. The store was 
kept on the corner where the Phrenix Block now 
stands, and it is worth mentioning that from that 
time to his death, as clerk, merchant, attorney 
and banker. Mr. Blake was always in business 
on that corner. As a lioy, he was bright and 
active, always able to " hoe his own row," and 
helpful to his mates. He was a reader of solid 
books, having little or no taste for fiction or 
poetry. 

" Several years after he entered the store, Mr. 
Woodward retired from the firm, and young 
Blake was taken as partner, and, later, be- 
came solo proprietor. For manj- j-ears he con- 
tinued in business as a country merchant, 
being associated at different times with Jlcssrs. 
Chappcll, G. W. Tyler, George Iilunson, C. J. 
Warner, Charles Booth, Chester Colburn and 
others. 

" Tlie law firm of Blake & "Woodward was es- 
tablished about 1850. It has been, successivelj", 
Blake & Woodward; Blake, Woodward & Cod- 
ding ; Blake, AVoodward it Lewis ; and, at the 
time of his death, was once more Blake & 
Woodward. As a business man, 3Ir. Blake was 
energetic, punctual in all his appointments, 
and liberal in all his dealings. His off-hand, 
read}' wit ; his fine conversational powers ; his 



•^ S- 



yf 






23G 



HISTOEY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



reliabilitj- ; and his democratic tastes and 
Labits, made him a great favorite — everj'body 
knew him and liked him. After retirmg from 
the mercantile trade, and ceasing to take the 
active interest in politics whicli distinguished 
his earlier life, he established the Phcenix 
Bank, first as a private bank, and later as a Na- 
tional bank. He was cashier of the institution, 
a large stockholder, and gave to its manage- 
ment his best efforts. Twice during his active 
life, his business property was destroyed by 
fire— first, in 1848, and again in 1S70. Each 
time the block on Phoenix corner was swept 
awaj-, and each time it was rebuilt larger and 
better than before. His will was indomitable, and 
adversit}- seemed only to incite him to greater 
endeavor. To his counsels, encouragement and 
example, as much as to an}' other cause, Me- 
dina is to-day a pleasant, substantial town, in- 
stead of a mass of ruins and rookeries. We 
have not allowed space to fully speak of his 
ability and characteristics as a lawyer. He 
was one of the oldest and most-sought-for at- 
torneys of the count}'. 

'■From a very early period of his life, 5Ir. 
Blake took an interest, and, for the most part, 
a veiy active interest, in politics. He was a 
stump-speaker when a mere boy, and is said 
to have been a good one. In 1836, when 
Harrison was first run by the AYhigs for Presi- 
dent, Jlr. Blake took an active part in the cam- 
paign, advocating Harrison's election from the 
stump. Again, in 1840, he was a host in that 
memorable campaign — rousing that enthusiasm 
which bore ' Old Tippecanoe ' on a ground 
swell into the White House. From that time 
forward, he was thoroughl}' identified with the 
Whig party, and afterward with the Republican 
party. He was a popular and an effective 
speaker. Few could arouse the enthusiasm of 
a crowd equal to Blake ; yet he never con- 
sciously used the tricks of oratory to provoke 
applause, or shammed a sentiment he did not 
feel. The secret of his iuflueuce as a sjieaker 



was alone in his intense earnestness and sin- 
cerity. 

" Mr. Blake, with a single exception, was uni- 
formly successful in his political career. In 
184G, he was elected to the Lower House of the 
State Legislature, and re-elected in 1817. the 
terms of service being one j"ear under the nM 
Constitution. After that, he was twice elected 
to the State Senate, at the last session being 
chosen Speaker, there being no such office then 
as Lieutenant Governor. The contest over the 
election of Speaker was protracted and bitter. 
The Free-Soil party was then coming on the 
stage, and held the balance of power in the Sen- 
ate. The Whigs and Free-Soilers finally coal- 
esced and elected Blake Speaker on the three 
Jiundred and first ballot. The balloting had been 
going on from the 13th to the 28th of December. 
The ill-feeling engendered during this pro- 
tracted struggle did not end with the conflict, 
but it rankled in the defeated party to such an 
extent that intimations and threats of resorting 
to force to oust the new Speaker were frecl\' 
and openh' made ; for days the Speaker carried 
defensive weapons to the chair, resolved to 
maintain at all hazards the authority with 
which he was inti-usted. In 1848, Mr. Blake's 
support was early enlisted in favor of Mr. Van 
Buren, the Free-Soil candidate for President, 
and, although he voted for him, the campaign 
had not progressed far before his preferences 
were transferred to ' Old Zach Taylor,' and he 
was afterward an ardent supporter of his ad- 
ministration. 

" Mr. Blake began his legislative work on the 
da}- he first took his seat in the Legislature by 
introducing a bill to repeal the infamous 
' Blade Laws ' which then disgraced our stat- 
ute books. The measure was opposed by Val- 
landigham and his party, who succeeded in 
deferring the reform until years afterward. 
Mr. Blake served two terms in Congress. In 
1858, Mr. Spink, who had been elected from 
this district to the Thirty-sixth Congress, died 



-.t^ 



:t. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



before that body met, and Mr. Blake was elect- 
ed in his place, serving his first term under 
Buchanan's administration. In ISGO, Mr. 
Blake was re-elected, serving through the Thir- 
ty-seventh Congress under Lincoln's adminis- 
tration. In this term, he was on the Commit- 
tee on Post Offices, and, in that capacity-, 
originated, reported and secured the passage of 
the bill which gave to the couutrj- the present 
post office monej'-order system. This measure 
of itself is sufficient to place his name honora- 
blj' in history so long as this piece of legisla- 
tion is remembered. He bore a conspicuous 
part in the financial legislation of this period, 
and proved a practical and influential member 
in these most important Congresses. Of late 
j'ears, he declined to do much speaking, and 
seldom could be prevailed upon to go outside 
of the county in a political campaign. We 
could count on him for two or three speeches 
in ordinarj' campaigns, at several points in the 
county', but even then he would insist that he 
was ' only an exhorter,' and not down for a 
set speech. He never carried his political 
prejudices and antipathies into social or private 
life. Some of his warmest peisonal fri^'uds 
were of opposite political opinions. 

" During Lincoln's administiation, Mr. Blake 
was oflTered the governorship of one of the 
Territories, but declined it. Pie was in the 
military service as Colonel of the One Hun- 
dred and Sixtj'-sixth Regiment, serving in de- 
fense at Washington, in 1S64. He was at one 
time Deputy United States Collector for this 
district, and for manj- years was successively 
chosen Mayor of this village by the almost 
unanimous vote of the people. 

"After a period of sickness, in 1872, it wns 
the hope of his friends th-.it he would cease his 
unremitting application to business and in- 
dulge in the recreation of travel ; and his 
warm personal friend, Hon. James Monroe, 
without his knowledge, secured for him the 
appointment from the State Department as 



Consul General at Palermo, Sicih", the oldest 
historical town in the world, filled with works 
of art, and in a climate absolutely perfect. A 
year's residence there would have been a lease 
of life for a quarter of a century. The temp- 
tation was great, and the solicitations of hi.s 
friends were urgent, but his devotion to bus- 
iness and his disinclination to go al)road pre- 
vailed, and he declined the offer. His name 
was prominently and generally mentioned in 
the fall of 1875 in connection with the Repub- 
lican nomination for (rovernor, but he positive- 
I3' declined to permit his friends to canvass for 
him, his choice being Gov. Hayes. The Re- 
publican State Convention of 1870 placed him 
upon the ticket as Presidential Elector for the 
Eighteenth District, a distinction which gave 
him unalloyed pleasure. 

"We must not omit in this connection, while 
our columns are in mourning for our fellow- 
townsman who bore so distinguished a part in 
wider fields of action, to mention that, in his 
busy life, he found time to undertake the oner- 
ous caves and labors of the journalist. The 
files of the Gazette bear his honored name as 
editor. We have looked them o\er with pecu- 
liar interest, and find the impress of his char- 
acter on eveiy page. He slighted nothing. 
The planting of a tree on tlie village green ; 
the election of a Constable in the woodiest 
township of the county ; the dissection of the 
latest tariff measure, or the policy of the Ad- 
ministration, each received due attention. He 
had the versatilit}- and readiness of the born 
newspaper man, and he never enjoyed himself 
anywhere as he did in the sanctum or printing 
office, tumbling over the exchanges and gossip- 
ping about the 'busy world, its fluctuations 
and vast concerns.' 

"He was nuuried, January 1, 1840, to the 
daughter of William Bell, of Seville, the little 
girl who met him the day he first came to 
town. Thej- had six children, onl}' two of 
whom are liviutr." 



^^ 



-t> 



338 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



We append a complete list of the gentlemen 
who have served the county in the various posi- 
tions of Senators and Representatives in the 
State Legislature. Judges of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, Judges of the Probate Court, and in 
the various oHicial positions of county respon- 
sibility, for which the writer is indebted to the 
painstaking researches of Hon. F. R. Loomis. 

The list also includes the residence, when 
elected, the year of taking office, and the term 
of service. It will be observed, that from 1803 
until 1S51, the members of the General As- 
sembly were elected under the old constitution 
for a term of one year. Under the present con- 
stitution, adopted in 18j0, the members ai-e 
elected biermialiy. 

SEN.VTORS. 

1. David Abbott, Portage County, 1808, i years. 

2. Peter Hitchcock, Geauga County, 1812, 4 years. 

3. Aaron Wlieelcr, Ashtabula County, 1810, 3 years. 

4. Almon Rugjles, Cuyahoga County, 181 'i, 3 years. 

5. John Campbell, County, 181S, 2 years. 

6. Jonathan Foster, Portage County, ISi^O, 2 years. 

7. Jonathan Sloan. Portage Couuty, 1822-27, 4 years. 

8. Aaron Norton, Portage County, 1824, 1 year 

9. Elk.auah Richardson, Portage County, 1S2"), 1 year. 

10. Reuben Wood, Cuyahoga County, 182-<, 2 years. 

11. John W. Willcy, Cuyahoga County, IS'O, 3 years. 

12. Frederick Whittlesey, Lorain County, 1833, 2 years. 

13. John W. Allen, Cuyahoga County, 183o, 1 year. 

14. James Moore, Medina County, 183G, 2 years. 

15. Herman Birch, Lorain County, 1838, 2 years. 

16. James S. Cirpenter. Medina County, 1840, 2 years. 

17. Josiah Harris, Lorain County, 1842, 2 years. 

18. John Codding, .Medina County, 1844, 2 years. 

19. Xaihan P. Johnson, Lorain (^ounty, 1846, 2 years. 

20. Harrison G. Blake, Medina County, 1848, 2 years. 

21. Aaron Pardee, Medina County, 18-50, 3 years. 

22. Norton S. Towushcud, Lorain County, 18 jo, 2 years. 

23. Herman Canfield, Medina County, IS-J.j, 4 years. 

24. James Monroe, Lorain County, 1859, 3 years. 

25. Samuel Humphreville, Medina County, 1S02, 3 

years. 

26. L. 1). Oriswold, Lor.ain County, 18(35, 4 years. 

27. James .V. Bell, Medina County, 1809, 4 years. 

28. Andrew M. Burns. Richland County, 1873, 4 years. 

29. Thomas M. Beer, Aslihin 1 Cuunty, 1S77, 4 years. 

30. RoUin A. Horr, Lorain County, 1879. 



REPRESENT.VTIVES. 

1. Abel Sabin, Portage Couuty, 1808, 1 year. 

2. Benjamin Wheadon, Portage County, 1809, 1 year. 

3. Elias Harraan, Portage County, 1810, 2 years. 

4. Real McArthur, Portage County, 1812, 3 years. 

5. Moses .\dams, Portage County, 1815, 1 year. 

6. Darius Lyman, Portage County, 1816, 2 year?. 

7. Jonathan Foster, Portage County, 1818, 2 years. 

8. Jonathan Sloan, Portage County, 182i', 2 years. 

9. James Moore, Medina County, 1820-27, 5 years. 

10. Geo. B. Dcpeyster, Portage County, 1822, 2 years. 

11. Joseph Harris, Medina County, 1822. 1 year. 

12. Jacob Ward, Medina County, 1824, 1 year. 

13. PhiloWelton, .Medina County, 182G-35, 2 years. 

14. Josiah Harris, Lorain County, 1828-00. 2 years. 

15. William Eyies, Medina County, 1820-31, 2 yiars. 

16. Duthan Northrup, Medina County, 1832, 2 years. 

17. John Xewton, Medina County, 1834-36, 2 years. 

18. John Codding, Medina County, 1837, 2 years. 

19. James S. Carpenter, Medina County, 1839, 1 year. 

20. Albert A. Bliss, Lorain County. 1840, 2 years. 

21. Lorenzo Warner, Brunswick,^ 1841, 1 year. 

22. Richard Warner. Sharon, 1842, 2 years. 

23. Earle Moulton, La Fayette, 1844, 2 years. 

24. Harrison G. Blake, Medina, 1846, 2 years. 

25. .Tames C. Johnson, Seville, 1848-51, 4 years. 

26. Philip Thomson, Montville, 1849, 1 year, 

27. Edwin H, Sibley, Harrisville, 1853, 2 years. 

28. James \. Bell, Seville, 1855, 4 years. 

29. John Sears, Litchfield, 18-59, 2 ye:>rs. 

30. Myron C. Hills, Granger, 18-J9, 4 ye.ars. 

31. James A. Root, Brunswick, 1863, 2 years. 

32. Hiram Bronson, Medina, 1865, 4 years. 

33. Albert Munson, River Styx. 1869, 4 years. 

34. Finney R. Lo'imis, Harrisvine, 1S73, 2 years. 

35. E. Smith Perkins, Wcymouih, 1-^75, 4 years. 

36. Alvan D. Licey, River Styx, 1879. 

Under the Constitution of 1S02. the Judges 
of Common Pleas Court in each county con- 
sisted of a President Judge, whose jurisdiction 
extended over a defined circuit, including a 
certain number of counties, and three Associ- 
ate Judges, who were to be residents of the 
county in which they held court, and had juris- 
diction. These Judges were each elected for a 
term of seven years, by a joint ballot of both 
Houses of the General Assembly. 

*From this date Medina ct.'iistituted a district alone. 



Vf 



J '^j >> 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



239 



PRESIDENT JUDGES. 

1. George Tod, Warren, Ohio, 1816, 14 years. 

2. Keubcn Wood, Rockport, Ohio, 1830, 3 years. 

3. JIatthew Burchard, Warren, Ohio, 1833, 1 year. 

4. Ezra Dean, Wooster, Ohio, 1834, 7 years. 

h. Jacob I'arker, Mansfield, Ohio. 1841, 7 years. 

6. Levi Cox, Wooster, Ohio, 1818, 4 years. 

ASSOCIATE JUDGES. 

1. Joseph Harris, Lodi, 1818, 5 years.' 

2. Isaac Welton, Richfield, 1818, 7 years. 

3. Frederick Brown, WaJsworlh, 1818, 14 years. 

4. Noah M. Bronson, Medina, 1823, 7 years. 

5. John Freese, Brunswick, 1825, 7 ysa>-s. 
G. Reuben Smith, Me.lina, 1830, 6 years. 

7. John Newton, Richfield, 1832, 2 .^ ears. 

8. Allen Pardee, Wadsworth, 1832, 14 years. 

9. Orson M. Ovialt, Richfield, 1834, G years. 

10. Benjamin Lindsley, Medina, 1835, 1 year. 

11. Rhilo Welton, Montville, 1837, 3 years. 

12. Stephen N. Sargent, Medina, 1839. 7 years. 

13. William Eyles, Wadswo-th, 1840, 7 years. 

14. Charles Castle, Medina, 1846, 6 years. 

15. Henry Hosmer, Seville, 1847, 6 ye.ars. 
IG. Josiah Piper, Hinckley, 1847, 5 years. 

JUDGES UNDER CONSTITUTION OF 1S51. 

1. Samuel Humphreville, Medina, Ohio, 1852, 5 

years. 

2. .Tames S. Carpenter, Akron, Ohio, 1857, 5 years. 

3. W, 11. Canfield, Medina, Ohio, 18G0, 6 years. 

4. Stephen Burke, Elyria, Ohio, 1862, 6 years. 

6. W. W. Boynton, Elyria, Ohio, 1868, 9 ye.ars. 

6. Samuel W. McClure, Akron, Ohio, 1870, 5.} years. 

7. Newell D. Tibbals, Akron, Ohio, 1876, present in- 

cumbent. 

8. John C. Hale, Elyria, Ohio, 1877, present incum- 

bent. 

PROBATE JUDGES. 

This office was not known in this State until 
the adoption of the Constitution of 18.50, and, 
in October of tlie following year, the first Pro- 
bate Judge of Medina County was elected. 

1. Cidvin B. Prentiss, Medina, 18.52, 3 years. 

2. Henry Warner, Spencer, 1855, 6 years. 

3. Samuel G. Barnard, Medina, 1861, 6 years. 

4. George W. Lewis, Medina, 1867, 6 years. 

5. Charles G. Codding, Medina, 1873, 6 years. 

6. Albert Munson, River Styx, 1879. 



CLERKS OF THE COURT. 

The provision of the Constitution of 1802, 
was as follows : Section 9. Each court shall 
appoint its own (^lerk for the term of seven 
years ; but no person shall be appointed Clerk, 
except pro tempore, who shall not produce to 
the court appointing him, a certificate from a 
majority of the Judges of the Supreme Court 
that they judge him to be well qualified to exe- 
cute the duties of the office of Clerk to any 
court of the same dignitj' with that for which 
he offers himself Th^y shall be removable for 
breach of good behavior, at any time, by the 
Judges of the respective courts. 

1. John Freese, Brunswick, 1818, 5 years. 

2. Timothy Hudson, Wadsworih, 1823, 14! years. 

3. William N. Pardee, Wadsworth, 1837, 7 years. 

4. Edward L. Warner, Medina, 1842, 7 yoArs. 

5. Herman Canfield, Medina, 1849, 2} years. 

6. John B. Young, Medina. 1852, 3 years. 

7. Oscar S. Codding, Granger, 1855, 6 years. 

8. Asaph Severance, Jr., Hinckley, 1861, 3 years ; 

re-elected in 186", but died j ust before entering 
upon his second term. 

9. W. H. Hayslip, Medina, 1804, 7 ye.ars. 

10. Joseph Andrew, Medina, 1871, 6 years. 

11. George Hayden, Sharon, 1877, present incumbent. 

PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. 

1. Luther Blodget, , 1819, 6 months. 

2. Reuben Wood, Rocky River, 1820, G mo.iths. 

3. Booz M. Atherton, Medina, 1820, 4J years. 

4. Jonathan Sloan, Ravenna, 1825, 1 month. 

5. Charles Olcott, Medina, 1825, 5 years; and 1833, 

4 years. 

6. Edwai'd Aver-r, Wooster, 1829, 6 months. 

7. George Tod, Warren, 1830, 1 year. 

8. William H. Canfield, Medina, 1831, 3 years. 

9. Israel Camp, Medina, 1837, G years. 

10. Samuel Humphreville, Medina, served by appoint- 

ment, for a term or two during Mr. Camp's 
illness. 

11. Whitman Mead, Medina, 1843, 2 years. 

12. Chester T. Hills, Medina, 1845, 4 years; 1869, 1 

year. 

13. Francis D. Kimball, Medina, 1840, 4 years. 

14. Henry McElheiney, Medina, 1853, 2 years. 

15. Charles Castle, Medina, 1855, 2 years. 






^^— ^ 



240 



IIISTOr.Y OF MEDINA COLXTY. 



16. Nathaniel II. Boslwick, Jledina, 1857, 4 year?. 

17. Sleplien B. WooihvuJ. Medina, 1861, 4 jears ; 

1S79, present incumbent. 

18. Charles G. Codding, Medina, 1855, 4 years ; 1870, 

1 year. 

19. William W. Pancoast, MeJin;i, 1871, 2 yeirs. 

20. Eimiir 1 B. Ki-i?, MontviUe, 1873, 2 years. 

21. J. Thurman Graves, Seville, 1875, 4 years. 

TREASURERS. 

The first record in regard to the Treas- 
urers is tlie recorded bond of Rufus Ferris, in 
tiie sum of $3,000, dated June 7, 1821. In the 
absence of further data, it is presumed that 
previous to this time Mr. Ferris slcted in a semi- 
official capacity. 

1. Rufus Ferris, Medina, 1818, 14 yeiirs. 

2. Guslavus v. Willard, Medina, 1832, 7 years. 

3. Isaac R. Henry, Medina, 1839, IJ- years. 

4. James W. Weld, Richfield, 1840, 1 J years. 

5. Charles Castle, York, 1842, 2 years. 

6. Abraham Morton, Medina, 1844, 2 years. 

7. Eli Baldwin, Westfield, 1840,2 years. 

8. William Roof, Brunswick, 1848, 1 year 10 months. 

9. Josiah B. Beckwith, York, 1850, 2 years 2 months. 

10. Robert Carr, Liverpool, 1852, 4 years. 

11. Barney Daniels, Chatham, 1850, 2 years. 

12. Samuel B. Curtiss, Lafayette, 1858, 4 years. 

13. William Shakespeare, Medina, 18G2, 4 years. 

14. Joseph Andrew, Hinckley. 18CG, 4 years. 

15. Samuel .T. Hayslip, Medina, 1870, 4 years. 

16. Hosca P. Foskett, Medina, 1874, 4 years. 

17. Francis B. Clark, Medina, 1878, present incumbent. 

ArDITORS. 

1. .Abraham Freese, Hinckley, 1822, 2 years. 

2. Peter Bcrdan, Brunswick, 1824, 9 years. 
P.. W. H. Canfield, Medina, 1 «;!?., 8 years. 

4. Isaac 11. Henry, Medina. 1841, 2 years. 

5. Charles Lum, Medina, 1843, 2 years. 
G. W. H. Alden, Seville, 1845, 4 years. 

7. Samuel H. Bradley, Medina, 1849, 4 years. 

8. George A. L. Boult, Medina, 1853, 2 years. 

9. Gideon W. Tyler, Granger, 1855, 4 years. 

10. John R. Stebbins, Medina, 1850, 4 years. 

11. Alexander R. Whilesides, Seville, 1863, 4 years. 

12. Thomas S. Shaw, Chatham, 1867, 4 years. 

13. Henry C. Pardee, Wadsworth, 1871, 4 years. 

14. Shepard L. Dyer, Harrisville, 1875, 4 years. 

15. Chas. J.Chase, WestfielJ, 1880, present iucumbent. 



SUERIFFS. 

1. Lathrop Seymour, Weymouth, 1818, 6 years. 

2. Samuel Y. Potter, Weymouth, 1824, 1 year; died 

in office. 

3. Gustavus V. Wiilard, Medina, 1825, 3 years. 

4. Hiram Bronson, Medina, 1828, "^ years. 

5. Stephen N. Sargent, Medina, 1830, 4 years. 

6. William Root, Medina, 1834, 2 years. 

7. John L. Clark, Medina, 1836, 4 years; 1844, 2 

years. 

8. William H. Alden, Seville, 1840, 3 years. 

9. William T. Welling, Brunswick, 1842, 2 years. 

10. Allen R. Burr, Harrisville, 1846, 4 years. 

11. George W. Jordan, Medina, 1850, 4 years. 

12. John Rounds, Medina, 1854, 4 years and 2 months. 

13. Morgan Andrews, Hinckley, 1859, 4 years. 

14. Jesse Seeley, York, 1863, 2 years. 

15. Lucius C. Sturges, Litchfield, 1865, 4 years. 

16. Nelson W. Piper, Medina, 18G9, 4 years. 

17. Oscar P. Phillips, La F.ayette, 1873, 2 years. 

18. Samuel Scott, Medina, 1875, 2 years. 

19. Charles E. Parmelee, Liverpool, 1877, present in- 

cumbent. . 

RECORDERS. 

1. John Freese, Brunswick, 1818, 5 years. 

2. Timothy Hudson, Wadsworth, 1823, 13 years. 

3. Oviatt Cole, Litchfield, 1836, 6 years. 

4. David B. .Simmons, Medina, 1812, G years. 

5. Samuel J. Hayslip, Brunswick, 1848, 9 years. 

6. Earle Jloulton, La Fayette, 1857, 6 years. 

7. Ashael Beswick, Medina, 1863, 6 years. 

8. M. Irvine Nash, York, 1869, G years. 

9. Franklin R. Mantz, Chatham, 187-5, present incum- 

bent. 

CORONERS. 

1. Moses Deming, Brunswick, 1818,'4 years. 

2. John Hickox, Medina, 1822, 4 years. 

3. Henry Ilosmer, Seville, 1826, 6 years. 

4. W. R. Chidester, Medina, 1832, 2 years, ('34 1 year) 

'38, '40, '42, 9 years. 

5. William Paull, Granger, 1834, 2 years. 

G. Jonathan Deming, Brunswick, ]!<36, 2 years. 

7. Ransom Clark, Medina, 1S44, 2 years. 

8. Lewis C. Chatfield, Sharon, 1846, 4 years. 

9. Joseph Whitmore, Medina, 1850, 2 years. 

10. .\ddison Olcolt, Medina, 18-52, 4 years. 

11. Jlorgan Andrews, Hinckley, 1850, 4 ycars2 months. 

12. Jofiah B. Beckwith, Medina, 1861, 4 years. 

13. William H. Alden, Medina, 1865, 2 years. 

14. John McCormick, Medina, 1867, 4 years. 



^' 



i fy 



_9 ,?. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



241 



15. Wm. H. Brailw.ay, Medina, 1871, 2 years 4 raontli«'. 

16. Alexamler WhitcsifJes, Meilina. 1 year 8 months. 

17. Hiram Goodwin, Medina, 1875, present iucuiiibem. 



COMMISSIONERS. 



1 
2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

G. 

7. 

8. 

!>. 
10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 

IC. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
2'i. 
24. 
25. 



-, 1818, 1 year and 7 months. 



28. 
20. 
30. 
31. 
32. 
33. 
34. 
35. 
3G, 
37. 
38, 
39, 
40, 
41 
42 
43 



Miles Clark, - 

Timothy l)oan, Weymouth, 1818, 2 years. 
Andrew Deming. Lrunswick, 1818, 2 years and 7 
months. 

John Bigelow, Richfield, 1819, 3 years. 

Stephen Sibley, Grafton, 1820, 4 years. 

Ebenezer Hiirris, Harrisville, 1820, 3 years. 

William Eyles, Wadsworth, 1822, 6 years. 

Wiley Hamilton, Westfield, 1823, 3 years. 

John Codding, Granger, 1824. (1 years. 

Seth Warden, Liverpool, 182U, 3 years. 

Rufus Vaughn, Westfield, 1823, 6 years. 

John Newton, Richfield, 1829, 3 years. 

Jonathan Starr, Copley, 1830, G years. 

S:>muel Stoddard, Medina, 1832, 3 years. 

Alexander Forbes, York, 1834, 3 years; and Litch- 
field. 1840, 3 years. 

Henry Ho.'imer, Seville, 1835, 3 years. 

James F. Leonard, , 1836, 3 years. 

Curtiss Bullard, Hinckley, 1837, 3 years. 

Elisha Hinsdale, Norton, 1838, 1 year and 3 months. 

Timothy Burr, Harrisville, 1839, 3 years. 

Richard Warner, Sharon, 1840, 8 months. 

Sheldon W. Johnson, Sh.aron, 1840, 4 ye.ars. 

John Tanner, Homer, 1842, 3 years. 

Jabish Castle, Brunswick, 1843, 3 years. 

Sherman Loomis, Wadsworth, 1844, 3 years. 

William Packard, Chatham, 1845, 3 years. 

Lucius Warner, Liverpool, 184G, 3 years. 

Joseph Ovcrholt, Guilford, 1847, 3 years. 

Francis Young, Gr.anger, 1848, 3 years. 

Solomon Halliday, Litchfield, 1849, 3 years. 

Jonathan Simmons, Westfield, 1850, 3 years. 

Carr G. Rounds, La Fayette, 1851, 3 years. 

James M. Henderson, Hinckley, 1852, 3 years. 

James S. Redficld, Harrisville, 1853, 3 years. 

William Crane 2d, Sharon, 1854, 3 years. 

Thomas S. Seeley, Litchfield, 1855, 3 years. 

Samuel Jliller, Guilford, 1856, 3 years. 

Jacob H. Wclcher, Spencer, 1857, 3 years. 

Arza Pearson, York, 18.58, 3 years. 

John W. Stowe, Brunswick, 1859, 3 years. 

George W. Wise, Wadsworth, 18G0, 3 years. 

Russell B. Smith, Chatliam, 1801, never qualified. 

Joshua Bernard, Ch.itham, 1862, 8 months. 



44. Wilson Mahan, Homer, 1852, 8 years. 

45. Joseph Filch, Madina, 18G2, 1 year ; died in office. 

46. E. A. Tillotson, Liverpool, 1863, 6 years. 

47. L. J. Parker, Hinckley, 1863, 2 years and 6 months. 

48. Nathan W. Whedon, Hinckley, 1866, 2 years and G 

months. 
19. Joseph S ISoise, Westfield, 1868, G years. 
.30. Joseph P. Wyman, Brunswick, 1869, 8 months; 

dieil in office. 

51. Alexander R. Whitesides, Medina, 1870, 4 mouths. 

52. William Kennedy, Brunswick, 1870, 8 years. 

53. Benjamin Burt, Granger, 1870, 6 years. 

54. F. M. Asliley, Litchfield, 1874, 6 years. 

55. Spencer F. Codding, Hinckley, 1876, present in- 

cumbent. 

56. Frank Mills, W.adsworth, 1878, present incumbent. 

57. Sherman B. Rogers, Harrisville, 1880, present in- 

cumbent. 

SUUVETORS. 

1. James Moore, Medina, 1820, 5J years. 

2. Nathaniel Bell, Guilford, 1826, 11 years. 

3. Whitman Jltad. Medina, 1837, 1 year 3 months. 

4. Abel Dickinson, Wadsworth, 1838, 4 months. 

5. Abraham Freese, Brunswick, 1838, 6 years. 

6. William F. Moore, Lafayette, 1844, G years. 

7. Zachery Beam, Weymouth, 1850, G years. 

8. Alonzo Beebe, Granger, 1856, 6 years. 

9. Wiraam P. Clark, Montville, 1862, 6 years. 

10. Flavins J. Wheatley, Granger, 1868, 6 years. 

11. Amos D. Sheldon, Lafayette, 1874, present incum- 

bent. 

INFIRMARY DIRECTORS. 

1. E. A. Warner, Jledina, 1854, 6 months. 

2. Henry H. Hlbbard, Medina, 1854, 1 year. 

3. Hosea Foskelt, La Fayette, 1854, 1 year. 

4. John Albro, Medina, 18-35, 6 months. 

5. Joshua Bernard, Chatham, 1855, 4 years. 

6. Garrett Spitzer, La Fayette, 1855, 5 years. 

7. Pembertou Rand.all, La Fayette, 1855, 6 years. 

8. James R. Newton, Westfield, 1859, 3 years. 

9. Charles Eddy, Montville, 1860, 6 years. 

10. William D. Prouty, La Fayette, 1861, 3 years. 

11. Henry K. Noble, Litchfield, 1862, 3 years. 

12. Roswell Williams, La Fayette, 1864, 6 years 

13. Albert Rounds, La Fayette, 1865, 9 years. 

14. Lyman Pritchard, Medina, 18G6, G years. 

15. S. H. Pomroy, Westfield, 1870, 6 years. 

16. J. B. Chase, La Fsiyette, 1872, present incumbent. 

17. .\braham Depew, York, 1874, 3 years. 



•? 



-<- K- 



A. 



-^!A 



312 



HISTOUY OF MEDINA COUKTY. 



18. Sam'l B. Curliss, MeJina. 187(5. present incumbent. 
10. Amos Giirtlner, York, 1877, present incumbent. 



SUI'ERINTE.VDEXTS. 

1. Cicorge W. Jordan, MeJina, 1854, LS jear3. 

2. Abel Coslwicli, La I'ayelte, 1850, G montbs. 



3. William .Slowcll, Cbaiham,- IS.'iG, •" ^'cars. 

4. John rLOun<ls, Medina, 1850, 3 3'ear3. 

5. S. H. Pomeroy, Westfield, 1862, 7 years. 
G. Merit Nichols, Weymouih, 18*59, 5 years. 
7. William F. Nye, Westlield, 1874, prcaeut 

bent. 



CHAPTER III.* 

IIISTORV OF THE Pll01T:?.''rONS— TUE BENCH AND BVl! UNDER THE OLD AND NEW CONSTITC- 
TION.S— .MEMBERS OF THE MEDINA COUNTV BAR— THE MEDICAL FRATER- 
NITV — EARLY EPIDEMICS — MEDICAL SOCIETY- 
MEMBERS OF THE PROFESSION. 

Land titles have 



THE history of the licnch and liar of 3Iedina 
CountT is ]ii-(jbahly not materially different 
from that of other rural couittics in this part of 
the State, except in the names of the Judges of 
the Court of Common Pleas and of the lawyers 
practicing In the courts. The names of all the 
Judges and lawyers practicing at the bar of 
this county, with a full biography of each, 
would occupy more space than can proper!}- be 
devoted to that subject, and would be more 
tlian the author of this brief '• History of the 
Bench and Bar of Medina County " is capable 
of giving, for want of tli(> necessary informa- 
tion. 

It has been said by those capable of judging, 
that the bar of Medina County would compare 
favorably with that of any county in this part 
of the State, and we certainly have had as able 
and upright Judges as any other county. The 
writer caiue to this county to live on the 10th 
day of June, 1834, and has lived here ever 
since, and from personal observation, and from 
information of others of the names and charac- 
ters of those before his time, he has no doubt 
of tlie truth of the above statement. 

The people of this county have, in the main, 
been peaceable and quiet, and there has probably 
been less litigation here than in most comities 



'^ Contributed by Judge Samuel Hunipbrtville aTid Dr. E. O. 



of its size and population, 
as a general thing, been indisputably good, 
consequently there have been few - land cases," 
and. as the jjcople have been honest and law- 
abiding, tliere have been comparatively few 
criminal cases in the courts. 

Under the Constitution of 1802, the Judges 
of all the courts were elected by the General 
Assembly for seven years each, and the Judges 
of the Supreme Court, four in number, were, 
as a general rule, selected from the best men in 
the State for that important position. For the 
Supreme Court in the several counties, holden 
tiy two Judges, the State was divided into two 
circuits or divisions, two Judges taking each 
circuit. 

The first Supreme Court in Mctlina County 
was held in September. 1820. l)y the Hon. Calvin 
Pease and the Hon. Peter Hitchcock, who ap- 
l)car to have been among the earliest Judges in 
the State. Judge Hitchcock was a very able 
and upright Judge, always at the place of duty, 
which duty he discharged to the general satis- 
faction. 

The first case tried to a jury in the Supreme 
Court of ^ledina was that of Daniel Bronson 
against Justus Warner. JIoscs Deming. Aaron 
^Varncr anil Truman Walker, in an action on 
the case for a conspiracy. This case had been 
tried in the Court of Common Pleas, and the 




>^<^c-<x-^t-i2_-e-' 



:hi\ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



245 



plaintiff had recovered a judgment for ^300, 
but the defendants appealed to the Supreme 
Court, and there the plaintiff was defeated with 
costs. The .Judges wlio attended the Supreme 
Court in Medina were Calvin Pease, Peter 
Hitchcock, .John McLane, Jacob Burnet, Charles 
R. Sherman, Joshua Collett, Henry Brush, 
Ebenezer Lane, John C. Wright, Reuben Wood, 
Matthew Birchard, Edward Avery and perhaps 
others. This court held but one term in the 
year, usually in September. 

The business of the court generally pro- 
gressed in the usual humdrum manner of most 
courts, but occasion.ally an incident would oc- 
cur worth relating. The Hon. Judge Collett 
was an honest, simple-minded, incorruptible 
Judge. At one term of the court when he 
was on the bench, a case was called for trial, 
wherein the surnames of plaintiff and defendant 
were alike. George W. AVilley, an eccentric, 
waggish attorney, represented the plaintiff. 
When the case was called. Judge Collett said: 
"Mr. Willey, what relation do these parties 
bear to each other?" Mr. Willey replied, 
" Your honor they bear the relation of plaintiff 
and defendant." The Judge then said, '■ Do 
they bear any other relation to each other? " 
Mr. Willey, who could no longer evade the 
question, replied, that the plaintiff was a son of 
the defendant." The Judge straightened him- 
self up in his chair, apparently- in great sur- 
prise and said, " What, a son sue his father! I 
never heard of such, a thine/." After waiting 
awhile, he turned to Mr. Willey, and, in a 
peculiar tone, said: "Well, Mr. Wille}', you 
may go on, if you think best." But Mr. Willey, 
under the circumstances, did not think best " to 
go on," and discontinued his action, to the great 
amusement of the bar and the spectators in 
court. 

The Supreme Conrt, as thus constituted, 
continued to be holden until the adoption of 
the constitution of 1S.t1, when it was super- 
seded by the "District Court" as provided for 



by that constitution. The constitution of 1851 
provides that the District Court of the several 
counties shall be holden by one of the Judges 
of the Supreme Court, and the Judges of the 
Ccurt of Common Pleas of the disti'ict, any 
three of whom shall constitute a quorum. At 
the election for Supreme Judges in 1851, the 
Judges elected were William B. Caldwell, 
Thomas W. Bartley, John A. Corwin, Allen G. 
Thurman and Rufus P. Ranney. 

The first District Court for Medina County 
was holden in 1852, the Hon. Thomas W. Bart- 
ley, Supreme Judge, presiding, and Lucius B. 
Otis, Samuel Starkweather and Samuel Hum- 
phreville, Judges of the Court of Common 
Pleas in the several subdivisions of the Fourth 
Judicial District. At the election in 1851, Hon. 
Lucius B. Otis was elected Common Pleas 
Judge in the First Subdivision, Samuel Hum- 
phreville in the Secoud, and Samuel Stark- 
weather, in the Third Subdivision. The Fourth 
District contains nine counties. The counties 
of Lucas, Sandusky, Ottawa, Erie and Huron, 
constitute the First; the counties of Lorain, 
Blediua and Summit, the Second, and the county 
of Cuyahoga, the Third Subdivision of the 
Fourth Judicial District. At the first election, 
under the present constitution, only one Judge 
was elected in and for each subdivision of the 
district, but now the business of the courts has 
increased to such an extent that it has been 
necessary to increase their number, so that 
there are in the First Subdivision, five Judges, 
in the Second, two, and in the Third, six Judges, 
making in all, thirteen Judges to do the busi- 
ness which, in 1852, was easily done by three. 

The business of the District Court continued 
for several years to be done hy one Supreme 
Judge, and three Judges of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, until the business of the Supreme 
Court became so great that the General Assem- 
bly passed a law to relieve the Supreme Judges 
from Circuit or District Court duty, since which 
time the District Court has been holden bv the 



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24G 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



Juflges of the Courts of Common Pleas ia the 

district. 

This court h.is not given general satisfaction, 
and there is great anxiety for some reform in 
our judiciary system, so as to relieve the busi- 
ness of the county from the incubus of the 
" District Court." The Judges are usuallj' 
awa^- from home and are so anxious to get 
through with the business of the court, that 
they seldom take sufficient time to give the 
cases suiimittcd to them that tliorough examina- 
tion and consideration which their merits, and 
frequently their intrieacj-, requires. Their de- 
cisions are frcfjuently reversed by the Supreme 
Court, and often the decision of the District 
Court is reversed, and that of Common Pleas 
in the same case, affirmed. All this is calcu- 
lated to bring the District Court into merited 
disrepute, and it puts litigants to great and 
often nnnecessar3' dela}- and expense. It is 
believed the District Court in and for Medina 
County is not, in these respects, materially 
different from that of other counties in the 
State, judging from the reports of the Supreme 
Court. 

The first Court of Common Pleas held in 
Medina County was on the 8th day of April, 
1818 ; present as Judges, Frederick Brown, 
Senior Associate Judg»2, Isaac Welton and 
Joseph Harris. Associates. This court was 
held for the purpose of organization and ap- 
pointment of a Clerk. John Freese was ap- 
pointed Clerk, pro tern., and also Recorder for 
the county. Some other liusiness was trans- 
acted not directly connected with the law 
business of the court. On the 7th day of 
July, another term of tiiis court was held by 
the same Judges, and Luther Blodgct was ap- 
pointed Prosecuting .\ttorncy. and Joini Freese 
was re-appointed Clerk pro tern. At this 
term, two civil actions were commenced. The 
first was Daniel Bron.son against Alpiieus ^\'a^•- 
ncr, and the second was tlie same Daniel Bron- 
son against Justus Warner, Moses Deming 



Aaron Warner and Truman Walker, for a con- 
spiracy. In each of these cases, Isaac B. Lee 
was attorney for the jjlaintiff, and Luther 
Blodget for the defendants. 

The Judges of this court, from the organiza- 
tion of the county, in 1818. up to the time of 
the adoption of the present constitution, in 
1851, were as follows : When the county was 
organized, in 1818, Hon. George Tod was Pres- 
ident Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, his 
office expiring in lS2.'i. when he was re-elected 
by the General Assembly for se\-cn years. He 
served in that capacity until 18;'j0. when Reu- 
ben Wood was elected in his place for seven 
years, but Judge Wood was elected Supreme 
Judge, and, in 1833, Matthew Birchard was 
elected President Judge for the Third Circuit. 
He presided in the court until 1834, when the 
General Assembly detached Medina County 
from the Third Circuit and attached it to the 
Eleventh Circuit, and elected Ezra Dean Presi- 
dent Judge, who served until 1841, when Jacob 
Parker was elected in his place, who served 
until 1848, when Levi Cox was elected. He 
served until 1852, when the then new consti- 
tution legislated him out of office. 

The Associate Judges under the constitution 
of 1802 were as follows: The Judges first 
elected for Medina County were Frederick 
Brown, Senior Associate Judge, and Isaac 
Welton and Joseph Harris, Associates. They 
all served until 182^, when Xoali M. Bronson 
was elected in place of Josepii Harris. In 
1825, John Freeze vras elected Judge in place 
of Isaac Welton. In 1830, Reuben Smith was 
elected Judge, In 1832, Allen J'ardec was 
elected Judge in place of Frederick Brown, 
who, it seems, served for fourteen years. In 
18,32. Joini Newton was elected Judg(! in place 
of Noah y\. Iironson. In 1835, Orson M. Ovi- 
att was elected Judge in place of John New- 
ton. In 183('), Benjamin Lindsley was appoint- 
ed Judge to fill out the unex[)ired term of 
Reuben Smith, but the General Assembly in 



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HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



247 



1837 elected Philo Welton Judge, so that 
Judge Lindsley was only present at two terms 
of court. In 1839, Stephen N. Sargent was 
elected Judge in place of Allen Pardee. In 
1840, Allen Pardee was re-elected, and also 
William Eyles was elected Judge. These were 
elected in place of Isaac Welton and Orson M. 
Oviatt, who both lived in the township of 
Eiclifield, which was set oft' in 1840 to the 
county of Summit, a new county, thereby leav- 
ing two vacancies on the bench. In 1847, 
Henry Hosraer and Josiah Piper were elected 
Judges. In 1848, Charles Castle was elected 
Judge. These last served until February 9 
1852, when they went out of office by virtue of 
the provisions of the constitution of 1851. 

All the Judges who were elected by the Gen- 
eral Assembly were men of high standing in 
the communities in which they lived ; were 
learned in the law, or, at least, the Supreme 
and President Judges of the Court of Common 
Pleas ; were men of fine talents and abilitj', 
and they di.scharged their duties to the gen- 
eral satisfaction of the bar and of the peo- 
ple of the count}-. It might be invidious for 
me to single out any one whose merits might 
excel. The first Associate Judges of Medina 
County were Frederick Biowu, of Wadsworfch. 
He was a farmer, and stood high as a citizen. 
Isaac Welton was a farmer of Richfield, one of 
the early settlers, and a mo " respected citizen. 
Joseph Harris was the fi.- ^ settler in Harris- 
ville, having moved th^ro in 1811 with his 
family. He was a man of great energy, and 
accumulated a li'ge fortune. At the Febru- 
ary term, 1823, George Tod had been re-eleoted 
President Judge. Noah 31. Bronson was elect- 
ed Associate in place of Judge Harris, who 
resigned. Judge Bronson was a wealthy farm- 
er, one of the early settlers of I\Iedina Town- 
ship. Februarv term, 1825, John Freese was 
Associate Judge in place of Isaac Welton, 
whose term had expired. At this term. Charles 
Oleott was apitointed Prosecuting Attornej-, 



with a salary of 150, with an addition of $25 
if he had any business in the Suijrcmc Court. 
Marcii term, 1832, Allen Pardee, of Wads- 
worth, was elected Associate in place of Judge 
Brown, who had served fourfeen years, or two 
terms, with honor. Judge Pardee was a suc- 
cessful merchant. He was born about 1791, in 
Skaneateles, Onondaga Co., N. Y. He settled 
in Wadsworth in 1818 or 1819, where he has 
ever since lived, and is now an honored and 
respected citizen of that place. In 1830, Reu- 
ben Smith, a merchant of Jledina, was elected 
Judge in place of John Freese. He served 
acceptably for seven years, after which he re- 
moved to Wisconsin, whore he died a lew 
years ago, in a good old age, highly respected. 
In 1835, Orson M. Oviatt was elected Judge 
in place of John Newton. Judge Oviatt was a 
wealthy farmer and merchant of Richfield, who 
served until 1840, when Richfield was set off 
to Summit County. lu 1836, Benj. Lindsley 
served by appointment of the Governor for two 
terms only, when Philo Welton, a farmer of 
Montville, and afterward of Wadsworth, was 
elected in his place. In 1839. Stephen N. Sar- 
gent was elected Judge, in place of Allen Par- 
dee. Judge Sargent was born in Massachusetts 
and came to Medina in 1818. He was a suc- 
cessful merchant, and in 1858, he removed to 
Iowa, where he died in 18(50. In 184^), Allen I'ar- 
dce was re-elected Judge, and at the same time, 
William Eyles, a farmer of Wadsworth, was 
elected one of the Associate Judges. Judge 
Eyles was a man of sterling integritj', of un- 
doubted abilitj-, and discharged the duties of 
Judge to the entire satisfaction of all. In 
184G, Charles Castle, a lawyer of JMedina, was 
elected an Associate Judge, and after iiis elec- 
tion he freijuently presided in court, in the ab- 
sence of the President Judge, and always gave 
good satisfaction. In 1847, Henry Hosmer, a 
farmer of Guilford, was elected Judge in place 
of Allen Pardee, and .Josiah Piper, a farmer of 
Hinckley, was elected Judge in place of Will- 






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V 



248 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



iam E3^1es. These last Judges all served until 
February 0, 1852, when hj- the provisions of 
the constitution of 1851, thcj- ceased to be 
Judges. 

The first election under the new constitution 
was held at the October election in 1851, when 
Samuel Hiunphreville. a lawyer of Medina, was 
elected Judge in and for the counties of Lorain. 
JMediua and Summit, comp.isiiig the Second Sub- 
division of the Fourth Judicial District. He 
served for five years, holding raostof llie courts 
in the three couuties, besides sitting in the Dis- 
trict Courts once a year, in the nine counties 
composing the Fourlh District. In Octjbcr 
1S5(!, James S. Carpenter, a lawyer of Akron. 
Summit Count}', was elected Judge. He served 
five 3'ears, when Stevenson Burke, a lawyer cf 
Elyri.a, Lorain Caunty, was elected in his place. 
In 18GG, Judge Burke was re-elected Judge, and 
he served until ISCS, when he resigned, and 
Washington W. Boyuton was appointed Judge 
until the next election, when be was elected 
Judge by the people. In 187(5, Judge Boynton 
was elected Supreme Judge, and John C. Hale, 
a lawyer of Elyria. was elected Judge, and he 
is still on the bench. 

In 1859, the General Assembly provided for 
an additional Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas for the Second Subdivision, and William 
H. Canfit'hl. a lawyer of ^Medina, was elcL-ted to 
fill tlie i)lace. lie served five years until 18G4, 
when the oflice of extra Judge was abolished. 
In 1ST2, the General Assembly again provided 
for anotlier additional Judge for the Second 
Subdivision, and Samuel W. !McCluri'. a lawyer 
of Akron, was elected to the judgeship. He 
ser\-ed for five years, when he was succeeded 
b}' Newell ]). Tibi)als, a law3-er of Akron, who 
servwl five years, and was re-elected in 1880 
for another five year.s. 

The scenes in court were .s(/metimes amusing 
and occasionally hiughable, especially under the 
administration of Judge Dean. He often took 
the "bit in his teeth,' aud ran the machine to 



suit himself Atone time a witness was called 
to the stand, who had an infirmity, which, al- 
though it did not affect his mind or memor}-, 
yet made him appear as if intoxicated. Judge 
Dean, although the matter was explained to 
him, refused to let him testifv and ordered him 
to leave the stand. At another time a larceny 
had b.een committed in Medina, and Joseph 
Reao, a colored man, had ferreted out the thief 
and arrested him, and, fearing he might not be 
allowed to testify on account of his color, so 
induced the criminal to confess in the presence 
of a white witness as t-> effect his conviction. 
Reno was ofl'ered as a witness, and the State 
offered to show that he was more than half 
wliite, but Judge Dean would not hear any 
such proof and decided that, b}- '■ inspection." 
Reno was a '• negro," and refused to allow him 
to testify-. At that time, by the laws of Ohio, 
" negroes and mulattoes " were not competent 
witnesses where a white man was a iJarty. On 
another occasion, a small boy had been con- 
victed of petit larceny, and, as the court-room 
was crowded, especially within the bar, the lad 
was made to stand on a chair to receive ad- 
monition and sentence, so he could be seen by 
the Judge, Judge Dean began to talk to the 
bey about the heinousness of his oftcnse, and 
to suggest measures of reform. Among other 
things, he said : "It would bo for your interest 
to put you on a man-of-war, or to send you on 
a whaling voyage." Sherlock J. Andrews, a 
waggish lawyer from Cleveland, immediately 
spoke up so as to be heard by all present and 
said : " Yes, I think a vhaJinfj would do him 
good." Ju Ige Dean gruttly cried out, "Silence 
in the Court ! ' which caused considerable mer- 
riment all over the court-room. 

The law business of the eoiinty, in the earh* 
years of the practice, was chietl_\- done by 
foreign attorneys, that is, by lawyers residing 
out of the county. The attoi-neys who first 
settled in Medina were Booz M. .\lherton and 
Charles Olcott. The exact date when they 



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HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUXTY. 



249 



came, or which came first, is not now known. 
They were both here in 1820 or 1821. Atlier- 
ton stayed here but a few 3"ears, when he re- 
moved to Illinois, where he was livhig at our 
latest information. Charles Olcott was a 
genius. He was born in Connecticut on the 
3d da}- of April, 1793, and was educated there. 
He was a graduate of Yale College, and was 
probably the best-learned man in the profes- 
sion in the county. He was well learned in the 
law, but he seemed to lack judgment to applj' 
his knowledge to the successful practice of the 
law. He was a consistent Abolitionist, and 
wrote several tracts against the evil, and espe- 
cially a book which he called " A Blow at 
Slaver}'," which had a wide circulation. He 
was several times elected Prosecuting Attor- 
ney of the county and discharged his duties 
well. He was undoubtedly the inventor of 
" iron ships." He actually made the invention 
while in college, but he did not at that time so 
perfect it as to procure a patent. In lSo5, he 
went to Washington with his models and speci- 
fications and procured a patent for the inven- 
tion. He endeavored to have the Government 
adopt his plan of ship-liuilding, and to that 
end he wrote to the " Naval I5oard," consisting 
of th.rec retired naval officers, at the head of 
which board was old Commodore Barron. 
They wrote to Olcott that they had taken his 
application under consideration, and had come 
to the deliberate conclusion that iron ships were 
entirely- impracticable. In a year or two the 
Government was building iron ships on Olcott's 
plan. He could never get any allowance from 
the Government for the use of his invention. 
He was never ver}- successful in making money. 
He was stricken with paralysis and finally died 
in the County Infirmary, several years ago. 

AViUiam H. Canfield came to Medina about 
the year 1830, from Trumbull County. Ho 
studied law with Whittlesey & Newton, and 
was admitted to the bar about 1S29 or 1830 ; 
he held the office of County Auditor for many 



years, in connection with the practice of the 
law. He was supposed to be a good lawyer, 
and either alone .or in connection with his part- 
ners he had an e.xtensive practice. In 1850, 
he was elected Judge of the Court of Common 
I'leas for five years, soon after which he re- 
moved to Kansas, where he was elected Judge 
of the Court of Coininon Pleas, in which capac- 
ity he served until his death iu or about 1862 
or 1863. 

Samuel Hum))hreville was born in Berkshire 
County, Mass., Febraary 7, 180S, where he re- 
ceived an academic education, and where he 
studied law with George N. Briggs, then a 
member of Congress and afterward Governor 
of the State. He came to Ohio in 1832, and 
studied with Humphrey & Hail, iu Hudson, un- 
til October, 1833, when he was admitted to the 
fcar in Zauesville. He c.ime to Medina June 
10, 1834, and commenced the practice of the 
law. He has resided iu Medina ever since. He 
lias held several offices by election of the peo- 
ple. In 1849, he was elected a delegate to the 
convention that framed the [iresent constitu- 
tion. In 1851, ho was elected Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas, which office he held 
for five 3-ear3. He was a member of the Sen- 
ate of the State in 1863, 1864 and 1SG5, during 
the most trying scenes of the war of the rebel- 
lion. In 1873, he was elected as a member of 
the third constitutional convention of the State 
of Ohio, which after great labor in 1871. sub- 
mitted a constitution to the people of the State, 
which they rejected by a large majority. Since 
that time, he has retired from public life, and 
almost entirely from the practice of the law. 

Hiram W. Floyd came to Jledina in Augu.st, 
1834, and engaged in the practice of the law 
and he is still in active practice. 

Israel Camp was born in Sharon, Conn., and 
came to ^Medina the latter part of 1834, and 
went into partnership with AVilliam H. Canfield 
in the practice of the law. Ho was a good law. 
ver and an honest man and had the confidence 



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250 



HISTORY OF IvrEDINA COUNTY. 



and good will of all wlio knew him. He died 
of consiii!ij)ti 11 ;i!)i)nt 1840 or 1841. 

Kii:,a'iie I'anlee was bora in Wadsworth 
about, ISl.'i. He studied law witli Humphrey 
& Hall, ia Hudson, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1S:U. He practiced law in V/adsworlh 
a few y('ai'.s, when he weiit to Wooster, Wayne 
Co., where he practiced law for many years. 
lie held the office of Prosecuting Attorney for 
several years. He afterward went to JIadison, 
Wis., where he stayed some years. About two 
or three years ago he returned to Ohio, and is 
now again ia Wooster. 

Aaron Pardee was bora ia SIvaneateles, On- 
ondaga Co., N. Y. He came to Ohio in 1824, 
and settled in Wadsworth. He was admitted 
to the bar ia 1833, and has practiced law ever 
since, and is now one of the active practitioners 
in the county. He has lield some iinportaat 
ofiices, among which was that uf SeiK.lor ia the 
State General Assembly. 

George K. Pardee, a son of Aanju Pardee, 
was admitted to the bar in ISCA). He soon 
went to .\kroii, where he is now ia full practice. 

Doa A. Pardee, also a soa of Aaroa Pardee, 
was admitted to the bar about IStiO or 13G7, 
and practiced ia Jlodiaa uatil the war ct' the 
rebellion broke out, when he entered the sor\ice 
of the Union as Lieutenant Colonel of the Forty- 
second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he 
served with distinctioa, rising in rank to that of 
Brigadier General. At the close of the war, he 
settled in New Orleans, where, after practicing 
law i'or a few years, he was elected a Judge of 
the District Court, which office he now holds. 

I'lilaski ('. Hard wa.s itora in ?>[edina County 
about 1827 or 1828. He was admitted to the 
bar about IRjO, and practiced law in Wads- 
worth until the reb;'llinii broke out, when lie 
went into the service of the Union as Cai)tain 
in the Tweaty-niutli Ohio Volunteer Infuntry. 
At the close of tlu! war, he resumed the prac- 
tice of the law in Wadsworth. where he still is, 
one of the principal lawyers in the county. 



Henry C. Pardee, another son of Aaron Par- 
dee, was admitted to the bar and soon went 
West, where he remained several years, when he 
returned to Medina Countj'. He settled in 
Wadsworth, where he held the office of Post- 
master until about 1870, when he was elected 
Auditor of Jledina Count}', which office be dis- 
ch-irged acceptably fur two terms, when he re- 
sumed the active practice of the law. 

James C. Johnson was born in Guilford, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1840. He has lieen 
several times elejted a Representative ia the 
General Assembly, and has been a candidate 
for several other orfices. Ha has alwajs made 
Seville his home, where he has his law office 
and where he is now in the fu.l practice of his 
profession. 

George W. Chapmaa, about 1S40, was ad- 
mitted to the bar, and practiced in Medina a 
few years, when he went West, and the last 
heard of him he was in Milwaukee, Wi.s. 

Charles Lum was admitted to the bar in 
18'j.S. and practiced in Medina a few \'ears. He 
served one term as County Auditor. He re- 
moved to Wiscoasin, where he engaged in f\trm- 
ing, and where he has held several important 
oIKces, among them County Clerk of Dane 
Count}' and Representative in the Legislature. 

Chester T. Hills was admitted to the bar in 
1838 or 1839. He was several times elected 
Prosecuting Attorney of the count}-, and he was 
a verj- successful lawyer. He was an honest 
maa and a high-minded, inauential citizen. He 
died in 187(1, aged sixty-two years, lamented 
by all who knew him. 

Harrison (i. Blake was a saceessful mer- 
chant, but he studied law and was admitted to 
the bar about 1847 or 1848. He was an im- 
petuous, offhand lawyer, very successful in his 
practice, always fair and oliliging to his oppo- 
nents. He was lionored and respected b}' all. 
Ho was several times elected to the General 
Assembly ; was Speaker of the Senate under 
the old constitution. He was several times 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



251 



elected to Congress, and took liigh rank among 
the members. He died in Jlay, 1876, full of 
honors, and universally lamented. 

William S. M. Abbott was admitted to the 
bar in 1844, and practiced in Medina a few 
3'cars, when ho went West, and is now in Min- 
neapolis, Jlinn, 

Abraham Morton was admitted to the bar in 
1840, and practiced in Medina several j-ears. 
He was elected Treasurer of the county, and 
served one term. He moved to Wisconsin, 
where he has been ever since and now is. 

Calvin B. Prentiss came to Medina from 
Massachusetts. He was elected Probate Judge 
in 1851, and served one term. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1855, and was a very successful 
lawj'er. He died about 1868. 

Herman Canfleld was a practicing lawyer in 
Medina when the war of the rebellion broke 
out, and he entered the service in 1861 as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of the Seventy-second Ohio 
Volunteer Infantry. He served with distinc- 
tion, and was killed at the battle of Pittslnirg 
Landing on the first day of that memorable 
fight. He had held the office of Clerk of 
the Courts in Medina, and other important 
trusts. 

Moses Wright was one of the early lawyers 
in Jlediua, but he ran away about 1830 or 
1831, and has not been heard of since. 

John B. Young was born June 20, 1828, in 
Bloomsburg, Columbia Co., Penn. He came to 
Ohio with his father in 1831. He was elected 
Clerk of the Courts in 1851, and served one 
term of three j'ears. He was admit'iod to the 
bar in September, 185G, and is still in practice 
of the law in Medina. 

Charles G. Codding was born in Granger, 
Medina Co., Ohio, in 1829. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1860. He was elected Prosecut- 
ing Attorney in 1865, and served two terms. 
In 1872, he was elected Probate Judge, and 
served two terms. He is now in full practice 
of the law in Medina. 



Joseph Andrew, while at college, enlisted in 
the Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantiy 
(Garfield's regiment), in 1861. In a battle in 
the rear of Vicksburg, May 22, 1863, he lost his 
right arm, in consequence of which he was dis- 
charged from the service. In 1865, he was 
elected Treasurer of the County of Medina, in 
which capacity he served two terms. In 1870, 
he was elected Clerk of the Courts, and served 
two terms. He was admitted to the bar in 
1871. and is now in full practice in Medina. 

Stephen B. Woodward was born in North- 
ampton, now in Summit County, in 1820. He 
was admitted to the bar in ISotl. He has fre- 
quently been elected Prosecuting Attorney, and 
now holds that office. He is now in full prac- 
tice in Medina. 

Nathaniel H. Bostwick was born in Bloom- 
field, Ontario Co., N. Y., June 20, 1828. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1S52, and is now 
here in fub practice. 

Samuel G. Bai-nard was born in 1828, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1852. and is in prac- 
tice in Jledina. He held the office of Probate 
Judge two terms. 

William F. Moore and Robert English prac- 
ticed law to some extent. English is dead, and 
Moore went West some years ago, where he is 
supposed to be now living. 

Isaac E. Henry practiced law many 3-ears ago. 
lie left here years ago, and it is not known 
where he is at this time. 

Judson D. Benedict also practiced here some 
time. He went to the State of New York, 
where he was at last accounts. 

William W. Pancoast was admitted to the bar 
and had some practice. He was elected Prose- 
cuting Attornej- and served one term, and 
finally ran away about 1874, and his where- 
abouts is not kiftwn. 

Pioswell C. Curtis was born in this county in 
1837. He was admitted to the bar in 1865, 
and IS now in practice here. 

Alvau D. Lice}-, a resident of Guilford, has 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



been tulmitted to the bar, and is now in |)ractice. 
"He is now a Repri-sentative in the General As- 
sembly. 

JoLin T. Graves was admitted six or seven 
years ago. lie was elected Prosccutinsi: Attor- 
ney in 1876, and served two terms witli eredit. 
He is now in full practice in Seville, in this 
county. 

Albert ^lunson was admitted to the bar in 
1873, but, before he had entered upon the prac- 
tice, he w^as elected Probate Judge, which office 
he now holds. 

Frank Heath was admitted in 1880, and is 
now in practice here. 

George A. Eiehard was admitted to the bar 
in 1S70. and has hung out his sliingle for busi- 
ness here. 

George A\'. Lewis entered the service of his 
country- in 1 S{;2, as a Captain in the One Plun- 
dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try. He lost his left arm at the battle of Nash- 
ville, December i'l. ]8(J4, He was promoted to 
JMajor for bra\-ery on the battle-lield. lie contin- 
ued in the service, notwithstanding the loss of his 
arm, and was afterward commissioned as Lieu- 
tenant Colonel of the same regiment. He came 
to Medina in October, 18(15, and was elected 
Judge of Probate in 18GC, and served two 
terms. He was admitted to the bar January 
30. 1872, and ha.s ever since been in practice in 
Medina. 

Charles J. Mesmer, Fremont O. I'hiilips and 
others have been admitted lately, but as yet 
have not entered into jiractice. 

■\Vhitmau .^Iead came to Medina in IS.'U, as 
a raerciiant, and studied law, and was admitted 
to the bar about 1813. He was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney, ami sca'vcd one term. He 
finally left the i)ractice and went to farming. 
He died several years since, leaving three sous, 
all in the ministry. 

The foreign lawyers who have practiced here 
are legion, but, as they belong to other coun- 
ties, no account of them is <r!vcn here. 



MEDICAL PR0FES.SI0X. 

Three-fourtlis of a century ago, the foot of 
the white man had scarcely fallen upon the soil 
within tlie limits of the county whereof we 
write. The wild animals of the forests and the 
scared}^ less wild red man held undisturbed 
dominion. Then the sun's rays but seldom 
penetrated the unbroken forest shade, while the 
mocu's silver beams and the bright shining 
stars struggled in vain to light up the gloom 
of night. The song of birds, the hum of bees, 
the rippling of the waters, the wild cry of 
beasts of prey, and stealthy footfall of the 
Indian htniter. year succeeding j'ear, av^e ! for 
centuries and ages, fell upon no appreciative 
ear. The wild winds sported for ages among 
the forest trees, and the music of the rustling 
leaves sang responsive t/j the music of the sta.'s, 
but no heart w-as there to be made glad ; nature 
in her beauty and symmetry was here waiting 
the onward tread of the white man, when he 
should step in and partake of the rich treasures 
garnered in her bosom for his coming. Civili- 
zation, education, the arts and sciences, follow 
in his pathway, and the w'lderness is made to 
blossom as the rose. The sound of the ax and 
of the anvil are harbingers of schools and 
churches, temples of architecture and the thun- 
dering of the railway train ; but alas for hu- 
man hopes and happiness ! sickness and death 
f._)llow in the train, a sad comnumt upon the 
superiority of civilized life. The need <-f the 
physician is made manifest, and must keep pace 
w'ith the first advance of civilization. The sup- 
ply table of the pionee.' em'graut would be 
sadly defective without a list of well-kuowu 
household remedies from which to draw for 
help, should there be "no physician there." 

The earliest mention of medical administra- 
tion in Medina County is of Aunt Chloc, wife 
of Judge Brown, of Wadswortli. in 1816, she 
having a small chest of remedies, which, it is 
said, were of great value to the early pioneers, 
When any of tiiem were taken sick '■ Aunt 



— i 



tv 



A 



IS 



HISTORY OF MEDI^TA COUXTY. 



253 



Chloe " would be sent for, and would deal out 
such remedies as her ripened judgment might 
direct. She, perhaps, was the first practitioner 
of the county. 

It is said that Eve in the Garden of Eden, 
through transgression, entailed upon posterity 
the seeds of disea.se and death " and all our 
woe." But " Aunt Chloe," in the wilderness of 
America, with sympathetic heart and extended 
hand, aftbrded relief to many a suffering mortal, 
as if, in part, to atone for the stain upon her sex 
through the " fall." 

This count}- has been remarlvahl\- exempt 
from diseases of local character or origin, mala- 
rious diseases being to a great degree confined 
to the locality of Chippewa Lake, and tbe stream 
of same name flowing through the town of Se- 
ville. Ver\- little of ague or intermittent fever 
has originated outside of these influences in the 
county, and within its present limits. Bilious 
remittents have had a wider range, and no por- 
tions have been exempt, especially in the earlier 
periods, and, while the lands were being newly 
cultivated, continued fevers and the typhus of 
earlier days have been here from its earliest 
history, and later the typhoid fever of the French 
schools has been a constant visitor in all locali- 
ties. The early practitioners were doubtless 
much at fault in treating typhus and typhoid 
fevers, as the lancet and heroic treatment gen- 
erally, has — through some sad experience — been 
abandoned for an opposite, and it is hoped a 
better line, of medication. 

In 18a3-34, a few cases of Asiatic cholera 
occurred at Medina Village. Among the doatlis 
reported are David Barnhart and a 5Ir. Fuller, 
a stage driver in 1833, also a daughter of Dr. 
Hanson in 1834. Eufus Ferris, Sr.. died of cholera 
in 1 833. at a place near Woostcr. He had been 
'to Columbus with a cholera specific, and volun- 
teered his services to treat cholera, then prevail- 
ing among the penitentiarj- convicts ; not being 
retained there, he returned homeward, dying, as 
before stated, and was brouaht home to Medina 



in a Pennsylvania covered wagon. No other 
deaths are reported as having occurred from 
cholera in the count}'. 

About 1839-40, dysentery prevailed in va- 
rious sections of the county of a malignant type 
and with great fatality, and again in 1853-54, 
and occasionally in later \ears in some certain 
locality. Since IStiO, but little dysentery has 
been observed. In the year 1852, an outbreak 
of small-pox occurred in Sharon Township, at 
which time perhaps fifty cases of that and \'a- 
rioloid occurred in the practice of Drs. Hard & 
Willey. One young lady — a school-teaciier — 
died during this outbreak. In 1855, Mr. Frank 
Kimball, while stumping the State with William 
Gibson, contracted varioloid and returned home 
to Medina, where some ten or twelve cases of 
that and small-pox broke in upon the monotony 
of the town for a .season. 

During the winter of 1843-44. and the succeed- 
ing spring and sunnner, occurred at^Vadsworth 
and vicinity the great epidemic of malignant 
erysipelas, very severe in its character and at- 
tended with great fatality, its victims being 
usually of adult age and mostly females. Dur- 
ing this epidemic, about twenty-five cases 
proved fatal. Again, in 1848, the disease re- 
appeared, but spreading through Moncville and 
Guilford and Wadsworth, with an increased 
mortjility. Since 1848, it has not appeared in 
an epidemic form. 

AI)outtheyear 1859, diphtiieria firstappeared 
in an epidemic and malignant form. Up to 
this time, it had hardly been recognized as a 
disease siii ijiiicris, and its advent was an oc- 
jasicn of sorrow and mourning to many a 
household. Being little understood by the pro- 
fession, it held almost undisputed sway, and bid 
defiance to medical skill. It prevailed through- 
out the county, with favorite localities, in whicli 
to exhibit its malignant enmity toward the 
human race. It delighted in laying waste the 
little ones of the family circle, and was at times 
insatiable, until all had been laid in the grave. 



ikn 



2r,4 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



It vuxl with scarlatina in its work of ilostruc- 
tion. and oftja called to its aid the latter, as if 
to make the fatal blow more effective. Thus for 
a series of years, it fed on death, when, seem- 
iujily exhausted with rioting, it became less 
maligaaut and less fatal, and for several years 
last past, it has atlbrded but little anxiety com- 
paratively with former periods. 

Cercbro-splaal meningitis, iu tha winter of 
18G3-G-t, appsaredinthe village of Medina, and, 
having seiEcd upon two persons for its victims, 
as suddeul}- disappeared, when the people hoped 
it had gone forever, but in the succeeding win- 
ter, 18G4-C5, it returned at Poe, in the familj- of 
Mr. Frank Huutor ; two of the three attacked, 
died. Ca-ses than occurred in other parts of 
Montville and in Medina Village. Nearly all 
proved fatal. It had no favorite localit}-, but 
would suddenly attack an individual at a dis- 
tance from others, to appear again unexpectedl3- 
somewhere else. ChiMren and adults were 
alike susceptible. Since lSi>5. it has occa.siou- 
ally been observed sporadically, as a single 
case, perhaps, in one township, and then, after 
months, found in an adjoining town, etc. These 
cases almost invariably prove fatal. It is yet 
unsettled how to treat it best. 

The Madina County Medical Lyceum was or- 
ganized O^ttobsr !), 1S:5:J. O.i motion, Klijah 
UeWitt was called to the chair, and Henry 
Ormsby appointed Secretary. A draft of a con- 
stitution, prepared by Drs. DjWilt and (1 ;orge 
W. Howe, was ro-i'l In' the Sjv.ret.ary and 
adopted. 

By-laws read and ailopV.'d. Balloiing for 
offic3rs to sQ:-ve until tha annual ni-'jllnj; in 
February IS.'U, resulted as follows : For 1 'resi- 
dent, Bela B. Clark ; Vice President, (JeorgeK. 
Pardee; Corresponding SccretaiT, Eli.jah De- 
Witt ; lle.-ording Secretary, O. S. St John ; 
Treasurer, Jesse C. Mills. Censors — M DeWil^t, 
George K. l*ard(!e and O. S. St John. 

On motion. Tho:uas il )\ve was appointi-d to 
wait upon the Commissioners, and obtain if 



possible, a remittance of the tax assessed against 
the physicians of the county. 

Henry Ormsbs', T. Rowe and George W. Howe 
were appointed a Committee to petition the 
Legislature for an act of incorporation. 

On motion, the (Jorrespon liug S.:ci'etai-y was 
instructed to notify each member of the late 
Nineteenth .Medical District, residing in Medina 
County, of the proceeding) of this meeting. 

February G, 1834, the Ijyceum convened at 
the Mansion House of William 11. Chidester, 
and organized under an act of incorporation Ij}' 
the Legishiture. It being the annual meeting, 
the foregoing officers were re-elected for the 
3'ear. Dr. Mills read an essay on - Congestion," 
and George W. Howe was appointed to reply at 
next meeting. On motion. 

Iltnolrn!, That no person shall be admitted 
to this society, who is iu the habitual use of in- 
toxicating spirits. 

Henry (^rmsbj- was fined 5^2 for non-atlond- 
anco. 

Rrsiilrri!. That the proceedings of this meet- 
ing be published in the Ohio Free I'rtss. 

The following clauses appear in the Consti- 
tution : 

iL'th — Admission fee — .^l. and annual tax of 
81. 

15th — l\'nalty for non-attend.-uice — i^l. 

IGth — Penalty for failing to deliver disserta- 
tion when appointed — $3. 

17th — The price of this society for granting 
diplomas shall be $5. 

At the second annual meeting, in 1S3."), Drs. 
Bela I?. Clark and E. DeWilt were ai)pointed 
delegates to the \V. 11. ^Medical Convention, at 
Cleveland, in i^Iay, to consider the establishing 
of a medical college on the Reserve. 

The societ3' at this time numbered ten mem- 
bers, viz.. Bela B. Clark. T. Rowe, George K. 
Pardee, l^lijah DeWitt, George W. Howe, J. C. 
JPdls, S. liawson, J, S. Ross, Lorenzo Warner 
and William S. II. Wclton. In 1S3G, Dr. J. G. 
Morse became a member and was appointed 



v 



4^ 



:k. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



255 



Secretary. In 1837, Drs. J. Sawtell and J. 
Goodwin were received into membership ; in 
1839, Drs. Eastman, I. B. Beach and L. D. 
Tolman, also Amos Witter and Abel A. Clark. 
The following was diseus.scd : " Is tartrate of 
antimony admissible as a remedy in general 
practice ; " Drs. L. Warner, A. Witter, N. P^ast- 
man and J. G. Morse, disputants. A case of 
operation for inguinal hernia, by Dr. Jlorse, re- 
ported, patient recovered. In 1840, P. H Mun- 
ger, Drs. Hopkins and Rockwell became mem- 
bers. Cases reported : 

1 — Case of fistula in ano, with operation, by 
Dr. L. Warner, recovery. 

2 — Scarlet fever, by Dr. Rowe, with treatment. 

3 — Pneumonia, by Dr. L. Warner, recovery. 

4 — Amputation of arm, by Dr. AVaruer, re- 
cover}-. 

5 — Dropsy, ascites, operation by Dr. Ormsbv, 
death. 

(J— Inflammation of kidue3-s, bj- Dr. Clark, 
death. 

7 — Injur}', by Dr. Tolraan, recovery. 

Valedictory address, Dr. B. B. Clark. 

August 6, 1840 — Society met in court house. 
Essays — 1. Dr. B. B. Clark, on" Medical -Juris- 
prudence." 2. " Fever," by P. E. Munger. 3. 
On the " Effects of Quhiine," Ormsby and War- 
ner. Cases reported — Puerperal Convulsions, 
Dr. Rowe ; Diabetes, Dr. Eastman ; Hydro- 
thorax, Dr. Clark ; Ascites, Dr. Tolman. 

November 5, 1840 — Samuel Humphreville 
road a paper on " Medical Evidence ; " Dr. 
Wclton on "Blood Letting;" Dr. Warner on 
" Habit; " Dr. Clark on " Puerperal Fever." 

February, 1841 — Dr. Munger read a paper 
on " Mercury ; ' Dr. Tolman on ■• Diseases of the 
Liver." Several cases reported ; oue of malig- 
nant fever, by Dr. L. Warner. 

August 1841 — Prof H. A. Ackley addressed 
the society on " Diseases of the Mucous Mem- 
branes ; " Dr. Ormsby read a paper on " Tea 
and Tobacco ; " Hon. Charles Alcott addressed 
the society. A premium was offered for the 



best dissertation on the pathology and treat- 
ment of dysentery. The society voted its sup- 
port to the Willoughby Medical College. 

This brief sketch includes the period of time 
in which the older members officiated, and to 
follow up in detail would require more space 
and time than the plan of this work will permit, 
it Ijeing only desired in this article to briefly 
mention the original members, and a little of 
the old irgiiiic, as being of special interest. 

This society has continued in existence up to 
1872, with intervals of decline and periods of 
activity. It has numbered on its list of mem- 
bers the best and a great majority of the phy- 
sicians who have practiced in the county. Most 
of the earlj- members are gone hence, never to 
to return. A few sui-vdve. Dr. Ormsby now 
lives in Medina Village ; Dr. DeWitt at Elyria, 
eighty years of age ; Dr. 0. S. St. John, at Lin- 
coln, Nel)raska. 

In mentioning those who have been members 
of the medical fraternity of this count}', refer- 
ence has been had somewhat to chronological 
order. Among the earliest practitioners in the 
county was Dr. Amos Warner. 

He came to Ohio and Wadsworth with his 
father from Fairfield, Vt., in 1815, and entered 
Dr. Fisher's office in 1837, as a student of med- 
icine. He was a careful, earnest student, and 
made haste slowly with his books, choosing 
rather to learn little day by day, and learn that 
little well. He graduated in ^ledina, after 
attending two courses of lectures at Willoughby 
in the year 1840, and entered into partnership 
with his preceptor, becoming a successful physi- 
cian and a useful man in society. About the 
year 1848, he removed to (Jarnavillo, Clayton 
Co., Iowa, where he enjoyed the full confidence 
of the peopr»', and had an extensive ride. 
Returning from a visit among the sick, his 
horses ran away, and he was thrown from the 
carriage and killed. 

Dr. Harlow Hard, son of Lysander Hard, 
came with his father to Ohio in 181(3, then about 



V 



256 



HISTORY OF WEDIXA COUNTY. 



ten years of age. He went to school at the first 
schoolhousc built in Wadsworth Township, one 
mile cast of the present village. His father 
was an iinsottled sojourner among men, ar.d 
devoted his energies to preaching the Gospel, 
and inherited all the poverty that an unsuccess- 
ful Methodist preacher is entitled to possess. 
He wandered up and down, into Penns\-lvania 
and New York and Eastern Ohio, and linally 
returned to Wadsworth, about 1840. Mean- 
while, Harlow had managed, by streaks of luck, 
to get an education, and study medicine and 
attend lectures. Settling in Trumbull County 
about 1835, he came to Wadsworth, where he 
practiced for several years. He then moved 
to Pl^-mouth, Ind. Kemained at Plymouth 
some ten years, and went to Illinois, where he 
died. 

Dr. John Smith was the first physician who 
located in Wadsworth, and perhaps the first in 
the county. He came from the State of New 
York in 1817, and bearded with Moody Weeks 
for a time. Here it was that occurred fhe inci- 
dent mentioned by X. \i. Northrop in his his- 
tory, of giving so many pills to a sick man, 
when Jlrs. Weeks discovered the pills to be 
black pepper, unground. rolKvl in lloui-. .Vugust, 
1818, the doctor was called in attendaiice at the 
birth of i)r, M. K. Hard, now of Wooster. Ohio. 
Abram Hard. Jr.. was the messenger on the 
occasion, and, riding along b}' night through the 
woods, his hat was brushed otf by a hanging 
limb, and he was compelled to goon barelieaded. 
it being so dark he could not find t he hat. That 
fall the doctor moved to the west part of the 
town, and lived with Luther Tleminwav until 
he put up a log house, afterward owned l)y He- 
man llanchett. Here the doctor had an exten- 
sive ride, through Wadsworth into Chippewa, 
and through Cuill'ord and .Montville. In I'^'M. 
he was elected Justice of the Peace, having six 
votes, all others three. Ncn-throp says of him : 
" He was in the hal)it of sending his boy to A. 
& J. Pariiee's store forwhiskv.' The following 



I is an exact copy of twent3' or more orders sent 
j 1)3' him all exactly alike. 

Messrs. A. & .1. I'ardce. 
! Gents; Give the hoy two juprs of whisky. Slop the 
! jugs tighl. Help the 1)oy on theliorse. 

John Smith, Physici;in. 

Dr. Smith was an ardent admirer of Dr. 
Rush, of Philadelphia, and was often heard ex- 
tolling the skill and worth of that eminent 
physician, and named one of his ooys " Rush," 
after him. He returned to New York about 
1828 or 1830. 

Dr. William Barnes came to Lodi in 1817, 
and was the first physician there. But little is 
learned of him professionally. He built the 
first grist-mill in the township, and probably 
the fir.st in the county. He was also a preacher 
of the (lospel, preaching the first funeral sermon 
in Harrisville, in 1817, it being at the burial 
of ;i child of George Burr. 

Dr. Soth Blood came to Brunswick in 1817 ; 
built a log house one-eighth of a mile south of 
the center. Dr. Blood was a Surgeon of the 
war of 1812. and was appointed Surgeon of an 
Ohio regiment of State militia in 1822. He 
would appear on parade at g"neral muster with 
the nniforui. holsters and pistols which he wore 
during the war, and would soon get filled with 
military ardor, and be liable to feel insulted if 
addressed improperly, sometimes fiourishing his 
pistols with much prowess when offended. He 
was somewhat given to the fatal bowl, and died 
early in life, in the year ]82(i. 

Ih'. Stacey Hills, of Granger, was born in 
Bristol. Ontario Co., N. Y., October 19, 1814. 
With his parents and family of ten children, lie, 
tlie yotuigest, came into (iranger the fall of 
1818. He commenced very young going to 
school, attending diligently the short terms of 
those earlv wilderness times. When old enough 
to render a boy's lu'l[) at home, his school days 
were limited to the inevitalile three months' 
winter school. He read medicine under the 
instruction of Dr. .John Cleveland, then of 



-'4® 






HISTORY OF MEDmA COUNTY. 



257 



Granger, and gi-aduated at Willoughby Medical 
College, Februarj-, 1843. To the study and 
practice of medicine, he gave his utmost ener- 
gies, until obliged to succumb, through the 
breaking-up of a remarkably vigorous mental 
and physical constitution. He practiced first 
at Bristol, AVayne Co., two years, then at Cop- 
ley, in company with Dr. Ciiapman, and for the 
greater part of his life at Grangerburgh, this 
count}-. 

Dr. Bela B. Clark came to Medina County 
with his father in April, 1818, from Waterbury, 
Conn., and commenced the practice of medi- 
cine immediately at Medina Village. The first 
call on record for him professional!}-, was to the 
viclims of that famous first session of the 
Court of Common Pleas at the " barn " of Squire 
Ferris, who had so fondly imliibed of the good 
old-fashioned whisky — as old settlers call it. 
Dr. Clark, it is said, prescribed homeopathically ; 
that is, the hair of the dog to cure the bite. 
Dr. Clark was one of the eight members of the 
jMcdina Countj' Medical Lyceum at its organi- 
zation in 1833, and previou.sly was one of the 
censors appointed bj- act of Legislature for the 
medical district. He also was the first Presi- 
dent of the Medina Medical Lyceum, and was 
one of the committee of three to consider the 
establishing of a medical college on the Pic- 
serve. In those days, the doctor of a neigh- 
borhood was generally characterized and known 
by the saddle-bags thrown across the saddle on 
which he rode, and the leggings about his legs 
to keep off the mud, and brass spurs on his 
boots. A buggy or carriage of any kind was 
unknown. After many years, a sulkj' or gig 
was instituted. Dr. Clark rode a little ponj-, a 
hardy and courageous little fellow as ever was 
known. But one night as the Doctor was 
riding homeward, along the bridle-patii through 
the woods, a fearful scream of a wild animal 
burst upon his ears, and the pony, with instinct- 
ive fear, started at break-neck speed to the 
Doctor's great satisfaction, for the animal, sup- 



posed to have been a panther, came bounding 
after, its screams " making the night air hid- 
eous," and filling horse and rider with alarm. 

But, alas for them both, a tree-top had fallen 
into the path, and into this plunged horse and 
rider, pell-mell into confusion and darkness, 
and then one unearthly yell from the Doctor's 
throat broke in uijon tliat tragic scene. It 
penetrated the deep recesses of the forest 
shade. It reverberated from earth to cloud, 
and, as it died away in the distance, a painful 
silence ensued, broken only by the night bird's 
plaintive song. That panther never got there, 
and the Doctor, leisureh' gathering himself up, 
extricated the horse, and, picking up his pill 
bags, re-mounted and jogged homeward. At 
another time he was wending his way home, 
carrying some fresh meat which a patron had 
presented him, this being tied behind him on 
the horse ; riding through the woods, and 
doulitless contemplating a sumptuous meal 
from the bundle at his back, suddenly a pack of 
hungry wolves, having snuffed the savory deli- 
cacy afar, came rushing on his pathway ; again 
the little horse cut loose, and the fun began. 
He h.ad not thought of danger, but in a mo- 
ment the blood was curdling in each vein. His 
fiery little courser sped away like an arrow 
from the bended bow, but in vain ! tlio yells 
of the demons on his track grew nearer and 
more near, when his horse jumped a log, 
across the path, and the package was lost oti'liy 
the sudden motion'. This diverted the wolves 
from further pursuit, and the Doctor escaped, 
minus that supper of venison he so fondly 
anticipated. 

In early days the Doctor wore a suit of linsey- 
woolsey, with buckskin patches on the knees 
and seat of pants made by his mother, and was 
heard to say that the day he put them on was 
among the happiest in his life. Dr. Clark was 
a member of the Medina Medical Lyceum \xp 
to August, 1841, and his name appears there 
no more. He was an active, thorough ami 



^. 



\ 



258 



HISTORY OF MKDIXA COUNTY. 



honorable physician, one of the first in the 
profession. Kvory l>rotlier of the profession 
was ready to pay him homage ; friend or 
friend or foe aUkc had respect for his talent ; 
an ornameut in societ)- and leader in every en- 
terprise for the elevation of mankind, and the 
advance of education and the profession or for 
the growth of tli." new country. Dr.Clark moved 
to Weymouth in 1826, anticipating the removal 
of the county scat to that place, thence to Rich- 
field in 1829. thence to Strongsville, again to 
Brunswick, thence to Columbus and fluallj^ to 
Ashland, where he died. 

Dr. Jeremiah Clark, a younger brother of Dr. 
Eela B. Clark, attended lectures in Cincinnati, 
and located in Hamilton Townsiiip. Franklin 
Co., Ohio, about 1S3.5. 

Dr. Abel A. Clark came to Ohio in 1818 
with his father ; was brother of Dr. Bela B. 
Clark. He read medicine with Dr. Wilson at 
Weymouth about 1830 ; attended medical lec- 
tures at Cincinnati ; located in practice at 
Grovesport. on Ohio Canal, near Columbus ; 
moved to Medina, in 1839, for his wife's health ; 
joined the Medina County Medical i^ocietj' in 
August, 1839 ; practiced medicine ab.out one 
j-car and returned to Grovesport ; subsequently 
moved to Xenia, where he died, having his old 
preceptor, Dr. Wilson, for his medical attend- 
ant. 

Dr. C. N. Lyman is a native of Wadswortb, 
born in 1819 : son of Capt, George Lyman, of 
pioneer memory. He w;is hi the office of Dr. E. 
Kendrick one and a half years, when he came 
under the instruction of Dr. George K. I'ar- 
dee in 1840; attended two courses of lectures 
and graduated at Transylvania University in 
Louisville. Ivy., spring of 1843. Formed a 
partnership willi Dr. i'ardee same year, which 
continued until Dr. Pardee's death. In 1853, 
moved to Medina Village, going into the drug 
store with A. Armstrong. Dr. j^yman joined the 
Medina County .Medical Society Aug. 3, 1813. 
Aug. 1, 1841. Dr. Jiyman read a paper before the 



societ}-, on '• Epidemic Erysipehvs," with reports 
of cases and mode of treatment ; elected Presi- 
dent in 1848, of society ; chosen President of 
Xortheastern Ohio Union Medical Association 
1878 — thirty years after having presided in 
the 3Iedina County Society. Dr. Lyman is at 
this time the oldest practitioner of the eount\', 
and has performed more labor, professionall}-, 
than anj- ph3-sician in the county since its 
organization, and yet, b}" virtue of the strict- 
est habits in everv respect, his physical powers 
show but little of the decay which usuall}' suc- 
ceeds a life of toil, and his mental faculties 
exhibit no traces of the increase of years. 

Dr. Henry S|iillman, was the son of James 
Spillman and Xancy O'Brien, who came from 
Ireland and settled in Wadsworth about 1820. 
Dr. Spillman studied medicine in the office of Dr. 
A. Fisher at Western Star ; attended medical 
lectures at Willoughby, and graduated in 1840. 
He subsequently attended a course of lectures 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. 
Before commencing the practice of medicine he 
read law and was admitted to the bar, but did 
not practice to an}- extent. Practiced medi- 
cine at Streetsboro and at Bristol, Wavne 
County, also at Decatur, Ind. Located at Medina 
about 1850. Here he had an extended prac- 
tice, and for several years was thus actively 
engaged. About 1858, he went into the drug 
trade at Medina and gave up riding, and pre- 
scribing except from his store, until the spring of 
1862, when he accepted an appointment as Sur- 
geon of the Fifteenth Ohio Volunteer Infanlr}', 
with date of rank March IS, 1862. He was 
commissioned April 4, 18G2 ; was with the regi- 
ment on the advance from Pittsburg Landing to 
Corinth, but was taken siek before the evacua- 
tion and started for home. Got up the river to 
Evansville, Ind., where, finding he coukl go no 
further, he was taken ashore and found friends 
among the brotherhood of JIasons, who did 
everything possible for him ;, but he soon sank 
and died in May, 18C2, having been on duty with 






HISTORY OF MEDIISrA COUNTY. 



230 



the regiment but a few weeks. His bodj' was sent 
home and buried in the churchj-ard at Medina. 
Dr. Spillnian was a man of fine intellectual en- 
dowment and culture, and possessed a remark- 
able memory. While a student of medicine; he 
would take his books and go out under a shade 
tree and read for two or three hours, and come 
in and recite the whole, page after page, almost 
verbatim. His mind was well stored with use- 
ful information, and he was generall3- prepared 
to answer inquiries pertaining to science, litera- 
ture, law or theology. It is with feelings of 
sadness that we contemplate the death of Dr. 
Spillman. Awaj- from the home he had so 
recently left in the vigor of health and man- 
hood, with only the hand of strangers to minis- 
ter unto him in his last painful, hopeless strug- 
gles for life, even then in the icy embrace of 
death, no wonder his mind wandered, in fevered 
dreams, or in death's hallucinations, back to his 
home and fireside, calling upon friends and 
familiar faces to lift him up from the pit of 
despair, or save him from the approaching tem- 
pest. Hastening homeward, anxious and long- 
ing — life to him in the balance — his frail bark 
strands on the shore, and alas ! home for him 
shall be home no more. 

Dr. Nathaniel Eastman was the first physi- 
cian at the center of Wadsworth and camt' from 
Olean, N. Y., in 1820. During the war of 1812, 
he went from Erie, Penn., to Put-in Bay to 
assist in the care of the wounded at Perry's Vic- 
tory. Dr. Eastman built a log house one-half 
mile north of the center of Wadworth, and aft- 
erward built one on the northsast corner lot 
at the center. Practiced there until 182G, 
when he removed to Seville and opened up a 
hotel, which for many years was in his charge, 
while also attending to his professional calls. 
He joined the Medical Society May 7, ISUO, 
and continued an active member until Novem- 
ber, 1349. The Doctor continued his profes- 
sional labors while his health permitted, but in 
the later 3'ears was afflicted with diabetes, and 



was at last obliged to retire from practice and 
live with one of his children, out of town, where 
he died at an advanced ago. 

Dr. Samuel Austin came to Western Star in 
1823. He was a graduate of the Medical De- 
partment of Yale College ; was a man of fine 
education and good address ; a skillful physi- 
cian with a promising future spread out before 
him. But a habit formed before coming to 
Ohio he failed to shake off, and drank the fatal 
cup to its verj- dregs. He escaped death b\- a 
falling tree which killed the horse ho had just 
been riding, and from which he alighted as the 
tree was falling, only to meet a worse fate soon 
after. 

Basworth's distillery, in Copley, was his favor- 
ite resort, and from a final visit there he never 
returned. 

There he drank, was taken sick and died in 
sight of the murderous still, in the year 1828. 

Dr. John Harris came to Seville from Steuben 
County, N. Y., in 1822. He was the first physi- 
cian in Seville. Remained there until about 
1836, and went to Kentucky. 

Dr. Chapin A. Harris came a year after his 
brother John. He soon left and went to Balti- 
more, where he became noted for his dental 
operations and for a valuable treatise written 
and published by him on the art of dentistry, 
it being a text-book in universal use among the 
profession. 

Dr. DeVoe came to Seville from Sliddlcbury 
in 1822, and returned in about one j'oar. 

Dr. Elijah DeWitt. The following is, by re- 
quest, from Dr. DeWitt, Elyria, Ohio, Dcceml>er 
3, 1880 : '-Dear Sir— I was born in May, 1800, 
in Westminster, Vt. ; studied medicine mostly 
at Keene and Hanover, N. H. ; attended two 
courses of medical lectures at Hanover, and did 
most of the dissections for the Professor of 
Anatom}' both terms ; was examined and rec- 
ommended for a diploma, but failed to get it be- 
cause of the judicial decision at Washington 
against the university before the then next com- 






260 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COrXTY. 



mencement ; afterward received diploma from 
tlic medical society. I came to Harrisville, 
Medina Co.. Oiiio, in December, 1824, wliere I 
peddled pills until July, 1335, when I came to 
Elyiia.' Dr. DeWitt was Cbairmaii of the first 
meeting of the Medina County Medical Lyceum, 
at its organization October 20, 1833, and at this 
meeting elected Corresponding Secretary fortlie 
j'ear. lle-electedin February, 1S34. In Februarj', 
1835. was chosen delegate to Western Reserve 
Jledicul Convention, with the view to the con- 
sideration of establishing a medical college on 
the Reserve. 

Dr. George K. Pardee was born in Skaneate- 
les, Onondaga Co., X. Y., September 23, 
180t;. Read medicine in his native town with 
Dr. Evelyn I'ortjr. Having attended lectures 
at Fairfield. N. Y., and been admitted to prac- 
tice as a p'.iysician, he c:im j to \Vadsworth in 
1826, wlicrc he entered upon the duties of his 
profession, in which he ever afterward held an 
advanced position. He wa-; ono of the eight 
who organized tlie Medina County Medical 
liyoeum, Octolier 29, 1833. and its first Yice 
President. He was also apjjointed one of the 
censors, whose duties were to examine candi- 
dates to be admitted to practice and grant di- 
plomas. In the year 1843. he read a dissertation 
on the use of calomel, having about that time 
in some degree clianged his views as to its 
cfl'ects in larg(; doses, etc. Dr. Pardee was au 
ardent student through life, and was especially 
noted for his persistent anatomical research, 
and for the more than ordinary opportunities 
afforded to students in his otilce for studying 
this branch of the science at the dissecting 
table. This often brougiit him in conflict with 
the prejudices of the people, but did not deter 
him from his purpose in this respect ; and the 
proper material was obtained as needed. He 
delivered lectures on chemistry and on temper- 
ance, with charts of the drunkard's stomach, 
and gave public demonstrations of anatomy at 
the dissecting table. In the fall of 1839. he went 



I 



South for his health, stopping at Lexington, 
Ky., where he attended medical lectures, re- 
turning in the spring to resume his labors with 
renewed ambition. Incipient consumption was 
marking him for its own, and he was attacked 
with hemorrhage of the lungs, which was brought 
on by overdoing and c.Kposure on the 4th day 
of Juh", 1849, at Medina. From this attack he 
but feebly rallied, and with its recurrence sank 
down and died October 3, 1849. 

The following is a list of physicians who were 
under his instruction at various intervals : 

Dr. Ebenczer Campbell, died in Indiana in 
1838. 

Dr. John Brown, died at Haw Patch, Ind., 
1845. 

Dr. C. X. Lyman, living now at Wadsworth. 

Dr. Henry Warner, died at Spencer in 1877. 

Dr. Luciifs A. Clark, died near Medina in 
1850. 

Dr. Samuel "Wolf, no\v in Stark County. 

Dr. Isaac C. Isbeli, went to California in 1848. 

Dr. William Johnston, died in Indiana. 

Dr. Samuel E. Beach, died in the army iu 
18G4. 

Dr. Donahue, died at Clinton. 

Dr. Hanson Hard, now in Philadelphia. 

Dr A. Gr. Willey. now in Spinicer. 

Dr. Robert (iala. now in Fredericksburg. 

Dr. Fred Wright, in California. 

Dr. William W. Beach, in Illinois. 

S\lvanus Butler, died while a student. 

Dr. Kirby Chamberlain came to Wadsworth 
in 1S2G. He practiced in company with Dr. 
Pardee ; remained iu Wadsworth a few years, 
when he went to Pennsylvania and attended 
lectures, and afterward settled in Cincinnati. 

Dr. Secretar\- Rawsou came to Medina 
County about 1827, and settled at Richfield, 
then in Medina County. lie joined the medical 
society in 1834. Practiced there a number of 
years and moved to Findlay. Hancock Co., 
where he now resides. 

Dr. Uriel H. Peak came from Herkimer 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



2G3 



Countj-, N. Y., to Medina, 1828 ; practiced med- 
icine for several j'ears ; entered into merclian- 
dine, in 1833. in companj- with James Sargeant. 
lie was Postmaster under .Tackson and Van 
Buren up to 1830, wlien he resigned in favor of 
Dr. Henry Ormsbj'. ^Moved to Green Buy, 
Wis., in 181:9. where he resided until his death, 
in 1877. 

Dr. E. G. Hard was born in ?.Iiddlebury, Sum- 
mit Co., Ohio, in 1§2(;. His mother, Lydia 
Hart, came to Middleburv, with her father, in 
1807 — a time when the Indians would gather 
around to see the " pale-faces," and the wolf 
and bear would prowl about the cabin door by 
night. His father, Cyrus Hard, came to Mid- 
dlebury in 1815, from Vermont, then nineteen 
years of age. They married in 1818 — their 
ages fifteen and twenty-two years. In 1828, 
they moved to Wadsworth, Medina Co. — Dr. 
E. G., the third son, aged two years. Then 
comes the oft-repeated« story of log houses and 
roughing it in a new countrj-, up to the date of 
John McGregor's advent into Wadsworth, un- 
der whose tuition the subject of this sketch im- 
bibed the little education, and the onlv, wliicli 
it was his fortune to obtain. Studying gram- 
mar, arithmetic, philosopliy, qhcmistry, algebra 
and survc3ing, with a mixture of French for 
one term onh'. At intervals working on the 
farm, or carding wool in the factorj-, and 
assisting in dressing cloth, or attending engine 
in the factor}-, or grist-mill, carried on bj' his 
father at Wadsworth. In the spring of 1847, 
he entered the office of Drs. Fisher & War- 
ner, and began the study of medicine, paj'ing 
for his board at Dr. Fisher's by taking care of 
the barn and office, and sleeping in the office. 
In the fall of 1848, he began his first course of 
medical lectures at Cleveland, and again in the 
winter of 1849-50, and graduated in the spring 
of 1850. Married Miss Prances F. Willey, the 
same spring, and, with her father's familj-, 
moved to Iowa the following autumn. The 
winter of 1850-51, he taught school at Big 



Grove, Johnson Co., Iowa, ten miles north of 
Iowa City. There the big bo^ys would bring 
whi.sky in a jug and hide it in the hazel bushes, 
and sometimes get so '■ full " they could not 
tell when tlieir book was wrong side up. In 
the spring of 1851, he returned to Inland, Cedar 
County, and the season following assi.^l^d to 
break prairie with ox-teams, and other farm 
work, and occasionally attending a professional 
call. But people were scarce, and sick calls far 
between, and in the fall he returned to Ohio and 
located at Sharon, Medina Count}', in company' 
with Dr. Willey ; moved to Seville in the fall of 
1852. Staj'ed there until 1858, when he moved 
again to Iowa, stopping at Inland. Here he 
found a fair field opening up for practice ; but, 
in the spring of 1859, the Pike's Peak gold 
fever " struck in " with him, and he joined the in- 
numerable disappointed throng that " marcIiLxl 
up the hill'' and then ''marched down again." 
In Jul}-, 1850, he joined his family of wife and 
three children at his father's house at Wads- 
worth, Ohio, and August 17 located in Medina 
in companj' with Dr. A. C. Smith. Here he 
has continued the practice, with little interrup- 
tion, until the present time. Dr. Hard was 
commissioned Ohio State Surgeon in the spring 
of 18G2, and assigned to duty on a hospital 
boat, going from Cincinnati to Pittsburg 
Landing. On the way back from the latter place 
with a boat-load of sick and wounded, from the 
field of Shiloh, he was taken sick, and was 
compelled to resign, and came homo to undergo 
a course of typhoid fever. In 1863, he ac- 
cepted a commission as Assistant Surgeon of 
the First Ohio Heavy Artillery, his rank dating 
August 12, 1863, and his commission dating 
September 18, 1863 ; resigned by reason of disa- 
bility, August 18, 1864. While with the regi- 
ment, he was stationed at Covington, Ky., and 
at Point Burnside, on the Cumberland E'iver. In 
February, 1864, he marched to Kuoxvillc, 
Tenn. In Maj', he was sent with a portion of 
the regiment to Loudon, Tenn. He was taken 



^■<i^ 



-^r 



(» -lU^ 



2GI 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



sick here with camp dysentery, and went to i Dartmouth College, in New Hampsli 



liospital at Knox\illc', after wliich lie was nna- 
IjIc to join tlie regiment for duty, but came 
iiome on leave of absence, and resigned, as 
above stated. 

Dr. Wilson settled in Weynionth in 1829 ; 



1S22 ; diploma signed bj- Dr. R. D. Mussey, 
Professor of Surgery- and Obstetrics ; Dr. Dan- 
iel Freeman, Professor of Theory aTid Practice ; 
Dr. Jacob Freeman Dana, Professor of Chem- 
istry and Mineralogy ; Dr. Usher Parsons, Pro- 



livcd in the house built by Dr. Bela B. Clark. ' fcssor of Anatomy and Physiology ; Dr. Beu- 
lle was there a number of years, and moved to nett Tyler, President ; Matthuxs Spalding and 



Xeni:i, where he now resides. 

Dr. Uufus Pomoroy settled in (_! ranger, in 
lS2rt, being the flr.-<t physician there. lie 
came i'i\nn Suffolk Conn.; remained there until 
the year ISIO, when he removed to Trumliull 
County, Ohio. He is well spoken of by those 



Asa Crawford, Censors. 

Dr. Rowe was appointed on tiie I2th day of 
,\ugust, 1820, by Gov. David Morrill, of New 
Ilanipshire, Surgeon's Mate of the Sixth Regi- 
ment of State Militia, countersigned by Piichaid 
Bartlolt. Secretary of State. lie married Miss 



who knew him in the early days, as a man and Emily E. Chapman in 1820 ; movt-d to Medina 

physician. Co., Ohio, in October, 1830, and practiced medi- 

Dr. Amos C. Smith, studied mediciuy vilh , cine at Medina Court House. Here lie experi- 

Dr. L. D. Tolman ; attended two courses of Icut- cneod the man}- privations and dilliculties iuci- 

urcs in Cleveland, and gi'aduated in the spring i dent to a new country — growing up, as it were, 

of 1850. The same spring, he went to La Fay- ; with its growth, and strengthening with its 

ette to practice, but, in August, went to Litch- ! strength. Oftentimes his visits to the sick were 



field in company with Dr. Carpenter. Removed 
to Medina Village in 1851, where he remained 
until his death. His medical education was 
eipial to others of the ordinary opportunities, 
but his judgment and perceptive faculties were 
of a high order. He se.>m?d to read a case intu- 



made through the pathless forests, guided by 
"blaze" marks on the trees, and carrying 
torches at night, to aid in finding the way and 
to keep off the attacks of wild animals. 

As will be discovered, he was well prepared 
by education for his profession, and possessed 



itively. His mind would strip a case for diag- ' tact and judgment in making out a diagnosis 

nosis of all extraneous surroundings, and leave of disease and prescribing for his patients, ren- 

the real thing unmasked before his vision, deriug him a useful member of the profession. 

August 18, 1859, he formed a partnership with He was gentle in his manners, of a quiet de- 

Dr. E. G. Hard. That da}- the}' visited patients meanor, careful to give no ollense, a lover of 

together, and that uight he was taken sick and good order in society, and happiest at his own 

was confined to his bed for two weeks. Soon , fireside, lie was a consistent member of the 

after getting around, he began to vomit food, Methodist Episcopal Churcli, and always to bo 

and evidences of stricture of the stomach be- ' seen Inhis pew on the Sabbath Day, when able 

came alarmingly manifest, so that in a few ( to attend divine service. 

months he was a hopeless invalid. The re- He was one of the eight charter members of 

inainder of his d.'iys were spent in caring for his the Medina County Medical Lyceum, and one 

healtii. of the committee appointed by said society ou 

Dr. Whitehill practiced medicine in Litch- October 9, 1833, to petition tlie Legislature of 

field and York in ISIS and 1849. Ohio for an act of incorporation ; was an aet- 

Dr. Tliomas Rowe, Jr., was born at AVindsor, ive member up to 1843. 

Vt., A. D. 1795; graduated in medicine at 1 In the year 1838, he sold liis home in Medina 



If^ 






IIISTORY or MEDIXA COUNTY. 



265 



Village to Dr. Ross, and moved ou the farm 
now owned by Mr. Fred Smith. Here he ulti- 
mately gave up his practice and paid attention 
to farming, and bj^ prudence, care and honesty, 
he secured a competency of this world's goods, 
and lived to see much of the growth and im- 
provement in the county of the present day. 
He died April 11, 1SG8. 

Dr. Samuel E. Beach was born in Lenox, Ash- 
tabula Co., Ohio, February 22, 1S22, and, with 
his father, came to Wadsworth in 1830, grow- 
ing up a farmer boj'. He was a pupil under 
John McGregor, and studied medicine under 
Dr. George K. Pardee at Wadsworth. He at- 
tended medical lectures at Cleveland, term of 
1846-47, and practiced two years at Sharon, 
in compan}^ with Dr. I. B. Beach ; attended 
medical lectures and graduated at Cleveland, 
the term of 1848-49, and, the same j'ear, re- 
moved to Appletou, Wis. Here he practiced 
medicine until the year 185G, when he went to 
Kansas. During the war of the rebellion, he 
was appointed Surgeon of a Kansas regiment, 
and was in the Department of Tennessee. He 
was taken prisoner with his regiment, and him- 
self compelled to serve as surgeon to the rebel 
sick and wounded. He was overtasked, and 
fell sick with pneumonia. The rebel oUicers 
then passed him through the Union lines, and 
he was taken to Nashville, where he died in the 
hospital, as nearly as can now be learned, about 
the beginning of the 5-ear 1864. 

Erasmus M. Beach, brother of Dr. S. E. 
Beach, studied medicine with his brother ; at- 
tended one course of lectures at Cleveland, in 
1848-49 ; went to Appleton, Wis., and died of 
fever at Dr. S. E. Beach's, in May, 1850. 

Dr. John Emor^- came to Wadsworth in 1830, 
from Geauga County. I'racticed there four or 
five years and moved to the Maumee Swami). 
He had a tolerable practice in Wadsworth. 

Dr. George Emory was the first physician in 
Spencer, and brother of Dr. John Emory. He 
lived in Spencei', about 1835, where he re- 



mained several years, moving later to Illinois, 
where he now resides. 

Dr. John Cleveland came to Granger about 
the year 1834, and practiced until about 1841 
or 1842. He was preceptor of Dr. Stacey Hills. 

Dr. George W. Howe was born at Williams- 
town, Vt., December 21, 1809. Diploma issued 
by Washington jMcdical College, Baltimore, 'Md. 
He came to Medina in the fall of 1831, and re- 
mained until 1837. Has practiced more or less 
ever since. Resides now at North Bloomfield, 
Trumbull Co., t)hio. Dr. Howe was one of 
the original members of the Medina Count}' 
Medical Lyceum. At its primary meeting he 
was appointed one of the Committee on Claims, 
also to draft petition to Legislature, for act of 
incorporation, Oct. 29, 1833 ; also elected Re- 
cording Secretarj-, serving until 1836. Was 
one of the committee appointed to consider the 
establishing a medical college ou the Western 
Reserve. Dr. Howe has for many years been 
in the ministrj', and not full}- identified in the 
medical fraternity. 

Dr. 0..S. St. John was born at BuflTalo, N. 
Y., May 28, 1810. Attended schools and acad- 
emy at Buffalo ; studied medicine with Drs. 
Marshall & Trowbridge of that city ; commenced 
in spring of 1827 ; attended medical lectures at 
Fairfield, N. Y., three winter courses, and gradu- 
ated in February, 1831, the Faculty not knowing 
that he was not twentj'-oue years of age at the 
time. He practiced one 3-ear in Buffalo, and came 
to Ohio in summer of 1832. Journeyed from 
Cleveland through Brecksville, Richfield to IMe- 
dina, and back to Cleveland via Brunswick, by 
stage. Returned to Brunswick soon after, and 
put up his sign ; resided there aboutone and one- 
half years ; practiced into Hinckley, Strongsville, 
Grafton and Weymouth Village. Moved back 
to Cleveland in November, 1833, and read law in 
the office of E. H. Thompson, Esq., Hon. H. B. 
Payne being a fellow-student. He attended law 
school at Cincinnati, in ths winter of 1833-34; 
had John Ewing, of Cleveland, and Judge Jede- 



->. 



2GG 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



diah Hoffman, of Youngstown, for room-mates 
and fwllovv-studcnts while there. Was in due 
time aduiilted to the Ijar, but never had a brief. 
The winter of 1837-38, he reviewed medicine at 
Pennsylvania Univer.sit^- and Jefferson Medical 
College, Pcini. Moved to "Winouglib^-. Lake 
County, in October, 1 839. and practiced medicine 
a short time. In the winter of 1S40-41. deliv- 
ered a course of lectures at the Willoughby 
University of Lake Erie, on •■ Materia Medica 
and Medical Jurisprudence," vrhen the school 
was removed to Cleveland. The Doctor in a let- 
ter, says : " As the great game of life is to die rich 
and leave your gains as best you can, to a wise 
man or a fool — generally- a fool — and as my 
pr. if.-ssions were too slow channels for the ac- 
cumulation of property, I soon abandoned them 
except when called as counsel, at the urgent re- 
quest of physicians or friends, and then without 
charge. Outside of professions, I got along 
better, and have, by much economy and brain 
labor, and night vigils, got enough to die on, 
and perhaps to curse my children." Dr. St. John 
was one of the eight to organize the Jlcdina 
County ^Medical Lyceum, October 29, 1833, and 
was appointed Kecording Secretary and Censor. 
His home and address Dec. 10, 1880, was Lin- 
coln, Neb. 

Dr. liOrenzo Warner was born in AVatcrbury, 
Conn., in August, 1807. In early years, he 
worked at the carpenter's trade, but his parents 
sought to educate him for the ministry, and, 
after coming to Ohio, they moved to Gambier, 
where he attended college for a short time. The 
rules and regulations of the school ami church 
there not suiting his more liberal view.?, he with- 
drew and attended the '-AVestern Keserve'' Col- 
lege, aided bj- some " home missionary " work. 
But, just before completing the literary course, 
he entered the office of Dr. Town, of ITud.^on, 
Ohio, and commenced the study of medicine. 
Subsequently, he attended lectures at the Ohio 
Medical College, in Cincinnati, a beneficiar}^ 
under an act of the Legislature, from tha Nine- 



teenth Jledical District. Dr. Warner came to 
the county of Medina about the year 1832 ; 
locating at Brunswick, he continued in active 
practice until about 18-13, when he entered the 
ministry in the 51. E. Church. Dr. Warner 
joined the 3Iedina County 3Iedical Society in 
February, 1835, and was a very active, influen- 
tial member, until he left the profession in 

1843. He was elected Ucpresentative to the 
Fortieth General Asseml)ly of Ohio (session of 
1841-42), serving one term. About the jear 

1844, he left the county and joined the Jletu- 
odist Episcopal Conference, being from that 
time identified with divine work, serving as 
Minister or Elder until his death. 

Dr. Jesse C. Mills came from Congress Town- 
ship, Wayne Co., Ohio, to Seville, in 1832. He 
taught school there in 1833, in Judge Hosmer's 
front chamber. Hon. H. G. Blake was one of 
his pupils at this time ; also Miss Mary Aun 
Bell, whom the Doctor married in 1834. Dr. 
Mills was also one of the eight who organized 
the Medina County Medical Societ}", and the 
first Treasurer, and one of the first Cen- i~; 
delivered the first dissertation before the so- 
cietj-, being in Februar}', 1 834, on " Congestion." 
He held the office of Cen.sor until May, 1839, 
when he resigned, and soon after left the State, 
going to Wisconsin. He disd at Xeenah, la 
that State. 

Dr. Henry Ormsby was born at Fairlce, 
Orange Co., Vt., in 1805. He came to Ohio in 
1817, stopping at Sliddlebury. Summit County, 
lie commenced reading medicine with Dr. 
Town, of Hudson, in 1828. lie .tttended one 
course of lectures at the Ohio ]\Iedical College 
in Cincinnati, as beneficiary from the Nine- 
teenth Medical District, under the act of the 
Legislature, He commenced practice at Brook- 
iicld. Portage County, in 1S32, but came to 
Medina in the same year. Dr. Ormsby was 
one of the eight charter memliers of the ]\Ie- 
dina County Medical Lyceum, and was chosen 
Secretary of the primary meeting to organize 



^ti 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUXTY. 



207 



said society, and was appointed on the com- 
mittee to draft a petition to the Legislature for 
'an act of incorporation. In 1834, Dr. Ormsby 
went to Copley, then in Jledina Countj', and 
soon moved to Dover, in Wa3ne Count}-. He 
came back to Medina in 1837, and con- 
tinued the practice of his profession until 1845, 
when he sold his residence to Dr. L. D. Tol- 
man, and retired from the further duties of this 
high calling. After returning from Dover to 
jMedina, the Doctor .again affiliated with the 
Medical Societ}', and was an active member 
until he retired from practice. Among other 
papers read by him. was one on the use of tea 
and tobacco — but especially tobacco — in 1841, 
and one in 1S43, on •• Animal Magnetism." He 
was appointed Postmaster bj- Jlartin Van 
Buren, just before the expiration of his term, 
which position he held through Harrison's and 
Tyler's official terms, and until the coming in 
of James K. Polk's administration. 

Dr Xathau Branch, Jr., was born in Worth- 
ington, Hampshire Co., Mass., in the /ear 
177U. He studied medicine in the office of Dr. 
Peter Brj'ant, father of the poet, William Cul- 
lon Bryant, in Cunimington, Hampshire Co., 
Mass. Having prepared himself for the prac- 
tice of his profession, he emigrated to Xew 
York, and settled at Groton, now Delaware 
County, aljout the j'ear 1800. There he prac- 
ticed medicine for nearly thirty-four years. 
He came to York, in Medina County, in the 
}-ear 1834, from Groton, N. Y. Hero a large 
circle of relatives and friends gathered around, 
and aided largely in the settlement and growth 
of the township of York. The Doctor practiced 
bis profession in York until about 1852, when 
his j'ears numbered nearlj- fourscore, and he 
went to Blichigan to live with a daughter, Mrs. 
Averhill. He died there about the year 185G. 

Dr. Howard Alden came to Jledina County- in 
1834, from Suffleld, Conn., and located at Seville, 
in companj- with Dr. Mills. From Seville, he 
movetl to Orange. Ashland County, in company 



with Dr. William Doming. He came back to 
Westfield in 1840. His lather was a physician, 
with whom he obtained his medical education. 
He joined the County ^Medical Society November 
2, 1843 ; May 1, 1845, he was chosen President 
of the society ; again in 1846 ; again in 1849 ; 
and served until 1855. He was chosen again 
in 1856, and served as such until 1867, when 
age and feeble health prevented him from 
active duties. He died at his home in West- 
field about the year 1875. 

Dr. Alexander Fisher came from "the East" 
to Ohio in 1834. He was a single man, and lo- 
cated at Western Star. He subsequently mar- 
ried, and immediately took front rank as Jjhysi- 
cian and surgeou, his ride extending widely 
throughout Medina. Summit and AVayue Coun- 
ties. He was universally respected by all who 
formed his acquaiutance, not only for his su- 
periority as physician, but for his generosity, 
urbanity, integrity and unassuming deportment. 
His highest ambition was to be able to treat 
diseases successfulh-, and he made this the prime 
object of life. He was careful in selecting 
remedies to avoid harsh or irritating substances, 
and was among the first to institute the expect- 
ant and supporting treatment in the typhoid 
fevers of the locality. He mo\-ed to Akron in 
1850, and thence to Chicago in 1856. As a sur- 
geon, he performed some important operations, 
such as amputating the superior maxillary bone 
and tying the external iliac artery. He now 
resides in Chicago, III, aged seventy-seven 
years, aud is still on duty iu the line of his pro- 
fession. 

Dr. J. S. Ross came to [Medina in 1S34, joined 
the Medical Society February 5, 1835, was 
elected Treasurer same j'ear, and served until 
1839. He bought Dr. Rowe's place in town in 
1S36, and practiced medicine until he left in 
1839. 

Dr. J. G. Morse, came to Medina in 1835, and 
formed copartnership with Dr. Rowe. Joined 
the Medical Society in 1836. Left this section 



*^7=^ 



M 



2GS 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



of coiintiy iu 1830, under disapproval of the 
Medical Society ; vide resolution. February 5. 
18-10. 

Dr. Amos AVitter located in Seville as physi- 
cian about ISHT. Tie read medieino with Dr. 
DeWitt at T..odi. and attended lectures in Cin- 
cinnati. Dr. Witter joined the Medina County 
Jledical Society May 7, 1839 ; elected Presi- 
dent of same May 2, 1844; served one year; 
appointed Censor May 1. 1S45. Moved to Linn 
County, Towa. about 1S4(). During the war of 
the rebellion, was commissioned Surgeon of a 
regiment from Iowa, and died from exposure 
while in the service. 

Dr. William S. 11. Wclton, son of Judge 
Philo WeUon, one of the early settlers of IMont- 
ville Towi'.ship ; studied medicine with Dr. 
George K. Pardee, and was admitted to mem- 
bership in the Medina County Medical Society, 
and granted diploma Feb. 5, 183."i. lie located 
at Medina, and practiced for about thirty years 
with sliglit interruptions, taking a trip to Cali- 
fornia al)out 1S34. and at one time practiced 
at Wadsworth. His healtli fur a number of 
years was \-erv poor, and he was depriwd 
thereby of manj- advantages which more fortu- 
nate competitors enjoyed. About 18()5, he 
went West, and visited relatives in Wi.s('onsin 
and Iowa. Tiicrc he submitted to amputation 
of the leg, for chronic ulceration, and his health 
since has been so much improved that he has 
'■ taken up the cue '" and sought to prolong the 
lives of the •' black Repidjlicaus " of that State. 

Dr. William Converse, the first physician in 
Litchfield, studied medicine with Dr. E. DeWitt, 
at Loili, being a brother-in-law. Wliile a stu- 
dent, Converse, Witter, and a tall student, wliose 
name is unknown, went to Milton to resurrect 
a hod}' for dissection. They took up collin and 
all. A big dog came upon thcra while at work, 
and the tall fellow struck at him with the 
spado, but missed the dog and knocked Witter 
down. When they came to open the collin, they 
found nothing but old bones iu it. They had 



robbed the wrong grave. Dr. Converse left 
Litchfield in 1 830. going to Lodi, where he prac- 
ticed until 1844, wiien he sold to Dr. Iloag, and 
went to Princeton, 111., and thence to Chicago, 
having become wealthy and retired from l)usi- 
ncss. and educating a son in the profession. 

Dr. A. M. Armstrong, liornlSOS.in Cliatham. 
Columbia Co., X. Y. Studied medicine first at 
Ciiatham. in 1828, subsequently at Kinderhook. 
Attended lectures at Fairfield Medical College, 
New York, and graduated in 1832. Practiced 
medicine at Oswego, N. Y., until 1835. Located 
at Sharon, Medina County, same j'ear. and moved 
to Doylestown in 1837, where he has since re- 
mained, subject to the labors, hardships and 
vexations incident to a country doctor's life. 
Dr. Armstrong was elected, on the Democratic 
ticket, to the Legislature of Ohio, in the fall of 
1870, from Wayne Co., Oliio. 

Dr. Israel B. Beach, a native of Maine, came 
to Sharon in the year 1837 ; remained there in 
active practice until 1850. when he sold to Dr. 
Willey. He joined the Medina County .Med- 
ical Society May 7, 1830, and attended a course 
of medical lectures at the Jefferson i^Iedical 
College, in Pennsylvania, term of lS49-r)(), in 
company with Dr. A. Fisher ; moved to Cleve- 
land in 1850. He subsequently went to the 
State of New York, and again returned to Cleve- 
land, and died there December 10, 1800. 

Dr. Elijah Kendrick came to Wadsworth 
from Jliddlebury in 1838, and occupied I^r, 
Pardee's oflice for one and one-half years. He 
practiced at Wadsworth about fi*e years, and 
went to Cincinnati, He was there during the 
cholera of 1848 ; was appointed Superintend- 
ent of the Insane Asylum at Colunilnis about 
1 850 ; served as such a number of years, and 
moved to East Cleveland. He finally went to 
Brighton. Penn., where he died in 1877. 

Dr. Wilcox settled in Hinckley about 1838, 
and practiced tlu-rc souk' thirty yeai"s, and then 
went West to grow up with the country. Ue 
ta,ught school at Cuyahoga Falls in 1827, 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



209 



Dr. P. E. Mungcr came to the county in 
1838 ; settled in Weymouth ; suiasequcntly 
moved to Medina ; joined the medical society 
in 1840 ; was chosen Secretary and Treasurer 
in 1843 and 1844. 

Dr. Munger was an educated man and well 
posted in the medical literature of his day. 

Dr. Foster located in Granger about the year 

1838. He practiced there until 1845 or 1846, 
and moved to Bennett's Corners ; was there 
several years, and moved to lloyalton. Kept 
hotel iu Royaltou until he died. 

Dr. Rockwell was a physician at JiOdi in 

1839. October 28, 1841, he was admitted to 
membership in the Medina County Medical 
Society'. 

Dr. Lewis Damcm Tolman came to Ohio from 
Onondaga C)., Slate of New York, about 1835. 
He studied medicine with Dr. IJela B. Clark at 
Brunswick ; attended first cour.so of lectures at 
Willoughby in 18.38-39 ; received diploma from 
the Medina County Medical Lyceum May 7, 

1839, and paid $5, the usual fee for a diploma, 
becoming a member thereby. February 5, 

1840, he was elected Recording Secretary and 
Treasurer, and served as such until February 
2, 1843, not having been absent from any meet- 
ing during the four years, and taking an active 
part iu all the proceedings. 

He located at Litchfield in 1839, where he 
commenced to practice his profession ; prac- 
ticed there six years and, in 184.J, came to Me- 
dina Village. In the winter of 1845-4G, he at- 
tended lectures at Cleveland, and graduated in 
the spring of 1846. Returning to Medina, he 
continued the practice with much success, and 
found friends gathering thickl}' around him. 
Jlay 3, 1 849, he was again elected Secretary of 
the Jledical Societ}-, and served uninterrupt- 
edly until 1855, his membership continuing 
until his death in 1859. 

Dr. James II. Carpenter came to Ohio in 
1838 ; was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in 1818. 
He commenced reading medicine with Dr. Tol- 



man in 1839, at Litchfield ; attended medical 
lectures at Willoughby, session of 1839-40 ; 
commenced practice with Dr. Tolman in the 
.spring of 1840. Dr. Tolman, in hiv ing a swarm 
of bees, was stung b^- them, and obliged to keep 
the house. An important call arriving. Carpen- 
ter was asked to respond, and he performed the 
service so well that Dr. Tolman got a pair of 
pill-bags and put him at work. This was the 
beginning of his medical career. The copart- 
nership continued until 1815, when Tolman 
went to Medina ; meanwhile. Dr. Carpenter's 
father had died, and the support of the mother 
and family fell upon him. This and profes- 
sional cares deprived him of further advantages 
in attending medical lectures, and yet few prac- 
titioners have exercised better judgment and 
adaptation to the ever-changing requirements 
of professional life. 

In 1867, Dr. Carpenter moved to Michigan ; 
but the " fickle goddess " that allured him 
thither lavished her charms upon " that other 
man," and he returned to Litchfield in 1877, 
where he now resides. 

Dr. A. I']. Ewing was born October 25, 1816, 
near Cobourg, Upper Canada, on the north 
shore of Lake Ontario. His father was from 
Massachusetts, and his mother from Vermont. 
He entered medical school at Castleton, Vt., 
early in 1836 ; afterward attended the Medical 
Department ol' Dartmouth College, at Hanover, 
N. H., and graduated in October, 1839. He 
came to Ohio in 1840, and practiced medicine 
in Granger and Sharon three years, then at 
Medina two years. In 1847, he went to Hills- 
dale, Mich., and edited a Whig newspaper dur- 
ing the Cass and Taylor campaign, and subse- 
quently came back to Richfield in 1850. Went 
to Wiscionsin in 1850, and came back to Rich- 
field in 1863. Lives now at the last-named 
place. Dr. Ewing joined the Medina County 
Medical L3'ceum February 1, 1814, and served 
as Censor one year and as Secretary and Treas- 
urer until he moved, in 1847. 



37" 



^ 



!k> 



270 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Dr. Hopkins came to Seville in 1840, and 
practiced in company vvitli Dr. A. Witter. 
About 1848, be went to Sharon, and in 1852, 
went to State of New York. He became a great 
invalid subsequcnll}-, and went to the Medical 
Springs at St. Louis, Michigan, having rheuma- 
tism so as to bo confined to crutches, etc. Ho 
was a member of the -Alediua Medical Societ3-, 
Oetoljcr 28, 1841. IMay 3, 1842, chosen one of 
the Censors of the .society, and again in 1843. 

Dr. Henry 'Wurncr was born in Slicldou, 
Genesee Co., N. Y., June 17, 1S17. Dr. Warner 
attended ycliool in Sharon and read medicine 
with Dr. Pardee;, and afterward attended medi- 
cal lectures at Geneva, N. Y., in 1840-11. He 
located at Bristol, Wayne County, but in the 
fall of 1841, he came to Spencer, where he fol- 
lowed his profession until his death, C-Koept 
when serving in the capacity of Judg.' of the 
ProI)ate Court at .^ledina, to which office he 
was elected, commencing in 1855. and serving 
six years. He was attacked witli pneumonia, 
which terminated in death about 1S72. 

Dr. J. C. Preston, born in Tahnadge, Ohio, 
December 8, 1819. Head medicine with Dr, 
Amos Wright of said town: attended a course 
of medical lectures at Willoughby, the winter 
of 1841-42. Practiced with Dr. Jewitt, at Moga- 
dore, Summit County, one year ; went to Bruns- 
wick, Medina County, September, 1843 ; at- 
tended course of lectures, and graduated at 
Cleveland Medical College, winter of lSU2-(;3; 
moved to Cleveland, in No\-ember, 18G9. Dr. 
Preston was appointed Assistant Surgeon, 
Seventy-third Oliio Volunteer Infantry. Date 
of rank, March 19, 18G3. Date of commission, 
March 30, 1803; was promoted to Surgeon, 
February 1, 1805. Date of coniniission l'\4j- 
ruary 5, 1805. Mustered out with regiment 
July 20, 1805. 

Dr. Preston was tlie only physician at Brun.s- 
wick for almost twenty years, and enjoyed the 
full confidence of t!ie pi^opjc within the i-ange 
of liis practice. 



Dr. Mclancthon Hoag came to Lodi in 1844 ; 
bought out Dr. Converse ; was from Randolph, 
Portage Co., Ohio; remained there until his 
death in 1874. Dr. A. llawson was brother-in- 
law of Dr. Hoag ; came to the county in 184 1 ; 
located at La Fayette; left there in 1847. 

Dr. William (]lark, sou of Dr. Bela B. Clark, 
and born in Jledina County, read with his 
fatlier and attended medical lectures at Wil- 
loughby al)out 1841 and 1842. He located at 
Litclificld for practice in 1844, and in 1845, 
vrent West, locating at Bucyrus, Ohio. 

Dr. Edwin II. Sibley- was born in Concord, 
Erie Co., X. Y., October 4, 1810 ; came to Har- 
risville about 1844. He was elected to the 
Legislature of Ohio as Representative from 
Medina County, session commencing January, 
1854; served one term. He attended lectures 
at the University of Buflalo, graduating about 
1843. He joined the Medical Society' of the 
county. May 3, 1855, and was chosen as one of 
the board of censors same daj-. August 2, 
1855, read an essay on ■■Medical Ethics." 
May 1, 1850, Dr. Sil.)Iey presented the follow- 
ing, which was adopted by the society : Re- 
solved, -'That the act, entitled an act to pro- 
vide for the registration of marriages, births 
and deaths in Ohio, is one that the members of 
this societ3' will repudiate, and use negative 
means to render nugatory, for the reason that 
it enjoins, and with a penalty, making obliga- 
tor}' duties upon the medical profession, with- 
out an equivalent, and that in the face of the 
rule in this State against any special legisla- 
tion fa\'orable to the profession." Drs. Sibley 
and Spillman were chosen delegates to tlie Na- 
tional Jledical Association to be held at Detroit, 
3Iich., May 0, 185(;. He died at Lodi. March 
7, 1804, of typhoid pneumonia. 

Dr. L. W. Slclnlosh came to Litclilield in 
1845 ; bouglit out Dr. Tolnian ; left about 1849. 

Dr. John J. McAlmont practiced medicine in 
W(\vmoutli from 1840 to 1850; attended medi- 
cal lectures at Cleveland, session 1848-49, and 






h "Sj 



iHii 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



271 



graduated at the close of the session. About 
1850 he went to Little Hock, Ark. 

Dr. Ilickox came to La Fayette ia 1847; his 
health failing, sold to Dr. S. Hudson, iu 1851, 
and died soon after with consumption. 

Dr. Albertson — Eclectic — located at Wilson's 
Corners about the year 184S, remained a short 
time and moved to Remsou Corners, in the 
township of (Granger, where he still resides and 
continues practice. 

Dr. A. Ct. Willey entered the office of Dr. 
George K. Pardee in 1843. He attended the 
first course of lectures at the Medical Depart- 
ment of the Western Reserve College at Cleve- 
land in the winter of 1846. He went to Spen- 
cer the sam5 spring and practiced in company 
with Dr. Henrj' Warner. In the spring of 
1848, he went to La Faj'ctte and the following 
fall moved his familj' to Cleveland and at- 
ten.led lectures throughout the term of 1848- 
49, and graduated at tiie close. Again he 
moved to Spencer and went into company with 
Dr. Warner; sta^-ed there until .June, 1850, 
when he went to Sharon Center. Deeomber 1, 
1851, he moved back to Spencer and still re- 
mains there. 

Dr. S. Hudson began reading medicine in 
1812, with Dr. Jewett, of Mogadijre, Ohio, and 
iu 1845 attended a course of lectures at Wil- 
l)agliby. He came to River Styx in the fall 
of 1848, and practiced there until the fall of 
1S51, when he went to LaFayotte. He contin- 
ued in practice there until the- fall of 18G1, 
when he went to Columbus and attended a 
course of medical lectures at Starling ■Medi- 
cal College, and received his diploma at the 
close of the term. Soon after he was ap- 
pointed, by Gov. Tod, Assistant Surgeon of 
tlie Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Date 
of rank, July 11, 1862; date of commission, 
July 23, 18(12 ; resigned October 1, 1SG2. In 

1863, he was appointed Post Surgeon at Louis- 
ville, Kj'., remaining there until the spring of 

1864, when he resigned and returned to La Faj^- 



ette, soon afterward moving to Medina, wliere he 
has continued to practice up to the present time. 

Dr. Elder came to Litchfield in 1848 ; prac- 
ticed tliere about three years and moved to 
Huntington, Ohio, thence to Indiana. 

Dr. xVurelius H. Aganl commenced the study 
of medicine by attending lectures at Cleveland, 
Ohio, in the winter of 184G-47, having, the year 
previons, occupied the office of Drs. Fisher and 
Warner, engaging in preliminary studies. He 
pursued the study of medicine henceforth un- 
interruptedly, attending a second course at 
Cleveland, and a third at Jefferson Medical 
College at Philadelphia, and graduating in the 
spring of 1849. Returning to Western Star, he 
formed a copartnership with Dr. Fisher. In 
1850, Dr. Agard bought Dr. Fisher's residence, 
and retained the practice at '-the Star" until 
1850, \Vheu he went to Sandusky Cit3'. He is 
now in California. 

Dr. William Painter r>-as practicing medicine 
at Peninsula, Summit Co., Ohio, up to 1849. 
He attended medical lectures at the Cleveland 
Session of 1849-50, and graduated in the spring 
of 1850. He came to 'Weymouth and remained 
five or six years, when he entered the ministry 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has 
continued to follow in the work from that time 
until the present. 

Dr. Henry Titian}- commenced the practice of 
medicine at Weymouth; attended a course of 
medical lectures at Cleveland, Ohio, session of 
1848^9, and settled in York about 1850. He 
remained there in active practice until 1801, 
when he moved to Medina "Spillage and at the 
death of Dr. Spillman, with his son H. B. Tif- 
fanj", bought the drug store formerly- owned h}- 
Dr. Spillman. He died of inflammation of the 
bowels in 1 804. 

Dr. V/esley I'ope settled in Hinckley about 
1850. Practiced in Hinckley until about 1870. 

Dr. E. R. SIcKensic commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in Litchfield about 1850, and 
still continues in the path of dut}'. 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



>^ 



Dr. John Hill read medicine in the office of 
Dr. A. Fislicr at Western Star ; attended the 
first course of lectures at Cleveland, session 
1849-50. In the spring of ISoO, he went to 
California ; thence to Australia in search of 
gold ; returned b}^ way of England, his mother 
country, in 1855. He attended medical lec- 
tures in Philadelphia in 1855-5G, and grad- 
uated at the Jefferson Medical College in 1856. 
He located at Sharon in the same year, and 
soon after moved to Norton, Summit Co., where 
he has since lived on the farm. 

Dr. 11. J. Grismer came to Wadsworth from 
Pennsylvania in 1853. He bought Dr. L^'raan's 
place, and in 1S5G sold it back again and went 
to Western Star ; sta3'ed there two j-ears and 
moved to Indiana. He is now living in Illinois. 

Dr. James C. Bradford came to Medina in 
1855, and entered into copartnership with Dr. 
Spillman. He remained about one year and 
then received appointment as Assistant Physi- 
cian to Northern Ohio Insane Asylum, where he 
died in a short time of consumption. His pre- 
vious history cannot be ascertained for this 
work. 

Dr. H. E. '^^'arner, son of Rev. Lorenzo War- 
ner, M. D., was born in Brunswick, on the " old 
farm," in 1834. Studied medicine with Dr. 
Hills at Columbus; while a student, was drug- 
gist at the Lunatic Asylum one year, Dr. Hills 
being Superintendent of the same. He was 
druggist, also, at the Ohio Penitentiary' one year, 
while his fother was Chaplain of the same;. Tie 
attended lectures at the Starling 3Iodieal Col- 
lege one term, 1857-58. He located at Wey- 
mouth in tile fall of 1858. and practiced until 
the fall of 1S()0, when he attended lectures 
again at the aljove-named college, and grad- 
uated in the spring of IStil. lleturned to 
Weymouth and continued to practice, wlien he 
was commissioned Assistant Surgeon of the 
Kightj'-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Decem- 
ber 17, 18C;!. He was detached on special 
duty at Camp Chase, having charge of the rebel 



prisoners there confined. He was promoted to 
Surgeon, Jlarch 21, 1805, and remained at 
Camp Chase until the close of the war, in 1SG5. 
Soon after returning home, he began to fail in 
health, and consumption found in him a victim. 
He finall}- yielded himself up to death May 25, 
1873. 

Dr. A. P. Beach commenced practice in Se- 
ville, about 1850, having read medicine with Dr. 
More, of Congress Township, Wa3-ne Co., Ohio, 
and attended medical lectures at Cincinnati, 
Ohio. He has attended lectures at Cleveland, 
recently, for two or three terms, and received 
a diploma from the Medical Department of the 
University of Wooster. 

Dr. George F. Peckham read medicine with 
Dr. Mcintosh at Litchfield, about 1840 ; at- 
tended medical lectures, first course at Colum- 
bus, Ohio ; graduated at Geneva, N. Y., and 
located in Pennsylvania. Came to Litchfield 
in 1800. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon 
of the Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. 
Date of rank and commission, March 25, 1804. 
Was mustered out with the regiment, in Julj', 
1805. Afterward settled at Eawsonville. Lives 
now in Elyria. 

Dr. John L. Firestone was born in Columbi- 
ana Co., Ohio, in 1829. Studied medicine with 
Dr. Leander Firestone, 1850 to 1853. Attended 
one course of lectures in Cleveland, and one 
at Castleton, Vt, graduating there in 1854. 
Attended the New York 3Iedic:d College in 
1855, graduating there. Served two years as 
Assistant Phj'sician in the Northern Ohio Lu- 
natic Asylum. Practiced at Ai)ple Creek, 
Wayne County, one year, and then took charge 
of a drug store at Salem, because of ill health ; 
stayed two years, then came to Medina in spring 
of 1800. Practiced until August 1802, when 
he was appointed Surgeon of the One Hundred 
and Sevenleenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, and served in that and the First Ohio 
Heav3' Artillery, until the close of the war. 
Mustered out August 1, 1805. The following 



7 



HISTORY OF MEDIKA COUNTY. 



273 



winter was spent in the schools and hospitals 
of New York Cit^-, and in the spring formoil a 
partnership with Dr. Abel Carej% a leading phy- 
sician and surgeon of Eastern Ohio. Dr. Carc\- 
died in 1872, and soon Dr. Firestone's health 
began to fail; so much so, that he has l)ecn 
compelled to sock relief in traveling abroad, 
visiting England, Germanj-. Prussia, Austria, 
France and the West Indies, and is still com- 
pelled to see himself becoming a confirmed in- 
valid, and al)le to do but little professional bus- 
iness. 

Dr. Canfield located at La Faj'ette aliout 
1860. He practiced a short time, when he was 
taken with hemorrhage of the lungs, and died 
with quicli consumption. 

Dr. William Brigham located in Seville, about 
ISGl, having been pursuing medical studies at 
Ann Arbor 3Iedical College, Mich. He has con- 
tinued professional labors at the above-named 
place, up the present time, except when absent 
on military daty as Captain of a company in the 
One Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment of 
Oliio Volunteers. 

Dr. E. H. Greenraan located in Granger in 
18G1. Stayed there two and a half yeai-s and 
went West. Last heard from in Oregon. 

Dr. Da\id Palmer was among the early prac- 
titioners of Chatham, remaining up to about 
1S(;5, when he went to West Salem, thence to 
Ridgeville and back to Medina Village. Now 
residing at Lodi, this county. 

Dr. M. I. Hawkins came to Brunswick about 
1SG2, and has held the practice in that and parts 
of adjoining towns. 

Dr. L. B. Parker is an old resident and phy- 
sician of Liverpool ; perhaits the oldest prac- 
titioner of the count)-. He lias grown gray in 
the service, and holds the confidence of the 
people wherever known. 

Dr. William T. I'idenour came to Wadsworth 
in the spring of 1863, originalh- from Maryland ; 
studied medicine at Smithville. W.ayne Co., 
Ohio ; practiced three years in Wadsworth ; 



went to Oberlin in 1869, thence to Toledo, and 
is now professor in the Toledo Medical School' 
Dr. liidenour was appointed Assistant Surgeon 
of the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Date 
of rank. November 9, 1851 ; date of commis- 
sion, November VI, 1861 ; promoted to Sur- 
geon, date of rank and commission, May 1, 

1862 ; resigned December 28, 1862. 

Dr. J. N. Itobin.son read medicine about 
1850, in Chatham, Medina County, and also with 
Drs. Harlej- and Snodgrass in AVayue County. 
He attended medical lectures in Cleveland dur- 
ing the session of 1852-5Li, and 1853-5-1, gradu- 
ating in February. 1854, and located for prac- 
tice at Lockbourne, Franklin County ; remained 
there eight years ; came to Medina Village 
about 1863. 

H. A. Hoyt, M. I)., graduated at Yale Medi- 
cal College Januar)' 10, 1861 ; enlisted as a 
private in First Connecticut Heavy Artillery 
May 10, 18J1 ; promoted to Hospital Steward 
about IMay 24, 1861. Appointed Assistant 
Surgeon, same regiment, January 17, 1863. 
Received discharge at his request Deceml-.or 8, 

1863 ; settled in Doylestown, Ohi<i, Jlarcii 16, 
1864. July 23, same year, he accepted the posi- 
tion of Acting Assistant Surgeon United States 
Array, Second Division. Third Army Corps. 
By his request, contract was annulled Novem- 
ber 20, 1864 ; returned to Doylestown, Ohio ; 
received commission from (!ov. IJuckingliam, 
Assistant Surgeon of the Sixth Connecticut In- 
fantry, and had charge of the regiment until 
mustered out August 31, 18(55 ; moved to 
La Fayette, Medina Co., Ohio, December 15, 
1865 ; had medical charge of County Infirm- 
ar\' ; practiced his profession until he removed 
to Hoytvillc, April 15, 1867 ; practiced medi- 
cine there three j-ears, and went into mercantile 
business there. 

Dr. Henry Schuhmaker practiced medicine in 
Liverpool Township, near Abbeyville, a numljer 
of j-cars. He was educated in Germany, his 
native countr)', and was a man of fine mold 



V 



.1^ 



274 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



and active perceptive faculties. He died of 
typhoid fever and congestive fever about 1871, 
while but a young and promising man. 

Dr. J. C. Miller practiced Medicine at Lodi, 
about 1865, and for several years thereafter. 

Dr. John Slutz located and practiced medi- 
cine at La Fayette, about 1865 ; was there three 
or four years, and for a short time also at Se- 
ville. He is now engaged as agent for the 
Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company. 

Dr. S. B. Frazelle came to Sharon aliout 1865, 
was a graduate of Bellevue Hospital Medical 
College, New York. He practiced in Sharon 
three or four years, when his health failed and 
he was obliged to retire, and died of consump- 
tion about 1870. 

Dr. Parker located in La Fayette about 1865. 
He was a graduate of Cleveland ]\Iedical Col- 
lege, and a member of the Northeastern Ohio 
Medical Society ; was also physician to the 
County Infirmary for several years ; moved out 
of the county in ISSO. 

Dr. A. 0. Huntley studied medicine with Dr. 
Stace3' Hills, and practiced in Granger in the 
years 1860-67. 

Dr. X. S. Everhard, son of Jacob Everhard, 
was born in Chippewa January 8, 1841. He 
studied medicine with his broth.T, Dr. Aaron 
Everhard. at Fiipon, Wis.; graduated at Cleve- 
land .Aledical College, and located in AVads- 
worth in 1868. Dr. P^verhard has continued 
to practice at Wadsworth until the present 
time, and holds a high position in the ranks 
of the fraternity. 

Dr. L. S. ^Murra}- studied medicine with Dr. L. 
Firestone,ofWooster, beginning in IS64 ; grad- 
uated at the Jledical Department of Wooster 
University in the spring of 186S, and practiced 
in Wooster until tiie fall of 1868, when he came 
to Medina. Ohio, where he has since followed 
his profession. 

Dr. G. S. Gillett studied medicine in the office 
of Drs. W. II. If. Sykes and J. A. Tucker, at 
Plymouth, Ohio ; attended medical lectures at 



the Western Reserve Jledical College, in 
Cleveland, sessions, of 186-1-65 and 1866-67, 
and, graduating February, 1867; came to Hinck- 
ley 1868, and is practicing there at this date. 

Dr. James H. Cassady has been engaged in 
the practice of medicine in Sharon Township 
since about 1870. 

Dr. Porter located in Granger al>out ten 
years ago, and continues to practice there. 

Dr. Singer came to York about 1871 ; stayed 
about two years, and quit. 

Dr. H. H. Doane commenced in Litchfield in 
1872. 

Dr. Frank Young commenced stud\'ing medi- 
cine with Dr. Darley, of Cleveland, in 1869. 
He attended two full courses of lectures in the 
old Cleveland College, and gxaduated in the 
spring of 1872; he located in Wej^mouth the 
same year, and continues to occupj- that field. 

Dr. Wallace Briggs studied with Dr. Lyman at 
Wadsworth, and graduated at Ann Arbor, Jiich., 
in 1869. He located at River Styx in same 
year, but moved to Wadsworth in 1873, and in 
1877 moved to California. 

Dr. Hahn located in Spencer about the year 
1874, occupying the office left by Dr. Warner 
at his death. He continues to reside and prac- 
tice there. 

Dr. Frank S. Jones began his medical career 
as druggist's clerk in 1S65. in 3Iedina. afterward 
in Cleveland, and subsequently in New York 
City. While in New York, he attended the 
New York College of Pharmacy for three sea- 
sons, and graduated in the spring of 1872. In 
the fall of 1872, he went to Chicago, and at- 
tended medical lectures at the Rush ^Medical 
College of that cit}-, graduating at that insti- 
tution in the spring of 1876. During a portion 
of the time of attending lectures, he was resi- 
dent physician of one of tiie hospitals of Chi- 
cago. He came to Medina in the spring of 
1876, and began practice, since which time 
he has continued in the line of professional 
duty. 



;r^ 



^1 



A 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



275 



Dr. Xowberry came to York about 1876, and 
staj-ed about one j-ear. 

Dr. P. E., Bench, a graduate of Bellevue 
Hospital Medical College, New York, commenced 
the practice of medicine at Seville, in companj' 
with his father about 1877, since which time 
he has been building up a practice. 

Dr. Thomas Hunter came to this countiy 
from tlie Emerald Isle, bringing with him the 
medical education acquired through the oppor- 
tunities afforded him in that historic land. He 
stopped off at Seville, and planted himself with- 
out introductory ceremonies, and no artifice or 
opposition could ever "rattle" him in the 
least. 

Dr. Brown came to York about 1878, and 
stayed about one year. 

Dr. E. E. Britton is a native of Medina 
County, and read medicine with Dr. Garver, of 
Homer. Graduated at Cincinnati in 1878, and 



came to Lake Station in June of the same year, 
and practiced there until October, when he 
moved to Spencer, where he now resides. 

Dr. John Cowan came to Lodi from xVshland 
County in 1879, and has a drug store in con- 
nection with his practice. Bead medicine with 
his brother, J. P. Cowan. Commenced in 1851, 
and graduated at Columbus in 1854. 

Dr. J. AVall was raised in the township of 
York, and read medicine with Dr. Gamble, of 
Liverpool, gradu;iting at Cleveland, Ohio. He 
located at Sharon for a short time, but since 
1879, has been practicing at York. 

Dr. C. G. Hollis came to Wadsworth in the 
spring of 1880, from Richfield, Summit CoVlntj-. 

Dr. George H. Wuchter studied medicine 
under Dr. Lvman, at Wadsworth. Attended 
three full courses of lectures at Jefferson Med- 
ical College, Pennsj'h'ania, and graduated in 
the spring of 1880. He is now at Pdver St3-x. 



CHAPTER IV. 

SOCIAL DEVELOPAIENT — TOE PURITAN CHURCH IN THE WILDEU.«IP,FS— EARLY RELIGIOUS SOCIE- 
TIES—THEIR TRIALS AND TRIUMI'IIS — RISE AND GROWTH OF SCHOOLS- 
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS — THE PRESS — RAILROADS. 



THE early settlers of jMedina County were 
a "peculiar people." Nurtured in the shad- 
ow of Plj-mouth Bock, and growing to maturi- 
ty under the rigid Puritan system, that scarce- 
ly in theory divided the church and state, 
they brought to this new laud a religious spirit 
that eagerly seized upon the new Connecticut 
as a means to propagate a theology that had 
hitherto flourished only within the rock-bound 
limits of New England. In their native land, 
hedged about by traditions that had com- 
manded the unquestioning respect of parents 
and children for many generations, opposition 
iiad been thrust out, and the people began to 
feel, like the Jews of old, that they were espe- 
cially aided of God, and that they alone had 



kept the faith undefiled. But hitherto, it had 
not been successful!}' transplanted, and, when 
the "Western Reserve" was placed in the con- 
trol of those "to the manor born," a prominent 
thought in the minds of those who peopled it, 
was that now favorable circumstances were to 
aid in transplanting the Puritan faith to a spot 
peculiarly guarded, from .which its influence 
like the light, should dispel the darkness and 
make the church of New England the church 
universal. Accepting the dogma of "original 
sin," they sat beneath the denunciator}' preach- 
ing of their native land with a meekness that 
was satisfied if, by the rigid rule of practice 
laid down, they might, peradventure, be saved. 
But under this quiet exterior there was a true 






276 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



war-like spirit, and tlie mintl of each member 
of the church that had reached maturity of 
thought, was an arsenal of theological weapons 
At church meetings, in the social circles, and 
on the street, the ponder(JUS themes of " elec- 
tion," "fore-ordination," " the perseverance of 
the saints," and kindred subjects, were promi- 
nent topics and were wielded with a power and 
an address that vividlj' recalls the physical 
combats of medieval times. On coming to the 
new country, however, those characteristics ex- 
perienced a change. The standing army had 
been mobilized, and each member was imbued 
with the enthusiasm of a crusader, but thej' 
found here an enemy, to subdue wliom their 
arsenal held no adequate weapon. Their ful- 
minations of the decrees were met with an ap- 
peal to "common-sense" philosoph}' ; dogmas 
were met with the demand for freedom of 
thought ; and the result here, as in manj' a pln-s- 
ical conflict, was that the light-armed forces 
completely demoralized those strong only in 
their defensive armor, and I'orccd them to ac- 
cept, and in tlie end to champion, that freedom 
of thought that they had early learned to de- 
nounce as heresy. 

Society during the first ton or fifteen years 
was but little divided by sectional lines. In 
church, politics and .social matters, neighbor- 
hoods for miles about were closely allied b}- 
the necessities of the situation, and society in 
the spirit of true democracy inquired onl_y into 
the moral worth of the new comer. The ma- 
jority of the adults among the earlj' settlers had 
been members of some one of the Christian 
churches in their native States, and at the first 
opiwrtunity arrangements of more or less per- 
manent character were made for Christian wor- 
sliip. Sectarian feelings, under the exigencies 
of the occasion, were lost sight of or kept 
strictly in nboyanco, and Congrogatioualists, 
Episcopalians, i\Icthodists and IJaptists imited 
to establish and continue religious worsliip on 
the Sabbath. The reminiscences of Ephraim 



Lindlej, of Brunswick, are typical of the ex- 
periences of the ditferent communities through- 
out the count}' at that time. He sa^'S : " At 
the first religious meetings, citizens from Liver- 
pool aud Brunswick united. When meetings 
were hold at William Warner's cabin, Justus 
Warner, wiio was an Episcopalian, took the 
lead of the meeting, and when at Brunswick 
the leader of religious exercises was of the 
Methodist or Congregational denominations. 
Generallj- the small ftiinil}- dwelling was filled 
with those who revered the Sabbath and church 
duties. The exercises commenced with sing- 
ing, in which all took part, aud were able to 
keep time and sing in unison without the aid 
of organ or other musical instrument. After 
singing, prayer devout and fervent was ofllered, 
then a sermon was read, one or more exhorted, 
then closed by singing. Many of those who 
witnessed these religious exercises in the then 
wilderness, cannot have forgotten the zeal, the 
good feeling, the solomnitj', that was apparent. 
God smiled graciously on the first settlors and 
conferred upon them many and rich blessings 
while employed in rearing homes in these 
wilds. At the Sabbath prayer meetings there 
was a marked reverence, and not a few can 
date back to those times aud places their first 
and lasting religious impressions." 

In the meanwhile, the mother State had not 
been unmindful of the spiritual wants of its 
Western oSspring, and the Connecticut I\Iission- 
ary Society, formed to carry the gospel of the 
Puritans to Vermont and Western New York, 
sent several of its missionaries to the New Con- 
necticut. Among these, were the Reverends 
Amasa Looniis, William Ilanford and Simeon 
^Voodrulf; and it was under their guidance 
that most of the early Congregational churciies 
were formed. These were established in Ilar- 
lisvillo on October 3 and 4, 1817, witli twelve 
members ; in Brunswick, February 19, 1S19, with 
eleven members ; in Medina, February 21, 1819, 
with seven members ; in Wadsworth August 8, 



"Tn 



IV 



-14> 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



377 



1819, with nine members ; in Granger, Novem- 
ber 14, 1819, with thirteen members, and soon 
after in Westfield. Tliesc organizations did not 
at once set about erecting a place of worsliip, 
nor to secure a pastor, but thej' served as rall}'- 
ing points for the denomination wliich they 
represented. Other church influences were not 
less active. Tlie Methodist Episcopal itiner- 
ants were e.arl3- found in all parts of the county, 
establishing a class at Brunswick in 1817 ; in 
Medina and Westfield in 1819, and in Granger 
in 1820. The Baptists and Presbyterians or- 
ganized churches a little later, so that in 1835, 
each township had several religious organiza- 
tions. These different churches, though osten- 
sibly independent bodies, were, in fact, in the 
majority of cases, a single church for all prac- 
tical purposes. Thej' usually occupied the most 
centrally located schoolhouse, and the difi'erent 
missionaries so timed their visits as to arrive 
when there were no other appointments. A little 
later, union houses of worship were built, and 
frequently, at first, a single pastor conducted 
the ser\'ices, or each secured a pastor to preach 
on each alternate Sabbath, the same audience 
attending each service. In some instances, the 
original proprietor of the lands here, took an in- 
terest in this subject which greatly aided these 
weak societies. In Montville, Aristarchus Cham- 
pion, the principal owner of land in the township, 
contributed $300 toward the building of a 
Methodist Church, and in 1827, induced Rev. 
S. V. Barnes, a Presbyterian minister, to locate 
there, by the gift of 100 acres of land. In a 
similar spirit, Elijah Boardman sought to estab- 
lish the Episcopal Church in Medina as the one 
with which he affiliated. The disposition thus 
manifested, tended to facilitate the organization 
of a religious sentiment that did not need 
awakening or quickening. The first religious 
service of a public character in Medina, was 
held on the 11th day of March, 1817, Rev. 
Royce Searle, Rector of St. Peter's Church, of 
Plymouth, Connecticut, preaching the sermon. 



On the following day. Rev. William Hanford, a 
missionar}- of the Connecticut JNIissionary So- 
ciety-, preached a sermon at the same place. 
Tiie county seat was considered a point of great 
advantage for denominational development, 
aud both of these ministers, the one represent- 
ing the proprietor's choice, and the other the 
ruling element in the New as well as the old 
Connecticut, aud both finding persons of like 
faith with themselves, were thus seeking by 
early eflbrts to secure the ground for their re- 
spective organizations. On the lOth of the fol- 
lowing month, the people gathered near the 
present residence of Herbert Blalislee and pre- 
pared to erect a log cabin for a place of 
worship. The underbrush was cleared away, 
the timber cut and hauled to the site of the 
proposed building, and shingles had been pre- 
pared from the tree, when a notice that Rev. 
Mr. Searle would be there in the afternoon and 
preach, was received. The people with one ac- 
cord redoubled their efforts, and completed the 
structure, providing seats, bj- placing poles on 
forked stakes driven in the ground, in time to 
listen to the sermon at 4 o'clock in the aft- 
ernoon. Here the Congregationalists and the 
Episcopalians held services on alternate Sun- 
days, and continued in this way for years. This 
state of affairs continued without anything to dis- 
turb the general harmonj', until about 1830 or 
1835. By this time, the number of available 
ministers had largely increased ; the pressure 
of pioneer life had become less burdensome, 
settlers had more means to devote to the build- 
ing of "meeting houses," more members were 
gathered into the different organizations, and 
there began to be manifested on the jiart of the 
difi'erent denominations, a disposition to assert 
their individualitj-. This led to less cordiality 
in the union work, and gave rise to an attempt 
to turn the work to diiuominational account, 
which led in some cases to a violent disruption 
of the harmonious relations previously known, 
and in all cases gradually- to a separate place of 



278 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



worship and church work. On the whole, this re- 
sult was not altogether undesirable, as, in the 
niaiu.it inculcated a proper spirit of emulation 
and more jilainly marked the individual respon- 
sibility of the members, resulting in greater 
Ciuistian activity. 

Ihuing all this time a subtle change had 
been going on in the character of the people. 
Jlinds that had beeu kept within rigid lines of 
thought, breathing in the free air of the wilder- 
ness, had unconsciously liogun to wander in the 
fields of spt'culalion which had been forbidden 
to their earlier life, and were rapidly conceiving 
a taste for this freedom of thought. It was 
years, however, before these staid New Eng- 
land people, strictest of their sect, would ac- 
knowledge what was readily revealed to the 
new comer, or to their old friends in the East 
when thev returned to visit their native places. 
This was the happy mean in a change that af- 
fected all classes of society. Some of the older 
people could not surrender the traditions they 
had respected from their j"Outh up. the habits 
of thoughts that had strengthened with their 
growth, and thev became more stern in their 
judgment, and contended for each jot and tittle 
of their faith with increased pertinacity. The 
other extreme was a violent reaction, in the 
fonn of infidelity, against the mental tyrannj- 
of the old Puritan faith. The seeds of this 
heresy did not come into the county fr(jm New 
England, but, once here, it found fruitful ground 
in the minds of those, who, held in control only 
by the stern inllnences of their native land, 
became restive and insubordinate when these 
restraints were partiallv removed in this wild 
countr}'. This reaction was not marked, how- 
ever, until the whole count}- were sudden]}- 
awakened to the fact, b}- the organization and 
charter of an association or soeiet}- in Medina, 
for the promotion of •• Morals and Scientific 
Research." This was about 1S.30 or 1S:52, and 
in Jauuarv of IS'S.i. and again in the following 
j-ear. this society publicly celebrated the birth. 



day of Thomas Paine. On one occasion they 
heralded their freedom from the '• thralldom of 
religious opinion," with cannon, and, on both 
occasions, a procession headed by such music 
as could be secured, paraded the streets of the 
village. The number which thus openly 
avowed their infidelity reached something over 
fifty persons, a few of whom, at least, had been 
church members here, A dinner and an ora- 
tion completed the exercises of these occasions. 
Although it was generally understood that such 
a society existed, this revelation of the extent 
of the evil came upon the church with startling 
force, and brought a stigma upon legitimate 
free thought, that strongly rein forced the 
ranks of conservatism in the church. 

But the struggle for free thought was not 
destined to be lost or won on a single field. 
The question of human slavery, which had 
been kept in abeyance b}- the church, under 
the fostering influence of Garrison, the " Ohio 
Obsfrvcr." and the Philanthropist" began to 
loom up into such proportions here, that it 
could no longer be ignored, and the continued 
divergence of sentiment among the people, 
threatened to disrupt the churches — a conse- 
quence which did follow in many cases. The 
establishment of Oberlin College, in 1833, gave 
strength to the progressi\-e element in society 
and added to the seriousness of the situation. 
The Congregational and Methodist Churches 
suflTered most hy the agitation which followed. 
In the case of the latter, the Wesleyan move- 
ment, championed, if not inaugurated, by Ed- 
ward Smith, was seriously felt in ^ledina 
County, His powerful arguments, brought 
home to the intelligence of the people by forci- 
ble illustrations, carried conviction. His fiivor- 
ite figure was to represent those who hoped to 
reform the Methodist Episcopal Church from 
within, as a washer-woman who sliould jump 
into her tub, and, grasping the handles, expect 
to em[)ty it of the water. A number of classes 
were formed throughout the eountv from these 



\ 



^^^^ 




^^-^, 



AGE 92 YEARS 



*-^ /^^T-*- 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



281 



dissenting members of the Methodist Church. 
No buildings, however, were erected bj' them, 
and subsequentlj-, when the logic of events re- 
moved this question I'rom the forum of debate, 
the}' generallj- returned to their original church 
home. 

With the Congregational Churches the case 
was more complicated. These had been organ- 
ized on the '• plan of accommodation," that of 
union with the Presbytery, an arrangement 
wliich had been effected through the overtures 
of the Presbyterian Church, which had been ac- 
cepted by the Congi-cgational Churches in 
Western New York. It provided for the regu- 
lar incorporation of these churches into the 
Presbyterian order for temporary purposes, al- 
lowing in cases of discipline the member to 
elect under which mode of procedure the case 
should be tried. In 182S, the Western Re- 
serve College was founded at Hudson, with 
Rev. Charles B. Stows as professor, and later as 
President. At this period the influence of the 
college, under the guidance of a faculty com- 
posed of such men as Elizur Wright, Beriah 
Green and Rufus Nutting, was in favor of 
emancipation. This attitude was maintained 
until 18;-53. when, through the death of the Pres- 
ident and the efforts of the institution's pro- 
slavery friends, the administration was changed, 
and President Pierce, a conservative, put at the 
head. It was at this juncture that Oberlin 
College was established, having for its object, 
as was set forth in its first annual report, '' the 
diffusion of useful science, sound morality and 
true religion, among the growing multitudes of 
the Mississippi Valley." One of its objects was 
the elevation of female character, aud included 
within its general design, was " the education of 
the common people with the higher classes, in 
such manner as suits the nature of Republican 
institutions." These centers of college and 
church influence were at once brought into 
collision. Oberlin stood for human rights with- 
out reserve ; for independent Congregational- i 



ism ; for " santification," " Christian perfec- 
tion " or " holiness of heart," in religion, as it 
was variously termed. On all these points it 
was antagonized by Hudson. " From the time 
of the Edwardses, there had been a progressive 
and a conservative party in the churches : the 
former aspiring after an enlarged liberty, and 
the latter seeking to repress it ; the former 
insisting upon the doctrine of immediate and 
unconditional repentance (as did Hopkins) ; 
the latter pleading for indulgences, postpone- 
ment, gradualism, and temporizing expedients ; 
the former responded promptly to the call for 
the immediate and unconditional abolition of 
slavery ; the latter had previously intrenched 
and fortified itself in the fortress of the Coloni- 
zation Society, and was determined to permit 
no disturbance of its quietude."* This, as 
near as any formula can express it, was the re- 
lation of these two centers of learning in the 
New Connecticut, and their antagonism was at 
once transferred to the churches in the country 
surrounding, arousing a rancorous contention, 
the echoes of which have but recently died 
away. A man was set "at variance against 
his father, and the daughter against her 
mother, and the daughter-in-law against her 
mother-in-law, and a man's foes were they of 
his own household." While the antagonism 
was really between the progressive and tiic con- 
servative elements, the questions upon which 
they differed were threefold — Slavery, Congre- 
gationalism, and what became to be known as 
" Oberlin Doctrines." On the first question, the 
Hudson institution, in obedience to its friends, 
had changed from its early advanced grounds 
to conservative views of the subject. It still 
claimed to be opposed to slaver}-, and repelled 
with indignation the charge that it was only 
half-hearted in the cause, and was really pro- 
slavery in sentiment. Its support of the " Plan 
of Accommodation " allied the power of the 
Presbytery to its interests, and for awhile it 

♦Slavery and Ami-Slavery — By William Goodell. 






V 



283 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUZSTTY. 



seemed invincible in the churches. The major- 
ity of tlie ministers here were members of the 
Presbyterian order, and frequently had no con- 
uection with the church over whicli tlic}" pre- 
sided, save as liired master of the organizations. 
According to the plan of union, tlie government 
of the cliurch was in the hands of the Presby- 
tery, while the membership was in a great ma- 
jority, if not wholly, Congregational. The ma- 
chinery of the church, therefore, was eutirelj- 
in the hands of the conservative part}-, and it 
was only that the miaorit}' of the laity p.os- 
sessed the same Puritan pertinacit}^ with the 
majority-, that, with the triple armor of a just 
cause, thej- eventuall}- triumphed. Oberliu at 
once became the rall^ing-poiut for those who 
were opposed to this unnatural union, and this 
stronghold of conservatism was a little later 
shaken to its center by the organization of a 
'•Congregational Association,'' the forerunner 
of the present conference system. Some years 
subseqnentl}', the ■• General Assembly" of the 
Prcsb3-terian Church met at Cleveland. The 
question of slavery could not bo kept in abey- 
ance, and one of the Southern members deliv- 
ered himself of a labored argument, taking the 
ground that the Bible sustained human slaver^-. 
This proved an elScient weapon in the hands 
of tlie progressive element in the churches of 
this county. Society here had outstripped the 
churches in anti slavery progress, and the de- 
fense of the Presljvtery, to whicli the odium of 
this argument attached, rapidly bec.uue unpop- 
ular. The power of the Presbytery, however, 
though shaken, was not overthrown at once, 
and the •' Oberlin Doctrines" became iieir to the 
liostilitics wliicli tiie agitation had engendered. 
The Oberliu Ecamjelist was denounced from 
the pulpit ; subscribers were ■■ marked men," 
and were frequenth' shunned even by tiieir rel- 
atives. It was siraplj- the old figbt for free- 
dom of thought, without anj- foreign question 
to mask it. The Kcaaydist demanded the abo- 
lition of formulas, freedom for all investigation, 



and the holding-fast of that which was good. 
The excitement permeated the whole commu- 
nity-, and those outside of the church declared 
'• that the devil had really come to Medina ; 
had got the Episcopalians all by the ears, and 
frightened the Methodists to their prayers, 
while the 

"Preshytcrian.s look on and sing, 

' Sweet is the work, my God, my King.' " 

The end was a division in some of the principal 
churches in the county, the Oberlin adherents 
being forced out or departing to establish new 
organizations. Tliis cubninating point was not 
reached in all parts of the county at the same 
time, and the asperities of the agitation were 
groatl}- relieved by occasional revivals, one of 
the most remarkable occurring at Medina Vil- 
lage in 1344. The rapid progress of subse- 
quent political events hurried the disturbing 
question of slavery on to the final arbitrament 
of war, and when, on January I, 1863, slavery 
was struck dead, there was no church influence 
but that applauded. With this the root of all 
bitterness removed, the step to a re-union was a 
short one, and .this desirable consummation 
soon followed. Xow, slaverv is dead, Congre- 
gationalism is iadependeat, and Oberlin gradu- 
ates are sought by all churches of this order — 
the triumph of free thought could not be rnore 
complete. 

The churches of the count}- have passed 
through great changes since the earl}- days. 
Many have died out, some have, as an organ- 
ization, changed their creed, and others have 
sprung up and supplanted the older established 
ones. There arc si.\ty-ninc church organiza- 
tions, all but one or two possessing places of 
worship averaging from $1,200 to $10,000 in 
cost of erection. These churches are divided 
denominationally as follows ; 3Iethodist Kpis- 
copal, nineteen ; Congregational, ten ; Baptist, 
seven ; Disciple, six ; Lutheran, six ; United 
Brethren, five ; Dunkard, three ; German Re- 
formed, Catholic, Uuivcrsalist and Presb^-terian, 






-^ 



HISTOllY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 






28:3 



each two, and one each of the Lutheran and Ger- 
man Reformed united, EvangeUeal (Albright) 
Protestant Episcopal, " Church of God," and 
Mcnnonite. 

Likj th'3 earl_y immigrants in all parts of the 
State, the first settlers of Jledina County 
brought here the habits of intemperance which 
prevailed so generally in New England in the 
opening years of the nineteenth century. Whisky 
l)layed an important part in all forms of social 
life in the new community-. In the cabin, on 
training day, at loggings and house-raisings, at 
the meetings of the lodges and at ministerial 
gatherings, the lurking evil was found. But 
few distilleries were to be found in the count}-, 
but there was no lack of the product ; drunken- 
ness was common, and sudden deaths, of 
which w'hisk}- was the immediately producing 
cause, reach upward of a score in number. In 
183:5, a resident of Sharon Township was seen 
returning from Grangerburg intoxicated, but he 
ditl not reach home. After ten days of search, 
his boily was found lying in a little stream with 
a jug of whisky beside him. From the position 
of the body, it was thought that in his attempt 
to drink from tlio brook, he had fiillen forward, 
and in his helpless, intoxicated state was 
drowned. But with this terrible vice the peo- 
ple brought also an antidote, and it was not long 
before there were earnest men .and women who 
united to combat the curse. N. B. Northrop is 
credited with giving the first regular temp^>rance 
lecture in the county, and it is believed it was 
made in Sharon Township. However, he made 
speeches early, as did Timothy Hudson and 
others as early as 1830. The earliest recorded 
tcraiierance society in the county was formed 
in Litchfield Township, July 4, 1832, although 
it is probable that there were others formed 
earlier, at Medina Village if not elsewhere. In 
1842, the Washingtouian movement was brought 
here bj- a Mr. Turner and a companion from 
Cleveland. Spirited meetings were held at first 
in the court house, and from the county scat 



the influence spread in widening circles through- 
out the county. During this j'ear, the Rev. D. 
A. Randall issued a small folio paper, called the 
Waahiiigtonian, with a page about 8x10 inches, 
which appeared once a month, and continued 
some time into the following year. In 1847, 
the temperance movement received a new im- 
pulse, and Rev. W. B. Disbro edited the Pledge, 
a temperance paper about the same size as its 
predecessor, which was published I.)}- the Medina 
Temperance Society. This movement, more 
properly known as that which introduced the 
organization of the " Sons of Temperance," so 
far as enlisting the interest of the people 
went, was eminently successful. Lodges were 
formed throughout the county, and " Good 
Templar" meetings were one of the stand- 
ard means of entertainment in country com- 
munities up to the beginning of the war. 
The distracting influence of succeeding 3'ears 
drew attention from this line of effort, and the 
organized movement against intemperance was 
allowed to lose force and finally to cease alto- 
gether. A few saloons were started in each of 
the principal villages in the count\-, and the 
druggists made the liquor traffic a prominent 
part of their business. 

This was about the state of aflairs in the 
latter part of 1873, when the " Crusade " began 
in AVashington Court House, in Highland 
County, Ohio. Dio Lewis was prominent in 
this movement, and, writing of its operations, 
he said : " There are four distinct stages. 
First, the conversational, which must be com- 
plete before the second step — -the large public 
meeting, at which the best ladies in the town 
must be appointed in large numbers — is taken. 
The third stage will require no management. 
It is the stage of saloon visiting, and the 
women will take care of it. The fourth stage 
is that of tying up the loose strings, clinching 
the nail with reading-rooms. It must lie done 
in this order." The effort was attended witii 
wonderful success, and, for a month or two. 






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284 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



confined itself to Southern Ohio ; ijut. as tlie 
work spread, the enthusiasm kindled into a 
grand eonflasjfation that leaped i^tate barriers 
and enveloped the whole laml. Tt reached 
Medina County in Feliruary, 1874. The work 
had attracted the attv-nlion of the good people 
of the county very early, and the - first stage" 
had been passed when, in the Gawttc of the 
27th of this month, a notice was given for a 
mass meeting at the Methodist Church. The 
pulilic thought may be well expressed in the 
comments of the paper on this notice, as fol- 
lows : '■ We do not understand that the meet- 
ing is intended to inaugurate the prating 
crusade or any special method, but tiiat it is 
hoped that it may help to streugtheu the pub- 
lic sentiment on the side of temperance, and 
encourage greater activit}- and zeal in sup- 
pressing liquor selling and liquor drinking." 
The meeting thus introduced recognized at 
once that the •• woman's temperance movement 
had struck Medina," and an earnest remon- 
strance against the local liquor trafllc was 
drawn up to circulate for signers. On the llth 
of March, a Woman's Temperance League was 
organized at Medina, and a vigorous campaign 
inaugurated on the plan followed elsewhere. 
The movernent gradually spread to the out- 
U-ing portions of the county. Even the 
country townships without saloons had organi- 
zations that did yeoman service in educating 
public sentiment and supporting the general 
work. A Men's Temperance Union was formed 
in May at ^fedina Village, which had for its ob- 
ject '• to take notice of all violations of the law of 
the State and ordinances of this village for the 
suppression of drunkenness and intemperance 
that may come to their knowledge." This was 
a type of the work throughout the county 
which engaged the active interest of the lead- 
ing men and women in every townshii). Tiic 
result was eminently successful everywhere. 
Saloons were closed, and druggists came upon 
temperance grounds. The ])roiect of a read- 



ing room was talked of at considerable length, 
but a public librar}- was finally established, 
wliicii still exists for the use of all for a small 
consideration. The results of this movement 
in the; count3- were cr3'stal!ized in the form of 
a Vi'oman's Christian Temperance Union, 
which was auxiliary to a State organization of 
tlie same style. Other organizations, such as 
the Young People's Christian Temperance 
Union, Temperance Battalion, etc., tending to 
interest the \-ounger portion of the count}-, and 
an organization of the Temperance Gleaners, 
especially for the children, were inaugurated. 

On the 7th of April. 1877, the "Murphy 
movement " struck Jledina. The eflort was ad- 
dressed to individuals, and began in Pitts- 
burgh, through the exertions of Francis Mur- 
phy, a reformed drunkard. It started as an 
entirel}' secular movement, and was carried on 
with wonderful success. It gradually spread 
along the lines of railroad leading out of that 
city, reaching one town after another, like the 
spread of an epidemic. It, however, soon took 
on a religious nature, and proved as wide- 
reaching as the '• Crusade " that had i)reccded 
it. In response to an invitation from some of 
the citizens of Jlediua, Jlessrs. 0. B. iJealing, 
John McConnell and 31r. Howard, of Warren, 
Ohio, who had been engaged in the work there, 
came to the county seat and inaugurated the 
movement. A Young Men's Temperance Un- 
ion was formed, and the pledge, printed on a 
card to be signed, was circulated, and, for a 
time, these " JIurphy cards " were popularly 
considered as a certificate of good moral cliar- 
acter, and a general passport to the favor of the 
people. There were numerous cases wiiere 
these cards were secured and used for disrepu- 
table purposes, but, in the main, the result was 
to advance the temperance sentiment of the 
country. The interest spread throughout the 
county, and organizations were formed in 
Brunswick, Liverpool, York. XamW. Wadsworth, 
Seville, Wevmouth. Sharon, and, linallv. to 



V 





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HISTORY OF MEDIKA COUNTY. 



285 



eveiy part of the count}'. A blue ribbon lie- 
came the badge of the organization, and the 
majority of tliosc to be met wore it con.spicu- 
ouslj displaj-ed on their clotliing. The inter- 
est continued for several months, when its 
absorbing influence gave wa_y to other mat- 
ters. 

On April 19, 1879, another temperance wave 
struck Medina. At that time. II:ir\ ey L. Simon, 
of Cleveland, began a series of " Gospel Tem- 
perance Meetings" under the "Bledina Chris- 
tian Temperance Union." The temperance 
people were generallj- awakened, donned the 
blue ribbon, and a number of drinking men 
signed the pledge, and adopted the blue ribbon 
as the insignia of their faith and practice. The 
boys and girls of the village joined the " blue 
ribbon brigade," and temperance meetings were 
held at the sehoolhouse e\'ery afternoon at 4 
o'clock. This was a local matter, and did not 
extend, except incidentally, to other parts of 
the count}'. The temperance organizations 
throughout the county still remain in vigorous 
condition. The " Union " holds quarterly meet- 
ings in the various parts of the county, and 
union temperance meetings are, once a month, 
held on a Sund.ay evening in all the villages, 
besides, in many places, a temperance praj'cr- 
meetiug on each Sabbath. 



* Nothing is more characteristic of the settle- 
ments on the Western Reserve than the promi- 
nence wliich educational etfort early attained 
in their social development. The settlements 
were sparse, and money or other means to se- 
cure teachers were obtained with great difli- 
culty, but parents and children alike seemed to 
appreciate the great advantage wiiich knowl- 
edge bestowed, and made endless sacrifices to 
gain this coveted gift. In many cases, in Me- 
dina County, schools were begun and carried 

=^ For 111" qi-fjitcr )i:trt of tbia subject, tbo writer is indebted to 
the pen of Wui. I'. Cluilt, Ksq, 



on as a labor of love, without hope of reward 
and in one instance, at least, a sehoolhouse was 
erected before there were any scholars to at- 
tend. These primitive schoolhouses were very 
much of the same general plan. Logs were 
cut sixteen or cigiiteen feet in length, and of 
these the walls were raised. "Shakes" com- 
posed the roof and a rude fire-place and clap- 
board door, a puncheon floor, and the cracks 
filled with "chinks," and with these latter, 
daubed over with mud, completed the construc- 
tion of the sehoolhouse. The window, if any, 
was made by cutting out a log the full length 
of the building and over the opening in winter 
was placed a well-greased paper, that served to 
keep out the storm and admit the light. Just 
under this window, two or three strong pins 
were driven into the log in a slanting du-cction. 
On these pins, a long puncheon was fiistened, 
and this was the desk upon which the writing 
was done. For seats, they used benclies made 
from small trees, cut in lengths of ten or twelve 
feet, split open, and, in the round side, two 
large holes were bored at each end which re- 
ceived the supporting legs. The books were as 
primitive as the house. The New Testament, 
when it could be had, was the most popular 
reader, though, occasionalh', a copy of the old 
" English Reader " was found, and very rarely, 
the '■ Columbian Orator " was in the family ; 
Pike's and Smiley 's arithmetics ; Webster's 
Speller was first used, and after awhile the 
'■ Elcmeutar}- Speller" came in. (Irammarwas 
seldom taught ; when it was, llie text-books 
were Murray's or Kirkham's grammars. 

"The primitive schoolhouses were in keeping 
with the homes of the pupils. They were 
warm, if nothing more, as it was only necessary 
to make a bee and re-mud the spaces between 
the logs each fall before the cold weatlicr came 
on. Children who were barelboted till the 
school commenced, and sometimes till the snows 
covered the hills and ice the streams, were not 
so sensitive to cold as pupils of these latter 






:rz 



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■^t 



286 



HISTORY OF ^fEDIXA COUNTY. 



daj-s. The writer 1ms often seen boj-s sliding 
down hill, and u[)on the lee with liare feet till 
midwinter. 

It was easier to Imild the honscs and warm 
them, however, than to oiilaiu money to pay 
teachers, small as the wage.s were — ofien 
but $1 a week for women and S2 or 83 
for men, and board with the pupils. Books 
cost money, and were not easy to be procured. 
The instructors of those days Viould make a 
poor show beside those of the present, so far as 
knowledge of text-books is concerned. It is 
no slander to say that teachers who could not 
master square root or who had not seen the in- 
side of a grammar, were more numerous than 
those who dared to make pretensions to such 
qualifications. There was at first no public 
fund available, and in a later period the fund 
for the payment of teachers was quite small. 
and what was lacking was made up t)y assess- 
ments 2"'" '"'": on those who attended the 
school ; hence, the teacher was often compelled 
to wait for a part of the small sum promised 
him, till it could be collected. But let it not be 
supposed that there was no good work done in 
those schools. The reading, the spelling, the 
writing and the ciphering, so far as the teacher 
could go, need not have been ashamed to stand 
beside that of these days of high culture and 
extended literary attainment. The seeds sown 
broadcast in the forests have germinated and 
grown during these many \-ears, and now we 
behold the magnificent harvest. Prominent 
among the teachers of an early daj- in the com- 
mon schools, but at a time when the demands 
of the schools and the accomidishments of the 
teachers had greatly advanced, were John Cod- 
ding Homer Warner, Nathan Nettleton, Duthan 
Northrup. llobert F. Codding, Panuiel ]}. Cur- 
tiss, John B. Chase, Samuel W. >rcCUire, Jon- 
athan Heebe, Jolm L. Clark, Ilalsey Hmlburt, 
James .\. Bell. Calvin Chapin, Milo Looniis. 
Joshua C. Berry. William I'aul, Jacob Bell, 
David Holmes, William Crane, <irant Low, E. 



S. Bissell, T. n. Hills, M. C. Hills, Dr. S. Hills, 
C. T. Hills and Sherman Bronson. 

The systQm for the examination and licens- 
ing of teachers, was fluctuating until 185^. 
From 1825 to 1820. the Court of Common Pleas 
appointed three examiners for a term of one 
year, who gave certificates for teaching " read- 
ing, writing, arithmetic and other necessary 
branches of a common education."' From 1829 
to ] 833, the Clerk of Common Pleas appointed 
a suitable number of examiners, not less than 
five nor more than the number of townships in 
the county, who served for two years. From 
1834 to 183G. the court made the appointment, 
and the number was limited to five. But the 
Board of Examiners were required to appoint 
one examiner in each township for female 
teachers only ; and in no case was a certificate 
to be given, unless the apjilieant was found 
qualified to teach reading, writing and arithme- 
tic, and sustained a good moral character. 
From 1836 to 18:'.8, three examiners were 
elected in each tov.nship. The writer has no 
means of giving the names of many examiners 
during that period. It is remembered, however, 
that Eussell Thayer held the office in Moutville 
Township ; Dr. Thomas Howe, in La Fayette 
Township; William Paull, T. H. Hills and 
John Codding, in Granger Township. From 
1838 to 1853. the Court of Common Pleas 
ai)pointed thre? County Examiners, for a term 
of three years. The first board under this act 
consisted of llev. H. Lj'on. Principal of Richfield 
Academy; John ^Icf!regor. Principal of Wads- 
worth Academy, and I. 11. Ilonry. a lawyer of 
Alcdina Village. The last board under this act 
was coinpiiscd of Bev. G. S.Davis and Hcrmon 
Canficld, Esq.. of Medina Village, and William 
P. Clark, of .Moutville, Principal of a select 
school in Jlcilina Milage. This board was re- 
quired to hold four quarterly examinations in 
each 3"ear, in any part of the counly as might 
l)e convenient, free to all applicants, but either 
Examiner could h )ld private or special exam- 






'.hL 



♦-^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



287 



illations at a cost of 50 cents to each candi- 
date receiving a certificate. For the conven- 
ience of examiners and candidates, special ex- 
aminations were held in the se\eral townships, 
all persons who received certificates, being 
charged 50 cents. Since 1853, the appoint- 
ment of examiners has been bj' the Probate 
Judge, and every applicant for examination 
must be found qualified to teach orthography, 
reading, writing, arithmetic, geograpln', En- 
glish grammar and theory and practice of 
teaching, before he can receive a certificate. 
The first Probate Judge re-appointed Messrs. 
Davis, Canfield and Clark. Since tiiat time, the 
oflice has been held bj- numerous educators of 
distinction from various parts of the county. 

The plan of holding teachers' institutes was 
agitated and fully discussed. The first insti- 
tute ever held in the Western country convened 
at Sandusky in September, 1845 ; the second 
was held at Chardon in October of the same 
year. In response to petitions from the counties 
of the Western Reserve, a law was enacted by 
the Legislature, authorizing the Commissioners 
of twenty-four counties of Ohio — of which IMe- 
dina County was one — to set apart money for 
the supi)ort of a County Superintendent, or to 
defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. 
Eleven of these counties appropriated money to 
support institutes, the Commissioners of Medina 
County setting apart $300 for an institute fund. 
In October. 1847. the board of school examiners, 
consisting of Rev. G. S. Davis, Ilermon Canfield 
and William P. Clark, issued a call for a Teach- 
ers' Institute to be held at the conrt house in 
Medina. To this call sixty-four gentlemen and 
the same number of ladies from all the town- 
ships of the county, except Spencer, and also 
from the adjoining counties, responded, eighty- 
eight of them being practical teachers. Of the 
gentlemen whose names appear in tlie catalogue, 
Henry Smith had taught sixteen terms ; Joshua 
N. Robinson, eleven ; Cyrus King, seven ; Ste- 
phen B. Woodward and II. W. Remington, six ; 



Thomas S. Shenn and two others, five ; James 
Quayle, R. B. Squires and Samuel N. Stcbbius, 
four ; II. E. Mattcson, Loyal A. Curtiss and 
seven others, three ; John B. Young, S. G. Bar- 
nard, Hiram Goodu-in, S. F. Codding and ten 
others, two ; and Solomon Holcomb and ten 
others, one each. Of the ladies, Semantha 
Worcester and Amy Sheldon had taught six- 
teen terras ; Eleanor Stiles, fifteen ; Elsie Cod- 
ding and Editha JI. Curtiss, eleven ; Marietta 
and Antoinette Clark, Alraira Stiles and Nancy 
J. McDonald, seven ; Eveline Clark and Jane 
F. Bradford, six ; Melissa Brown and Xancy 
Jameson, five ; Hannah Ilewes and four others, 
four ; Julia A. King, Jemima Averill and four 
others, three ; Charlotte W, Sanford and six 
others, two ; Eliza Russell and six others, one 
term each. The instructors were 31. D. Leggctt, 
of Akron, in orthography, arithmetic and phj's- 
iology ; T. W. Harvey, of Chardon, in geog- 
raphj' and grammar ; and J, Hurty, of ]\Ians- 
field, in elocution and civil government ; Rev. 
S. D. Taylor, of Bath, Rev. William Johnson, 
of Sharon, and Charles A. Foster, A. 51., of Se- 
ville, were lecturei's. The Institute appointed 
Mes.srs. H. Smith, S, M. Curtiss and S, M. 
Tha3'er, a committee on text-books. They rec- 
ommended Town's Spelling-book, JIcGuffey's 
series of readers, from the first to the fifth in- 
clusive. Wells' Grammar, A<lams' Arithmetic, 
Colburn's Mental Arithmetic. Smith's First 
Book in Geography, Morse's Geography, 
Ackerman's National History, Young's Civil 
Government, ^litehell's Outline Maps, and 
Batcheldor's Natural Accountant. William P. 
Clark and Henry Smith were appointed a com- 
mittee to publish a catalogue, from which the 
following extracts are taken : 

To the. Public: In oompHaiicR wi(h a call issiicil by 
the Board of School E.-iaminers for iMrdina County, tlie 
teachers of tlie county assembled n( Medina on Mond.'iy, 
November 8, 1847, for the purpose of holding a Teaci'ei-s' 
Institute. Tlie session was continued till Friday even- 
ing. In presenting this catalogue, the committee take 



3?T1 



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Ml 



288 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



the opporliiniiy to say that llicy arc fully convinced of 
the ulililyof tlie Teachers' Inslitutcs. Tliey believe 
them tu be well cilculatej to do iinich toward elevaiinji 
the standard of common-school instruction. Let it be 
borne in mind that thirlysiilliiriy-sevenlhs of the youth 
of our otate receive their cducaliou in common schools, 
and it will be unnecessary to urge upon the friends 
of education the importance of improviug the qua'ificA- 
tioiis of teachers The fountain cannot rise above its 
source. No less true is it that the school niufl bear the 
impress of the character of its instructor. That teach- 
ers' institutes are the best available means for improv- 
inp; the qualilicaiions of teachers, is no longer a matter 
of doubt. It is not claimed that they will accomplish all 
the objects attained by Slate Normal Schools, but llir.l 
they will effect much toward improving the qualifica- 
tions of that portion of our teachers who could never 
enjoy the facilities of such a school. 

In the fall of 1848, the second lu-stitute of 
the county was held. It continued three weeks, 
and was attended bj- a large number of teachers 
and others. The institute was under the direc- 
tion of Jlr. M. F. Cowdeiy, Chairman of the 
Executive Committee of the Ohio State Teach- 
ers' Association. Mr. Cowder}- was assisted in 
the work of instruction by Messrs. G. W. 
Winchester, J. B. Iloward, William P. Clark, 

Cutchion and I'rof II. Mandeville. Prof 

?.I:!;;deville gave a course of instruction in 
reatling and elocution which was novel, and 
])ro\'oked much comment and some opposi- 
tion ; the interest, however, seemed to increase i 
to the end. 

.\t all institutes, the subject of lietter work 
in the public schools, and of the superior ad- 
vai'.tagos to be expected from the establishment 
of union schools for large towns and cities, was 
discussed, and plans urged upon the attention 
of the people. As a result, the plan of graded 
schools was adopted in man}- places, and soon 
compelled the abandonment of private schools, 
or these and the common schools united and 
formed union scliools. 

liCt it not be understood, however, that 
teachers' institutes and graded schools met no 
opposition in Medina County'. There are al- 



wa3-s those to be found who are opposed to the 
use of public moneys to make schools free, or 
to furnish ficilities for the education of teach- 
ers. Although the fund first set apart; by the 
Commissioners to constitute an institute fund, 
came from the interest of the surplus revenue, 
and was by l:iw designated to l)e used in the pro- 
motion of education, manj- opposed its iisein this 
manner, and endeavored to make institutes un- 
popular. The Board of Examiners, upon whose 
recommendation the funds were appropriated, 
and by whom thcj- were disbursed, were dividtnl 
on the question. The matter was still farther 
complicated by the fact that authors of school 
books and agents of publishing houses suc- 
ceeded in obtaining appointments to give in- 
struction in institutes, and were believed to use 
the opportunity to advance their private inter- 
ests. Such was the case in the second Institute 
held in 3Iedina. The board, by: simple majority 
vote, refused to pay for services rendered. Some 
of the parties interested stirred up hot blood ; 
criminations and recriminations follo\^ed ; sharp 
words were spoken on lioth sides on the last 
evening, and the Institute broke up in confu- 
sion. Wrongs were done to innocent parties 
which were not righted for j'ears, but eventu- 
ally some compensation was made to those who 
were not at fault, and who should have been paid 
for their labor at the time. The result was that 
no more institutes were held iu the count}' 
imtil tlio adoption of the present law, which re- 
moves one objection to in.stitutes b\' providing 
for the pa\'meut of the expenses from an insti- 
tute fund, arising from fees paid by applicants 
for examination for teachers' certificates, and 
only on the written request made to the County 
Auditor of at least thirty practical teachers of 
the county. The establishment of graded 
schools in Medina County w:is indefinitely 
postpoiicd by tliis discontinuance of the 
teacliers' institutes. This check to the move- 
ment for better public schools quickened the 
select schools, and gave them a new lease of 



rr^ 



i. 



HISTOUY OF MEDDfA COU^"TY. 



289 



life. Tlic number of their pupils was in- 
creased, their course of sluch- was enlarged, and 
they Ijecamo more of a power than ever. The 
Medina Select School was owned and controlled 
for several years by William P. Clark. During 
each spring and fall, it iiad a Normal Depart- 
ment, ami drew pupils from all parts of thi' 
county. Its cour.se of study included not only 
common and higher English branches, but also 
the natural sciences, mathematics, and an ele- 
mentary course in the Latin, Greelv and I'^-eiich 
languages and instruction on the piano, giving 
employment to three teachers. 

Schools of a higher order than furnished by 
the common-school sy.stem, called select schools 
or academies, early supplemented the work of 
thee:immon schools in Hinckley, Granger, Shar- 
on. Wadsworth, Seville, York, Lufayette, Litch- 
field, Chatham, Lodi and Spencer, as well as 
Medina. To these schools, persons who had a 
love for study or who were ambitious to teach, 
resort-jd for instruction in sciences not taught 
in the common schools, or for more thorough 
instruction in such as were taught in them. 
The efliicts were soon apparent in better dis- 
trict schools. Hazing and locking-out teach- 
ers, incident to a state of society such as is 
found in a new country, where might instead 
of right, and muscle instead of brains, are often 
applauded, gave place to order and culture. 
These higher grades of schools were supported 
by tuition or term bills, ranging from §2 to $4 
for a term of twelve weeks. These select 
^schools were independent, subject onl3' to the 
control of the instructors, while the academies 
were under the nominal supervision of a Board 
of Trustees, who employed or dismissed the 
teachers at their pleasure ; but, as the ftinds for 
both, in most cases, were dependent upon the 
nuuiber of pupils and the studies pursued, 
there was always a powerful moti\e to sacrifice 
thoroughness and order to i)opularity. The 
superior instruction actually' given in these 
schools, however, and their popularity, had a 



detrimental effect upon the public sciiools in one 
respect. Although they furnished them good 
teachers, thej^ were necessarily rivals. Most of 
the better scholars were drawn to the private 
schools until only the poorer scholars and the 
children of those who were unable or unwilling 
to pay the bills in the private schools were left 
yi the district schools. Thus the circumstances 
which made the select schools and the acade- 
mies bettor, made the district schools poorer, 
and at the same time fostered a spirit of caste. 
This state of things could not continue. The 
needs of the ijublic soon devised a remedy, 
and those teachers who were most successful 
in the private schools, became leaders in a 
movement which ruined the select schools and 
academies. This revolution was not effected 
at once, and these higher private schools were 
continued with some interruptions for a num- 
ber of j-ears. Prominent among the teachers 
in this class of schools in the county, were 
Samuel W. McCluro, E. H. Fairchild, William 
P. Clark, S. G. Bai-nard, C. F. Hudson, Charles 
A. Foster, A. R. Whiteside, W. W. lloss, L. C. 
Cotton, E. W. Pveynolds, H. H. Mack, Alvin 
Dinsmore and Q. 31. Bosworth. 

At length, the subject of graded schools was 
agitated with more determination on the part 
of those who desired their establishment. Me- 
dina Village took the lead. A large school 
building was erected, but not without consider- 
ble opposition. The strange inconsistencj- and 
the remarkable blindness of people to the best 
interests of their families, was seen in men 
having children to educate who had not a dol- 
lar of property to be taxed, voting with the ene- 
mies of free schools against the building of 
more commodious schoolhouscs, because the 
taxes would thereby be increased. After niucli 
effort, the progressive part}- seemed to .succeed. 
The provisions of the Akron school law were so 
far complied with as to obtain the renuisite 
number of names of legal voters to a petition 
to the proper authorities to order tlie inaugura- 



?U- 



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Iht^ 



290 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



tion of a "jraded school in Medina Village. The 
^ledina Select School was discontinued ; its 
school building and grounds were sold and con- 
verted to other uses ; but the papers which 
■were to set in motion the maohinerj^ of the new 
schools, were either ne^'cr presented to the au- 
thorities or were never acted upou. Thus the 
matter rested. 

After the discontinuance of the Jfedina 
Select School, since there were no graded 
schools, there was need of additional school 
facilities in Medina Village, and Mr. S. G. Bar- 
nard, a member of the Board of School Exam- 
iners, opened a select school there. One of 
the characteristic features of it was its normal 
department. To this school, a large number of 
teachers and persons desiring to become teach- 
ers came, and were greatly aided in their 
preparation for their chosen work. Penman- 
ship and book-keeping were also made special- 
ties ; and an extended commercial course, 
limited only by the desires or time of the stu- 
dents, was added. But the agitation of the 
subject of graded schools did not cease ; and, 
eventually, the plan went into operation under 
the general school law. The schools were 
carefully graded, and are aecumplishing even 
more than the most sanguine of the friends 
of the measure dared to promise for them. 
The graded or union school system has been 
adopted also in Wadsworth, Seville, Wey- 
mouth, Le Roy aud Lodi Townships. High 
schools have been established in Hinckley, 
Granger, Sharon, Chatham and perhaps Litch- 
field. These high schools are supplying a 
need in the townships where the\- are located, 
and are rendering etBcient aid in perfecting the 
public school S3-stem. The Academical Asso- 
ciation of Lodi bore the palm for excelling all 
others in the beaut3-, amplitude and conven- 
ience of its school building, and the extent of 
its school grounds. Although Messrs. Has- 
kins, Miller and Grannis did good work there, 
the orscanization came too late to succeed with- 



out an endowment. The building and grounds 
have passed into the possession of the village 
Board of Education, aud, under the new man- 
agement, the school has a bright future. 

Since the adoption of the present school 
law, teachers' institutes have been held regu- 
larly in various parts of the count\-, under the 
direction of a County Teachers' Association, 
and are believed to be a profitable waj- of ap- 
propriating the funds, ilany teachers and 
others attend them, and there is no doubt but 
they are making known to teachers of less ex- 
perience the better methods of instruction 
pursued by instructors of larger experience. 
Thej- are also making known to teachers of the 
ungraded schools the superior methods of 
graded schools. Thus they are manifesth' con- 
tributing to raise the standard of education in 
the count3'. Although the credit of originat- 
ing the plans of graded and union schools, and 
securing the adoption of thVse plans, is usually 
given to the managers of these institutes, and 
although these schools ai-f largely indebted to 
them, there was a graded school in Sledina 
County before any institutes had been held in 
the AVest, if not in New York or New England. 
The honor of originating the plan and success- 
fully carrying it out belongs to Hon. John 
Codding, Silas Swan, Ulysses Young and Burt 
Codding, of Codding\ille. The school con- 
sisted of two departments — high school and 
primary. The high school was first taught by 
Eev. William Johnson, and aftei-ward in suc- 
cession by William H. Barnard, William P, 
Clark, F. D. Kimball. Stephen B. Woodward, 
and others. Although lacking in conveniences 
and funds, beiug taught in a (ilain house of 
only two rooms, and supported in part by a 
tax on those wlio sent to it, the school did 
good work in training the j-outh of tliat part 
of fJranger and Sliaron. 

Xo otlicr school in Medina County has fur- 
nished so many men for the performance of 
public work as this. The prominence which 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



291 



the township of Granger has had in furnishing 
public men is believed to be owing largely to 
the superior facilities she ga\-e for preparation 
in this and other schools. 

Anj' history of educational progress in Me- 
dina Countj- which omits to mention the work 
of John JIcGrregor, Principal of both the 
academies of Sharon and Wadswortli, and that 
of Rev. Harvey Lyon, of Jlodina, and subse- 
quently of Richileld Academy-, is wanting in 
an essential feature. Thesj nu-n. in their 
capacity- of teachers and examiners, labored 
earnestly and arduously to elevate the stand- 
ard of education. Many teachers of that day 
owe their elliiiency and usefulness to them. 
To then, also, many who never engaged in the 
work of common-school instruction, owe mucli 
of their success in life. Before teachers' insti- 
tutes were known, meetings of teachers for the 
purpo.?o of mutual consultation and aid were 
held and addressed in various parts of the 
county by these veterans. 

There is no more important feature of the 
history of the county's social development, or 
one which more accuratelj" measures it, than 
the newspaper. A public servant in the truest 
sense, it lives only by the voluntary support of 
the people, and, as a matter of necessity, in the 
main, reflects the average sentiment, euterpri.se, 
and moral development of the community in 
which it appears. The people who settled Me- 
dina Count}' were a thinking and a reading 
people, and for a number of 3-ears depended 
upon the Cleveland ILrnId for their political 
news and to air their opinions. This close re- 
lation with Cleveland, rendered easy by the 
means of direct communication, delayed the 
establishment of a home paper until 1SIJ2, since 
when it has grown and improved with the 
county until its legitimate successor stands 
among the weeldies of the State, with few equals 
in point of influence and circulation. 

The first newspaper published in Medina Vil- 
lage, and the first in the county, was a weekly 



Democrat and Anti-JIasonic journal, called the 
Ohio Fi-i'f Prrxx and Mi'iliaa (Jountij AJnitisi i: 
This was a five column folio, 19x26 inches, and 
was established by Joseph W. White, in May 
or June of 1S32. His "terras" were as fol- 
lows : '■ The Free Press is printed on Tuesday 
morning, on Court street, fourth door north of 
Oviatt & Bronson's store, at the rate of $2 per 
annum, paid half-yearlj- in advance, or $2.50 
at the close of the year. Most kinds of country 
produce will be taken, delivered at market price. 
No subscription will be taken for less than six 
months, and no sub.^criljer will be at libertj- to 
withdraw (except at tlie option of the pub- 
lisher) until all arrearages are paid. A failure 
to notify a discontinuance, at least three weeks 
previous to tlie end of the term subscribed for, 
will always be considered a new engagement. 
All subscriptions, unless otherwise designated, 
will be considered for one year." 

These terms do not indicate very much con- 
fidence on the part of the proprietor in the 
actual demand for his paper, and exhibit in a 
striking manner the origin of a business practice 
that has been the bane of all countrj- newspapers. 
The practice of seeking support for a newspa- 
per enterprise in a way that would be considered 
disreputable to any other business, has done 
much to bring the profi-ssion of journalism into 
contempt, in the country, and has retarded its 
development here, until the practice was dis- 
carded. Time was, when -'produce pay " and 
a credit basis may have been necessary ; but the 
newspaper, in most cases, has continued it long 
after every other branch of business had reject- 
ed this effete practice. The Free Press did not 
meet with any great degree of success. The 
Anti-Masonic sentiment, tliough cherished to 
some extent in the county, did not gain public 
expression in part}' formation, and the Whig 
sentiment grew, notwithstanding the presence 
of this Democratic journal. A fire which de- 
stro^'ed the oftice in IS.'^T, was the crowning 
stroke of its misfortune, and it was never re- 



fin 



293 



IIISTOllY OF MEDI^^A COUNTY, 



vivcd. In 1 835. however, J. S. Carpeater, from 
Ni'w York, :i yoii.ig man of pronounced anti- 
slavor)- views, and an earnest Whig, established 
the Ciiiistttutlunidist. This paper was a power 
in the count}', and did much to foster and or- 
ganize the growing Whig sentiment, but, unfor- 
tnnatel}- for the success of tlie paper. Judge 
Carpenter was elected as representative in 1S39, 
and continued in public life for man}- years 
afterward. This paper then passed into the 
hands of Lowrj' & McClure, and subsequent!}' 
into the ownership of Pardee & King, in 1841, 
and in January' of the following year was con- 
solidated with the Mixlina County l^ln'^, with 
AValter P. Jayue as publisher and proprietor. 
Tlie latter journal had l)eeu established by 
Lowry. in 1837, and sold a little later to Jayne, 
when he embarked with S. C. McClure in the 
Coiistitiitioucdist. The consolidated papers were 
known as the Const ilntionalist and Whig until 
the early part of 1S43, when the latter part of 
the title was dropped and a new series was be- 
gun with the old title. In September, 1843, 
Jayne sold the establishment to Speer & Ben- 
nett, who changed the name to the Democratic 
Whig, a name, however, which does not indicate 
any leaning toward the " Locofocoisui'' which it 
violently opposed. In 1848, the establishment 
was l)urued out, and the paper was at once re- 
established by John Speer alone. In 1853, the 
paper changed with the growth of public senti- 
ment, canceled its allegiance to tlie Whig party, 
and a little later followed the more progressive 
wing into the Republican ranks. With this 
change of principles, it changed its name to the 
Medina UazHtc, and increased its size to a folio, 
22x34 inclies. In 1854, Mr. Speersold the paper 
to Kirkland & Redway, who sold it in tiie ibl'iow- 
ing year to John Weeks. In ISGO, lie sold the es- 
tablishment to the Redway Ijrotiiers, who pub- 
lished the paper five years. Hon. II. G. Blake, 
Hon. Francis D. Kimball, Judge Charles Castle 
and Ilermon Canfield were ctlilors of the Gazette 
at various times during the proprietorship of 



Speer, Weeks and the Redways — an array of 
editorial talent that marks in a striking way 
the transformation that was then taking place, 
and the important position which the newspa- 
per of that time occupied in political matters. 
In 1SG5, the office was bought by Dr. J. N 
Robinson, who published the paper until the 
close of 18GS, having associated with him at 
different times, "Petro Cl'neo,'' R. AV. Clark, 

McCabe and John Weeks. On January 

1, 1SG9, the Gazette was purchased by J. H. 
Green, the present editor of the paper. Earl}' 
in the previous year, the Medina Rejjuhlicait 
was started l,iy John Weeks and J. Jay Lemon, 
which, after continuing some eight or nine 
months, was merged into the Gazette. 

On the 14th of April, 1870, the newspaper 
office was again visited by fire, destroying every- 
thing, causing a loss of some §4,0i)0, on which 
there v,as no insurance. On the 19th, the en- 
terprising proprietor issued a half-sheet, about 
twelve by fourteen inches, printed at the office of 
the Cleveland Leader. There was little in it 
besides an account of the fire, and the editi>r 
announced his situation as follows : -'The fire 
that desolated Medina Village last Friday, de- 
stroyed the ff(ise«e office totally. We have noth- 
ing left. The office was temporarily in an old 
frame building, and no insurance company 
would insure it. It cost us .$4.000 — our all. 
We have no means to re-esta!)lish the paper ; 
but we rely upon the liberality of the people of 
Medina County, promptly e.xpressed in the way 
of new subscriptions, advertising and job-work, 
to enable us to get on our feet again. \\'e pro- 
pose getting a new office as soon as possible, 
and shall print the Gazette the same size and 
shape as befi>re. Our new office will cost about 
S3,000." On the 29th, anotlier -^ extra" was 
issued of similar proportions and from the same 
office. It contains the announcements of the 
business men burned out, and this in i-egard to 
the paper itself: "The Gazette still lives, but, 
• o^vin2r to circumstances over which it has no 



t5 



J \9 



^ 



k. 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



293 



control,' is forced agaia to appear in the shape 
of an extra." On the 13th of Ma}-, a little 
'•dodger" with a rooster conspicuously dis- 
played, was sent about the county announcing 
the arrival of material and a " full paper next 
week." True to this promise, on the 20lh da\- 
of Ma^-. 1870, tiie Gazette appeared in its old 
shape, a folio of twenty-flve by thirty-six, with 
a complete new dress, looking much better for 
t!ic fire. How this was accomplished, the fol- 
lowing editorial sets forth : " From the ashes 
of the conflagration that s<3 nearly destroyed 
our village, tlie Midina Cmudi/ (Jnzclte rises 
again. Its old friends and readers will, we 
know, cheerfully' welcome its familiar face once 
more, and share with us the feelings of pride 
and joy which we do not tr^- to conceal over its 
resurrection. To the many new friends whom 
it now for the first time visits, it expresses its 
sense of gratitude for the cordial promptness 
with which the}" have lent their aid, and in- 
dulges the hope that they may, one and all, be 
perraanentlj' reckoned among its readers and 
subscribers. 

" After vexatious but unavoidable delays — 
after the smoke of the burnt town has cleared 
off, and tiie extent of the damage and suffering 
can be only too painfully perceived — after much 
traveling and bargaining — we once more issue 
the Gazette from Medina. Printed on a new- 
press with new type and a new office, it begins 
a new era in its existence. Our own means 
were swept awaj', and but for the promised sup- 
port of the people of the county, we could not 
have started again. That promise is being ful- 
filled, and we do not and will not permit the 
doubt that the efforts of its friends to place the 
paper on a firm footing again, will be relaxed 
until the countj- has been thoroughlj- canvassed 
and every subscriber procured that can be. 
This we know, because on all sides and from 
all parties, we have met with encouraging words 
and practical sympathy — all the more valued, 
since the disaster that overtook us, involved so 



many others in a common misfortune. Those 
good friends who stood by us in the darkest 
hours, and • through evil as through good report,' 
have caused us to realize with keener zest than 
ever that the uses of adversity are sweet indeed 
when they can bring out such proofs of friend- 
ship ; and with full force we can adopt as our 
own the counsel of t'olonius : 

" ' The friends thou hast, and their adoption tried, 
Grapple thera to thy soul with hooks of steel.' 

" Personally, we have not been so anxious for 
help or so discouraged over our pecuniary loss 
as to despair — not by a long ways. With health 
and strength, a practical knowledge of work, and 
the world all bel'oro hitn where to choose, he 
would be a poor stick who couldn't earn a live- 
lihood for himself and fimiily ; but as publisher 
of the county paper, we felt and still feel the 
importance of the position, and the necessity of 
sustaining the home journal ; of increasing its 
subscription list, and enlarging its business in 
all departments, so that its revival will not be 
attended with pressing debts and embarrass- 
ments, the constant effort to clear it of which 
will limit its ability and impair its usefulness. 
The count}' paper is about as much the property 
of the people of the county as it is of the pub- 
lisher, and it depends upon them — upon the 
measure of their support, counsel and encour- 
agement — whether it be first-class or merely a 
thing. We promise to faithful!}- perform our 
part in the future as we have tried in the past 
to make the Gazette a creditable newspaper ; 
and we again appeal, as earnestly and urgently 
as our necessities require, for help — not dona- 
tions or charity, but au increased subscription, 
list and orders for work. 

'■ Here in the village we arc all sufferers to- 
gether ; but we still live, and intend to recover 
all we have lost, and rebuild our town better 
than it was before. In this work, whether it be 
speedy or long delayed, the Gazette is here to 
help. It is here to urge foward improvements, 
to record tlie progress of affairs, and to stand 






^jf 






^k. 



294 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



up for tlic town, vihatevcr liappeus. And uow, 
having said this much. \vc liopefullj'. gladly and 
thankfully resume the round of labor and 
duty so suddculj- iuterru[/ti'd." 

How well this sentiment has been carried 
out, the present prosperous condition of the 
Gazette clearly tells. On February- 4, 1S7C, its 
business having expanded beyond the limits of 
its old form, the paper was enlarged to a six- 
column quarto. In July of the same year. 
Mr. Greene took the Hon. F. R. Loomis into 
partnership, under the firm name of Greene & 
Loomis. This arrangement continued until 
August, 1879, when, after proving himself an 
energetic, enterprising editor, he retired, and 
subsequently purchased tlie Norwalk Chroin'cic, 
which he is now editing. R. W. Clark and Jaj- 
Hills, gentlemen who had long been connected 
with the mechanical part of the otlice, took 3Ir. 
Loomis' share, and formed the partnership still 
existing under the Urm name of J. H. Greene 
& Co. This is now the only paper published 
at the county seat. 

The first distinctive]}- Democratic paper pub. 
lished in Sledina County was the W((ic/ituwe,r, 
a six-column folio, 20x30, established in 1838 
by H. CanCcld. While it vigorously opposed 
everything emanating from the Whig party, it 
made such concessions to the Anti-slaver}' sen- 
timent that prevailed throughout the county, 
as to place it ou that side of this absorbing 
question. It was neatly printed, and such 
copies as are still extant show a liberal adver- 
tising patronage, but it was constant!}' in need 
of I'nnds. There was seldom anything of an 
editorial nature in it's columns, but the follow- 
ing, which appeared April 14, 18-11, which 
seems to express the editor's views : •' We have 
again suspended issuing our paper, and will 
not puV)lisli another until sufficient colUndions 
are made to continue it at least three or four 
weeks witlioul another stoppage." The Walch- 
toiri )• continued this intermittent sort of exist- 
ence until February 0, 1812, the last number of 



its third volume. In this issue appeared an 
article in blaek-faeed type, headed " A Loud 
Letter— Third and Last Call." Following this 
portentous heading came the announcement : 
"Tiio publication of this paper will be sus- 
pended for a time, in order to collect the debts 
due the office." Something more was added in 
regard to the collection of bills, and the situa- 
tion summed up in vigorous language. In 
reference lo the announcement, the editor puts 
the matter to his readers as follows : " Some of 
our patrons ma}' think the above call rather too 
loud. Let such try our situation a few months, 
and they will change their opinion. The diffi- 
culty, and the only difficulty, in sustaining a 
Democratic paper here, is the negligence and 
backwardness of subscribers in paying up. 
We have on our books the names of a num- 
ber of subscribers who have not paid the 
first cent. They read the paper, and would not 
like to have it stop. Oh, no — the paper must 
not .stop ! What do they do toward sustaining 
it ? " With more to the same effect. From 
other evidence, it appears that this temporary 
suspension was made perpetual, and, some 
time in January or February of the following 
year, notwithstanding the forbidding character 
of the enterprise, Michael Hayes embarked in 
journalism by establishing the Diuiocniiic 
Watchman. This paper survived the negli- 
gence or impccuniosity of the native Democrat 
until after the successful campaign of 1844, 
when, contrary to the natural order of things, 
its light began to flicker, and finally went out. 
One reason may have been that John JIcGregor, 
who had been a teacher at Sharon, having 
served very acceptably as editor during the 
campaign, left tiie Watchman after the election, 
to assume the duties of a teacher at Wads- 
worth. It is probable, however, that the county 
was not found congenial for the development of 
such a literary exotic. 

In 1849, the Metlina Democrat was started l>y 
Isaac Hill. It would seem the extremitv of 



1^ 



il- 



4 



>^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



295 



temeritj' for an intelligent man to start a Dem- 
ocratic organ, with a full knowledge of the ex- 
perience of its predecessors, but the time 
seemed propitious and the man by his political 
opinions admirnbl}- adapted to succeed. It 
was the year when the Democratic party of the 
county, under the influence of its young blood, 
formed the coalition with the Free-Soil element. 
The Donocrat heartily aided in bringing about 
this consummation, and received the support of 
the whole coalition, some of the '^ Liberty- men " 
even, taking it — probably their first Democratic 
journal since 1821. Its success was doomed to 
be short-lived. The coalition fell to pieces the 
following j-ear, and, though the Democratic 
party remained in the ascendancy for a few 
j-ears, alternating victory with defeat, the cause 
declined, and after passing into the hands of 
Elias S. Ellis, F. Harry and P. McElhinuy, the 
paper was suspended, or was changed to the 
Mirror, in 1855, which subsequently ceased to 
reflect. In ISGO, the Medina lit raid was es- 
tablished by John Weeks, in the political inter- 
est of Stephen A. Douglas, then candidate for 
the Presidencj'. but it was remo\'ed to Mahon- 
ing Count3' in the following j'ear, lea\ing Me- 
dina once more without an expositor of Demo- 
cratic principles. This state of thi'igs continued 
until 1874. In the meanwhile, leading Demo- 
crats began to urge the necessity of an organ 
for the party, and in the fall of 1874, R. W. 
Clark and A. J. Baughman rented the material 
of a job office in which the former was interested, 
and commenced publishing the Medina Demo- 
crat. Baughman soon bought Clark out, con- 
tinuing the paper until June, 1875, when the 
office was closed by a foreclosure. C. C. Day, 
who had been acting as foreman for Baughman, 
continued the publication of the paper subse- 
(juently for about a year, the members of the 
party contributing to the expenses as they felt 
disposed. In the meantime, a subscription 
paper was circulated among the members of 
the Democratic organization, for funds to pur- 



chase an outfit for the paper. Two or three 
hundred dollars were secured, and Donn Ev- 
erett, of Akron, went to Cincinnati and pur- 
chased the material. It was his intention to 
take the office and eventually pay the subscrib- 
ers, but other matters intervened and he gave up 
the project. At this juncture, J. B. MeCormick, 
formerly connected with the Cincinnati JSit- 
quirer, attempted to guide this political craft, 
but after two months' experience, he found it 
unmanageable, and resigned. The material was 
only partially paid for, and the creditors were 
pressing for their pay. To avoid a complete 
wreck of their hopes, several leading Democrats 
advanced the monej- needed to satisfy the 
claims against the office, and secured T. T. Hud- 
son as editor, giving him free u.se of the office. 
S. N. Preston was associated with 3Ir. Hudson, 
as foreman, and succeeded him as editor 
in August 1877, continuing it until June of 
1878, when he was succeeded by Robert Coflfey. 
This editor conducted the paper until October 
1880, when he "stepped down and out." This 
office is still in possession of the few who ad- 
vanced the money for its purchase, and the ex- 
pectation is that it will resume operations as 
soon as the proper man and time are found. 

The general character of the earh- papers of 
the county was all verj- much the same. A 
very noticeable part of the literary part of 
these papers was the prominence given to State 
and national affairs, and the almost total lack 
of local news. The messages of the President 
and Governor were given in full, and, when ver^- 
length}-, were continued in several numbers. 
Frequently a long speech took up one-half of 
the paper, while the items of county news 
noted in the issues of a year, would not fill the 
space generally devoted to each week at present. 
Long communications, full of innuendo and 
contemptible insinuations, over assumed names, 
were not refused by any paper, and seemed to 
have been considered only vigorous arguments. 
The "poet's corner" was sacredl}' reserved for 






-.^ 



20G 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUKTY. 



clioifo selections of such poetiT as delighted 
the taste of that day. witli but veiy few contri- 
biilions from liome talent. The Watchtoircr^ 
established in IS.'iS. bears marks of the most 
careful editins; of any of the eai'l}- papers. This 
occasionally devoted a page to reports of the 
township political meetings, but generally its 
arrangement of news was as follows : On the 
first i)age. the first coUimu wns devoted to se- 
lected poetry : then '■ I<]sq. Olcott's Depart- 
ment" — made up of a long article on the cur- 
rency, credit system, etc. — took up se\-eral 
columns ; then the '■ Agricultural Department.'' 
followed liy the department headed "Political,'' 
which took two-thirds of the space of the paper. 
This singular style of editing was probably sat- 
isfactory to the patrons of the }>ai)cr. and arose 
from the fact that no other paiier or means of 
general information was accessible to the people. 
The local news they knew or got from their 
neighbors, while the foreign news was furnished 
only by their home paper. The change from the 
old style to that of the present was almost im- 
perceptible nntil after 1815 or 1S.30. The 
Ikmiicniiie Wliij has a modern appearance, 
though there is but little attempt at editorial 
wisdom. In seeking for the source of power 
and influence of the early papers, one must 
comprehend the character of the readers. The 
people of Medina County were remarkably iu- 
dependentin their habitsof thought. The polit- 
ical questions which pressed upon their atten- 
tion were calulated to arouse a wonderful mental 
activity, and, once having taken position u[)on 
those questions, there was manifested a stub- 
bornness born of an unchangeable conviction 
that left no room for argument. As a conse- 
quence of this fact, editorial arguments were 
not offered, and the only weapons of the |)ross 
were personal attacks that should bring the op- 
posing candidate into disfavor. There was an 
obsequious tendency occasionly manifested on 
the part of the press, that totally ruin(>d its in- 
fluence as a leader of thought and opinion. A 



striking exhibition of this feature occurs in the 
Wutchtoirir. In an issue of 1S41, Mr. Olcott 
says : '• I have just learned to my surprise that 
extensive dissatisfaction exists among the mem- 
bers of the Democratic party in this county, at 
'M}' Deiiartment' in the Wnlrhtmcer. I was 
greatl}- surprised at the result, because of the 
universal commendations I had previously 
he.ird of it from members of that party. I am 
very sorry I did not know of this dissatisfaction 
before, because, in that case, mv financial essays 
would ne-^'er have troubled anj'bod^' in the 
columns of the Watchtoirer with m}- consent. 
It is true that I have not published those essa3-s 
with intent to please Democrats or anybody 
else, unless thej* might happen to be pleased 
with what I sujiposed to be the truth. My ob- 
ject was to publish the fndl. and truth, too, of 
great importance for the American people to 
understand. How far I have succeeded in this 
design, wa can all judgi<. But the Wafchfoicer 
is the official organ of the Democratic party in 
;\[edina County, is supported at their expense, 
and ought, of course, to be published to their 
satisfaction. Since, therefore, I have been so 
unfortunate as to be instrumental in producing 
a different result, however unintentionally I may 
have done so. I have now only to express mj- re- 
gret at its occurrence, and to assure the readers 
of the Wttchtow)'!; that a similar result in the 
columns of that paper shall never hajipen 
through my agency again." 'Without any i-e- 
flectiou upon the author of this apology, it may 
be observed that Uriah Ileop could not excel 
it in humbleness, and that, where such condi- 
tions are accepted l>y the press and enforced 
by the people, the press is little better than the 
modern dead-walls on which showmen and 
quacks betray the eye to cheat the sense. 

Of the papers outside of the count}' seat, the 
Wadsworfh Enterprise is the oldest. In the 
winter of 18G5-6(>, (!eorge A. Root started a 
job-printing office at Wadsworth. with W. 1'. 
Rcjot as an assistant. Soon after the inaugura- 



-r- 



'k 



HISTORY OF iMEDIXA COL'XTY. 



2on 



tiv/ii of this enterprise, John A. Clark bought a 
half-interest in it, and. having added to the 
material, on the 4th of Maj% 1866, issued the 
first number of the Enterprise. The paper was a 
six-column folio. After running a year. Mr. 
Clark purchased Mr. Root's interest, and con- 
tinued the publication of the paper alone until 
1870, when Emanuel Lowry became a partner 
for one year. The business again reverted to Jlr. 
Clark's sole proprietorship, with a rapid increase 
of business. In 1874, a three-stor3' brick build- 
ing was erected for its accommodation, steam 
presses bought, and no office in the county had 
better facilities fordoing its business. The En- 
terprise has several times changed its form and 
stjde, and, in the present year (1880), was sold 
to George Dipley, but soon re\erted to Mr. 
Clark, who is now the sole proprietor. The 
paper is independent politically, though de- 
voted principally to home news. It is now a 
seven-column folio. 

The Seville Times is an eight-column folio, 
pul)lished weekly at Seville, by C. C. Day. The 
first pa[)er in this village was established in 
1868. This was called the Seville Demoerat, 
and was edited by a Mr. Adams. The paper 
originated in the desire of the members of the 
Democratic party for an organ. Adams con- 
ducted it but a short time, when F. G. McCauley 
took up the editorial quill, changing the name 
of the paper to 3Iedina Comity Deinnenit. This 
effort to give the paper a broader significance 
had but little influence upon its prosperity', and 
it went the way of all Democratic papers in 
-Medina County, in the course of three years. 
In March, 1872, the Seville Times was estab- 
lished by Roberts & Coulter. The former soon 
left, and Coulter continued the paper until the 
spring of 1874, when he died. Mr. J. T. Graves 
wielded the editorial pen the succeeding sum- 
mer, and Mrs. Coulter, the mother of the former 
proprietor, conducted the paper for awhile. In 
JIarch of 1876, C. C. Da\' took charge, and has 
conducted it with success and profit. 



Ghitninijs in Bee Cnltiire is a monthly peri- 
odical devoted to bees and honey, published and 
edited by A. I. Root. The history of this period- 
ical is told by the proprietor in the preface of 
his admirable work entitled -The A, B, C of 
Bee Culture." Speaking of his success in bee 
culture, he says : -This capped tiie climax, as 
inquiries in regard to the new industry began 
to come in from all sides ; beginners were 
eager to know what hives to adopt, and where 
to get honey extractors. The fullest directions 
I knew how to give for making plain, simple 
hives, etc.. were from time to time published in 
the Ameriean Bee Journal, but the demand for 
further particulars was such that a circular was 
printed, and, shortly after, a second edition 
then another, and another. These were in- 
tended to answer the greater part of the 
queries, and, from tlie cheering words received 
in regard to them, it seemed the idea was a 
hapijy one, 

"Until 1873, all these circulars were sent out 
gi'atuitously ; but, at that time, it was deemed 
best to issue a quarterly at 25 cents a year, for 
the purpose of answering these inquiries. The 
very first number was I'cceived with such favor 
that it was immediately changed to a monthly, 
at 75 cents per annum. The name given it was 
Gleanings in Bie Cnlfiire. and it was gradually 
enlarged, until, in 1S76, the price was changed 
to SI. During all this time, it has served the 
purpose excellently, of answering questions as 
they come up, both old and new." The (iienn- 
hujs is now al)ont to commence its ninth year : 
it is a neat pamphlet, (!;lxlO inches, contains 
an average of 52 pages, and has a circulation 
of something over 4.000. 

The Teaehers Guide is an eight |)age quarto, 
with 10xl4-inch page, published at York, 
b}' J. 11. Hol/omb & Co.. and devoted to 
teachers and school interests. It was first is- 
sued in 1875, lii-nionthly. and was. perhaps, 
more profitable as a means of advertising tluui 
as an educational journal. Still, it ac(iuire! 



.[^ 



a i^ 



'.\>£ 



300 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



considerabk' siiccoss. uiul has graduall}- been 
traiistbniied into a I'egular teachers' journal. 
In the spring of 1880, J. I). Holconib assumed 
udilorial eontrol, and has gained tor it a good 
standing among teachers. It is printed on 
fine, heavy paper, contains in each number a 
portrait of some one prominent iu educational 
or literary pursuits, accompanied by a well- 
written sketch of his career, and is every way 
worthy of the success it is receiving. 

Juvenile periodicals have had .some atten- 
tion in the county, as well as weekly newspa- 
pers. The f II III was tlie title of a juvenile 
paper tliat <jrigiuated in York, and later \vas 
published in Wadsworth. It reached a large 
circulation, gained by the shrewd use of pre- 
miums, but it gained an unenvialile reputation 
a little later, and was discontinued. Tlie ApjiJi- 
BhiS'inm was another juvenile of this character, 
established iu Seville h\ H. A. Brotts. in 1874. 
The proprietor had served some time in the 
office of the Gum. and .sought to establish a 
kindred business iu Seville : it continued, how- 
ever, only aljout a year. 'I'here was another 
of these lesser periodical lights established in 
Seville a little earlier, but it was printed en- 
tirely at another [ilace. and continued but a 
short time. 

Scarcely second among the great forces that 
develoj) the moral growth of a community, are 
the thoroughfares that connect it with the out- 
side world. They are tlie arteries whicli carry 
the elements of gi'owth and vigor from the cen- 
ters of church and school influence, and of 
commercial activity, to remoter points, and the 
great hindrance to the rapid moral as well as 
material growth in frontier couuuunities in that 
early day, was this lack of easy connnunication 
with the rest of the world. Information of all 
sorts was meager and generally inaccurate, and 
a place ten miles away was more unknown to 
the pioneers for the first fifteen or twenty years 



than Europe is to us to-daj-. The papers were 
almost universally taken up too much with 
State and national aflairs to mention local 
matters, and there was nothing to incite the 
community to a generous rivalry, or to awaken 
an enterprising enthusiasm. 

The earliest road was the one now gener- 
ally known as the Smith Road, passing east and 
west through the middle of the county. This 
was a military road, but was so overgrown by 
underbrush that the earliest settlers found it 
almost impassable. There is a tradition that 
Gen. Smith was forced to abandon several 
pieces of brass artillery near where the road 
crosses the Rocky River, and some attempts 
have been made to discover them, but without 
success. Another early road led from Cleve- 
land to Wooster. passing through Medina til- 
lage, and was ultimately rebuilt as a turnpike 
and constituted the main line of travel. " For 
several years prior to the erection of Medina 
County, the establishment of roads was un- 
settled. Each settler undertook to make a 
road to suit his own convenience, and not un- 
frequeutl}- he joined with his next neighbor in 
opening a way that could be of mutual advan- 
tage. The making of bridges generally called 
together the whole force of the then sparse 
community, and manj- days would be whoUj' 
devoted to the construction of a In-idge that 
would probably be carried away by a succeed- 
ing freshet. Aftei' the organization of the 
county, small ai^propriations were made for 
opening roads and making bridges. -Vs money 
was then scarce, a man would >vork at road- 
making from rising to setting sun for .")0 cents 
and Ijoard himself 

■ It was much easier to get timber uecessar}' 
for a bridge to the allotted spot, than to get 
the logs placed. Ox-teams were used in haul- 
ing, but rendered little aiil in placing timbers. 
Rocky River was the largest stream flowing 
through se\eral of tlu; newly settled townships, 
and the intercourse l>etwcen small settlements, 



A 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



301 



forced the inhabitants, as a matter of conven- 
ience, to decide upon places for bridges, and 
unite in building them for general accommoda- 
tion. Many of the flr.st settlers spent days at 
their own expense for this purpose, and did not 
consider it oppressive. It was no uncommon 
thing to see all the men in a community con- 
gregated early, without stockings or shoes, 
laboring all da3- in the water, fixing abutments 
and placing the long, heavy stringers thereon. 
As puncheons were used for flooring in nearly 
every dwelling, they were considered equall}- 
good for bridging. It is not hazardous to say 
that, in 1815, and for five years thereafter, five 
men actually performed more labor on roads 
than twenty men do in these latter days. Neces- 
sity forced them to be industrious, and their 
future prospects urged them to labor. It was 
not unusual for the men, while engaged in put- 
ting up a bridge, to see their wives coming 
through the woods in various directions, laden 
with cooked provisions intended for those em- 
ployed at work on the road, to save the time 
their husbands must lose if they resorted to 
their cabins for dinner."* The roads thus con- 
structed, were the local highways, known in 
common parlance as county roads. As the 
community settled in Jledina County increased 
in numbers, and its business began to assume 
considerable proportions, a demand for better 
communications liegan to be felt. Cleveland 
was the principal market for all this region of 
country at that time, and about 1827 the 
Wa3ne. Mediua and Cuyahoga Turnpike Com- 
panj- was organized. This company was granted 
the privilege of turnpiking the old road which 
led from Cleveland to Wooster, and charge toll 
for the use of it, placing gates ever}- ten miles 
along the pike. There were two of these gates 
in the county, one near the center of Medina 
Township, and the other in Guilford Township, 
near Seville, This road was finished in 1830, 
and became the great outlet of the count}' and 

^-Northrop's History of Medina County. 



country south. Very soon after it was finished, 
Neal & Co., the great hack-line operators, estab- 
lished a line of coaches, that passed each way 
between the terminal points, daily. During the 
inclement season the road became almost im- 
passable, frequently obliging the stages to cease 
running, or to make only weekly trips. The 
Wutchtoircr of February 9, 1842, speaks of the 
horrilile state of the turnpike, and states that 
tiie mail was thirtn-n hours coming from Woos- 
ter, a distance of twenty-four miles, and four- 
teen hours coming from Cleveland, a distance of 
twenty-eight miles. Besides these evidences of 
growth and activity, there were numbers of 
huge Peuns3'lvania '' land-schooners," that made 
regular trips from the South, carrying flour, 
pork and grain to Clc\eland, returning laden 
with merchandise for the dealers in Wayne 
Count}-, 

The Ohio & Erie Canal, having l)een started 
in 1825, and passing through Akron, made this 
quite a market for produce, and the southern 
portion of Medina County found this the most 
convenient point for shipping their surplus 
product. In 1828, therefore, a free road was 
projected from Elyria, in Lorain County, to 
Akron, in Summit, About 1830, the building 
of railroads began to be agitated in the State, 
and the Mad River road was followed among 
others by the Cleveland & Columbus Railroad, 
now known as the Cleveland, Columbus, Cin- 
cinnati & Indianapolis Railway. Some of the 
preliminary surveys for this road were made 
through Medina County ; considerable suljscrip- 
tions were made to the stock of the proposed 
road, and a citizen of the county, Jeremiah 
Higbee, elected oue of the Directors, Strong 
influence at Berea, however, diverted the di- 
rection of the road to its present course. This 
was finished in 1851, and a project was at once 
set on foot by such men as Hon, Hiram Brou- 
son, Judge S. N, Sargent, Judge W, H, Canfield. 
and others, to secure a railroad from Medina to 
connect with this road at Grafton, This pro- 



_ 



^1 



302 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



jected railwaj' was called the Cleveland, Medi- 
na & Tuscarawas Railroad, and proposed iilti- 
matel}- to reach Wheeling by way of Doyles- 
town. Judge Sargent was elected President, 
and, througli friends in New York, secured a 
loan of #15.000 on bonds to be issued by the 
company, the interest being guaranteed by the 
Cleveland it Columbus road and the Lake 
Shore road. M'ork was begun about 1852 or 
1853, a considerable amount being done on the 
road-bed between (Irafton and Seville. Hiram 
Bronson was elected to succeed Judge Sargent 
about 1854. In the meantime, bonds to the 
amount of $400,000 were issued and placed on 
the market. Dr. L. D. Tolman. of Medina, was 
the general contractor for the whole roiid. sub- 
ject to the control of the President, and. under 
the financial embarrassments of the new com- 
pany, was forced gi'adually to discontinue work. 
Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed by 
the friends of the road at the cassation of work, 
even the contractor not fully agreeing in the 
necessity of this course. In the latter part of 
1855 or early part of 1851), Mr. Bronson re- 
signed, and turned over to the company the 
building accounts all settled, but the bonds un- 
negotiated. Dr. Tolman. who was thoroughly 
in sympathy with the progressi\-e party, pro- 
ceeded to revive tlie work, and i)laced the l)onds 
with Steven Paul, a broker in New York, to 
negotiate. In the meanwhile, a (jroposition was 
made by a New Yoriv broker to secure tlie iron, 
if a capital stock of §1,000,000 could lie se- 
cured to give the road a standing in the com- 
mercial world. To accomplish this. ^Ir. l?ron- 
son visited every town along the iiropnsctl line, 
holding meetings in the schooUiouses, and 
wherever it promised success to his plans, and 
secured some $850,000, but with a proviso that 
the subscription siiould be expended on the 
road tlu'ougli the resijcctive places of tlie sub- 
scribers. Tliis did not assist the building of 
the northern end of the road, but it was hoped 
everv day that the bonds would be negotiated 



and the embarrassment of the company relieved. 
About this time, the papers announced the sale 
of some of the bonds on Wall street, at 90 
cents on the dollar. Mr. Bronson, being in New 
York, subsequently, on business connected with 
his store in this village, called on Paul in regard 
to the report. He coolly informed Mr. Bronson 
that his partner had placed them as collaterals 
in the hands of his creditors, and, failing to re- 
deem them, thej' were sold for 9 cents instead 
of 90. On his return. Mr. Bronson reported 
the facts to the company, but, before any meas- 
ures were taken to. secure the balance of the 
bonds, the whole .$400,000 were used in the same 
way by Paul. This misadventure, of course, 
prostrated the whole enterprise, and work on the 
road stopped right there, leaving large liabilities 
to be borne by those who had taken an active 
part in the project. Jlr. Bronson finally paid 
something over $14,000, and Hon. H. G. Blake. 
who had become security for the contractor, 
in some wa}* eventually paid some $5,000. The 
" Clinton Airline Extension " was the high- 
sounding name of another railroad enterprise 
which was agitated at the same time with the 
one inaugurated by the Medina people. This 
proposed to join Chicago with New York Cit}-, 
by connecting with the New York & Erie Rail- 
road, and pushing the " extension '' on to the 
metropolis of the Northwest. The line of the 
proposed road through this county was nearly 
a due east-and-west line, passing just north of 
the center of (rranger. .Medina. York and Litch- 
field Townships, when it curved northward in a 
direct line for New London. A consiilerable 
subscription was raised in tlie county for this 
project, and some very encouraging work was 
done at York, but tiie jiroject failed, after ex- 
pending a large amount of money to no pur- 
pose. But, what was mon^ unfortunate, this de- 
funct organization left a score of claims as a 
legacy to its stockholdei's. The sto(;kholders 
in Medina County, representing some $7,000, 
formed an association, and employed J. B. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



303 



Young and Judge R. P. Ranney to contest these 
claims, which haunted the courts for j'ears. 
This course of litigation finally ended in April, 
1871, by the finding of a judgment of .S4.12per 
share, which was paid by the shareholders. 
This road has recently lieen revived as the New 
York, Fort Waj'ne & Chicago Railwa}', and 
some hopes are held that it may eventually be- 
come a fact. 

Thougli greath' disappointed, the people were 
by no means dispirited and ways and means 
of reviving the Tuscarawas road were constantly 
discussed. In 18G5, Mr. Bronsou was elected 
to the Lower House of the General Assembly, 
and, while there, advised with Judge Ranney, 
as to the means of securing what had been built 
of this road free of incumbrance. He was ad- 
vised to secure one of the bonds that had been 
issued, and cause the road to be sold, when it 
could be bid in by those who desired to rebuild 
it. This was communicated to Mr, Blake by 
Mr, Bronson, and soon after was made practical 
by the securing of a liond, the necessarj- pro- 
ceedings had, and the sale ordered to take place 
on the 15th of April, 1870. These proceedings 
were not unobserved of those who were hostile 
to the building of this road. The Lake Shore 
road did feel that this would subserve its inter- 
est, and an agent was sent to attend the sale 
and purchase the road-bed. On the night be- 
fore, had occurred the terrible fire which laid 
so large a part of the county seat in ashes. It 
was the absorbing topic of conversation, and the \ 
Cleveland agent, falling in with Mr. Blake, was 
shown the ruins, and interested in the melan- 
choly details of the whole disaster. In the mean- 
while, the hour for the sale arrived, and just be- 
fore the time expired the property was struck off 
to Mr. Blake for $2,(300, before the opposition 
knew what was going on. A suit followed to 
break up the sale, on the ground of fraud, prac- 
ticed in the disposition of the property, but the 
sale was confirmed by the court. There was no 
plan in mind, however,to utilize the property thus 



.secured, and, if there had been, the great calam- 
ity which had befallen the county seat would 
have indefinitely postponed it. But the demand 
for a railroad was pressing. All the travel and 
merchandise of the county, were brought in 
wagons from Bcrea, the nearest railroad point, 
at an exorbitant cost. Merchants found it im- 
possible to compete with more favored localities, 
and thousands of dollars' worth of trade, was 
diverted from local Inisiuess houses to Cleve- 
land, Akron and elsewhere. The project, there- 
fore, was onlj- postijoned, and, in the Gau-ttf of 
January, 1871, the following editorial appeared : 
" In the Gazette, partly published the week of 
the fire, we proposed the building of a railroad 
— wooden, iron or some other kind — from Me- 
dina to Grafton. It is now about time to 
return to the subject, as it is being considerably 
talked of among our citizens. We all know 
that but little dependence is to be placed on 
the great east-and-west, and north-and-south 
railroads, which have been going to run through 
Medina any time tlie last half-centuiy, and 
which, for all we know, may lie coining the same 
way for the next fifty years — though we hope 
for better things. If they should happen to 
be put through, we will accept them as so much 
clear gain. But we may depend upon it, that 
our surest way to ha\e a road is to build it our- 
selves. And it can he done. The energy and 
public spirit that could rebuild a town from its 
ashes as speedily and handsomely as IMedina 
has been rebuilt, can also build a railroad. 
Whether we are ready to begin it now is not 
reallj' important. Only let it be determined 
that we will liuild it just as soon as we can 
turn our energies in that direction, and the 
point is gained." This article struck a respons- 
ive chord throughout the county, and hardly 
an issue of the paper followed for some weeks, 
without a long communication on the subject 
of railroad communication with Grafton, advis- 
ing the various methods of wooden, strap iron 
or regular T rails. 









304 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



In addition to Medina's interest in tlie I'oad, 
a general interest was excited among tlie busi- 
ness men of Cleveland. There was a large ex- 
tent of coal fields in the Tuscarawas Valley, 
the product of which, it was thought, could be 
brought at a cheap rate to aid the manufactur- 
ing interests of Cleveland, and her citizens 
soon took an active interest in the matter. On 
the 13th of Februaiy, a meeting of prominent 
citizens was held at the council hall in the city, 
to enlist the cit3- in the project of building such 
a railroad, and a committee appointed to inves- 
tigate the subject. Two routes were under 
consideration and urged by those interested in 
the different plans ; one proposed starting from 
the Cleveland. Columbus. Cincinnati & Indian- 
apolis road at Berea, running nearly south, 
along the most eligible grounds, to within one 
mile of the easterly side of Medina Village ; 
thence bearing easterly to the nearest coal, near 
the north line of Wadsworth ; thence to the Tus- 
carawas Valley, near Clinton, and thence to the 
Pan Handle road, in Mill Township, Tuscara- 
was County, a distance from eighty to eight3-- 
five miles. The second route proposed to start 
from Grafton or Berea. thence extending south 
to Medina, Seville, Wooster, Millersburg, Co- 
shocton and on to Zanesville or ^Marietta. An- 
other railroad project was one under the au- 
spices of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This 
line proposed to extend from Pittsburgh to 
Akron, through Medina to Titfiu, thence to 
Valparaiso, Ind., and thence to Chicago. 
Another was called the Lake Branch of the 
Baltimore, Pittsburgh & Continental Railway. 
This project [jroposed to use the old road- 
bed from Grafton, tln-ough 3Iedina to Palton, 
in Wayne County, and then connect with a 
main line that should traverse the continent. 
The Cleveland ct .Marietta road was a \ariation 
on the Wooster & Zanesville route, and the 
Tuscarawas Valley' road was a variation on the 
route proposed by the Cleveland interest, and 
proposed to go south through Hinckley, Gran- 



ger and Wadsworth. Amid all this activity 
in railroad matters, Medina did not neglect her 
advantages. Acting upon the advice of Mr. 
Bronson, and having secured the old road-bed 
some forty miles long, in his own right. Mr. 
Blake held the balance of power, and, while 
listening to all propositions, did not lose con- 
trol of this propert}' until he had received a 
sufficient bond that a road would be built. For 
a time it seemed that the Lake Branch of the 
Baltimore, Pittsburgh & Continental Railroad, 
would secure the co-operation of Medina, and 
the old road-bed. On the 21st of April, 1871, 
a meeting of the Directors was held in Medina, 
and a permanent organization effected with 
Mr. Blake as a Director. A proposition was 
made to transfer this property to the road, pro- 
vided assurance could be given that the road 
would be built in a short time, and on the 10th 
of ^lay it was announced that this company 
would build the road. 

In the meanwhile, the stockholders of the 
Lake Shore & Tuscarawas Valle\- Railroad met 
and elected Directors, who efl'ected a permaneut 
organization on March 31, 1871. The officers 
of the organization had been active both in 
learning the character of the country on the 
two routes noted above and the subscription 
likely to be received in support of a railroad 
on either line. On Mav 18, at a meeting of 
those interested in this road, Cleveland re- 
ported a subscription of .?92,000 ; Wads- 
worth, $30,000 ; Doylestown, :?20,000 ; Royal- 
ton, Hinckle\-, Granger and Sharon, S75,000. 
By the other route. Massillon subscribed §25,- 
000; Navarre. .?17.000 ; Canal Dover, .i; 1(5,000. 
and New Philadelphia, .$20,000. Medina, to be 
benefited b^- either route, promised $50,000. 
On the 2d of June. 1871, the (iazettc came out 
with the following double-leaded editorial: 
" By this time, probal)ly. our home readers 
have all hearcl the good news— that we are to 
have a railroad. It is now rendered certain, 
that, if stock to the amount of $100,000 is sub- 



V 



^'z 



i^ 



HI.STOUY OF MEDIXA COrXTY. 



305 



scribed between Grafton and Seville, the road 
will be built at once. This is not a mere rumor, 
but is based on a contract in black and white, 
with parties who are abundantly able to fulfill 
it. We therefore feel warranted in saying, 
definitely and emphatically, that the road will 
be built at once. 

" The company known as the Lake Branch of 
the Baltimore & Continental Railroad, who 
have been figuring for the old road-bed. failed 
to give Mr. Blake any guarantee of their ability 
to build the road, and tlie proposition made to 
them was therefore withdrawn. Tiiat company 
maj- be said to be numbered among the things 
that were. None of its corporators, besides 
Mr. Blake, acquired anj- interest whatever in 
the old road-bed, and are, tlierefore, not bene- 
fited directh" or indirectly, as individuals or as 
an organization, in the new arrangement. The 
road-bed belonged solely to 5Ir. Blake, who 
held it for the purpose of securing the building 
of a railroad to Medina. That object will be 
accomplished as soon as the amount of stock 
above mentioned is raised. 

The (Ad road-bed is to Ije transferred to the 
Lake Shore & Tuscarawas Valley Company, 
who have entered into a contract to Ijuild the 
road from Grafton to Seville, pi-ovided the 
amount of SI 00,000 in stock is subscribed be- 
tween the two points, payable when the road is 
built, and the iron laid. Dr. Streator, of Cleve- 
land, the President of the company, makes 
the contract, having been authorized to do 
so by the Directors ; and he guarantees that 
work shall be commenced on the road within 
ninety days, and the cars running to Meduia 
and Seville this fall. If the road is not built, 
there will be nothing to paj', and the road-bed, 
at the end of two years, will revert back to Mr, 
Blake, If the road is built, we can afford to 
pay. This is how the matter stands : We give 
the road-bed as a donation, and take $100,000 
worth of stock, of the company, which liinds 
itself to build the road. If we do not raise the 



stock we will not get the road. The road-lied 
alone is no sufHcient inducement. 

"The subscription books will be here this week 
and in a few days the effort will l)e made to raise 
the stock — an effort whicii must end only in 
success. In .a fortniglit's time, every dollar of 
stock ought to be suliscribed, now or never." 

(!)n the 7th of June, a meeting was called 
at the court house to present the subject of 
subscription to this new project. Hon. Hiram 
Bronson was chairman, and Mr. Blake the 
spokesman of the occasion. A committee for 
soliciting subscription was appointed, and b}- 
the evening of June 28, the sum of §108,800 
was subscribed for fhis object, Grafton and 
vicinity contributing SI 8.000. Seville and vicin- 
ity S31,000, and >Iedina and vicinity .S59,800. 
In the latter part of August, 1871, Dr, Streator, 
President of the road, contracted with Selah 
Chamberlain, of Cleveland, to grade the road- 
wav, laj- the track, with switches, side-tracks, 
station l)uildings and water-tanks, and to sup- 
plv the road with S2()fl,000 worth of cars and 
engines : and, for thus building and equipping 
the ninet}'-one miles of road to Urichsville, was 
to receive S.3,.^.50,000, as follows : SI, 000,000 in 
stock, $2.000,(HIO in bonds, and $350,000 in 
cash, an average cost of S3 1,41 8 per mile, the 
road to be finished by the 1st of July, 1873. 
Work was actively begun on the northern end 
of the road at (irafton. and on the 3d of No- 
vember, the track reached York, where the em- 
plo\-es of the road were regaled with a gi'and 
supper spread by the citizens of the delighted 
village, and on the 10th the whistle of the first 
locomotive was heard in .Medina. At the 
county seat the preparations for the celebra- 
tion of the event were of a more formal charac- 
ter. This was set for the l.jth of November, 
with the following programme : •■ 1. Signal gun 
on the arrival of the train (first passenger train 
liringing invited guests) witiiin the limits of 
tiie corporation. Kinging of all the bells in 
town, and blowins; of the steam whistles for 






'J l^ 



'C '^ 



3i.O 



insToiiY OF Mi:nixA couxtv. 



ten minutes consecutively ; music by all the 
bands : discharge of 101) guns by the ar- 
tillery. 2. Reception of guests iVom the train 
by the flavor and Common Council ; reception 
address by the Mayor of the village, and other 
exercises at the speaker's stand, o. Proces- 
sion will form under direction of the Marshal 
and marcli to the square, wlieu it will be dis- 
missed. -1. Music bv all the bands. 5. Two hours 
for dinner, (i. At the liour when the train is 
to depart, the officers of the day. committees 
and bands of music, will escort the railwa}" offi- 
cials and invited guests to the train." The 
day appointed was a bleak November day, and 
the programme was somewhat varied from that 
prepared, but the occasion was a joyous one, 
and long to be remembered in the annals of 
Medina County. As soon as the building of 
the road from (rrafton southward was assured, 
the people of Klyria and Black River began to 
agitate the question of extending it through 
f^lyria to the mouth of Black River. It was 
soon arranged and a new organization, com- 
posed of the same men, chartered the Elyria & 
Black River Railway Company. Elyria paid 
850,00(1. and Black River a proportionate 
amount, and the extension was made. The sub- 
sequent history of the road, .so far as the stock- 
holders are concerned, has not been com[iletely 
satisfactory, though quite in keeping with the 
general history of railroads. In July, 1874, 
the Union Trust Company, of New York, as 
trustee, brought suit against the Lake Shore & 

: Tuscarawas ^'alley Railway Company and the 
Elyria & Black River Railway Company, on 
account of the failure to pay the July interest, 
and the court appointed a receiver. It ran on 
in this way until January 20, 187j, when it 
was sold, Selah Chamberlain bidding it in at 
$1,000,000, On the 1st of February, the name 
of the consolidated road was changed to the 

I Cleveland, Tuscarawas Vidley it Wheeling 
Railway, and a new company fornuvl to oper- 
ate it. A short time afterward. .<elah Cham- 



berlain transferred his title to the new company 
for the nominal consideration of $1. Thus the 
Medina stock of over 8100,000 was suddenly 
changed into a donation. The greater part of 
the stockholders accepted this result as inevita- 
ble, and, though believing that it was a measure 
dictated by a desire to relieve the company of 
the encumbrance of a large number of stock- 
holders rather than necessitj'. they accepted 
the benefit accruing from the road as a full 
equivalent for their monej'. In 1879, the road 
was extended from Urichsville to Wheeling bj' 
the way of Flushing. There was considerable 
competiiion to secure the location of the line 
b3- way of New Athens, but the former pre- 
vailed. This road has 17.81 miles of main line 
in the county, and 2.76 milesof sidings, making 
a total of 20,57 miles of track, and is appraised 
at $8,933 per mile for purpo.ses of taxation, 

Tlie Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad is a 
project that has long been before the people of 
Medina, and though at last making some en- 
couraging progress, tails to excite an}' enthusi- 
asm outside of the immediate localities through 
which it passes. It was projected in 1871, 
and proposed to start from the head of Wheeling 
Island, running thence through the counties of 
Belmont, Jefferson, Harrison, Carroll, Tusca- 
rawas, Stark, Wayne, Medina, Ashland, Huron, 
Ottawa, Sandusky to Toledo, Eastern capital- 
ists proi)osed to furnish 815,000 per mile, pro- 
vided the citizens along the proposed route 
would subscribe 810,000 per mile. Before the 
close of the year, the right of way was secured 
to within six miles of Wooster, with the excep- 
tion of about a dozen farms, and a subscription 
of upward of 81,000,000 along the line from 
Wheeling to Sandusky, The line was run from 
Wheeling northward, and the work of con- 
structing it begun in the same way. Upward 
of 800.000 was subscribed by the citizens of 
that part of the count}' to receive the greatest 
benefit from its construction, and the road was 
deliiiitelv settled so far north as Lodi. Little 



V 



±>^ 



HLSTOItY OF MEDINxV COUNTY. 



307 



or no work, however, was done, and the project 
hmguisbed until 1874. when it was vigorousl\- 
taiion up. Mr. Walter .Shanley, the contractor 
for the entire line, sulilet fiFt\' miles of the 
road, extending east from Lodi. including some 
of the tunnel work. The road was contracted 
at 1*50,000 per mile, to be paid i^o.oOO in cash, 
!f22.50() in bonds and a like amount in stock 
certificates. Several miles were built in this 
county in that year, but the work soon ceased ; 
the project lay dormant for three years longer. 
In 1877, the matter was again revived, but the 
plan had changed under the exigencies of the 
money market, and it was proposed to build a 
narrow-gauge road. Work was vigorously be- 
gun on the northern end. and the road com- 
pleted so as to run cars from Norwalk to Port 
Huron. Just here, another hiatus occurred 
until the fiiU of 1880. The standard gauge has 
been resumed, and work is being pushed forward 
with apparent signs of a successful issue. Its 
northern terminus is very much in doubt at this 
writing. Toledo, Port Huron and Sandusky be- 
ing competitors, with ecjual chances of success. 
Medina County is interested to the extent of 
upward of 175,000 in subscriptions at present ; 
and. if completed, the road will have about six- 
teen miles of main line track within the limits 
of the county. 

The New York, Penns3-lvania & Ohio Rail- 
way touches the southeast corner of the county, 
curving northward to Wadsworth Village, on 
its wa}^ to Akron, and barely touches the town- 
ships of Harrisville and Westficld, where they 
touch each other and the Wayne County line. 



This road was originally built with a six-foot 
gauge, and called the Atlantic & Great Western 
Railroad, with Salamanca, in New York, and 
Dayton, in Ohio, as its termini. By arrange- 
ments with the Erie, and the Cincinnati, Ham- 
ilton & Daj-ton roads, an outlet was secured 
either way to New York City and Cincinnati. 
(_)n the 6th day of Januar}-, 1880, this road was 
sold under the foreclosure of mortgages, and 
passed into the hands of the Ohio & Pennsyl- 
vania Com])any. No sooner had they taken 
possession than they began to plan for the nar- 
rowing of the gauge, and the general improve- 
ment of the road. All lieing reatly. on the 22d 
day of June, 1880, the signal was given, and 
from end to end of the road, men labored with 
might and main. This work had been so skill- 
fully planned, every ditlicult^- anticipated, and 
all preparations so accurately made, that the 
road was narrowed in less than half a day. 
Very few trains were delayed, and hardly a 
break occurred in the great business of this road. 
The work of narrowing engines is yet going on, 
the average cost being $1,000. If a new boiler 
and fire-box are required, the expense runs up- 
ward of $3,000. 

The road reached Wadsworth about ISKi, 
and in the following year ran its first passenger 
trains. It ga-\e great impetus to the growth of 
that town, stimulating its business, developing 
its coal mines, and attracting a business popu- 
lation to its center. This road has 7y^^ miles 
of main line in the county, l^^ miles of branch 
line, and Ij-tir miles of sidings, making a total 
of OyYir tniles of track in the county. 



:rx: 



~k^ 



308 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER V. 



WAR HI8TORV— THE EAliLV CONl'LHTS— TAUT T 
(IF THK REBELLION— SKETCHES OF THl' 
^r.ADIES- AND MILITARY 

AND SAILOliS' 

WHEN the war of the Revohitiou ended, 
the Coloniul treasury was bankrnpc, 
and the Government found itself unable to pay 
the soldiers who had fought so bravely in its 
defense. The currency with which the expenses 
of the war were paid was so depreciated in 
value as to be worthless, and the ( lovernment 
was forced to resort to other means to liquidate 
its just debts. Its broad domain of wild and 
unsettled country streteiied away toward the 
setting sun. rich in boundless fertility and 
natural resources, and promised an unfailing 
source of revenue to the empty treasury. 
Western land warrants were issued to the sol- 
diers, who were glad to receive them, and hun- 
dreds made immediate preparations to start for 
the AVest. Surveyors in the employ of the 
Government, were sent out to surx'ey the wil- 
derness on the border, and the land was thrown 
into market for setthirs. Finally, large tracts 
of country, in what is now Ohio, yet known as 
" Ignited States 3Iilitary Land," or '■ Virginia 
Military Land." were set apart by the Govern- 
ment for the benefit of llevolutionary soldiers. 
The State of Connecticut became the owner of 
3,800.000 acres in the northeastern part, and 
thither her citizens Hocked h\ hundreds. But 
the bloody Indian wars on the border stemmed 
the tide of immigration for a lime, and made 
the outlook gloomy for settlers who possessed 
no home, save the one they had [)ur(^liased in 
the West. Medina Cf)uuty was a portion of 
the Western land owned by Connecticut. The 
most and all that can be said (»f (lie connection 
of .Medina County with the Iteyohitiou is, that 



A KEN IN THE ME.XIl AN \V\R— OPENING SCENES 
: DIFFERENT REIilMENTS— THE DRAFT 
\ I D SOCI ETI ICS — SOLDI E RS' 
A.SSOCIATION. 

many of the earliest settlers who came from 
Connecticut and other States, had been engaged 
in that protracted struggle. 

But little more can be said of the war of 
1S12. When war was declared, there were then 
living in the county about ten families. ^les- 
sengers arrived from the oldest settlements, 
apprising tin- pioneers of the war already be- 
gun, and warning them to flee to some neigh- 
boring fort for jirotection from impending dan- 
ger. One small settlement was in each of the 
townships. FLarrisville and Liverpool. The set- 
tlers in the latter, upon the receipt of the news 
of danger, hastily packed what articles could 
lie conveniently carried, and hastened north to 
('olumbia, where, for the protection of about 
twenty families, a strong block-house was built. 
A small company was organized under the 
orders of Captain Hoadley, and, while the fort 
was gaiTisoue<l with a detachment of these, the 
others were permitted to visit their homes to 
care for stock and otiier property. The rush 
to the fort occurred in August. 1812. and was 
caused by information that the British and 
their Indian allies were approaching the neigh- 
borhood, intending to massacre the inhabitants. 
A large party had been seen landing at Huron. 
which was supposed to be the forces of the 
enemy. It was soon afterward ascertained that 
the body of men w-as the prisoners that Gen. 
Hull had surrendered to the British at Detroit. 
It was thought best, however, to build the fort 
and garri.son it, as has been stated. The set- 
tlers of Liverpool Township did not all return 
to their homes until the followiuii; year, when 



^1 



-f^ 



■ . <--'^-»; 






C0L2'??REG 3"? BRIG. 9T':' D\y.J>-'0.m. 



' r 



HISTORY OF MEDIKA COUNTY. 



809 



all apprehension of danger had passed awa}'. 
The settlers in Harrisville Township shared a 
similar experience. The few families repaired 
to Randolph, in obedience to the warning. 
Here thej* remained under the protection of 
organized militia, until the following October, 
when they returned to their farms in Harris- 
ville Township. Immediately after the surren- 
der of Detroit, Gen. Wadsworth called out the 
militia on the Reserve to be in readiness to re- 
sist the advances of the enemy in the vicinity 
of Cleveland ; and, in obedience to the call, the 
able-bodied men then in Harrisville Township 
promptly responded, and remained in the cam- 
paign about a month. After these events, no 
danger was apprehended, and the war, as far as 
Medina Couutj^ was concerned, was at an end. 
Manj- of the settlers who afterward came into 
the county served in the war of 1812, and a 
few of these are yet living in tlie county at ad- 
vanced ages, a record of the campaign in which 
they participated, appearing in the biographical 
department in connection with their familj- 
history. 

After the war of 1812 and the Indian wars 
accompanjing it, the people of 3Iedina County 
were no more disturbed until the JMexican War. 
Tlie circumstances which led to this struggle 
resulted from the admission of Texas into the 
American Union. The " Lone Star State ' had 
been a province of Mexico, but had •• seceded," 
and for years its citizens had been carrying on 
a Ivind of guerrilla warfare with the mother 
country with var3-ing results. But, in 1830, a 
battle was fought at San Jacinto, at which Santa 
Anna, then Dictator of Jlexico, was captured, 
and his entire armj* either killed or made pris- 
oners. Santa Anna was held iu strict confine- 
ment, and finally induced to sign a treaty ac- 
knowledging the independence of Texas. But, 
in violation of the treaty, the Republic of Mex- 
ico treated Texas and the Texans just as she 
had previously done. From tliis time forward, 
petitions were frequentl3- presented to the United 



States, asking admission into the Union. But 
Mexico endeavored to prevent the admission of 
Texas by constantly declaring that her reception 
would be regarded as a sufficient cause for 
declaration of war, tiiinking, doubtless, that 
this would serve to intimidate the United States. 
In the Presidential campaign of 1844, the an- 
nexation of Texas was one of the leading issues 
before the people, and Mr. Polk, whose party 
favored the annexation, being elected, this was 
taken as an expression of the public mind. 
After this, Congress had no hesitancy iu grant- 
ing the petition of Texas, and, on the 1st of 
March, 1845, formally received her into the sis- 
terhood of States. Mexico, at once, in her in- 
dignation broke off all diplomatic intercourse 
with the United States, recalled her Jlinister, 
and made immediate preparations for war. Con- 
gi-ess passed an act authorizing the President 
to accept the services of 50,000 volunteers, and 
appropriating $10,000,000 for the prosecution 
of the war. The information that war had be- 
gun swept over the country like an epidemic, 
and from all parts of the Union volunteers by 
the thousands signified their readiness to enlist. 
The old State militia law was then in force, 
which required the enrollment of all able-bodied 
men between the ages of eighteen and forty- 
five, for militarj' duty. No count}' action in 
reference to the war is remembered to have 
transpired, though Medina was not wholly silent. 
Her citizens were the descendants of soldiers 
who had fought with signal daring in the war 
of independence and in that of 1812, and the 
children had not forgotten the story of the 
bloody experience of their fathers in the hour 
of national peril. 

During the month of June, 1846, in response 
to the call for troops, twentj--three men (and 
very likely several others), then residents of 
^Medina Count}-, volunteered in the three regi- 
ments assigned as the quota of Ohio under the 
first call. Cincinnati was the place of rendez- 
vous, where the volunteers were to be exam- 



-t- 



1^ 



310 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA ('OIXTY. 



ined and mustered into the service of the Gov- 
ernment. The quota assigned Ohio was filled 
in a few weeks, and there were found left over 
nearly men enough to constitute another regi- 
ment. These were furnished transportation 
home at the expense of the Government. The 
organization of the three regiments was eft'ected 
without delay, and the officers elected were as 
follows: First Regiment— A. M. Mitchell, of 
Cincinnati. Colonel ; John B. Weller. of Butler 
Count}'. Lieutenant Colonel: T. L. llamar. of 
Brown County. Major. Second Regiment — G. 
W. Morgan, of Knox Count}-, Colonel ; William 
Irvin. of Fairfield. Lieutenant Colonel : William 
Hall, of Athens. Major. Third Regiment— S. 
R. Curtis, of Wayne County. Colonel ; G. W. 
McCook. of Jefferson. Lieutenant Colonel, and 
J. S. Love, of Morgan. Majf)r. There not being 
a suflieient number of volunteers from the 
county to form a company, those enlisted were 
obliged to unite with volunteers in adjoining 
counties. Twenty -one men from Medina Coun- 
ty went to Wooster, where a company of about 
ninetv volunteers, including those from ^ledi- 
na, was ordered to assemble to complete its 
organization and elect its officers. This was 
done with the following result: yiv. Moore. 
Captain ; Peter Burgett. First Lieutenant ; 
James McMillan, Second Lieutenant : R. D. 
Emmerson. Third Lieutenant, none of the com- 
missioned officers being from Medina County. 
There were ten companies in the Third Regi- 
ment. Company E being the one enlisted at 
Wooster, in which were the volunteers from 
Medina County. After much labor and search, 
the following partial list of tiie men from this 
county who served in the war with .^Iexico. 
has been obtained : Alexander Coretsca. .'Sam- 
uel Fritz. I'riah Fritz. Nathaniel Case. John 
Callihan, Charles Barrett. Elijah Be;ird. .Viniali 
Chaffey (?). 1). W. Rouse, C. B. Wf.od. Colum- 
bus Chapman. Tciry Harris, Josiah Coy. W. S. 
Booth, Stei)lien M. Hyatt, Horace I'otter. Lu- 
ther (?) Adkins. Ebenezer Manning, llobert W. 



Patterson and 0. P. Barney. Sometime about 
the 1st of June, 1846, notice was given that a 
meeting would be held at a given date in the 
village of Medina, for the purpose of receiving 
the names of those who desireil to serve in the 
war with Mexico. The day and hour came ; a 
liand of martial music paraded the streets 
to assemble the citizens, and. iu the park, 
speeches were made by one or mijre of the 
prominent citizens. "Volunteers were called 
for. but. out of the throng there assembled, only 
two men signified their intention and readiness 
to march in Ijattle array to the Ijright land of 
the IMontezuraas. These two were Alexander 
Coretsca. of Polish descent, and Nathaniel 
Case. The two were loudly cheered as they 
enrolled their names iu their country's service. 
Some one said to Coretsca : •• Yes, you'll die 
down there iu that hot climate." to which the 
latter replied. -It will lie as well to die down 
there as any place." After a few days several 
others added their names to the roll. All the 
men mentioned above were in Company E. of 
the Third Regiment, except John Callihan, 
Ebenezer Planning and Stephen HN-att, who 
were in the Second Regiment, and Horace Pot- 
ter, who was in Company V. of the Third Regi- 
ment. The lirave Ijoys realized that it was no 
holiilay undertaking to go iu the hot months 
of the year from the comparatively cold climate 
of the Northern States to the altogether differ- 
ent and peculiar climate of Mexico. Looking 
back over the years, the stupendous magnitude 
of the last war overshadows the almost insur- 
mountal)le difficulties which the volunteers in 
the ^lexican campaign were compelled to en- 
counter. At this day. when a battle-scarred, gray- 
haired. Mexican war soldier attempts a descrip- 
tion of the bloody and lieautiful field of Buena 
\'ista, or the wild storming of the City of ]^Iex- 
ico ami the memorable heights surrounding it, 
he is at once silenced by a remark something 
like this: -Oh, that's nothing compared to 
Pittsburg Lauding and Gettysburg and the 



T,fZ 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



311 



Wilderness." The thrilling experiences of the 
Mexican campaign, and the names of the heroes 
who faithfully- served thei'e are forgotten in the 
interest taken in the last great war. But 
tiie names of the brave men should and must 
be preserved, and in memory of those who fell 
with their faces to the foe, or under the stroke 
of the deadh' Southern diseases, a gleaming 
shaft of monumental marhle should he erected 
b_y a grateful people. 

The Third Regiment, after having lieen mus- 
tered into the service of the (lovernment at 
Cincinnati, remained there a short time, and, 
finally, in company with several other regi- 
ments, was ordered to New Orleans, arriving 
there some time in July, 184G, Two da3S later 
the Third Regiment took shipping for Brazos, 
Santiago Island, reaching that city after a 
stormy voyage of nine dajs on tiie (lulf After 
two weeks of maneuver and drill, the regiment 
was ordered to Fort Brown to guard the Ameri- 
can stores and property at that point. Five 
days later, tiie troops were moved across the 
Rio Grande River to Matamoras, where tiiey 
remained until September, doing guard duty 
and enjoying a few slight skirmishes with Mexi 
can guerrillas. During one of the Mexican 
raids on the pickets of the American forces, 0. 
1*. Barney, who had enlisted at .Medina (though 
not a resident there), and who was doing guard 
duty on the outermost line of pickets, was sur- 
prised and lassoed by a number of the barba- 
rous enemy. When found, his Ixjdj' was bruised 
and mangled in a frightful manner, and around 
his neck were the blue marks made by the 
cruel lasso. He had, uudoubledl^y, been 
dragged to death upon the hard ground. The 
troops had pleasant times while guarding the 
Government stores at Fort Brown and Mata- 
moras. They mingled freely with the citizens 
while ofl' dut3-, and often took the liberty to 
appropriate chickens, sweet potatoes, etc., with- 
out the owner's knowledge or consent. It is 
related bj- Alexander Coretsca, of Medina, the 



only ex-soldier of the Mexican war now known 
to be in Medina County, that two soldiers, on 
one occasion, went to the city market, and see- 
ing there a fine quarter of beef, raised it on 
their bayonets and convejed it to camp, where 
it was concealed ; so that, when search was in- 
stituted a half-hour later, upon the complaint 
of the butcher, no beef was to be found. Such 
acts were unusual and forbidden. In tlie latter 
part of Septeml)er, the \olunteers were ordered 
to ^Monterey, and soon afterward received or- 
ders to march rapidly to the relief of the Ameri- 
can troops at Meir. where a brisk skirmish was 
in progi'ess, and the volunteers were receiving 
severe punishment. The Third Regiment 
arrived in time to find that the enemy had been 
repulsed witii severe loss, as the field was 
strewed with about two hundred dead, a por- 
tion of them, however, being Americans, Here 
the regiment remained until about the middle 
of Feljruary, 1847, when orders were received 
to march with all haste to the relief of Gen, 
Taylor, who, located in a favorable position in a 
narrow defile near Buena Msta, with 4,700 
men, was anxiously awaiting an attack from 
20,000 Mexicans under Gen, Santa Anna, The 
regiment reached the field ten days after the 
battle. After remaining at this point about a 
month, the Tliird Regiment was ordered Ijack 
to the Rio <irande, and, finally, during the 
autumn of 1847, was shipped across the Gulf 
to New Orleans, where the volunteers drew 
their paj- for eighteen months, at S7 per month, 
and were discharged from the service, having 
participated in no engagement during the cam- 
paign. Of the Medina County boys, Josiah 
Coy died of a fever at Camargo, Amiah 
Chaffey died near Natcliez, Miss,, of disease 
contracted while in the service, his death occur- 
ring a few daj-s after his disciiarge. During the 
homeward journey, Tei'ry (?) Harris was so un- 
well as to be unalile to walk. He died about a 
week after reaching home. Soon after the re- 
turn of the volunteers, Horace I'otter moved 



*iJi 



4. 



312 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COl'XTY. 



West to Kansas, where he yet lives. C. B. 
Wood also went We.st. Columbus Chapman 
was living at Seville a few years ago. 1). W. 
Rouse was at Harrisville some four years ago, 
but his present wherealiouts are unknown. 
Elijah Beard mo^ed West five years ago. What 
became of Charles Barrett is unknown. The 
Fritz brothers mo\-ed to the West about two 
years after returning home. Alexander Cor- 
etsca is yet living at Medina, and much of the 
information aljove narrated has been obtained 
from him. and from John A. Rettig. Stephen 
Hyatt was with Gen. Scott on that memorable 
and triumphant marcii from the Mexican ("lulf 
to the " City of the Aztecs." Ho returned to 
Ohio after the war. un<l finally died at Ashland. 
Roliert W. Patterson was among the American 
troops at the siege of the ancient city of Pueblo, 
in October. 1847, where he received a severe, 
though not necessarily fatal, wound in the head. 
Ambitious to be with his regiment, he exposed 
himself too soon, and in November of the same 
year, died in I'ueblo. His mother drew $.S0 of 
his back pay. and received the land warrant of 
IGO acres granted him by the (lovernment. 
Nathaniel Case returned to Medina at the close 
of the war, where he married. Ten years later, 
he removed to Wisconsin, and afterward served 
in the last war. He was killed 1)V an engine 
while crossing the railroad track near Janes- 
ville, Wis. Ebenezer Manning and .several 
others had charge of one of the light pieces of 
artillery at the battle of Mior. His companions 
at the gun were in turn shot before his eves. 
until he, alone, remained, and then, receiving no 
help, he heroically loaded and fired the i)iece 
seven times himself With such heroism on 
the part of the Americans, it is needless to add 
that the enemy were repulsed, leaving their 
dead and wounded on the Held. This ends the 
brief history of the part Ijorne by Medina 
County in the Mexican war. 

But there is another struggle to be partially 
and l)rietly recorded, compared with which the 



Mexican war was child's play. The causes 
which led to the last great rebellion — one of the 
most sanguinary and stupendous wars ever 
waged by a brave and intelligent people — it is 
not the object of this chapter to narrate. Many 
a gifted pen has spread them upon the national 
records, to l)e placed among the sad memorials 
in rememljrance of the heroic efibrts to rend the 
beloved Republic from the cruel and degrading 
grasp of slavery, and from the hateful attempts 
to subvert the meaning of the Constitution. The 
wave of excitement and opposition that swept 
through the South when the news of the election 
of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency flashed through- 
out the country, told in unmistakable language 
to the still hopeful North, that the red cloud of 
war was already casting its dark shadow over 
the peaceful domain of the American ITuion. 
Statesmen in the North \'iewed with reluctance 
or contempt the steady and extensive prepara- 
tions for war in the South, and refused to be- 
lieve its presence until the first blow fell like a 
thunderbolt upon Fort Sumter, and. at the 
same time, upon the faithful hearts of loyal peo- 
ple. Even then, the North believed, as was 
stated by one of its leaders, that the re'jellion 
would be quelled in ninety days. But. as time 
passed on, and the large bodies of troops failed 
to control or quell the aggressive and daring- 
movements of the Confederate armies, and the 
sullen tide of steadj' reverses swept over almost 
every field of battle, the hope of the North for 
peace died out, the gloom of probable national 
disaster and disunion filled every heart, and for 
many desolate months the outlook was dark and 
forbidding. The impetus of the Confederate 
cause, gained by an earlier preparation for war. 
at length aroused every loyal thought to action, 
and the wave of defeat, striking against the iron 
defenses of the North, was finally swept liack 
to the birthplace of secession. 

When liie news of tiie fall of Sumter swept 
over the country like a llame of fire, in all 
places the most intense excitement prevailed. 






fr- 



Ik. 



ni.STORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



318 



Men forgot their daily employmeiU, and gatli- 
ered in the neighboring villages in crowds, to 
review the political situation and encourage 
one another with hopeful words. Plows were 
left in the half-finished furrow, and shops and 
stores were closed. The prompt call of the 
President for volunteers, the da}' succeeding 
the fall of Sumter, met the earnest will of 
Northern people, and in ever}' State more than 
double the assigned quota of men, without re- 
gard to political -^'iews, immediately enlisted. 
Millions in money were tendered the (lovern- 
ment for the prosecution of war against the 
rebellion, and the most ardent encouragement 
for upholding and enforcing the spirit of the 
Constitution prevailed throughout the North. 
Stirring appeals for loyalty and unity of action 
were made by orators to vast assemblages, 
wherein were seen the flushed faces of the brave 
men whose lives were freely given to their 
country, and whose sacred dust we now cover 
with flowers. 

A mass-meeting was immediatel}' called, to 
be held at Medina on Tuesday, the 23d of April, 
1861, nine days after the fall of Sumter, for 
the purpose of securing volunteers for the serv- 
ice and learning the will of the people. Almost 
the entire county turned out — men, women and 
children — and great excitement and invincible 
determinations of loyaltj^ prevailed. Bands oi 
martial music paraded the streets for hours be- 
fore the appointed time for speaking arrived. 
E. A. Warner was chosen President of the day, 
and immediately thei'eafter the following reso- 
lutions were offered by Hon. Herman Canfield. 

Wherk.^s, a portion of the States of this nation have, 
without just cause, renounced their allegiance to the 
Federal Government, and, by formal acts of traitorous 
Conventions, declared their secession from the Union, 
and have seized the forts, arsenals, and other property 
of the United States within their Slate limits, and, em- 
boldened by temporary success, are now marching 
upon the Federal capiiol to subvert the Government, 
and attempt the subjugation of the loyal Slates, there- 
fore be it 



Resolved, That we regard secession as treason, and the 
pretended Government of the so-called Confederate 
States as an organized rebellion. 

Risolved, That we make no compromises, with traitors, 
nor terms with rebels in arms. 

Resolved, That we will bury all party diflerences, and 
forget all party distinctions, until our beloved country is 
rescued from its peril, and the supremacy of the laws 
vindicated. 

Resolved, That, by the help of God, we will transmit 
to our posterity the glorious Republic, (he free Consti- 
tution, and the priceless liberties we inherited from a 
brave ancestry. 

Resolved, That this Convention appeal to the Trustees 
of the several townships to procure the immediate or- 
ganization and drill of military companies, and that 
this Convention appoint township committees of five, to 
co-operate with the trustees in said object. 

Resolved, That the Committees so appointed, take 
prompt and eHicient measures for the support of the 
families of volunteers who go out to their country's bat- 
tles, and that we hereby pledge the utmost of our means 
for that purpose. 

Each individual resolution was submitted 
separately to the assembled citizens, and 
adopted by a ringing and unanimous vote. 
Thrilling and eloquent speeches were made by 
Messrs. H. G. Blake, C. T. Prentiss, Myron C. 
Hills, W. W. Ross, J. B. Young. Washington 
Crane, Revs. Grosvenor and Davis, and several 
others. Volunteers were called for, and about 
200 men subscribed their names to the enlist- 
ment rolls. The volunteers were divided into 
two companies — A and B — and soon after the 
meeting, they perfected their organization, and 
elected their officers. The following were the 
officers when the companies departed from 
Oleveland for the field : Companv A (afterward 
K)_Wilbur F. Pierce. Captain^; H. F. Fritz, 
First Lieutenant ; Otis Shaw, Second Lieuten- 
ant. Company B (afterward H) — 0. 0. Kelsey, 
Captain ; Philo W. Chase, First Lieutenant ; 
Charles A. Wright, of Lorain Count}', Second 
Lieutenant. On Friday, the 2Gth of April, 
1861, Company A, having received orders from 
Adjt. Geu. Carringtou to proceed to Camp 
Cleveland, and be mustered into the service, as 






a fc^ 



314 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



part of the Eighth Regiment, then in process of 
formation, set forward in about thirty wagons, 
escorted by the members of Companj' B. As 
they were leaving town, a span of colts, attached 
tooneof the wagons, ran awaj-, throwing the men 
out. and injuring two of them so that they were 
compelled to remain behind, and join their com- 
rades afterward at Cleveland. Upon the arri\al 
of Company A, the Eighth Regiment was found 
so nearly organized that it alone of the Medina 
Companies could be accepted, much to the re- 
gret of the members of Company B. Company 
A was mustered into the service under a three 
months' enlistment as Company K. and, while en- 
camped at Cleveland, the city newspapers spoke 
of its members as the most promising volun- 
teers in the regiment. The boys could outrun, 
outjump and outwrestle any other company, 
and were praised for their cheerful obedience to 
militarj- discipline, and for their fine appearance 
while on parade. To complete tlie regiment, it 
was found necessary to create another compan}' 
(H) from two or more counties, and about fifty 
of the Medina boys belonging to Company B 
were accepted and mustered in. 

Just before marching away to the field, the 
volunteers were visited by their friends from 
home, who supplied them with money and all 
necessary clothing, blankets, etc. All being in 
readiness, the regiment, on the 2il of May. 
1861, was ordered to Camp Denuison. where it 
arrived the following day during a heavy rain. 
Here, for the first time, the men were obliged 
to sleep in the open air with nothing but their 
blankets to protect them from the inclemeni 
weather. The field and staff officers were ap- 
pointed as follows : Hermin (4. Depuy. Colonel ; 
Freeman E. Franklin. Lieutenant Colonel ; 
Henry F. Wilson, Major; Benjamin Tappin, 
Surgeon. Tiie regiment while at Camp Deuni- 
son was subjected to frequent '■ drills. " to fit it 
for its future hard service. Wiiilc here, it 
became evident that, from the fact tiiat tiie 
quota of Oiiio was more than filled, the regi- 



ment would not be ordered into the service 
under the three months' enlistment, and meas- 
ures were immediately taken to re-enlist the 
troops for three years, meeting a ready response 
in the affirmative from all except Company I. 
Thus the regiment with but nine companies 
was mustered in for the three years' service, on 
the 22d, 25th and 26th of June, 1861. Under 
the three years' enlistment, the following regi- 
mental officers were elected ; Hermin G. Depuy. 
Colonel ; Charles A. Park, Lieutenant Colonel : 
Franklin Sawyer. Major. On the 9th of July, 
1861, the regiment received orders to proceed 
to Grafton, Virginia, and three days later 
reached West Union, Preston County, of that 
State. Here, for several weeks, the regiment 
was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- 
road, on the Alleghany Mountains, wheuci- 
the rebels, under Garnett, were being driven 
by ^reClellan's troops. While here the regi- 
ment suffei'cd se\-erely from typhoid fever, 
having contracted it. as the men believed, at a 
place which they will ever remember as - Mag- 
goty Hollow." Three hundred were in the 
hospital at one time, and thirty-four died with- 
in a few weeks. In September the regiment 
was joined by Company I. On the 24th of 
September, the Eighth, in company with several 
others, was ordered to attack Romney, where, 
at a place called '■ Hanging Rock," under a 
heavy lire, several men were killed and a num- 
ber wounded. On the 24tii of C)ctober. the 
attack on Romney was renewed ; but the posi- 
tion was evacuated by the enemy, and occupidi 
by the troops under Gen. Kelley until Janu 
ary 12, 1862. Soon afterward, the regiment 
participated in a successful attack on Blue's 
Gap. In the latter pait of January, 1862, 
Gen. Landers assumed command of the de 
partment. removing the troops successively to 
i'atterson's Creek, and in February to Pawpaw 
Tunnel. The lOightli was engaged in a brisk 
light at Bloomery (iap. and soon afterward Gen- 
Landers died, whereupon Gen. Shields took 






^- 



HISTOUY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



:!17 



command. Pursuing the enemj', the command 
of Gen. Shields was engaged in sharp skir- 
mishes at Cedar Creek and Strasburg, on the 
18th and 19th of :\Iareh. It was here that the 
Eighth established a reputation for skirmish- 
ing, that remained with it until the end of the 
war. On the 23d of March, the bloody battle of 
Winchester was fought, and during the day and 
preceding evening the Eighth was deployed on 
the skirmish line. Toward evening on the 23d, 
the right wing of the regiment participated in 
the furious charge on the right Hank of the 
enemy. The companies of the regiment en- 
gaged in the hottest of the fight were C. D. E 
and H, and the loss in killed and wounded 
amounted to the appalling number of over one- 
fourth of those engaged, while the other com- 
panies lost but two killed and eight wounded. 
The battle was one of the most severe during 
the war, and when, toward evening, Col. Kim- 
ball ordered the charge ujion the enem3-'s 
flank, the troops fought desperately, often 
hand-to-hand, and '■Stonewall" Jackson's right 
wing was driven in confusion from the field. 
The victor^' was dearly bought. The enemy 
retreated up the valley, where brisk skirmishes 
occurred at Woodstock, Edinlnu'g. ]\Iount 
Jackson, and New Market. Col. Kiral)all at the 
latter place receiving his commission as Briga- 
dier General, and assuming command of the 
brigade, of which the Eighth was a part. On 
the 12th of May. the regiment was ordered 
to Fredericksburg to join Gen. JIcDowell's 
corps, arriving on the 22d, and being reviewed 
by President Ijincoln the following day. In 
the absence of the division to which the Eighth 
belonged, Jackson, on the 25th of May, suc- 
ceeded in driving the Union troops, under Gen. 
Banks, from the Yalle}' of the Shenandoah, 
whereupon the division was ordered back, 
and on the 30th reached and recaptured 
Front Roj'al, the Eighth skirmishing all the 
wa\- from Rectortown, a distance of eighteen 
miles. Among the prisoners captured was the 



renowned Belle Boyd. Shield's division was 
pushed rapidly up the South Branch of the 
Shenandoah, while Fremont pursued Jackson 
up the other branch. From this point tlie 
brigade under (xen. Kimball, of which the 
Eighth formed a part, was detached fiom the 
remainder of Siiiold's division, and, in corn- 
pan}- with tlie bi-igade under Gen. Tei'ry, was 
ordered to the Peninsula, on arriving at Harri- 
son's Landing on the 1st of July. On the 3d 
and 4tli of July, tlic Eightii was ordered out on 
the skirmish line toward the swanip.s of the 
Chickahominy, engaging each day in a brisk 
skirniisii with rebels, and losing seven men 
severely wounded. While here, on tlie 16th of 
August, after engaging in a reconnaissance to 
Malvern Hill, the arm}- was united to the 
Second Corps under the command of Gen. 
Sumner. Here the Eighth remained during 
the remainder of the service, being a part of 
Kimball's brigade, in French's division. 

When the armj' was ordered to retreat, the 
Second Corps served as rear guard until the 
troops were across the Chickahominy, after 
which the corps was ordered to Xcwport News, 
whence it was conveyed by transports to 
Alexandria, arriving on the 28th of August. 
Two da^s later, the corps was ordered to the 
assistance of Gen. Pope, who, in the vicinity of 
Centerville, was engaged in a severe battle with 
Gen. Lee ; but the troops, tliougii subjected to 
a rapid march, failed to arrive in time. On 
the following day, the army liegan its march 
toward Chain Bridge, the Second Corps being 
on the left flank. At Germantown. tiiis corps 
was, for a sliort time, under Are. tlie Eighth 
Regiment pai'ticipating. After crossing the 
Potomac at Chain Bridge, the army began its 
march through Maryland. The enemy was en- 
countered at South Jlountain. but tiie Second 
Corps was not actively engaged, being employed 
as a supporting column, and only skirmishing 
with tiie reliels at Boonsboro and Keedysville. 
Here it was. that, on the morninu' of the IGtii. 



31S 



HISTOIJY OF MEDINA COrXTY. 



after the army had been massed, a furious 1 
artillery duel commenced. One of the first I 
shots of the enemy killed W. W. Farmer, a 
Color i^ergeant of the Eighth, and the dreadful I 
firing was continued all day. This cannonade 
was the commencement of the hard-fought bat- 
tle of Antietam. which took place the next day. 
The morning came, and, after (ren. Hooker had 
been engaged several hours. French's division, 
of which the Eighth tormed a part, and Sedg- 
wick's division, were ordered to advance. The 
Second Corps was near the center of the line, 
Kimball's brigade being the third from the 
front. The troops swept forward, but the ad- 
v-ance was driven Ijaek by the hot fire, and Kim- 
ball ordered a charge on the double-quick, car- 
rying the rebel advance handsomely, and hold- 
ing the position under a severe fire for four 
hours, and until firing cea.sed in trout. Sedg- 
wick was driven back on the right, rendering a 
change of front necessary for the Fourteenth 
Indiana and Eighth Ohio, the change being 
etfected with great skill and gallantry. The 
rapid and efl:ective movement of these two 
regiments, undoubtedly saved the entire brigade 
from rout. Gen, Sumner styled Kimball's com- 
mand the •■ Gibraltar Brigade," doubtless mean- ; 
ing that it was the rock, against which the mad 
waves of the rebel army were dashed. Be it 
remembered that the two regiments mentioned 
above merit the greater part of the honor, i 
After the battle the Second Corps was ordered 
to Bolivar Heights, and afterward with the ' 
army to Falmouth, where the Eighth partici- 
pated in the skirniishes at Halltowu. Snicker's 
Gap. United States Ford, etc. On the 13th of 
December, the Eighth formed the right wing in 
the ■■ forlorn hope " at the bloody battle of 
Fredericksburg, while the Fourth Ohio and ' 
First Delaware formed the lelt. The regiment 
swept uj) Hanover street by the left (lank to , 
deploy and form in line with other regiments 
that advanced lower down ; but, ere it had j 
cleared the street, the head of the column was , 



struck by a terrible fire, and twenty-eight men 
went down before the fearful blast. The other 
regiments lost as heavily, but the desired line 
was formed, and the enemy driven to the foot of 
the hill, on which were his main works. After 
this position was reached, the line was ordered 
to halt and seek cover until re-enforcements 
should arrive ; but the fire from the hill was so 
fierce and hot that column after column was 
driven back, broken and confused. The brave 
troops that had passed through this awful fire 
were compelled to remain under cover at the 
foot of the hill until dark, when, the filing 
having ceased, they were withdrawn. During 
this battle, the loss to the Eighth was thirty- 
seven killed and wounded, the most of them 
being shot down while advancing to the foot of 
the hill. On the 28th of April, 1863, the army 
crossed the river and fought the battle of Chau- 
cellorsville. the brigade in which was the Eighth 
being under the command of Gen, Cai-roU. 
Here for four days the Eighth Regiment was 
almost constanth- under fire, though its loss 
was but two kdled and eleven wounded, 2so 
further active work was done until the Gettys- 
burg campaign. On the 2d of July the regi- 
ment was ordered to charge on the double- 
quick, and take a knoll from wliich rebel sharp- 
shooters were annoying the Federal lines. The 
position, a short distance beyond the Emmitts- 
burg road, was taken and held twenty-six hours, 
or until the close of the battle. Thi'ee times 
was the regiment assailed by superior numbers. 
At one time three regiments swept upon it, but 
were repulsed with the loss of three stands of 
colors and a large number of prisoners. The 
loss to the regiment in this battle was 102, 
killed and wounded. In the pursuit of Lee. 
several skirmishes were engaged in, after which 
the Eighth marched with the army to tlie Kapi- 
dan. On the 15th of August, it was ordered to 
proceed by water to New York City to help 
quell the pending riots there : but, after several 
weelcs. returned and joined the armj- at Culpep- 



^l^ 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUXTY. 



319 



er, receiving orders to proceed to Robinson 
River, wiiore the troops once more saw the 
enemy, after a l^rief respite from the anxieties 
of war. During the last days of November, 
the regiment, acting on the sliirmish line, was 
engaged in the battles of Robinson's Cross 
Roads, Locust Grove and Mine Run, losing 
several men killed and wounded. On the Gtli 
of February. 1804, it crossed the Rapidau, and 
fought the battle of Morton's Ford, where sev- 
eral officers and men were wounded. On the 
3d of May, the entire army was ordered to ad- 
vance, the Second Corps oceup3'ing the extreme 
left of the line, crossing the Rapidan at Ger- 
mania Ford, and moving rapidly through the 
Wilderness to T(5dd's Tavern. The right was 
hotly engaged on the evening of the 5th, and 
the Second Corps swung round to its support. 
Here the Eighth Regiment, with several others, 
re-took a section of a batterj' which had been 
lost by the Sixth Corps. It was engaged the 
entire day of the 6th, and suffered a severe loss 
in the dense undergrowth. It was engaged iu 
irregular, and sometimes severe, skirmishing, 
during the 7th, 8th and 9th. On the 10th, a 
stronghold of the rebels was charged, and 
another severe loss sustained, Sergeant Con- 
Ian, the regimental color-bearer, after carrying 
his banner through thirty engagements, being 
wounded. During the 12th, 13th and 14th. the 
gallant Eighth was almost constantly under fire, 
tiie loss in the sevei'al encounters being sixtj' 
in killed and wounded. The regiment partici 
pated in numerous skirmishes from Spottsyl- 
vania to Petersburg, in the liloody battles 
before Petersburg, and at North Anna and Cold 
Harbor. Its term of service expired on the 
25th of June. 1864, while the regiment was in 
the trenches before Petersburg, with onlj' sev- 
en fy-f wo ofiicers and men fit for duty. The 
regiment was relieved, and returned to Ohio to 
be mustered out of service. This old regiment 
that had seen so much hard service, that had 
been shot to pieces in many fierce battles, was 



greeted all along the journey homeward by 
crowds of grateful people. A feast was pre- 
pared at Zanesville, and at Cleveland the Mayor 
and military committee welcomed the remnant 
of the heroic old regiment home. It was mus- 
tered out July 13, 1864, Ij}- Capt. Douglas. 
The hundreds of In'ave boys left on the bloody 
battle-fields of the " Sunny South." in unknown 
graves, or in hospital cemeteries, speak in 
unmistakable language of the part borne b}- the 
noble Eighth Regiment iu the war of the 
rebellion. 

When the first two companies raised in the 
county were dispatched to the field, the rapid 
enlistment of volunteers continued. Two 
companies. B and E. for the Forty-second 
Regiment, were raised almost entirely in the 
county. Besides these, there were some thir- 
teen JMedina men in Companj' I, of the 
Forty-second, enlisted by Porter H. Foskett, 
of jVIedina, who was afterward commissioned 
Captain. There was also a squad of twenty 
Medina men in Company G, and, when the 
officers for this company were elected, the 
men from this county were permitted to elect 
the First Lieutenant, and T. G. Loomis was the 
man choseu. All these men were enlisted for 
the Forty-second Regiment, in process of form- 
ation at Camp Chase, to be under the command 
of Col. J. A. Garfield. The officers of Company 
B were : William H. Williams, Captain ; Henry 
A. Howard, First Lieutenant ; Joseph Lackey, 
Second Lieutenant. Those of Company E 
were : Charles H. Howe, Captain ; George F. 
Brady, First Lieutenant ; A. L. Bowmau, Sec- 
ond Lieutenant. The members of Company B 
were noted for their hilaritj- and droller}-, and 
even in battle, as the shot and siiell were falling 
like hail around them, and loved comrades were 
dropping at every discharge of the enem}-, the 
irrepressible waggerj- of some member would 
burst out. causing momentary laughter along 
the line. While in Columbus, a verdant volun- 
teer was arrested, and brought before a mock 



•) "V 



_«) 



320 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



court-martial for trial, for attempting to break 
guard. Tlie trembling fellow was convicted, and 
sentenced to be shot at sunrise. About this 
time, the court was dissolved by Sergt. Beach, 
and the frightened convict released. Andrew 
Huntington devised and exhibited an elephant, 
formed by two men with an arm}' blanket. Ly- 
man Thomas became a talented serio-comic 
orator, and entertained the camp with frequent 
stump speeches on politics, love and war. 

The Forty-second Regiment received ortlers, 
on the 14th of December, to proceed to Cincin- 
nati ; thence, by boat, to Catlettsburg, Ky., 
where it arrived December 17, 18()1. The regi- 
ment proceeded to Louisa, and thence to Green 
Creek, and, on the 31st of December, the whole 
command advanced, and. by the Ttli of January, 
1862, encamped within three miles of Paintville, 
and the following morning took possession of 
the village. The next evening. Col. (iarfield, 
with the Foity-second and two companies of 
the Fourteenth Kentucky, marched against 
Humphrey ^larshall's fortified position, near 
Paintville. but found the place evacuated. The 
command, after an all-night's march, reached 
camp shortly after tlaybreak. On the Uth, Col. 
Garfield, with about 1.200 men, of whom about 
600 were cavalry, proceeded to attack Mar- 
shall, who. with 3,500 men. infantry and caval- 
ry, and three pieces of artillery, was massed near 
Abbott's Hill. The advance line of skirmish- 
ers was fired upon by the enemy's pickets ; but 
Garfield took possession of the hill, bivouack- 
ing for the night, and continuing the pursuit 
the next morning. The enemy was overtaken 
at the forks of Middle Creek. Maj. Pardee 
was ordered to take 400 men. cross the creek, 
and attack the enemy's center. At the same 
time, a body of troops under Lieut. Col. .^Ion- 
roe, was directed to strike the right flank. The 
battle at (jiice became hot. as the eiieni}- num- 
bered nearly four times the attacking force. 
The position was held until reenforcemeiils ar- 
rived, when the enemy fell back, and during the 



night retreated, leaving a portion of his dead 
upon the field. Prestonburg, Ky., was occu- 
pied on the 11th. but on the 12th, the command 
was ordered to Paintville, where it remained 
until the 1st of February, when the troops were 
transported by boat to Pikeville. On the 14th 
of March, the enemy's stores and camp at Pound 
Gap were destroyed, and soon afterward the 
Fort3--second was engaged in several skirmishes 
with guerrillas. While in this neighborhood, 
eighty-five members of the regiment died of 
disease. On the 18th, the regiment was ordered 
to Louisville, where it encamped on the 29th. 
With 314 men fit for duty, the Forty-second 
was attached to Gen. Morgan's command. It 
was ordered to Cumberland Ford, where it was 
brigaded with the Sixteenth Ohio, the Four- 
teenth and Twentj'-second Keutuck}', Col. J. 
F. De Courcey commanding. On the 5th of 
June. Morgan's entire command was ordered 
forward, antl was unopposed until Rogers Gap 
was reached, when a series of skirmishes oc- 
curred between the Forty-second and the ene- 
my. Morgan continued to advance, the object- 
ive point being the important position of Cum- 
berland Gap. which was secured on the 18th, 
the Fort\'-second Ijeiug the first to plant its flag 
on this stronghold. From this point the regi- 
ment engaged in skirmishes at Baptist's Gap, at 
Tazewell, and assiste^i in opposing the advance 
of Kirby Smith into Kentuck}-. On the 6th of 
August, the brigade fell back slowly from Taze- 
well to Cumberland Gap before a heav}- force 
of the enemy, and, at one time. Company E, of 
the Forty-second, while escorting a forage train, 
was nearly surrounded by the enemy, but by 
gallantry saved the train without loss of men. 
The Gap was evacuated, and the force slowly 
retreated, and finally crossed the Oliio River at 
GreenupsVnu'g, the Forty-second acting as rear- 
guard during the retreat. This retreat was a 
memorable one to tlie regiment. The food was 
scanty and in poor condition ; the men were 
ragged and filthy, many being without shoes, i 






lliL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



331 



It was tlie oiil}- regiment that brought through 
its Jviiapsacks and blankets. It remained at 
Portland. Ohio, two weeks before clothing and 
camp equipage arrived. On the 21st of Octo- 
ber, it proceeded to Cliarleston, Va., bj- way 
of Gallipolis. November 10, it proceodeil down 
the Ohio, first to Cincinnati, thence to Memphis, 
■where it arrived on the 28th. For several 
mouths prior to this date, the regiment had re- 
ceived over 200 recruits, and could turn out 
on parade nearlj' 900 men. The division to 
which it lielonged, was re-organized and denom- 
inated the Ninth Division. Thirteenth Armj- 
Corps. The Forty-second, together with other 
troops under den. Sherman, sailed down the 
Mississippi. December 20. landing at Johnston's 
plantation, on the Yazoo. On the 27th. the 
regiment was ordered on the advance against 
the strong defenses of Vicksburg, and continued 
to skirmish with the enem^- until dark. On the 
morrow, the attack was resumed, and finally Col. 
Pardee ordered a charge, which resulted in cap- 
turing a piece of woods, and pushing the enemj' 
into their works. An assault was ordered the 
following morning, and the Fortj^-second was 
assigned a position on the extreme right of the 
column. The troops were met by a terrific 
storm of shot and shell, and were driven back, 
but maintained their organization. The posi- 
tion of the enemj' could not be taken, and, after 
a hard fight, the army finallj- retired, and moved 
to Milliken's Bend. Early in Januarj', 18G3, 
the troops were ordered to Arkansas Post ; 
whence thej- proceeded to invest Fort Hindman, 
De Courcey's brigade being held in reserve. 
Several unsuccessful charges were made by the 
Union troops, and finally De Courcey's brigade 
was ordered to join Sheldon's l)rigade in the as- 
sault on the strong works of the fort, the Forty- 
second leading the advanee. The assault was 
hardly begun, when the enemy surrendered. 
Seven thousand prisoners and large quantities 
of guns and stores were captured. The troops 
were conveyed bv water to Young's Point, where 



they landed on the 24th of January. 1863. At 
this point, the regiment was detailed for work 
on the canal. It was ordered to Milliken's 
Bend on the 10th of March, where, for four 
weeks, it was under training for the coming 
campaign. The Forty-second was among the 
advance troops in the moveuient toward the 
rear of Vicksburg. It was ordered to Rich- 
mond. La., and, having reached the river some 
thirty miles below Vicksburg. was embarked on 
the transports which had passed the batteries 
at the latter eitj', and conveyed to Grand Gulf 
From this point it was ordered to Port Gibson, 
and in the middle of the night had a slight en- 
gagement with the enemy. The Thirteenth 
Corps bivouacked for the night near Magnolia 
Church, and, at daybreak, was ordered to ad- 
vance. The Ninth Division, on the left flank, 
engaged the enemy until 4 o'clock. P. M., the 
Forty-second Regiment, in the meantime, being 
under a heavy artillerj' fire, from 7 A. M. until 
9 A. M., when it was ordered to charge! but, 
meeting with unexpected obstacles, the division 
commander ordered it to retire. At 12 o'clock 
M.. in company with two other regiments, it was 
ordered to assault a strong position held by the 
rebels, but, after a gallant effort failed, and 
was ordered back. A third charge was ordered 
at 3 o'clock, P. M., one of the three assaulting 
regiments being the Forty-second. The coveted 
position was carried with great spirit, and, dur- 
ing the entire engagement, the regiment sus- 
tained a heavier loss than any other in the en- 
tire corps. On the 2d of May. the regiment 
was ordered with <ither troops to the rear of 
Vicksburg, and, while on tlie way. engaged the 
rebels at Champion Hill and Big Black, with 
slight loss. It participateil in tlie fierce charges 
on the strong earth and st' >nc works about A^icks- 
burg. on the 19tliand 22d of .May, the regiment 
being well on the advanee, and losing heavilj', 
especially on the 22d. From the 10th until 
the 27th of June, it remained near this place, 
supporting a number of batteries ; but at the 



^ 



^i 



322 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUXTY. 



latter date it was moved to Big Black Bridge. 
Immediately after the capitiilatiou of Vicks- 
bui"g, the regiment was ordered forward to as- 
sist iu the redaction of Jackson, but afterward 
returned to the former place, where it remained 
until ordered to the Department of the Gulf. It 
reached CarroUtown, near New Orleans, on the 
15th of August, and. on the tith of September. 
was ordered out on the Western Louisiana 
Campaign. Soon afterward, the Ninth and 
Twelfth Divisions were consolidated, and the 
brigade thus created was assigned to the com- 
mand of Brig. Gen. Lawler. The brigade moved 
to Vermillion Baj-ou, thence to Opeloiisas, and 
a few da3-s later to Berwick Ba}-. On the 18th 
of November, it moved to Brashear City, in- 
tending to go to Texas ; but the following night 
was ordered to Thibodeaux. and then, by waj- 
of Doualdsouville, reached Plaquemine Novem- 
ber 21. Here the winter was passed by the 
Forty-second, and, on the 24:th of March. 1864, 
it was ordered to Baton Rouge, and was detailed 
to guard the city. On the 1st of Maj-, in an ex- 
pedition toward Clinton, La., an equal force of 
the enemy was engaged by the Fort^'-second 
and other troops for seven hours, and finalh" 
driven five miles through canebrakes and across 
the Comite River. Fifty-four miles were marched 
in eighteen hours by the infantry. The regi- 
ment was transported bj- boats to the mouth of 
Red River, and then up to Simmsport. where, 
from five regiments, including the Forty- sec- 
ond, a provisional brigade was formed and as- 
signed to the command of Col. Sheldon. Soon 
afterward, the regiment was marched to Mor- 
ganza, La., with Gen. Banks, and from this point 
several expeditions and skirmishes were engaged 
in. Here the Forty-second was attached to the 
First Brigade, Third Division, Nineteenth Corps. 
^\'hen, in September 1864, the best companies of 
the Thirteenth and Nineteenth Arm}- Corps held 
a competitive drill at the last-mentioned place. 
Company E, of tlie Forty-second, brought con- 
spicuous liouDr upon Ohio and the regiment to 



which it belonged by winning the first prize. 
The victory- was all the more surprising, as the 
competitors were largelj' from the well-drilled 
Army of the Potomac. On the 15th of July, 
the brigade was ordered up the river, and, hav- 
ing landed at the mouth of White River, sent 
a small detachment into Mississippi, which 
marched fifteen miles in ten hours, and captured 
two small parties of rebels. The brigade 
passed up White River to St. Charles, whereit 
worked ten days on the fortifications, and then 
made an expedition sixty miles into the inte- 
rior of the country. It returned to Morgauza 
on the 6th of August, and one month later 
moved again to the mouth of White River. 
Companies A, B, C and D were ordered to Camp 
Chase, Ohio, on the 15th of September, and on 
the 30th were mustered out of service. The 
period of enlistment of the remaining companies 
not having expired, they were ordered to Du- 
vall's Bluff, Ark. No further service of note 
was seen, and, on the 25th of November, Com- 
panies E and F were mustered out, as were also 
the remaining four. December 2, 1864. One 
liuudred and one men, recruits of the regiment, 
whose term had not expired, were organized 
into a company, and assigned to the Ninet}'- 
sixth Ohio. Thus was the military career of 
the Forty-second terminated. Its battle-flag 
hangs, with the other tattered banners which 
Ohio cherishes so proudly, in the Capitol at 
Columbus. It was borne through eleven bat- 
tles and mau\' more skirmishes, but was never 
in the hands of an enemy. The killed and 
wounded number in all one officer and twenty 
men killed, and eighteen officers and three hun- 
dred and twenty-five men wounded. 

It must not be understood that the four or 
more companies already mentioned contained 
the onh- troops furnished by Medina Count\-, 
prior to the time when the Seventy-second took 
the field. Boys from tlie county had enlisted 
in companies raised in neighboring counties, iu 
distant counties in the State, or in adjoining 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



H-i?, 



States. A few of the companies belonging to 
regiments raised in other counties contained as 
high as twenty volunteers from Medina County. 
One of these was the Twentj'-ninth. In some 
regiments, more than one company contained 
Medina County boj-s. One of these was the 
Nineteenth, another the Twenty-ninth, and j^et 
another the Sixty-fourth. Tlie following regi- 
ments also contained men from this county : 
Twenty-third, Thirtj'-seventh, Twent^'-second, 
Fifty-fifth, Sixty-fifth, Eighteenth. Sixty-sev- 
enth. Sixtieth, Fortj'-flrst, Sixth Battery, First 
Artillery, Third Michigan Infantry, and others.* 
Tiie next regiment, in order, after the Fort}'- 
secoud, that contained as mucli as a eompanj' 
of Medina Countj' bo\-s, was the Seventy -sec- 
ond. No one company was wholly from ]\Ie- 
dina, but. when the regiment was first organized, 
during the last three months of 1861, Company 
K, and portions of otiier companies of the Sev- 
entj'-second, were recruited mostly in this 
county. Afterward, when the regiment, after 
being ordered to Camp Chase, did not contain 
the maximum number of men. Company K was 
broken up and distributed among the other 
companies, and a new company, originallj- in- 
tended for the Fifty-second, was assigned to 
the Seventy-second, and designated Company 
K. Thus, the Medina boys, instead of being 
together, were scattered among several com- 
panies. In February, 1862, the regiment was 
ordered to report to Gen. W. T. Sherman, at 
Paducah, and while here was brigaded with the 
Forty-eighth and Seventieth, and assigned to 
the command of Col, Buckland, Early in 
March the array was concentrated at Fort 
Henry, Separating from the main arm_y, which 
proceeded to Savannah, Sherman's division 
was ordered to Eastport, Miss,, to cut tlie Mem- 
plus & Charleston Railroad, and thus pre- 
vent the rebel (Jen, Jolinston from re-enforc- 
ing Beauregard, Tlie plan was foiled by heavy 



* This record is taUea from the Assessor's books of 1802, and wsa 
published iu the Medina G'tzttle soon after its preparation. 



rains and high watery, and, after remaining on 
board the boats sixteen days, Buckland's liri- 
gade disembarked at Pittsburg Landing, and 
encamped near Sliiloh Church, While at the 
Landing, on the boats, the troops sutleivd 
severel3- from sickness, and were greatly reduced 
in numbers. On the 3d of April, in a recon- 
naissance, tlie Seventy-second exchanged shots 
with rebel pickets, and on the following daj- 
Companies B and II were advanced to recon 
noiter the lines of the enemy. An engagement 
with rebel cavalry occurred, and Maj. Crockett 
and two or three men of Conipan\- H were cap- 
tured, and se^'eral wounded. Company B was 
surrounded by a heavy force of the enem\", and- 
after fighting desperately for about an hour, 
was saved by the timely arrival of Companies 
A, D and F, having lost four men wounded. 
On the morning of the 6th, Buckland's brigade 
withstood three successive attacks of great 
fury from heavy masses of rebel infantry, and. 
after holding its position for two hours, was 
ordered to retire, maintaining its organization 
in the meantime, while many other portions of 
the armj- were broken and confused. It took 
its position on the right (jf tlie new line formed, 
and held a prominent portion of the line in the 
next day's battle. The Fort3--seeond lost two 
officers killed, tliree wounded and one missing ; 
and thirteen men killed, seventy wounded and 
forty-five missing. Among the killed on the 
6th, was Lieut. Col. Herman Canfield. of ^le- 
dina County, a talented man and a brave and 
capable officer. Prior to his departure for the 
field, he had taken an active and prominent part 
to secure the enlistment of men. and was iden- 
tified with every important movement in the 
county to encourage a feeling of determined re- 
sistance to the rebellion. His death was a seri- 
ous loss to the county. Tlie Seventy-second 
was present at the siege of Corinth, during 
whicli time Col. Buckland was returned to the 
resiment. and (Jen. J. W. Deiner assigned to 
the command of the brigade. llagged and 



^Y 



^^ 



Z-ii 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



dirty, the regiment, on tlie21st of July, entered 
Memphis, and soon afterward was posted at 
Fort Pickering, where the brigade was hrolcen 
up and re-organized from different regiments, 
and assigned to tlie command of Col. Buckland, 
and the division to Gen. Lanman. 

After a varied experience, once with Piich- 
ardson's guerrillas at the bridge over Wolf 
River, near .Moscow, on the 9th of January. 
1363. the regiment was ordered to Corinth, 
Soon afterward. Buckland's brigade was as- 
signed to the Sixteenth Army Corps, and im- 
mediately thereafter the Seventy-second was 
ordered to White Station to do picket duty, 
and work on the fortifications, arriving on the 
31st of January. On the 14th of March, it 
proceeded down the Mississippi River, and on 
the 2d of April encamped four miles above 
Young's Point. Here it began work on the 
canal, and on the 2d of May commenced its 
march for the rear of Vicksburg. reaching the 
river, opposite Grand Gulf Tt crossed the 
river on the 7th. and the next day moved to 
Jaclcson, where it participated in the l)attle of 
the 14th, and on the 18th reached the Federal 
lines before Vicksburg, It engaged in the as- 
sault on the reliel works on the 19th and 22d 
of May, and during the succeeding siege was 
posted about half a mile up the river above 
Vicksburg. It participated in preventing Gen, 
Joe Johnston from re-enforciug Pemberton. 
and. after the surrender of Vicksburg. engaged 
the enem}- at Jackson, pursuing the rebels to 
Brandon, where it had a skirmish, destroyed a 
portion of railroad, and then mo\'ed back to 
Big Black to rest and refit. 

From this time until the 2d of January, 
1864, the regnnent engaged in various move- 
ments and skirmishes, once a four days' scout 
to Mechanicsville, At the above date, the reg- 
iment re-enlisted. On the 23d of February, it 
received its veteran furlough and moxed north 
to Fremont, Ohio, receiving there a cordial 
vk-elcome from tlie citizens. On the jih of .Vpril 



it moved to Cleveland. From this point, on the 
Sth of April, it proceeded b}- rail to Cairo, arriv- 
ing on the 10th, and was ordered to advance to 
Padiicah, Ky.. which place was threatened by 
an attack from Forrest. A slight skirmish 
occurred on the 14th, and on the 22d the troops 
were ordered to Memphis. From this point, 
until May 9, the regiment participated in an 
expedition against Forrest, but found no ene- 
my in force to oppose it. On the 1st of June, 
the Seventy- second was one of twelve regi- 
ments in another expedition against Forrest. 
On the 10th, the enemj- was encountered, and 
the cavalry commenced a lively skirmish at 
Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi. The infan- 
try was ordered forward on the double-quick, 
and, without aa\- attempt to form in battle 
array, was hurled against the enemy, one regi- 
ment at a time, and badly cut up. To add to 
the general confusion, an attempt was made to 
move the wagon-train across Tishomingo Creek, 
but failed, when a retreat was ordered, which 
ended in a panic. No attempt was made to 
cover the rear to secure an orderly retreat, but 
the troops stampeded like frightened cattle, 
and fell back twenty-three miles to Riple}', 
leaving a portion of their wagon-train which 
fell into the hands of the enemy. The remain- 
der of the train had been destroyed, and 
thus the troops w-ere left without rations and 
ammunition. At Ripley, an attempt was made 
to re-organize, but failed, and the otiicer in 
command, surrounding himself with cavalry, 
started for Memphis, leaving the infantry, as 
he expressively remarked, "to go the devil." 
The only thing now for the infixntry to do to 
avoid falling into the enemy's hands, was to 
outmarch the rebel cavalry, which, flushed with 
success, was rapidly moving upon them. Nine 
otflcers and one hundred and forty men of the 
Seventy-second reached (lermantown on the 
morning of the 12th, having marched the re- 
markable distance of one hundred miles in 
l"ortv-one hours, without a morsel of food. 



'k 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



325 



Many of these men were utterly broken down, 
and could scarcely stand or walk. Tliey were 
conveyed b^" rail to Memphis. Of the Seventy- 
second, eleven officers and two hundred and 
thirty -seven men were killed, wounded or cap- 
tured, and but few of the latter ever rejoined 
the regiment. Soon after this disastrous event, 
the regiment was assigned to the First Bri- 
gade, Mower's Division, Sixteenth Corps, Gen. 
McMillan commanding the brigade, and, on the 
22d of June, was ordered on an expedition in 
the direction of Tupelo, Miss. The euemj- was 
encountered on the 11th of July. and. in the 
battle which followed, the Seventy-second was 
hotly engaged, but. with the help of the remain- 
der of the brigade, drove the enemy from the 
field in a rout. In another attack from the 
enemy near Tishomingo Creek, the Seventy- 
second was engaged, and its commanding offi- 
cer, Maj. E. A. Kanson, fell, mortallj- wounded. 
A precipitous charge drove the enemy from the 
field. The loss to the Seventy-second in this 
expedition, was two officers and nineteen men 
wounded. After this and until the 16th of 
November, the division under Mower made 
several efforts to reach Price, who was march- 
ing north, but, after long marches, attended 
with great suffering and privation, for hun- 
dreds of miles through rivers and swamps, in 
weather varying from warm to intensely cold, 
it was found impossible to catch Price, and the 
infantry turned back, and reached St. Louis at 
the last-mentioned date. After a brief rest, 
the division, then under Gen. J. A. Mc Arthur, 
was ordered to join Gen. Thomas at Nashville. 
and soon afterward the Seventy-second en- 
gaged the enemv and lost eleven men killed 
and wounded. At Nashville, the regiment par- 
ticipated in a charge, and three luindred and 
fifty of the enemy were captured, togetlior with 
six pieces of artillery. It took part in the fight 
of the IGth of December, and participated in 
the charge on Walnut Hill. In this engage- 
ment, McMillan's brigade, though numbering 



but twelve hundred men, captured two thou- 
sand prisoners and thirteen pieces of artillery, 
losing, in the meantime, one hundred and sixty 
men. At Eastport, the troops subsisted several 
days on parched corn. Earl 3- in 1865, the 
division passed down the river to the Gulf, 
and invested Spanish Fort, which was evacu- 
ated on the Sth of April. The regiment also 
participated in the capture of Fort Blakelj'. 
Alter occupying several positions and doing 
garrison duty in Alabama and Mississippi, the 
regiment finally reached Meridian, Miss. In 
June, forty-one men were discharged. The re- 
mainder were mustered out at Vicksburg, Sep- 
tember 11. 1865, and immediately embarked 
for Camp Chase, Ohio, where they were paid 
and discharged. 

The One Hundred and Third Ohio Infantry 
was the next regiment that contained as much 
or more than a company of Medina County 
bo^s. Two companies, one commanded by Ly- 
man B. Wilcox, and the other by William H. 
Garrett, were recruited mostly in this county. 
The regiment was ordered into Kentucky to 
check the advance of the rebels under Kirliy 
Smith. But the enemy retreated, and, after 
following him three days without success, the 
troops were ordered back to Snow's Pond, 
where sickness soon prostrated half the regi- 
ment. The brigade commander was Q. A. 
Gilmore. After repressing outrages committed 
■by rebel cavalry, the troops proceeded to Lex- 
ington, and. on the 29th of October, to Frank- 
fort. Here the regiment remained until April 
5. 1863, when it marched to Stanford and 
Camp Dick Robinson. Here an effort was 
made to punish daring and marauding bands of 
guerrillas, that for several months had kept the 
country in a fever of alarm. The troops ad- 
vanced to Somerset and Mill Springs, the enemy 
falling back before the advancing lines. The 
rebels continued to retreat without concentrat- 
ing, though in considerable force. The Cum- 
berland River was crossed with difficulty, and, 



^. 



r^ 



326 



III,STt)i;Y or MEDINA COUXTY. 



on the 30th, the enemy was encountered, when clothing were suffered. On the 25th. six com- 
a brisk skirmish ensued, and the rebels re- panics of the regiment were ordered out to re- 
treated, and, after passing through Monticello^ ' lieve a eompanj- on picket duty, and, while thus 



halted ; but the Federal cavalry dnn'e them 
li\)ni the position with considerable loss, and 
continued the pursuit. On the 5th of May the 
Union forces were ordered back to the Cumber- 
land, with the river as a line of defense. The 
regiment was lired upon, whih' here, by a 
" handful " of rebels, and returned tiie tire 
with but little result on either side. .\ report 
that the enemy was ])assing to their I'ear, caused 
the troops to fall back to Hiclvman ; but. the 
■'scare" ending, they proceeded to l)anville. 
and became a part of the Twenty-third Army 
Corps, commanded by (ien. Hartsutf. On the 
18th of August, tiie entire army under (xen. 
Burnside moved forward. The troops suft'ered 



engaged, were charged upon by a hu-ge force of 
rebels. A fearful fire was poured into the ad- 
vancing enemy, but they continued to advance 
with yells of the most horrid description, and. 
rushing upon the Union pickets, struggled des- 
pei'ately to capture the whole party. J5ut a 
headlong l)ayonet-charge broke tiieir lines, when 
they tied precipitously, leaving their dead and 
wounded on the field. Thirty-five men in killed 
and wounded were lost to the regiment by this 
engagement. The enemy, hearing of Sherman's 
approach, withdrew on the 2d of December, 
and. on the following daj-, proceeded to Straw- 
berry Plains. The Federal troops, without un- 
necessary delay, started in pursuit, but the 



incredible hardships on their march through regiment, after reaching Bear Station, was or- 

Stanford, Crab Orcliard. the Cumberland, at ' dered back to Strawberry Plains. It was ordered 

Burnsides Point. Chit wood. ^Montgomery. Erne- to advance on the 12tli of March. 18(J4 ; but at 

ry's Iron Works, and Lenoir, to Concord, | Morristown, after sutfering repeated attacks 

Tenn. Knosville. at that time occupied l)y from rebel cavalry, fell back to Mossy Creek, 

the enemy, was evacuated, and immediately i where it remained until April 1. After advanc- 



entered by the national advance. After ma- 
neuvering for about a month in the neighbor- 
hood of Knoxville and (Ireenville. the regiment 
joined in the general ad\anee wliich drove the 
rebels into Jonesboro. The regiment joined in 
the advance of October 5. near Blue Springs. 
and. with companies C and D detailed as skir- 
mishers, was ordered to the front. The two 
companies were forced back, when four ad- 
vanced only to find that the enemy had retired. 
Ill this engagement, the regiment lost thre(! men 
killed, four wounded and six taken prisoners. 
On the 11th. a severe contest was had with the 
rebels at Blue Springs, and the latter were 
forced to retii-c. 



ing to Ball's Gap, the regiment i)roceeded to 
Loudon, thence to Charleston, and at the latter 
place found the other two regiments of its 
brigade. On the 13th of May, it arrived as 
part of Sherman's grand army before Resaca 
and the following day participated in the fear- 
ful charge on the enemy's lines, losing over 
one-third of its etl'ective force. The enemy re 
treated and was pursued l)y the whole army. 
All the waj' on the march to Atlanta, the regi- 
ment was on the advance, participating in fre- 
quent charges and skirmishes, and losing sev- 
eral men in killed and wounded. .\t Atlanta, 
while (ien. Sherman was meditating the best 
course to pursue, the regiment was engaged in 



On the Uh of November, the re<>iment. with i several ■ demonstrations, " and lost a number of 



other troops, was ordered back to Knoxville. 
and imuH'diately thereafter, the city was in- 
vested by tiie rebel force under (Jen. Long- 
street, (ireat ()i-ivations from lack of food and 



men. On the 28th of .\ugust. it started south 
with the army ; but, after destroying the rail- 
road near Rough and Ready, was ordered back 
to Jonesl)oro. arriving too late to participate in 



' ^<B r- 






>^, 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



327 



the battle fought b}- Gen. Howard. The Twen- 
t3--third Corps arrived at Decatur on the 8th of 
Septembei'. When the Atlauta campaign com- 
menced, the One Hundred and Third had 450 
able men ; but at its close the regiment could 
muster onlj- 195. 

On the 20th of October, the regiment moved 
up to Chattanooga, and. on the 19th of Novem- 
ber, to Pulaski. A division at Spring Hill was 
drawn up to protect the trains from an impend- 
ing attack of the rebels, and to the regiment 
was assigned the duty of supporting a battery 
that could sweep the fields in front of the Na- 
tional troops. Large forces of the enemy 
moved out of the woods, and made prepara- 
tions to dash upon the Union lines, at which 
the aforesaid division, possiblv foreseeing dis- 
astrous results, fled back, leaving the One 
Hundred and Third, and tlie batter}', to with- 
stand the charge. The men fixed baj'onets, and 
bravely waited until the enemy came within 
range, when a well-directed fire, seconded by 
the battery, caused them to waver, and, finally, 
retire into the woods as the re-organized 
division advanced. On the last daj- of Novem- 
ber, the regiment in charge of rebel prisoners 
started for Nashville, remaining there until the 
15th of December, when it assisted in pursuing 
the enem}- routed bj- Gen. Thomas. Early in 
1865, it joined Sherman's army, and with it 
" marched down to the sea," and thence to 
llaleigh, arriving on the 13th of April. On 
the 10th of June it started for Cleveland to be 
mustered out. and, while crossing the Alleghany 
Mountains, an accident threw three of the ears 
down an embankment, causing the death of 
three men and the maiming of many others. 
A car load of wounded men rent the air with 
their cries of agony. On the 22d of June the 
regiment was mustered out of service. 

The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth con- 
tained something more than a company of Me- 
dina boys, Companj- B was almost whoUj- 
from this countv, and was officered as follows : 



George W, Lewis. Captain ; John Kaidaie, First 
Lieutenant ; Charles M, Stedman, Second Lieu- 
tenant, The regiment was organized at Camp 
Taylor, and on the 1st of January, 1863, 
reached Cleveland, It was ordered to Ken- 
tucky, and, after remaining at Elizabethtown 
until March, it was ordered back to Louisville, 
and finally to Nashville, Tenn,, where it an-ived 
February 10, Soon afterward the regiment 
was sent to Franklin, where it remained until 
the 2d of June, preparing for the field, and par- 
ticipating in frequent skirmishes with the rebels, 
who were in force close at hand. Gen. Col- 
burn with four regiments of infantry, one of 
them being the One Hundred and Twenty- 
fourth, one batter}-, and a small foi'ce of 
cavahy, moved forward down the Columbia 
Pike on a reconnaissance, meeting the enemy 
about four miles from Franklin, and forcing 
them back. Flushed with success, the national 
troops pushed forward, and, at Thompson's 
Station, eight miles from Franklin, encountered 
a much larger force of the enemy, strongly 
posted behind stone walls. One of the most 
hotly contested battles of tiie war ensued, and 
for two hours ever}' inch of ground was stub- 
bornly contested. The commanding officer, 
with the majority of his command, was cap- 
tured, and a great many were killed or wounded. 
Only eleven members of one regiment reached 
camp. The One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
was not actively engaged, having been detailed 
to guard the ammunition train. It succeeded 
in saving the train and artillery. After sutfer- 
ing terribly from fever, measles, diarrhcEa and 
other camp diseases, the regiment, on the 2d 
of June, proceeded to Triune, Tenn,, and a few 
da3's later to Readj'ville, and soon afterward to 
Manchester. While here the regiment, was as- 
signed to the Second Brigade, Second Division, 
of the Twenty-first Arm}' Corps. Abundant, 
wholesome food and clean, comfortable cloth- 
ing at Manchester soon almost wholly abolished 
the sick list, and the troops became strong. 









Aj! 



Lb^ 



328 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



well drilled, and read\' I'or the field. On the 
Kjtli of Antiust the march over tlie Cumber- 
land .Mountains beg.m. and the troop.s en- 
camped until the iHh of September in the 
Sequatchie Valley, having an abundance of ex- 
cellent provisions. At the latter date, the Ten- 
nessee River was forded, and the troops ad- 
vanced and camped near the Chiekamauga bat- 
tle-ground. Oa the 19th of September, the en- 
emy being in force in front, the troops, early in 
the morning, prepared for Ijattle. The One 
Hundred and Tvvent\'-fourth moved forward to 
the State road, where it stood n^ady for the 
fray, until 11 o'clock. The regiment tlirew 
out Company B as flankers, and moved in the 
direction of the left, where heavv firing was 
heard. The line of the left was reached, and the 
bugle sounded the advance. Under a severe 
fire, the regiment deploy'ed. and returned the 
shots of the enemy until the ammunition was 
exhausted, wlien it fell back to replenish. It 
again moved to the front, ilclivcring a rapid 
and destructive fire, and forcing the enemy 
back a short distance. Ordered to the right, 
it took a position at the left of the brigade, 
and, as the front line of the Federal troops 
gave way, the full force of the terrilile fire from 
the rebel lines struck this and other regiments. 
The regiment, being unsupported, fell back, but 
stubbornly resisted the advance of the exultant 
enemy. During the night, it lay encamped on 
the left, in front of the rebel Joe Johnston's, 
division. The battle had been fought all day, 
without food and water, and. as darkness fell, 
the tired men -had sunk on the ground over- 
powered, the wear}' to sleep, and tlie wounded 
to die." One hundred men of the regiment 
were killed, wounded or cai)tured. 

The 2(lth of September dawm-d Iiright and 
beautiful. The battle was reneweil with great 
fury, and tiie One lluiidi-cil and Twenty-fourth, 
beliind a l)reastwork of logs and rails, poured 
voile}' after volley into tiie enemy's ranks, and 
repulsed several desperate allenipts tug.-iin the 



position and capture the battery. At 3 o'clock 
P. M.. the regiment was ordered to the support 
of the right, as the enemy on the left had re- 
tired. Several men were lost in this movement, 
and. after the position had been gained and the 
enemy driven back, the regiment was again 
moved to the support of the right. Here, again, 
the rebels fell back before the murderous fire, 
and the troops, forming a hollow square, re- 
mained thus until dark, when a retreat was or- 
dered. The regiment bivouacked for the night 
in line of liattle near Ro.ssville. and the next 
morning took a front position on Mission 
Ridge, remaining there all day under the fire 
of a rebel battery. The retreat was continued 
the next night, and on the 22d. the regiment 
encamped near Chattanooga. The regiment 
lost during the Iwittle in killed, wounded and 
missing, one hundred and forty men. Col. 
Payne being among the wounded. At Chatta- 
nooga, forts and breastworks were built, and 
the men and animals put on half-rations. The 
I'egiment w.as assigned to the Second Brigade, 
Third Division of the Fourth Army ('orps. 

About !• o'clock on the evening of (October 
2G, 1863, the regiment, with a carefully selected 
detachment of about 1,700 men, etpiipped with' 
100 rounds of cartridges per man, embarked 
on boats and floated cautiously down the Ten- 
nessee, past Lookout Mountain, passing the 
enemy's pickets without discovery. A short 
distance below the mountain, the boats pulled 
ashore, the troops landed, and rushed up the 
liank, and, though met by a heav>- fire, drove 
the rebels back, and captured Raccoon Ridge, 
Company T, under Lieut, Oalbraith, was de- 
plo\'ed as skirmishers, and tlu^ remainder of 
the regiment began hastily throwing up breast- 
works. At daylight, the enemy made several 
desperate attempts to retake the position ; but 
were severely repulseil. and. tinally. drixcn 
from tiiat portion of the valley. A ponlon- 
bridge was tiu-own across the river, enabling 
Gen. Hooker's armv to cross, and virtuallv 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



329 



raise the siege of Chattauooga. The regiment 
remained on Raccoon llidge several days, sub- 
sisting on parched corn and Ijoiled wiieat, and 
then returned to its old eauii) in the suburbs of 
Chattanooga. 

November 23, in the struggle for the occu- 
pation of Mission Ridge, the regiment was as- 
signed a position on the left. It advanced and 
carried the enemy's rifle-pits on a range of 
hills between Fort Wood and Mission Ridge, 
and. moving on, took the rebel works on the 
summit. Here, exposed to a heavy artillery fire, 
the men threw up rude breastworks. The ' 
next daj' was passed at work and on picket 
duty. On the afternoon of the 25th, it was ad- 
vanced on the skirmish lines with orders to j 
charge at the signal of six guns, and take the en- 
emy's works at the foot of Mission Ridge. Six 1 
hundred yards of open ground lay Ijefore the 
regiment, and. as the chosen signal rever- 
berated along the hills, the troops advanced 
with steady tire, and, as the rebels began to 
retreat, the^' swept forward with cheers, carried 
the works, anil turned the guns upon the re- 
treating foe. (Orders to advance had not been 
received, and the men, exposed to a murderous 
artillery fire, were wavering, when a tremen- 
dous shout swept along the lines, and the whole 
advance began scaling the mountain. A fear- 
ful fire of grape and canister poured down 
upon them ; but the brave men dashed on and 
on. reached the summit, carried tiie works, 
planted the stars and stripes on the highest 
point, and sent showers of deadly missiles after 
the routed enemy. The One Hundred and 
Twenty-fourth captured seven pieces of artil- 
lery, two caissons, eighty stand of arms, and a 
wagon -load of ammunition. 

On the 2Gth, the regiment was ordered to the 
relief of Knoxville, arriving opposite the city 
on the 10th of December. The besieging reb- 
els, anticipating that re-enforcements would be 
sent to the distressed city, made a last and 
furious assault on the works, but were repulsed. 



when they fell back and withdrew. After a 
few days the regiment went into camp at Clinch 
Mountain. The weather became very cold, and 
the men, poorly clad, with but few tents, kept 
busy cutting wood and lighting huge fires. In 
January, the regiment began erecting rude log 
houses at Dandridge, but was driven away by 
a superior force of the enemy. 

The regiment was kept constantly on the 
march in East Tennessee for the next two 
months, thus preventing the men from drawing 
their clothing. As a consequence, they became 
ragged, dirty and unseemly in appearance. 
One of the officers went to work and manu- 
factured a limited quantity of soap, and the 
clean faces and persons of his portion of the 
regiment, excited surprise, envj-, and, at the 
same time, no little pleasautrj'. It was wag- 
gishly remarked that these men were clearly 
entitled to the riglit of elective franchise, but 
that considerable doubt existed regarding the 
remainder. The only hope for them was to be- 
gin an exploration with pick and shovel. The 
men, generally, were without shoes, stockings, 
and a few were in their drawers, and all were 
ashamed of being seen. About this time, they 
received a limited (juantity of necessary cloth- 
ing from the Ladies' Soldiers' Aid Society, of 
Green Springs, Ohio, and about the middle of 
April, 186-t, thej' were thoroughl}- clothed and 
equipped by the Government. Soon after thisi 
the regiment started on the Atlanta campaign, 
engaging the enemy at Rocky Face liidge, 
where it suffered severely, and again at New 
Hope Church, where, in a charge, it lost many 
brave men and officers. It participated in the 
flanking movement at Jonesboro, and the con- 
sequent evacuation of Atlanta. The regiment 
turned back in pursuit of Hood, passing through 
Gaylesville, Athens, Pulaski, Columbia, Frank- 
lin ; and, reaching Nashville in advance of the 
main forces, it participated in the battle of 
Nashville, and, at its close, joined in pursuing 
the demoralized rebel army, but, at Huntsville, 



:i^ 



331) 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



Ala., gave up the chase, aud went into camp. 
It was at the battle of Nashville tliat Capt. 
George W. Lewis, of Medina, then acting Major, 
lost his arm. Nothing further of importance 
transpired, and the regiment was mustered out 
of service at Nasiiville on the 9th of July, 
18G5. The ti-oops were paid at Camp Taylor, 
and sent home — all that remained of them. 

The Second Ohio Cavalry rendezvoused at 
Camp Wade, and contained a little more than 
a company from Medina County. The regi- 
ment was raised during the summer and early 
autumn of 18(j1. and was mustered into the 
service on the 10th of October. ISGl. Com- 
pany I, raised almost wholl3- in this county, 
was ofBcered as follows : Allen P. Steele. Cap- 
tain ; r)avid E. Welch, First Lieutenant ; Will- 
iam B. Shattuc. Second Lieutenant. The men 
from Medina, who went out in the Second Cav- 
alry, were mostly recruited liy Hon. H. (j. Blake, 
a prominent citizen of Medina. Quartermaster 
J. J. Elwell. on the 12th of September. 1861, 
bought fifty horses at Medina for this regiment, 
paying an average price of $80 each. This 
was the first cavalry regiment raised in the 
nortlieru part of the State, and the men com- 
posing it represented almost every trade and 
profession. It was ordered to Camp Dennison 
in the latter part of Novemlier, ISGl. where it 
received sabers, and continued drilling during 
the month of December. On the 20th of De- 
cember, a detachment of twenty men under 
Lieut. Nettleton, was ordered into Kentuckj' on 
scouting-duty. where it remained until the regi- 
ment received marching orders. Early in Janu- 
ary, 1862. the regiment was ordered to Platte 
City. Mo., where it reported for duty to (!en. 
Hunter, and. for the next three weeks, was en- 
gaged in scouting on the Missouri border. On 
the 18th of February. 1862. Doublcday's liri- 
gadc, of wliich the Second was a part, was or- 
dered to Fort Scott, Kan. ; and. during the 
nianrh. on the 22d. as a detachment of 120 men 
of the Second was passnig tinough Independ- 



ence, Mo., it was attacked by an equal force 
under the subsequeutl}' infamous Quantrell. 
Init, after fifteen minutes of severe fighting, the 
enemy were routed, losing five killed, four 
wounded, and five captured, including an offi- 
cer. The Second lost one killed and three 
wounded. Fort Scott was reached on the 1st 
of March. The Second, at this time, was armed 
with sabers. nav\- pistols and Austi'ian car- 
bines. The most of the regiment remained in 
this portion of the State, at Cartilage. Mo., at 
Sola, Kan., breaking up guerrilla bauds until 
June, when it moved into the Indian Territory 
by different roads, concentrating at Spring- 
River. A detachment of cavalry and artillery 
drove the Indian rebel Standwaitie from his 
camp on Cowskin Prairie. The command 
moved to Baxter Springs. Kan., where it 
was joined Viv three regiments of mounted 
loyal Indians, armed with squirrel-rifles. 
Later in June, the column moved south- 
ward, the animals living on grass, and the 
members of the Second seeing nothing but 
wild country, burning prairie, and the powwows 
of their red-skinned companions. 

On the 8th of July, the column went into 
camp at Flat Rock Creek. Indian Territory, 
and later in the month Fort Gibson was cap- 
tured and a small detachment of rebels driven 
across the Arkansas River. The troops moved 
to Fort Scott on the 15th. having at that time 
less than two hundred and fifty ser\iceable 
horses in the Second. Many of the men were 
sick, and many iiad died from the effects of a 
peculiar and distressing brain fever, evidently 
caused by the excessive heat. In August, the 
i-egiment shared in a forced march for ten days 
and nights against a raiding party of rebels, 
skirmishing continually l)ut without loss. Dur- 
ing the next three or four months, the Second 
participated in tiie campaign of Prairie Grove, 
.Vrk.. and fought at Carthage, Newtonia, Cow 
Hill. Wolf Creek. White River and Prairie 
Grove. Charles Doubledav had been Colonel 



T" 



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:i>: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



331 



oftLe Second, liut, in September, 1862, August 
V. Kautz took his place. In November, the 
Second was ordered to Camp Chase. Ohio, to 
remount and refit for the Eastern army. In 
Februar}', 1863, the original twelve companies 
were consolidated into eight, and a battalion 
of four companies raised for the Eighth Cav- 
alry, was added. Early in April, the regiment 
was ordered to vSomerset, Ky.. where it re- 
mained until the 27th of June, fighting in the 
meantime at Steubeuville, Mouticello and Co- 
lumbia. In the early part of June, four com- 
panies of the Second formed a part of a raid- 
ing force against Kuoxville, where a large 
amount of supplies and several railroad bridges 
were destroyed. The Second, with its brigade, 
joined in the pursuit of John ^lorgau, and fol- 
lowed him twelve hundred miles, through three 
States, marching twenty hours out of the twenty- 
four, aud living upon the gifts of the people. 
It finally' shared in the capture of the raiders at 
Bufflngton Island, after which it was ordered 
to Cincinnati, where uearlj' the whole regiment 
was furloughed by Gen. Burnside. It re-assem- 
bled at Stanford, K3^, and in August moved 
with the Union troops into East Tennessee. 
There it was brigaded with three other regiments 
of cavalry, all under the command of Col. Car- 
ter. After a variet}^ of movements and some 
skirmishing, the regiment reached Henderson 
Station on the 25th of September, 1863 ; but 
received immediate orders to join Gen. Rose- 
crans. While on the wa^', it was ordered back 
to the front, and participated in the engage- 
ment in progress there. The next morning, 
the Second assisted in pursuing the enemy, 
and one battalion engaged in a subsequent 
skirmish. The brigade, after being re-enforced, 
advanced and fought the battle of Blue Springs, 
the Second participating. The Second shared 
in the engagement at Blountsville, Bristol, and 
with Wheeler's cavalry, near Cumberland Gap. 
Daring the siege of Knosville, it annoyed the 
enem3^'s flank, and, after the siege was raised, 



joined in the pursuit. It fought the rebels at 
Morristown on the 2d of December, and two 
days later assisted in the bloody two-hours' 
fight at Russellville, losing forty men killed 
and wounded. On the 6th, at Bean Station, it 
was at the front five hours, and for the five 
succeeding days was almost constantlj- under 
fire. Most of the time, then, until January 1 , 
1864, was spent in maneuvering and fighting 
near Mossy Creek ; but at this date four hun- 
dred and twenty men out of four hundred and 
seventy, re-enlisted, and were furloughed Feb- 
ruary 16, for thirty days. 

On the 20th of March, the Second re-assem- 
bled at Cleveland. It was first ordered to Ken- 
tucky, but, upon reaching Mount Sterling, was 
instructed to proceed to Annapolis, Md., where 
it arrived on the 29th of March. On the 13th 
of April, while at its camp on an arm of the 
Chesapeake, it was re\'iewed b}' Gens. Grant, 
Burnside, Washburne and Meigs. On the 22d, 
the regiment moved from Camp Stoneman to 
Warrentou Junction, reporting to Gen. Burn- 
side Ma}' 3. It crossed the Rapidau, and went 
into line on the extreme right, engaging with 
Ilosser's cavahy on the 7th, with slight loss. 
It was constantly em ploj-ed daring the Wilder- 
ness campaign to cover the right flank of the 
infentry. Soon afterward, it was assigned to 
the First Brigade, under the command of Col. 
J. B. Mcintosh, and thus became attached to 
Sheridan's Cavalry Corps. Army of the Poto- 
mac. The Third Cavalry Division, of which 
the Second was a part, crossed the Pamuuky 
on the 31st, aud the First Brigade advanced on 
Hanover Court House. The lirigade dismounted, 
the Second occup3-ing the center, and in the 

; fierce charge which followed the enemv was 
driven back, and the crest aud court house 
were captured. The next day the Second and 

j other troops were surrounded at Ashland, by 
the enemy under Fitzhugh Lee. and after fight- 
ing until night, succeeded in withdrawing and 

' regaining the main army. The regiment par- 



^- 



Hv: 



J^l 



332 



HISTORY OF ilEDIXA COl'NTY. 



ticipated in skirmishes and battles, from Han- 
over Court House to Cold Harbor, fought at 
Nottaway Court House, Stormy Creek and 
Ream's Station, losing one hundred men and five 
officers killed, wounded and missing. On the 
13th of August it moved to Winchester, ai'riv- 
ing on the 17th. Gen. Earl}- made an attack, 
and at sundown the regiment and its division 
fell back, while the second battalion and two 
iiimpanies of the third battalion of the Second 
Cavahy acted as rear-guard for tiie whole com- 
mand, fighting an hour in the dark in the streets 
of Winchester, then joining the main column, 
which retreated to Summit Point. The Second 
was engaged on the 19th and 22d, and soon 
afterward crossed the Potomac at Shepherds- 
town. On the .30th of August the regiment as- 
sisted in driving the enemy from Bcrryville. 
Va., and, on the 13th of September, it and its 
brigade advanced on Early, at Winciiester. to 
ascertain his strength. The Second Ohio and 
the Third New Jersey- captured an entire regi- 
ment of reliel infantry, and took it to Berrj - 
ville, and for this gallant exploit receivetl 
special menti<m from the Secretary of War. It 
was present at the battle of Opeiiuon, and .soon 
afterward assisted in driving A\''ickham's cavalry 
through Front Royal, marching and skirmish- 
ing in Lnray Valley, until the 2")th of Septem- 
ber. It assisted in resisting the attack of Fitz- 
hngh Lee on the 20th. dismounting for that 
purpose, and remaining on the field until all 
the other troops were withdrawn, when it i)rc- 
pared to retire as rear-guard, but found that its 
retreat was cut off by a line of rebel infantry. 
In columns of fours tlie regiment charged 
through, and continued as rear-guard until the 
command reached Hridgevvater. \Vhen Rosser 
was defeated by flen. Torliorf, tiie Second 
fought from 8 o'clock A. >I. until 11. and pur- 
sued until 3 P. .M., when it went into position 
on the right of Sheridan's line. In the battle 
of Cedar Creek, from daybreak until !) o'clock 
at night, tiie regiment was in the saddle. It 



was present on the Vallej- Pike, when Gen. 
Sheridan came to the front on his immortal 
ride. 

"'the first that the (ieuerul saw were the groups 
Of stragglers, and then the retreating troops, 
What was done? what to do? a glance told him both, 
Then striking his spurs, with a terrible oath, 
Fie dashed down the line.s 'mid a storm of huzzas, 
And the wave of retreat checked its course there, be- 
cause 
Tlie sight of the master compelled it to pause. 
With foam and with dust the black charger was gray ; 
liy the flush of his eye, and the red nostril's play. 
He seemed to the whole great army to say, 
' I have brought you Sheridan all the way 
From Winchester down to save the day.' 

" Hurrah I hurrah for Sheridan I 
Hurrah ! hurrah for horse and man '." 

The regiment joined in the charges that de- 
cided the victory, and at night encamped with- 
out stipper. on the field. In the fight of the 12th 
of November, between Custer .and Rosser, the 
Second, engaged in picket duty on the front, was 
driven in ; but, after a hard day's fight, the 
enemy was driven from the field. On the 20th. 
the Second was hotly engaged with Early's ca\- 
alry, at New Market, and. on the 10th of Decem- 
ber, the advance had a slight engagement with 
Rosser at Moorefield. The Second repulsed 
the enemy that advanced against the First 
Brigade when Rosser attacked the camp on the 
20tii. at Laeey's Springs. In the capture of 
Early's army, the Second took a prominent part. 
It captured live pieces of artillery with cai-ssons. 
thirteen ambulances and wagons, seventy horses 
and mules, thirty sets harness, six hinidred ami 
fift}' prisoniifs of war. and three luuidred and 
fifty stand of small tirms. In the last campaign 
against liCe, the Second captured eighteen pieces 
of artillery, one hundred and eight}' horses, sev- 
enty army wagons, nine lunidred prisoners, and 
unknown quttntities of small arms. After this 
campaign, the regiment was ordered to North 
Carolina ; but. after the news of Johnston's sur- 
render, it was directed to report to Gen, Pope, 





^^C/jgyT^ <y^^^^<r?2y^ 



tii. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



835 



at St. Louis, arriving on tlic 7th of June, 1865 ; 
but a mouth later proceerled to Springfield, Mo., 
to relieve State troops. About the 1st of Sep- 
tember, the order to muster out was received. 
The regiment was paid at Camp Chase, Ohio. 
September 11, and immediatelj' discharged. 
During the war, it fought under twent^'-three 
Generals ; its horses drauk from twenty-five 
rivers ; it campaigned througli thirteen States 
and a Territory- ; it marched an aggTegate of 
twentj'-seven thousand miles ; participated in 
ninety-seven battles and engagements , served 
in five different armies ; '■ audits dead, sleeping 
where they fell, form a vidette-liue half across 
the continent, a chain of prostrate sentinels two 
thousand miles long. Even iu their graves, 
maj- not these patriotic dead still guard the 
glory and the integrity of the Republic for 
which they fell ? " * 

Four companies, enlisted in Medina Count}' 
in the spring of 18G4. were formed into the 
Seventy-ninth Battalion, Ohio National (iuard. 
At the period of formation, the battalion was 
officered as follows ; Harrison G-. Blake, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel ; William Shakspeare, Adjutant ; 
C. B. Chamberlin, Quartermaster ; and the 
Captains were : H. Frizzell. William Bigham. 
0. P. Phillips and John Wolcott. This bat- 
talion left Medina for Camp Cleveland on the 
4th of Ma}-, 1864. Here the four companies 
were re-organized into three, and the battalion 
thus formed was consolidated with three other 
battalions, one of which was from each of the 
counties Wayne, Holmes and Huron. The One 
Hundred and Sixty-sixth Regiment Ohio Na- 
tional Guard, thus created, was officered as fol- 
lows : H. G. Blake, Colonel ; Randolph East- 
man, Lieutenant Colonel ; Robert W. liiggett, 
Major. The regiment, after being mustered in, 
was ordered to Virginia on the 1 5th of May, 
1864, and its duty while in the service consisted 
almost whollj' in guarding forts, cities, and 
property belonging to the Government. It was 

• Whitelaw Reid. 



placed on duty at Forts Richardson. Barnard, 
Reynolds, Ward and Worth, with headquarters 
at Fort Richardson. No active service was 
done ; but, when Washington was threatened 
by an attack from Early, the regiment stood at 
its guns day and night for about a week, ex- 
pecting an attack at any hour. An alarming 
extent of sickness pre\'ailed in the regiment 
soon after the raid, in spite of every effort made 
to avoid it. The regiment was mustered out 
of service on the 9th of September, 1864. The 
enlistment of that portion ol" the men who 
went from Medina County in this regiment, was 
largely through the efforts of Hon. H. G. Blake, 
one of the most capable and respected citizens 
ever a resident of the countj". He was com- 
missioned Lieutenant Colonel, and was author- 
ized to open an enlistment office. Great en- 
thusiasm was manifested in the earl}- stages of 
the war. On one occasion, a stalwart German 
went to Mr. Blake's office and enlisted. Mr. 
Blake told him that the Government would pay 
him $7 per month for his services, but the loyal 
fellow quickly replied : " I no want de money, 
Mishter Plake, I vite mit mine gountry." 

At length it was found necessary, as in all 
parts of the country, to resort to the draft in 
order to fill the quota of men required from the 
county. Every effort was made in each town- 
ship to avoid it, the citizens subscribing liber- 
ally to a common fund, to be paid volunteers 
at the rate of from §200 to $400 each. Hon. 
M. C. Hills was appointed Draft Commissioner 
for the county, and the first draft occiu-red 
October 5, 1862. Some 380 men were drafted, 
but quite a number furnished substitutes, and 
several were pronounced exempt for various 
reasons, so that only 351 were dispatched to 
the field. Other drafts in the county raised the 
total number of drafted men to 500 or more. 
In addition to individual and local efforts for 
raising bounty, the County Commissioners 
offered $50 for each volunteer ; but, as near as 
can be ascertained, this course was pursued 



t 



s 



^1 



336 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



only for a comparatively brief period. The 
Commissioners were furnished witli an inilcmni- 
fying bond by the citizens, by means of which 
the former expected to be assured against loss 
for using the county funds as Ijounty. A spe- 
cial enactment of the Legislature soon author- 
ized the assessment and collection of a tax to 
be used for bounty and other similar purposes ; 
and this was made to take the place, in the 
county treasury, of the funds that liad been 
used by the Commissioners. The tender of 
bounty began with the One Hundred and Third 
Regiment. It has been estimated that about 
1,500 men went from the county to the lield. 
It is impossible to ascertain the exact number. 
It is stated by as distinguished a writer as 
Whitelaw lleid, that the reason why the State 
was obligcxl to resort to the draft so early in the 
war was because of the evil tendencies of the 
volunteering system adopted. Add to this the 
fact that the Ohio 3Iilitia. who assisted in driv- 
ing the rebels from West N'irginia. thougffi 
promised pay by the (iovernment, received 
none when they returned, and, scattering thus 
throughout the State with stories of the neg- 
lect, created widespread discontent, and incited 
a determination over the State not to volunteer. 
The first cry for sanitary aid came to the 
county during the fall and early winter of 1861, 
from the troops in ^'irginia. Karly in Septem- 
ber, a notice appeared in the Medina G'dzette, 
that a meeting of the citizens would be held in 
Phoenix Hall, September 18. 1861, for the pur- 
pose of organizing a soldiers' aid society. At 
this meeting, Mrs. II. (}. Hlake was elected 
President, Miss Fannie Ticlmor, Secretary, and 
various committees were appointed to solicit 
money, clothing or supplies in any fornj. for 
the army. ]?rancli societies were created in 
almost every township. In addition to these 
efforts on the part of the ladies, male military 
committees were appointed in each township, 
and in the county at large, having in view the 
same humane object. Even the chiklren were 



organized into mite societies, and all were 
enlisted in providing suitable supplies for 
field and hospital. Supplies to the estimated 
value of .SI HI. 82 were dispatched to the sani- 
tary headquarters at Cleveland, about tlu; 5th 
of November. 1861. Two weeks after the or- 
ganization of the society at Medina, the follow- 
ing articles were sent to the Eighth Regiment, 
then in Virginia : 38 bed-quilts, 26 cotton 
shirts, 27 pillow cases, 56 towels, 28 old cotton 
shirts, 140 bandages, 13 woolen blankets, 20 
pair socks, 1 pair woolen wristlets, 10 new 
shirts, 10 pair drawers, quantities of lint, 
dried fruit, preserves, etc. Also, about 140 
blankets were sent to Camp Wade. Through- 
out the war, these societies continued to do ex- 
cellent and extensive aid. Soon after the death 
of Lieut. Col. Herman Cantield, at Shiloh, his 
widow, Mrs. Martha Canfield, with several other 
ladies in the service of the Government, was 
instructed to proceed to Memphis, Tenn., and 
organize a colored orphans' asylum. This 
was done, and the asylum was conducted until 
after the close of the war. This lady is now 
in the service of the ttovernnient at Washing- 
ton, D, C. The service of two or more young 
ladies from Medina was secured by jMrs. Can- 
field, under whose authority they labored at 
Memphis. Their names were Misses Ilewes, 
Ballai'd and Cahill. The importance of the ob- 
ject of this asj'lum at Memphis cannot be over- 
estimated, in view of the utter ignorance and 
helplessness of the colored children in the 
South. The movement anticipated the educa- 
tion of the blacks, and was a direct result of 
their emancipation. Mrs. Alice Nickerson, 
whose husband was a member of the Eighth 
Ohio, left the county and entered one of the 
(lOvernment hospitals, where she served for 
many months as nurse. Her reports may be 
seen in the tiles of the Medina Gaxttc issued 
during the summer of 1865. In this connec- 
tion it may be said, that, since the war. efforts 
have often been made to secure the erection of 



*C a 



-^ 



4^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



337 



a fine monument in tiic park at Medina, a« a 
moinon'al of the brave boys who Hiec'p in tlie 
"Hiintiy South." A more appropriate or hist- 
ing tribute to their memory could not be paid. 
Tn compiling the above imperfect record of 
the part Ijorne by ,^I(•di^a County, in the la.st 
war, great care has been exercised, and yet 
numeroiiH errors and rni.^takes have crept in, 
in hpite of the writer, owing, mostly, to the ob- 
scure character of the material obtained, and 
the defective sources from which it was de- 
rived. And yet, there is safety in saying that 
all serious errors have been avoided, and that 
the history, as above given, is, in the main, 
substantially cf>rrect. The greater portion of 
the above record ha« been obtained irom 
Whitelaw Keid's "Ohio in the War;" and this 
work has the reputation of being a graphic and 
accurate history of the Ohio regiments. 

Pursuant to a call, a number of these who 
had sen'ed in the late war convened at the 
court house in Medina, Hepteraber 1.^, 1879, 
to form a soldiers' monumental association. 
In 1870-71, there was a movement on foot Ui 
have the Commissioners of the county submit 
a proposition to levy a tax for the erection of a 
" soldiers' monument," to the people ; but the 
bill authorizing them to do so, introduced by 
lion. Albert Munson, was defeated in the Leg- 
islature of that winter, which put an end to 
this project. The subject of securing an ade- 
quate memorial of the heroism and sacrifice of 
Medina County's volunteers, however, was not 
abandoned, and the meeting called, as noted 
above, met in the interest of this object. The 
constitution adopted is as follows : 

ORTKCTf). 
For the pnrjjosc of procuring and preserving a rec- 
or'l of the nol'liers and oailorii living in .Medina Counly, 
who Bcrved in the army or navy of the United .Stales, 
(luring the war for the Union, and, algo, to perpetuate 
the uicnioriea and friendships of the war by Bocial 



ineetingf) and rc-unionn, we forrn oiirselTea into an »»»(»- 
cialion, tho name of which ohali be, The Union Holditm' 
anil HiiUoth' Amociatton of itfdina Counly, Ohio. 

orric.r.Kn. 

The officers of lliio Association shall be a ('resident, 
.Secretary, Treasurer, Chaplain, and one Vice /'resident 
from each township of the counly. The officers of the 
Association shall constitute its Kxecutive Committee, 
the meetings of which shall be held subject to the call 
of the I'rcsidcnt ; and the Vice President shall be ex 
officio chairman of such comrnillees as may from time 
(0 time be appointed in their respective township.^, in 
the interest of the aas'lciation. 

The duties of the officers shall be such as uanally 
pertain to like offi'-ers in similar organizations. 

The Vice Presidents shall canvass their town.shi|»3 
for the purjjose of procuring the names and record of 
service of all soldiers and sailors in their townships, 
and they may appoint a committee of two or more sol- 
diers to assist them in this duly; the names and record 
so obtained to be reported to the .'•'ecretary of the Asso- 
ciation, to be recorded and kept in a book provided for 
that object. 

JIKKT/KOS. 

Annual re-unions of the As.sociation shall be held at 
times and places selected by the Kxeciitive Committee; 
and special meetings at the call of the President. Offi- 
cers of the Association shall be chosen at the annual 
reuniong, and they shall serve one year. 

All expenses of the Association .shall be defrayed by 
voluntary contributions from its members. 

Mf!MJ!Kl;Slirf. 

All honorably discharged soldifrs and sailors of the 
war for the Union, residing in this counly, .vho may 
sign, or authoriy.e their names to be signed, to this con- 
stitution and furnish their record of service to the Vice 
President of the townthip to which they belong, are 
declared to be members of this Association. Their 
presence at meetings and re-unions, and their hearty co- 
operation in all movements in the interest of soldiers, 
ia invited and expected. 

All vacancies in the list of officers, may be filled by 
the Kxecutive f>immittee. 

This constitution may be amended at^any annual 
metting of the Association, by a majority vote. 

The officers elected were : Lieut. Col. G. W. 
Lewis, President; Capt. .J. II. fjrcen, SecTcta- 



^- 



338 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



4^ 



!•}• ; R. M. McDowell, Treasurer ; Rev. Homer 
Thrall, Chaplain ; and. Vice Presidents, John 
Root, of Brunswick ; W. H. Williams, of Chat- 
ham ; Harvey Cutter, of Granger : WiUiam 
Bigham, of Guilford ; T. G. Loomis, of Harris- 
ville ; Samuel Fauble. of Hinckley ; A. Frey- 
man. of Homer, J. P. Waltz, of La Fayette ; W. 
A. Pelton, of Litchfield ; J. G. Reisinger, of 
Liverpool ; 0. H. McDowell, of Medina : F. R. 
Loomis, of Mont\'iUe ; Thomas Branuigan. of 
Sharon ; Alonzo Miller, of Spencer ; A. P. 
Steele, of Wudsworth ; J. Wagoner, of West- 
field : George Randall, of York. 

The first re-union of the association was 
held at Medina. August 19, 1880. In the num- 
ber of old soldiers present, the attendance of 
citizens, and in all that goes to make up the in- 
terest of such an occasion, the meeting was a 
complete success. A salute of one hundred 
guns was fii-ed at sunrise, and, as the day ad- 
vanced the sti'eets, ga.j with flags and appro- 
priate decorations, were crowded with the peo- 
ple coming in from all points of the county, sev- 
eral townships sending in large delegations. At 
10 o'clock, A. 51., a procession was formed and 
led by the Medina Cornet Band, followed 



by Company K. of the Eighth Ohio National 
Guards, in marching order, the Sharon Band, one 
hundred and sixty veterans of the war, and a 
long line of citizens in carriages, marched around 
the square, down Broadway to Smith road, and 
thence to Court street and back to the square 
again. A lawn banquet on the public square, 
an address, by Gen. L. A. Sheldon, of Lagrange, 
Ohio, and a business meeting constituted the 
exercises of the occasion. An election of offi- 
cers resulted in the retention of the old offi- 
cers, save where cu'cumstances rendered a 
change necessary. The substitutions were, 
Rev. S. F. DeWolf as Chaplain, and Frank Fin- 
ley, of Brunswick ; S. W. De Witt, of Harris- 
ville ; Daniel Musser. of Hinckley : A. W. Dur- 
kee. of Litchfield ; W. W. i\lunger, of Medina ; 
George Hayden, of IMontville, as Vice Presi- 
dents. In the following list, we give the results 
of this association thus far. Of its complete- 
ness the writer has no knowledge, save that no 
reasonable expenditure of money has been 
wanting in assisting the efforts of the officers 
of this association to secure a complete and 
accurate list, according to the object set forth 
in the soeietv's constitution. 




^^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



339 



MILITARY RECORD OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



THE ABBKEVIATlON-8 USED IN THE FOLLOWING MATTER ARE EXPLAINED AS FOLLOWS: 



Co , Company 

e Enlisted 

kltl Killed 

disd Piseharged 

0. V. I Ohio Volunteer Infantry 

0. V. V. 1 Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry 

O. S. S Ohio Sharij-Sliooters 

0. V. S. S Ohio Volunteer Sliarp-Shooters 

0. N. G Ohio National Guard 



0. V. M Ohio Volunteer Militia 

0. V. C Ohio Volunteer ('avalry 

0. V. V, C Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry 

0. L. A Ohio Light Artillery 

0. V. L. A Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery 

O. V. H. A Ohio Volunteer Heavy Artillery 

U. S. C United States Cavalry 

U. S. I United States Infantry 

<). V. Mex Ohio Volunteer Mexican 



BRUNSWICK TOWNSHir. 

George Clement, Co. E, 55th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 9, 18(11; died .Tan. 12, 

1S03, at Nashville, Tonn. 
Chas. E. Allen, 5th 0. S. S., e. Dec. 0, 18C2; died May 17, 1863, at 

Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
Albert Evans, Co. C, 49th Wis. V. I., e. Feb. 22, lsB5; disd. Nov. 7, 

18(55. 
Henry C. Gayer, Co. D. 46th Wis. V. I., e. Feb. 14, 1865; disd. Sept. 

29, 1865. 
Anset Athiton, Co. E, 65th 0. V. I., p. Oct. 13, 1862; disd. 
L. L. Morton, Co. H, 41st 0. V. I., e. Sept. 16, '61 ; disd. Oct. 20. ■02. 
Augustus A. Foskett, Co. G, 4th 0. N. G., e. April, 1S61 ; disd. 
Augustus A. Foskett, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 13, 1801 ; fisd. Sept. 

16, 1864. 
Thomas C. Ferriman, Co. A, 1st 0. L. A., e. Feb. 27, 1864 ; disd. 

July 31, 1865. 
Chas. Tibbetts, Co. E, ISnth 0. V. I., e. May 2, 18C4; disd. Aug. 23, 

1864. 
Chas. Tibbetta, Co. B, 188th 0. V. I., e. Jan. 10, 1865; disd. Sept. 21, 

1865. 
F. M. Gibbs, Co. K, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 24, 1801 ; disd. Feb. 20, 1863. 
Alexander Gibbs, Co. K, 2d 0. V. 1., e. Aug. 24, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 31, 

1863. 
Alexander Gibbs, Co. H, 2d 0. V. V. C, e. Jan. 1, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 

5, 1865. 
John F. Root, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., o. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
Francis Lindley, Co. K, 0. V. I., e. Aug. 15. 1862; disd. June 30, '65. 
Lewis Rounds, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. August, 1862 ; disd. January, 

1863. 
Chas. Cinninger, Co. E, 1st 0. V. L. A., c. Aug. 25, 1802 ; disd. Sept. 

25, 1863. 
John Archer, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. .Vugust, 1862 ; died at St. Louis 

April 27, 1863. 
Willis Peck, Co. F, 16th O. V. I., e. September, 1801 died at Plat 

Lick, Kv., June 6, 1862. 
Lewis W. Peck, Co. D, 1st 0. V. L. A., e. .\ug. 25, 1862; died at Re- 

saca May 23, 1864. 
George E. Lindlev, Co. K, 103.1 0. V. I., e. August, 1862 ; disd. .July, 

1806. 
Thomas Ferriman, Co. A, 1st 0. V. L. A., e. Dec. 31, 1863; disd. 

July 31, 1865. 
Jacob F. Eckert, Co. A, 1st 0. V. L. A., e. Dec. 31, 1863; disd. July 

31, 1865. 
Peter F. Graham, Co. E, 1st lud. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. April 

16, 1863. 
Willie Hadlock, Co. E. 1st 0. V. L. A., e. Aug. 2r,, 1862; died at 

Huntsville, Ala., May 30, 1862. 
Edwin L. Morton, Co. E, 0. V. L. A., e. Aug. 25, 1862 ; died at Louis- 
ville, Ky., Feb. 17, 1863. 
James Marquitt, Co. K, 103d O. V. T., e. August, 1862; disd. June 

22, 1865. 
Charles Zetter, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. August. 1862 ; disd. June 22, 

1865. 
Charles Strong, Co. E, Ist 0. V. L. \., e. August, 1802; disd. 



Elijah M. Strong, Co. E, Ist 0. V. h. A., e. August, 1862 ; disd. 
Newell Fuller, Co. O, 42d 0. V. I., e. Oct. 28, '62; disd. July 30, '63. 
John Hamilton, Co. H, 8th O. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1861 ; disd. 
Orvil M. Welling, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., c. Aug. 22, 1861 ; died at 

Harper's Ferrv, Nov. 26, 1862. 
Ugene Foskett, Co". G. 42d 0. V. I., e. Oct. 28, '02 ; disd. July 30, '63. 
Julius Wait, Co. E, let 0. V. L. A., Aug. 25, 1862 ; died at Stone 

River, Jan. 8, 1803. 
Richard Wykes, 124lh 0. V. I., e. .Vugust, 1862; disd. 
0. C. Church, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 7, 1862; disd. December, 1863. 
Sergt. G. E. Goodrich, 1241h O. V. I., e. Aug. 7, 1862; disd. 
Valentine Ault, Co. E, 1st 0. V. L. A., e, August, 1862; disd. 
Fred Converse, Co. E, 1st O. V. L. A,, e. August, 1862; disd. 
Lewis Rockwood, Co. K, 103d O. V. I., o. August, 1862 ; disd. June 

22, 1865. 
Henry E. Kennedy, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. April 25, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
W. W. Beach, Co. E, Ist O. V. A. 
E. J. Root, Co. E, 1st O. V. A. 

John Whelock, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A ; disd. Sept. 26, 1S04. 
Jacob Harris, Co. E, 1st O. V. A. 
Alfred King, Co. B, 1st O. V. A. 

E. S. Converse, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 

F. Cunningham, Co. E, 1st 0. V. .\. 
A. Cunningham, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 
E. S. Billings, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 
John Hamilton, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I. 
Wm. H. Hanchett, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I. 
S. Cleveland, Co. J, 2d 0. V. C. 
George Shalehouse, Co. H, .■J7tb O. V. I. 
Uriah Hadlock, 41st 0. V. I.; 1863. 

N. H. Sherman. 

W. Bradford, 0. V. I. 

Enos B. Wait, 0. V. A. 

A. Hinmnn. 
R. Unkel. 

R. R. Peebles, Co. B. 7th 0. V. I. 
R. B. Kelley, Co. D, 1st 0. V. I. 

B. McConuel, Co. B, J2d 0. V. I., e. September, 1861. 

J. H. Root, Co. F, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. September, 

1864. 
M. V. Pitkin, 5th O. V. S. S., e. Oct., 1802, disd. July 19, 1865. 
Lieut. John C. Preston, Asst. Surg. 73d 0. V. I.; disd. July 20, 1866. 
Patrick Newgeut, Co. 15, lat O. V. A., e. Aug., 1802; died. 
Sylvester Stevenson, Co. E, 1st O. V. A., e. 1861 ; disd. 

C. A. Pool, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A , e. Aug., 1862; <li8d. 
H. V. Garrett, Co. E, 1st O. V. A , e. 1802; disd. 

W. H, Lender, Co. K, 1st O. V. A., e. Aug., 1861 ; disd. Oct. 23, 1862. 
Joseph Warner, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A., e. 1861 ; died in service. 
Adelbort Fuller. 
Ab[ier Strong; died in service. 
William Fra;ik. Edward lieaeb. 

Thomas Pool. Edward Touslev. 

Warren F. Wilbur, 29th O. V. I., e. Sept., 1862; died Dec. 10, 1863. 
at Washington, D. C. 



340 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 

Amnea L. Clapp, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug, 20, 18G2 ; diail. July 7, 

1805. 
Darius W. Suufurd, Co. B, 4id 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, ISM ; disd. Nov. 

«, 181)4. 
Darius W. Sauford, Co. D, :!utli Mich. V. I., o. Die. 25, 1804; disd. 

June 30, 18G5. 
Hcury Ware, Co. D, lOGth O. N. G., o. May 2, 1804; disd. Scipt. 9, 

1804. 
J. J. Johnsou, Co. K, Ifitli 0. Y. I., (i. Oct. 20, 1801 ; disd. Nov. G, 

1804. 
Georgi. \V. Kindig, Co. K, IGtli O. V. I., c. Oct. 20, ISOl ; disd. Nov. 

0, 1S04. 
Ezra Kritz, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 23, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 4, IS04. 
Maj. W. H. Williams, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 3, ISCl ; disd. Dec. 

4, 1 04. 
John Richards, Co. B,ICthO.V.M., e. April 21, 1361; dis.l. Sept. 18,'01. 
H. E. Dustin. Co H, mth O.V. I., e. Aug. 29. '04 ; disil. .luiio 24, 'IK. 
Merrill A. Rice, Co. B, 42d O.V. I ,o. Sept. 24, '61 ; disd. Oct. :iil, '6.'. 
Sergt. Merritt A. Kico, 9th 0. V. C.,e. Aug. 21. '63 ; disd. July 20, 'e-l. 
W. E. Carllou. Co. B, 42d0.V. I., e, Sept. 22, '61 ; disd, Sept. 30, 'M. 
Jouathan M. Beach, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., o. Sept. 9, 1861 ; disd. Sopt. 

A. H. f'lvatt, Co. I), 7tb Wis. V. I., e. Dec. 28, '64; disd. June 26, '65. 
0. K. Reynolds, Co. A, 17!Hll O. V. I., e. Auj. 16, 1854 ; disd. Juue 

17, 1805. 
F. R. Mantz, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., o. Aug. 9, 1862 ; disd. Aug. 1, 1865. 
Ezra H. Lauce, Co. D, lG6th 0. N.G.,o. May 2,1.804; disd, Sept.9,'64. 
Chilion Packard, e. June, 1802 : died at Camp Chase Aug. 7, 1862. 
I.uther C. Prouty, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Oct. '02; disd. Octoher, '66. 
Fletcher G. Richards, Co. K, 42d O. V. I., e. Aug. 20, 1802, disd. 

July 7, 1865. 
Isaac Pearson, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. August, 1802 ; died May 22, 

1863, at Franklin, Tenn. 
O. T. Clapp, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 20, 1.862 ; disd. July 7, 1865. 
Cai)t. A. J. Dyer, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, '61 ; dis.l. Dec. 4,'64. 
Corp. William J. Atkins, Co. B, 124th O.V I., e. .August, 1S62 ; killed 

at Cliickamauga Sept. 20, 1863. 
Corp. Freeman Eobin.son, Co. A, 128th 0. V. I, e. January, 1SG3 ; 

disil. July 13, 1865. 
James Buck, Co. C, 128th O. V. I., e. January 1803 ; disd. July 13,'65. 
A. Main, Jr., Co. B, 128th O. \. I., e. January, 1863 ; died at John- 
sou's Island April 4, 1865. 
Daniel Mills, Co. C, 128th O V. I., o, January, '03 ; disd. July 13,'05. 
Lewis Smith, Co. C, 128th 0. V. I., e. January, '63; disd. July 13, '65. 
0. F. White, Co. A, 128th O.V. I., o. December, '02; disJ. July 13,'«5. 
George S. Brown, 12Sth 0. V. I., e. December, '62; disd- July 13,'65. 
Linus Rogers, 128th O. V. I., e. January, 1803; disil. July 13, 18C5. 
Sergt. Herbert Robinson, Co. B, 128th 0. V. I., e. Ocl. 3, 1802; disd. 

July 13, 2865. 

Aliiha 'Tliomps 29lh 0. V. I., o. September, 1801; disd. 

Al|.ha Tlo.mpson, 12th 0. V. C, e October, 1863 ; disd. 1.S65. 

Tbeo. F. Kililey, Co. K, 42d O. V. I., e. Aug. 20, 1S62; disd. Aug. 

9, 1S03. 
Daniel llice, Co. K, 42d O. V. I., e. August 1802; died at Young's 

Pt., La., Feb. 13, 1863. 
John Main, Co. B,42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1801 ; disd. Sept. 30, 1864. 
J. G, Ualliwell, Co. B, 42d O. V.I., o. Sept. 22, '01; disd. Sept. 30, '64. 
Abram J. Lance-, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 24, '61 ; disd. Jan. 2G,'G4. 
George Best, Co. B, 42d O. V. I , e. Sept. 22, 1801 ; disd. Feb. 28, 1862. 
James \V. Slocum, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1S61 ; disd. Aug. 

13, 1862, 
George C, Moody,Co. B, 42d O.V, I., e. Sept. 22. 1861 ; dii'd at Thomp- 
son Hill July .31, 1863. 
William H. Richards, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; died in 

service Feb. 23, 18G2. 
Charles H. Williams, Co. I, 8th N. V. C. 
William Ruhends, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 
Charles U. Millington, Co. li, 42d 0. V. I., e. .~-epl. 22, 1861 ; died 

March 25, 1862, of disease. 
James Winters, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
Sereno F. Sawyer, Co. 1, 29th O. V, I. 
William H. Abbott, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
Jlerritl Northrop, Co. K, Kth O. V. I, 
John W. Cambell, Co. K, 8th O. V. I. 

Hiram Fellows, Co, K, 8th 0. V. I. ; killed March 31, 1862. 
J. B. Whitney, 16Gth O. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd Si-i.tember, '64. 
Capt. It. B. Smitli, 9tb O. V. ('. : died Aug. 3, 1865. 
Lieut. A. A. I'hilbrink, Dth <). V. C. 
Lieut. A. A. nice, 9th O. V. C. 
Cyrus I'ackerd, 9lh O. V. C. 

Charles Ounsauls, Co. H, 4lBt O. V. I. ; killed March 2:>, 1863. 
John Martin, r24th 0. V. I. ; di.'d June 3, 1865. 
W. .1. Tilley, 124lh V, I.; died Dec. 3, 1865. 



James R. Ustick, 2d 0. V. C. 

Alonzo House, 2d 0. V. C. 

Joseph Fetterman, 8th 0. V. I. 

John Andei"son, 8lh O. \. I. 

L. D. Ives, Sth O. V. I. 

IT. J. Lyons, loib 0. V. C. 

H. h. Friller, loth O. V. C. 

N. B, Ciosbv, lotb 0. V. C. ; died Nov. 4, 18G1. 

Alpha Thom])3on, loih 0. V. C. 

S. K. Sawyer, 2nth O. V. I. 

E. T. Shaw, 2'Jlh O. V. 1, 

\Vm. N. Dickenson, 29lli O. V. I. killed in action June 14, 1802. 

M. T. Rice, 29lh O. V. I. 

Milton Murdock, 29lh O. V. I. 

Byron Best, 70lh 0. V. I.; died May 13, 1.S05. 

Amos nose, 7Ulh 0. V. I. ; killed Aug. 23, 1865. 

J. R. Judson, 841h 0. V. I. 

G. C. Boise, 84lh 0. V. I. 

I). P. Slowell, 124tb O. V I, 

G. H. Williams, 182d 0. V. I. 

VV. W. Richards, O. V. S. S. 

0. E. Richards, 0. V. S. S. 

Wm. Cooper, Co. D, 166tb 0, N. G. e. May, '64, disd. September, 64. 

Wm. Eddy, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. September '61 ; disd. December, '04. 

George Blessmer, Co. B, 42d 0. \. I. 

S. D. Moody, Co. B. 42.1 O. V. I. ; died Feb, 3, 1863. 

F. A. Brown, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 

Newton Eichards, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I.; died Feb. lu, 1363. 

J. W. Barnard, Co. B, 42d O. V. I. 

S. B. Tilley, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 

Avery Clarke, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 

J. Collin (nurse), Co. B, 42d 0. V. I.; died Feb. 3, 1363. 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 

Silas Payne, Co. 11, 29lh 0. V. I., e. Oct. 16, 1861 ; disd. Feb. 18. 1863. 
Silas Payne, Co. H, 177th O.V. I., e. Aug. 29, 1864; disd. Juno 

24. 1SG5. 
Jonas D. Ingrah.am, Co. G, 64th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 30, 1863; died 

March 7, 1864, at Lebanon, Ky. 
Musician R. O. Coddiuf, 12th 111, V. I., e. 1861 ; disd. July 4, 1362. 
Musician Horace W. Ctodding, 12th 111. V. I., e. 1861; disd. July, "62. 
Hubert J. Codding, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June C, 1861 ; died March 

24, 1862, at Winchester, 
Eobert H. Richards, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 26, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 27, '62. 
Robert H. Eichards, Co. F, lG6th 0. V. I., e. May 15, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
Eobert Valentine, Co, G, 115th 0. V. I., e. Nov. 7, 1863; disd. June 

10, 1865. 
Harvey J. Smith, Co. H, 29th 0. V. V. I., e. Jan. 16, 1864; disd. 

July 13, 1865. 
O. Rockwell, Sth Co., O. V. S. S., e. Oct. 17, 1S62 ; disd. July 19, '65. 
Lewis R. Willev, 9th Co. Ist O. V. S, S., e Feb, 15, 1864; trans. 
Lewis E. Willey, Co. G, Goth 0. V. I.; died April 2, 1865, at Peters- 
burg. 
George H. Jarvis, Co. H, 33d III. V. I , e. Dec. 10, 1861 ; .lisd, Dec. 

31, 1.803. 
George H. Jarvis, Co, H, 33d III, V. V. I., e. Jan. 1, 1864 ; disd. Nov. 

24, 1805. 
E, L. Martin, lo. D, Hoffman Battalion, 0, V. I., e. March IS, 

1SG3; disd. Feb. 11, 1864. 
John Knox, U. S N., e. July IS, 1801 ; disd. Oct. 9, 1804. 
L. C. Eickorsou, Co. I, 103d O.V.I., e, Aug. 19, 1862; disd. May 

18,1.865. 
W. E. Jackson, 9th Co. 1st 0. V. S. S., e, March 29, 1864 ; died Juno 

21, 1S64, at City Point, Va. 
Eobert Shacklton, ('o. D, 178th O. V. I., e. Aug. 25, 1864 ; disd. June 

29, 1805. 
J. W. Nichols, Co. A, Sth 0. V. C; disd. Feb. 1, 1864. 
J. W, Nichols, l'.> I, 13th O. V. I,, o. Feb. 1, 1864; disd. July 1, '64. 
John Cox, Co. G. 1 15th 0. V. I., c. Sept.; died at Andersonvllle Pris- 
on, May, 1.865, 
Corp. Albert Albortoon, 10th Co. 1st 0. S. S., e. March 8, 1864; trans. 
Albert Albert, .on, Co. H, 60th 0. V. 1.: disd. 28, 1865. 
Henry C, Williamson, Co. D, 178th 1). V. I., o. Aug. 15, 1862; died 

May, at . 

Corii, L. A.Miller, Co. 0, ILith O. V. I., e. Aug. 0, 1S02; disd. 

June, 1805. 
M. Comstock, Co. L, 2d 0. V. C, c. Sept. 21, 1361 ; disd, 
M. Comstock, Co, 1., Ist U. S. C, e. Feb. 13, 1S64 : died Fob. 13, 1S65. 

at St. Louis, Mo. 
Lewis- E.^Tiirnor, Co. 1, 19.3d O. V. I., e. Dec. 24, 1.S64; disd. Aug. 

4, 1865. ~ 



^' 



W 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIjS^A COUKTY. 



341 



H. L. Chrisman, Co. A, 38th 0. V. I., e. Ang. 25, 1861; disd. Jnly 

2, 1862. 
H. L. Chrisman, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 1, 1804 ; disd. July 

11, 186.5. 

Harvey Cutter, Co. I, lu3d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 7, 1802 ; disd. June 

12, 186.5. 

Asa Ingraham, Co. K, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 24, '61 ; diad. Dec. 31, '63. 
Asa lugraham, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. Jan. 1, '64; disd. Sept. 11, '65. 
Seth A. Waite, Co. H, 177th O. V. I., 6. Sept 3, 1864; disd. June 

24, 186j. 
J. Spellman, Co. A, Independent 0. V. S. S., e. Oct. 28, 1863; 

disd. July 19, 1SC5. 
Xumey S. Wheeler, Co. U, 103d 0. V. I.; disd. Juno 12, 1865. 
S. T. Ilerrington, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. Oct. 3, '62; disd. July 8, '03. 
E. A. Sumner, Co. D, 29th 0. V. I., c. Oct. 10, 1864 ; disd. May 

13, ISOo. 

George B. Baglev, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., 6. Aug. 22, 1802; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
J. W. King. Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, '62 ; diad. Juno 12. '65. 
Henry McCloud, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 8, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 18C5. 
O, Vardivere, Co. K, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept. 1, 1861; died March, 1862, 

at Platte Citv, Mo. 
W. 6. Low, Co. G. Uoth 0. V. I., e. Oct. 31, 1803; died May IS, 1864, 

at Granger, Ohio. 
Corp. J. D. Trcman, Co. A, Independent 0. V. S. S., e. Oct. 25, 

1862; disd. July 19, 1865. 
Thomas J. Case, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. March 2, 1865: disd. Sept. 

11, 1865. 

Hugh C. Parkhnrst, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 6, 1861; disd. Oct. 

23, 1862. 
Edwin Parkhurst. Co. H, 8th O. V. I., o. June 6, 1861 : disd. Jan. 

26, 1802. 

D. M. Aikman, Co. A, 1st 0. V. S. S., e. Sept., 1862 ; died April 27, 

18t3, at Murfreesboro. Tenn. 
Henry W. Daykin, Co. G, 72d 0. V. I., e. Dec. 12, 1801 ; disd. Dec. 

14, 1804. 
Cephas A. Rockwood. 

Cbas. L. Case, Co. B, Sid 0. V. I., o. Feb. 13, 1863; disd. May 15, '65. 
Sergt. James Reynolds, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 4. 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1804. 
Hiram N. Young, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. Jan. 0, 1801 ; disd. June 

4, 1864. 
George F. Crane, Co. G, 86th 0. V. I., e. July 5, 1863; disd. Feb. 

10, 1864. 

George F. Crane, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 7, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 9, 1864. 

E. L. Lockhart, Co. B, 23d O. V. I., e. Feb. 2, '64; disd. July 26, '65. 
Henry L. Ingraham, Co. K, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 27, 1861 ; disd. 

Not., 1862. 
James L. Turner, Co. L, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept. 12, 1861 ; trans, to U. S. 

C. for five years. 
James L. Turner, Co. L, Ist H. S. C; disd. Feb. 16, 1868. 
Wellington Smith, Co. D, 67th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 16, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 

31, 1863. 
First Lieut. Wellington Smith, Co. G, 07th 0. V. I., e. Jan. 1, 1864; 

disd. Sept. 1, 1865. 
Mathew J. Bogardus, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., c. Aug. 14,1862; disd. 

June 12, 1865. 
George D. Damon, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. It, 1862 ; disd. June 

June 12, 1865. 
Mathew Gunton, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 

Corp. Asa Hlnnman, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Ang. 14, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Henry C. Hatch, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Musician Milton J. Trnmaii, Co. 1, 103d O. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1862 ; 

disd. June 12, 1865. 
Sergt. Sylvester Damon, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862; disd. 

June 12, 1865. 
Charles C Webster, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 9, 1862; disd. Jan. 

11, 1863. 

Alonzo D. Willits, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e Aug. 11, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 

George P. Huntley, Co. K, 103d O.V.I., e. Aug. 14, 1862, disd. 

June 12, 1865. 
Aaron J. Fuller, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. M, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
J. A. C*3e, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disd. 
George W. Barber, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Auk. U, 1862; disd. 
Alonzo Beebe, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1802; disd. 
George H. Baker, Co. L, 2d 0. V. C, c. Feb. 1, 1861 ; disd. Jan. 

20. 1864. 

George H. Baker, Co. E, 2d 0. V. V. C, e. Jan. 20, 1801 ; disd. Sept. 

11. 1865. 



Oct. 28, 
. Oct. 28, 
I., e. Oct. 
, Oct. 28, 



, Sept., '62; disd. Aug., '65. 
died. May, 1865. 



Richmond S. Bissel, Co. II, 2d 0. V. C, e. Fob. 25, 6865 ; died at 

Gramba. Mo., Aug. 30, 1865. 
Luther Hdall. Co. D, 178th O. V. I., e. Aug. 26, 1864; die<l at Mur- 
freesboro Nov. 10, 1864. 
E. B. Low, Co. D, 178th O. V. I., e. Aug. 20, '64; disd. June 29, '65. 
Capt. David W. Botsford, Co. A, 5th Independent 0. V. S. S., e. Oct. 

28. 1802; disd. July 19, 186.5. 
Alma Huntley, Co. A, 5th Independent 0. V. S. S., i 

1862; disd. Jnly 19, 180.5. 
Samuel L. Codding, Co. a, 5th Independent 0. V. S. S., ' 

1802 ; disd. July 19, 1805. 
Amiles W. Rockwood, Co. A, 5lh Independent 0. V. S 

28, 1802; disd. July 19, 1805. 
Julius D. Truman, Co. A, 5th Independent 0. V. S. S , 

1862; disd. July 19, 1.S65. 
Vanransaeler F. Hill, Co. A, 5th Independent O. V. S. S., e. Oct. 

2S, 1802; disd. July in, 1805. 
Seymour Codding, 10th Independent O. V. S. S., e. March 25, 1864* 

disd. Nov. 20, IS64. 
Adelbert Barber, Co. A, 1st 0. V. S. S., 
M. Cox, Co. B, 32d 0. V. I., e, Feb., 1S05; 
W. Vanorman, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug., 1861 ; disd. May, 1865. 
J. C. Willy, Co. I, lS3d O. V. I., e- Aug., 1862; disd. May, 1865. 
George Woodruff, Co. I, 103d 0. V. [.. e. Aug., 1802; disd. Mav, '65. 
Clayton Wolcott, 183d 0. V. I.; disd. 

E. Bissell, CV>. H, 2d 0. V. C.,e. March, 1S05; disd. Sept., 1865. 
A.R. Codding, Co. H,2d 0. V. C, e. Aug., 1861; disd. Sept., 1865. 
H. Harris, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. 1805. 
J. W. Low, Co. K, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug., 1801 ; disd. 1865. 
Judson Chrisman. 

George Hand, Co. L, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug., 1801 ; disd. 1805. 
James B. Hatch, Co. D, OTth O. V. I., e. Dec, 1801 ; disd. 1862. 
L. Luke, Co. H, 00th 0. V. I., e. March, 1804; disd. Aug., 1865. 

E. Purcel, Co. D, 67th 0. V. l.,e. Nov., 1861; died in service. 
M. Ruddy, 178th 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1864; disd. 1865. 

L. R. Rockwood, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. Mav, '65. 

J. Russell, 10th 0. V. C. 

H. Shainholdts, 124th 0. T. I. 

Harrison Shoff. 

N. Tyler, Co. B, 32d 0. \'. I., e. Feb., 1865 ; disd. May. 1865. 

J. Van Orman,Co. K, 103d O. V. I., e. Aug., 1802; disd. May, 1805. 

R. C. Van Orman, 178th O. V. I., e. Aug., 1804 ; disd. 1865. " 

H. Vadar, Co. B, 32d 0. V. I., e. Feb. 23, 1865 ; disil. May 11, 1865. 

James Low, 23d 0. V, I. 

J. S. Codding, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. 

A. L. Fufler, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. May, 1866. 

Smith Hancock, e. 1862; disd. 1863. 

George Spellman, Co. I, 2d O. V. C. 

William Johnson, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C, 

Jeremiah Fitch, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. Juno, 1861. 

Francis Macguire, Co. G, 3d Mich. V. I. 

A. Willow Bowles, Co. K, 19th 0. V. I. 
Evandcr Turner, Co. H, 29th 0. V. I., e. Oct., 1861. 
W. Williamson. 

Chester Wolcott. 
H. Wolcott. 

B. Tyler. 

GUILFORD. 

James C. Boise, Co. B, 42d 0. V. 1., e. Sept. 15,1861; disd. Sept. 

25, 1862. 
R. J. Fink, Musician, Co. M, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept.. 1861 ; disd. Sept., 

1862. 
R.J. Fink. 20th 0. V. B., e. Sept., 1802; disd. 
B. J. Fink, Mich. V. I., e. Sept. 4, 1804 ; paroled. 
James C. Stoaks, Q. M. S., Co. F, lOnth 0. V. I., e. Slav 2, 1864; 

disd. Sept. 9, 1864. 
Jacob Wells, Co. F, 166lh O. V. I., e. Mav 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
J. K. Stoaks, Co. F, ICOth 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; died Sept. 2, 

1864, at Seville, Oliio. 
Homer St. John, Co. F, 106th 0. V. I., e. Mav 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Wni. Powers, Co. F, 160th 0. V. I., e. Mav 2, 1864; died Sept. 6, 

1864, at Cleveland, Ohio. 
H. B. Nye, Co. F, 166th O. V. I., e. May 2. 1864; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
A. J. Nelson, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1804. 

F. J. Noyos, Co. F, IGOth O. V. I., o. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
David Koppes, Co. F, 166th O. V. I., e. May 2,1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
John H. Kindig, Co. F, lG6th 0. V. I., e. .May 2. 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
George H. Hay, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, ISi'A ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1804. 
J. T. Graves, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1804; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 



tk^ 



342 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



L. A. Eaatoo, Co. F, 166th O. V. I., p. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 9, 

1864. 
J. B. Dix. Vo. F, 166th 0. V. I., <: May "2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 9, 1864. 
Marion Colbmu, Co. F, 106th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept, 

9, 1864. 
Perry Cannon, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
J. K. Caughey, Co. F, lC6ili 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Joseph K. Bergey, Co. F, liiC.tli 0. V. I., e. -May 2, Usel; diad. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Musician J. U. E. Caughey, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; 

disd. Sept. ',1. 1864. 
Musician J. M. Easton, Co. V, 166tll 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1804; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
Homer Hosmer, Co. F, 166th O. V. I., e. May 2, 1.SG4; disd. Sel>t. 

9, 1804. 
Corp. P. W. Crawford, Co. F, 16Cth 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
Corp. Irvine Bartholomew, Co. F, 106th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; 

disd. Sept. 9, 18r,4. 
Corp. Chas. Leland. Co. F, lr;6th O. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept 

9, 1864. 
Sergt. L. K. Hosmer, Co. F. 160th 0. V. I., c May2, I8li4; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
First Lieut. Daniel Shaw, Co. F, 166th 0. V. I., i: May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1804. 
Second Lie\it. S. A. Hosmer, Co. F, lOCtli 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864; 

disd. Sept. 9, 1864. 
Capt, Wm. Bigham. Co. F, lOlUh 0. V. I., e. JIay2, 1804; disd. Sept. 

9, 1804. 
Isaac Reimer, c,,. I, in3dO. V. I., .-. May 2, 1862; Idd.in Tennessee 

in 1863. 
David B. Krieder, Co. D. 125th 0. V. I., e. April 15, 1804; disd. 
Jacob C. Whitniore (sailor !, Ram " Choctaw," c Aug. 27, 1864 , disd. 

Sept., 1865. 
Valentine Bower, Co. K, 42d (). V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disd. July, 

1865. 
Suel Wilson, Co. K, 1.5th U. S. V. B. C, <:. Dec. 10, 1S02; disd. 
Philo P. Wilson, Co. A, 10th U. S, I., e. Dec. 21, 1803 ; .lisci. April 

9, 1805. 
Calvin G. Wison, U. S. S. "Ar^osv," e. Aug. 30,1864; disd. June 

30, 1865. 
Stephen Schlabaeh, Co. T, 103d 0. V. I,, e. Aug. 15, 1802 : disd. June 

28. 1865. 
.John B. Montgomeiy, Co. F, Sth O. V. I, e. Aug. 14. 1862 ; disd. 

July 2, 1865. 
Isaac Shireman, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1802 ; disd. May 

12, 1865. 
David McMullen, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I , e. Aug. 16, 1802; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
John Hiiss, Co. M, Mich. V. I., e. Oct. 20, 1803; disd. March. 1866. 
G. R. Cannon, Co. I, 103il 0. V. I., e. Aug. 9, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
David F. C<iok, Co. B, 2d 0. V. C. 
Wm. H. Bartholomew, Co. B, 2d O. y. C. 
Jerry Montgomery, Co. I, Kd 0. V. C. 
Isaac D. Bartholomew, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
R. D. Schlabaeh, Co. I, 2d O. V. C. 
Alexander Duff, Co. I. 2d 0. V. C. 

Edmond Baker, Co. H, Sth O. V, I . , ... June, ISOl ; disd. 
James 11. Caughev, Co. II, Stli O. V. I., e. June. 1801 ; di.sd. 
Thomas Vance, C... H. 8th O. V. I., e. June, l.Sfil. 
Wm. II. Eckert. Co. H, Sth O. V. 1., e. June, 1801. 
Henry A. Brotts, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. Juuc, 1861 ; disd. on account 

of wounds. 
George Merritt. Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1801. 
Jonathan Mohnev, Co. H, Sth O. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Wm. U. McDonald, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., o June. 1801 ; disd, 
Stephen Holph, Co. II, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; rlisd. on account 

of wounds. 
Nirh..las St.iner. Co. II. 72d 0. V, I, 

Richard Montgomery, Co, D, 6th Wis. t). \', C; dieii in service. 
Clark B. Crawford, Co, C, 23d O, V. I, 
Emerson Gnives, reg't not known, 
George W, Hari>er, Co, I. 29th Ind. V. I. 
Samuel I.ongliaker, Co. C, OOth 0, V. I, 
Peter Nicholas, Co. D, 29th O V. I. 
Albert A, Dix, Co, O, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., l.SOl ; died Jan. 4, 1.S64, 

at Meniphis, Tenn. 
L. E. Crandall, Co. K, 42d (). \'. I,, e. Nov., 1861. 
W, M. Crandall, Co, K. 42d O, V, I„ e, Nov,, 1801. 
0, E. Hubble, Co, B, 22dO, V, I, 
Charles Lyons, t'o. B, 22d 0. V. I. 
Sergt. Wm. C, Lvon, Co. C, 23d O. \. I. 



Egbert Harris, Co. O, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 

Joseph Harris, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 

Herbert Stiles, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 

Musician R. H. Devens. 

Musician Giles Easton. 

William Keshon, Co. I, 29th U. V. V. I., e. Jan., 1864; disd. July, 

1805, 
William Marks, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I, e. June, 1861 ; killed at An- 

tietam. 
Capt. Lyman B. Wilcox, lU3d 0. V. I. 

E. F. Ustick, Co. C, 2d 0. V, C; died in service ; buried by the 

Free Masons. 
E.J, Kuder, 166th O, N. G., e. May, 1864 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
B. J. Pickard, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1861 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
P. W. Crawford, Co. F, 166tb 0. N. G., 6. May, ISOl ; disd. Sept. '64. 
Edwin Kinney, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
George Cotton, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
Marquis Dix, buried in .Seville Cemetery. 
John Edwards, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
Allis Brown, buried in Seville Cemetery, 
Wm, A, Snyder, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
Ensign Johnson, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
Arthur Strong, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
Harrison B. Owen, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
George Porter, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
James Null, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
James McElroy, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
John Robison, buried in Seville Cemetery. 
H. A. Montgomery, buried elsewhere. 
Wm. McDermott, buried elsewhere, 
.las. Grim, buried elsewhere. 
Chas Johnson, buried elsewhere. 
Austin Cotton, buried elsewhere. 
Leonarii Elders, buried elsewhere. 
Robert Brown, buried elsewhere. 
Orville Warren, buried elsewhere. 
Wm. McCunnell, buried elsewhere. 
Delos Reed, buried elsewhere. 
Henry Archer, buried elsewhere. 

F. McCabe, buried elsewhere, 
Jasper Powers, buried elsewhere. 
Dyer Harris, buried elsewhere. 
Eiisha Kathburn, buried elsewhere. 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 

Hiram Conant, 2d 0. V. C, e. February, 1805; died at Hinckley, 

Ohio, June 1", 1865. 
William Behr, Co. A, 4th Mo. V. C, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; disd. Aug, 

24. 1804, 
Orrin O, Perrin, Co, D, 178th 0. V, I,, e. Sept. 14, 1664; disd. June 

29, 1865. 

Andrew Finch, Co. A, 1st O. L. A., e. April 23, 1861 ; disd. Jan., '64. 
Andrew Finch, Co. A, Ist 0. L. A., o. January, 1804; disd. July 23, 

1865. 
Samuel Fauble, Co. I, 38lh 0. V. I., e. Aug, 25, 1861 ; disd, Sept. 

27, 1864. 
R. T. Oargett, Co. G, 2d 0. V. C, e. March, 1864 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
Lewis Rockwood, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862; disd. 
John A. Marquitt, Co. A, 1st 0. V. L. A., e. Sept. 4, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 

31, 186.3. 
Samuel W. Hubert, Co. I, 23d 0. V. I., e. May 22, 1861 ; disd. June 

30, 1864. 

John C. Coover, Co. K, Ist 0. V. L. A , e. Aug. 14, IS62 ; disd. 

John C. Coover, Squadron U. S. N.; disd. Aug. 16, 1865. 

George W. Fulmer, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C, e. August, 1861 ; transferred. 

George W. Fulmer, 25th 0. V. B.; disd. December, 1805. 

Wm. a. Willey, Co. B, 2d O. B. C, o. Aug. 7, '61 ; disd Jan. 20, '63. 

Musician John Gohlwood, Co. G, 116th O. V. I., c. August, 1862 ; 
died. July, 186.5. 

Henry Canfield, Co. A, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 1, 1!<C2 ; kid. at Cbick- 
amauga. 

H. M. Wait, Co. A. 1st O. V. A., e. Sept. 20, 1801 ; disd. -May, 1802. 

Don. I'. Van Denson, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., c. November, 1801 ; disd. 
Sept. 29, 1803. 

D. o. MuBser, Co. D, 178lh 0. V. I., e. Sei>t. 4, '04 ; disd. June 29, '65. 

H. D. Worden, Co. B, 74th 111. V. I., e. October, 1862; disd. 

William Cumherworlh, Co. D, IstO. V. L, A.,e. Aug. 19, 1862; disd. 
June 10, 1805. 

C. A. Billings, Co. A, Ist O. V. I,. A., e. September, 1801 ; disd. Jan- 
uary, 1804. 

C. A. Billings, Co. A, Ist II. V. L. A, e .lanuary, 1.S64; disd. July 
23, 1865. 



*¥ 



^1 



-fe. 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



343 



Septeml'er, 1861 ; disd. 
Sept. 5, 1864 ; died at Wash- 



Martin H. Marquitt, Co. K, 19th 0. V. I., e. April 23, 1861 ; disd 

Aug. 19, 18G1. 
Martin H. Marquitt, Co. A, 1st 0. L. A 

July 1, 1865. 
Cineas Allen, Co. D. 178th 0. V. I, 

iogton, D. C, Februarv, 1865. 
Samuel Hicks, Co. D, I78th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 5, '64; disd. July 9, '05. 
Richard B. Keyes, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. March 21, 1864 : disd. Juno 

17, 1865. 
Michael Schriber, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 5, 1864 ; disd. 
Edwin Kellogg, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 6, 1864; disd. June 

10, 1865. 
John Kellogg, Jr., Co. F, 2d 0. V. C, e. Feb. 20, '65 ; disd. June, '65. 
Anson J. Waldo, Co. D, 178th V. I., e. Sept. 5, 1864; disd. July 

10, 1865. 

Justus T. Waldo, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I.; disd. 

Edwin A. Waldo. 20th 0. V. B., s. Sept. 22, 1802; disd. July 13, '65. 
Wm. V. llowland, Co. A, 2d O. V. C, e. Aug., 1861 : disd. Jan., 1863. 
Wm. V. Honiand, Co. A, 2d O. V. Y. C; disd. Oct. 23, 1865. 
William H. Laughlin, Co. E, 1st O. V. C, e. Aug. 23, 1861 ; disd. 

Sept. 1, 1S64. 
E. Conant, Co. F, 2d 0. V. C, e. February, '64 ; disd. February, 1865. 
Robert Andrew, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 6, 1S64 ; died in serv- 
ice, Dec. 17, 1864. 
Frank A. Gouch, served one summer. 

Charles R. Salisbury, Co. I, 2d 0. V. ('., e. .\ug. 13. 1861 ; trans. 
Charles R. Salisbury, 25th O. V. B.. e. Feb. 17, '63; disd. Jan. 2, '64. 
Charles R. Salisbury, 25th Ind. O. V. B., e. Jan. 3, 1864; disd. Dec, 

12, 1865. 
R. B Keyes, 2d 0. V. C, e. 1864 ; disd. June, 1865. 
Fred Gouch, 41st 0. V. I., e. 1861 : died in service, April 20, 1863, 
Warner Bellus, Co. G, 115th O. V. I., ' - . - 

•25, 186.=. 
Nathaniel Bellus, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., 

Newborn, N. C , Feb., 1865. 
Cassius A. Kellogg, Co. M, U. S. 

1867. 
Corp. Zara Ellsworth, Co. A, 124th 0. V. I., e. July 29, 1862; disd, 

June 9, 1865. 
William M. Massey, Co. C, 2d 0. V.C, e. .4ug. 24, 1861; disd. Dec, 

31, 1863. 
William M. Massey, Co. C, 2d 0. V. V. C, 

11, 1865. 
Mortimer Olds, Co. E, 1st 0. V. L. A., e. 

17, 1S65. 
Charles Cleveland, Co. A, 1st O. V. L. A. 

Camp Wood, Ky., February, 1862. 
Myron Richards, Co. A, Ist O. V. L. A., e. 

31, 1863 

"■ " " " " " . V.L. A, e. Jan. 1.1864; disd. July 



Oct. 8, 1863; disd. July 
Sept. 6, 1864; died at 
Oct. 3, 1864; disd. Oct. 3, 



e. Jan. 1, 1864; disd. Sept. 
Dec. 7, 1863; disd. July 
, c. Sept. 25, 1861 ; died at 
Sept. -25, 1801 ; disd. Dec. 



, N'ov. 2, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 



. Aug. 12, 1862 ; 



. Dec. 24, 1803; disd. July 



Myron Richards, Co. A, 1st 0. V. 

31. 1865. 
Lieut. Harrison Frizzell, 6th 0. V. L. A., 

12, 1862. 
Lieut. Harrison Frizzell, Co. B, 180th 0. V. I., Sept. 2, 1864; disd. 

July 21, 1865. 
Sergt. Oliver E. Ellsworth, Co. A, 124th 0. V. I 

disd. June 9, 1805. 
Henry M. Holmes, Co. I, 41st 0. V. I,, e. Oct. 2, '61 ; disd. Nov. 1, '64. 
Henry Searles, Co. A, Ist O. V. A., e. September, 1861. 
Ephraim Sutton, Co. A, 1st 0. V. A., e. September, 1801. 
Samuel Pelton, Co. B, iBt 0. V. A., e. August, 1801. 
John W. Garget, e. Co. A, 1st 0. V. A., e. Sept. 4, '61 ; disd. Dec. 

31, 1863. 
Nelson Vaughn, Co. D, 124th 0. V. 

9, 1865. 
John W. Labare, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 
Cbas. Cleveland, Co. A, 1st 0. V. A.; died in service. 
Henry O. West, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 
Hiram King, Co. E, 1st 0. V. A. 
George Pierce, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
George Williams, Co. I, 2d O. V. 0. 
George Abrams, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
Edmon Damon, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
Ira Bedell, Co. I, 2d O. V. C. 
Frederick A. Garrett, Co. I, 41st 0. V. I., e. ISOl. 
Samuel Augustus Buell, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I. 
Martin McAIister, Co. K, 42d O. V. I. 
Jeremiah Fitch, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I. 
Jacob Sutton, 65th O. V. I. 
G. W. Lee, 65th 0. V. I. 
Jacob J. Bogardus, Co. B, 67th 0. V. I. 
Wm. B. Halsey, Co, G, 72d 0. V. I. 
Orville McClintick. 
Thos. Hatfield, Kunkle's Battery. 
Anson E. Mclntire, Co. M, 2d 0. V. C. 



H.\RRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 

Alfred H. Sanford, Co. E, 128th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 10, ISIK; di»d. July 
13, 1865. 

Calvin M. Horner, i;o. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 12, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 
25, 1802, 

Calvin M. Horner, Co. G, 2d O.V. H. A., e, Feb. 20, 1864 ; disd. Aug. 
23, 1865. 

James C. Rogers, Co. A, Hoffman's Bat., e. July 28, 1803 ; disd. July 
13. 1865. 

Elias Hanes, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, '62; disd. Feb. 25, '64. 

Levi J. Donaldson, Co. F, 20th 0. "V. I., e. Oct. 1, 1862 ; disd. JiUy 
1, 1863. 

Columbus C. Eldred, (.'o. K, 8th 0. V. I., c. April 26, 1861 ; disd. July 
13, 1864. 

Corp. A. Pomroy, Co. B. 42d O. V. L, e. Sept. 9, 1861 ; disd. Aug. 
17, 1862. 

First Lieut. A. Pomrov, Co. D, 166th O. N. G., e. May 2, 1804 ; disd. 
Sept. 9, 1864. 

Danford P. Eldred, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I,, e. June 12, 1861 ; disd. July 
13, 1864. 

Lieut. Henry Cutter, Co. E, 4th 0. V. I., e. 1861 ; disd. June 21, '65. 

Henry Cutter, U. L. G,, e. Nov. 26, 1863; disd. Sept, 9, 1865. 

W. F. Ford, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. May --6. '61; disd. March 2, 1865. 

Ludwick E. Wagoner, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 20, 1861 ; disd. 
Sept. 30, 1864. 

William Pittinger, Co. B. 102d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 15, 1862 ; disd. Juno 
23, 1865. 

J. C. Bacon, Co. K, atb O. V, I„ e. June, 1861 ; disd. December, '04. 

W. M. Bacon, Co. K, SIh 0. V. r,e. April, 1861 ; disd. April, 1864. 

A. Bowman, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. August, '62 ; disd, August, '05. 

H. L. Burr, Co. K, 8th O. V. I., e. April, 1.%1; disd. April, 1864, 

G. 0. Chapman, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e, August, 1802 ; disd, Feb- 
ruary, 1864. 

L. H. Chapman, Co, B, 124th O. V. I., e. August, 1862; died at 
Nashville, Tenn. 

A. Clark, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I,, e. November, 1863 ; disd. June, 1864. 

John Crow, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I,, e. .August, 1862; died in service. 

J. L. Dennis, Co. B, r24th O. V, I,, e. August, '62 ; disd. August, '65. 

Maj. S. W. Dewitt, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. August, 1801 ; disd. De- 
cember, 1865. 

William Durham, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. November, 1803 ; disd. Au- 
gust, 1864. 

C. C. Eldred, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I,, e. April. ISOl ; died at Washing- 

ton, D. C. 

J. F. Feazle, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. August, 1861 ; disd. August, '63. 

J. Fetterman, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. November, 1861 ; disd. Novem- 
ber, 1804. 

M. Flickinger, Co. B, 124th Q. V. L, e. August, 1862; killed at Mis- 
sion Ridge. 

Phil Goodwin, Co, G, 42d 0. V. I., .-. November, 1861 ; died. Novem- 
ber, 1864. 

W. Goodwin, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e. November, 1801 ; killed at Thomp- 
sonville. Miss. 

J. G. Green, Co. K, 8th 0. V, I,, April, 1861 ; disd. April, 1863. 

N. Griswold, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I,, e. November. 1861 ; disd. May, '63. 

E. L. Gunson, Co. K, Sth O. V. I,, e. August, 1861 ; disd, August, '04. 

D. Hanes. Co, B, 124th O. V. I,, e. August, 1862 : died in service, 
J. Hanes, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. August, 1862 ; disd. .\ugust, 1865. 
P. Hanes, Co. B, 124tb O, V. I,, e. August, 1862 ; disd. August, 1863. 
W. H.ane8, Co. B, r24th 0, V. I., e. August, 1802 ; disd. August, 1865. 
J. T. Henry, Co. G, 42d O, V. I,, e. November, 1861 ; disd. May, '64. 

E. Hettinger, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e, November, 1861 ; disd. May, '63. 
J. I. Horner, Co. K, 110th 0. V. I., e. October, 1862; cisd. Febru- 
ary, 1864. 

John Horner, Co. D, 166th 0, N, G., e. May, 1864; disd. Septem- 
ber, 1864. 

Ed. Hunter, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I,, 

C. Loomis, Co. G, 42d O, V. I,, e. November, 1861 ; 
ber, 1864. 

Lieut. F. B, Loomis, Co. K, 8th 0. V, I,, e. April, 1861 ; disd. April, 
1864. 

L. Loomis, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I,, e, November, 1861 ; disd. Novem- 
ber, 1864. 

First Lieut. T. G, Loomis, Co, U, 42d 0. V. I.,'e. November, 1861 ; re- 
signed July 4, 1802. 

A. B. Lowe, Co. B, 124th 0. V, I,, e. August, 1802 ; died at Nash- 
ville, Tenn. 

.las. Lowe, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I,, e. August, 1862; disd, /' ugust, 1805. 

Robert Lowe, Co. B. 124th 0. V, L, e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. Feb. 1864. 

C. Merry, Co, G, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov,, 1861; disd. .luly,1862. 

M. A. Mihills, Co. A, Huffman's Bat. ; disd. 

M. A. Mihills, 178th O, V. I,; disd. 

E. Miller, Co. E, 72d O. V. I,, e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. May, 1862. 

J. Miller, Co. A, 72d O. V, I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov., 1862, 



.August, 1861 ; disd. August, '64. 
disd. Novera- 



Tx: 



A: 



'-±* 



344 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



D. Mills, Huffman's Bat.; disd. 

F. Muiisoil, Ci). E, 72J O. V. T., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Ni>v., 18li2. 

E. Myers, Co. B, 121th O. V. I., e. Aug., '62; disd. Aug., isr,.i. 
T. Mates Co. E, 72d (I. V. I., c. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov.. 1S63. 

I). R. Xewi-ll, Ci. K, Sth O. V. I., e. April, 18G1 ; killed at Frederick 
City, -Md. 

D. Parker, Co. K, Sth 0. A'. I., o. Aug., 1861 ; killed at Gcttjshurg. 

G. Park, Co. G, 72d U. V. I., e. Nov., 1S61; disd. Nov , 186.1. 
Jas. Park, Co. I, 72d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 : disd. Nov. 1862. 
Olh. Park, 20lli O. Bat., e. Jan., 1864; disd. June, 1805. 

Wm. H. Parmeter, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1801 ; ilisd. May, '63. 

E. B. Bedfleld, Co. K, 8th O. V. I.,e. Aug., 1861 ; disd. Aug., 1864. 
W. Repp, Co. E, 72d 0. V. I., e. .Ian., 1862; disd. Jan., 180.5. 
Geo. Shafer, Co. I, 72d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov., 1862. 
Giles Sheldon, Co. G,42d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. 

K. J. Stephenson, Co. B. 124th O V. I., e. Aug., 1802; disd. Aug.'63. 

C. Smith, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., c. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Slav, 1803. 

L. D. Smith, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., c. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov., 1864. 

T. H. Smith, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1S61 ; died at Burbank, 

Ohio. 
H, E. Spring, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. .\pril, ISCl ; disd. April, 1864. 

D. S. Stone, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., c. Aug., 1862; di.sd. Aug., 1863. 
George Swift, Co. G, 42d 0. Y. I., e. Nov., 1801 ; killed at Vicksliurg. 
C. M. Van Orman, Cx). B, 42d 0. V. [., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. 

J. H, Van Orman, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. Nov.. 1861 ; disd. Nov., '64. 
0. O. Van Orman, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. 

A. Vandci-mark, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug.. 1862; killed at Mis- 

sion Ridge. 

B. Vandemark, Co. B, 72d O, V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; dis<l. March, 1S62. 
J. Vandermark. Co. B, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. 

0. Vanderhoff, Cu. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. April, 1S62 ; disd. April, '65. 
U. D. Weaver, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1802 ; disl. Aug., 1804. 
J. \V. Weaver, Co B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. Aug., 1804. 

F. Weir, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. Aug. 1864. 
J. Winters, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. April, 1861 ; disd, April, 1804. 
Wm. Winters, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. Aug., 1864. 
T. Worthington, Co E, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov., 1865. 
J. Young, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1802 ; disd. Auk., 1805. 

St. Kemmerv, Co. B. 124th U. V. I., e. Aug., 1802 ; disd. Aug., 1865. 

G. Leiby, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1802; disd. Aug. 1863. 
M. Hyatt, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov. 1861 ; disd. 

Sergt. E. Schollz, Co. C, 128th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 9, 1862: disd. Julv 

12, I860. 
William Miller, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Peter Johnson, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Henry Harts, Co. K, 8!h O. V. I., e. June, 1861. 

E. H. Torrance, Co. K, Sth 0. \. I., e. June, 1861. 
John Sayles, Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 
Peter Mates, Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., 1S61. 
ReuI.en Wertman. Co. F, 72d 0. V. I. 

Louis Rjippe, Co. F, 7-2d O. \'. I. 

William Griswold, Co. B, 42d O. V. I,, e. Sept. 1861. 

Porter ."^mith, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1861. 

Frank Richardson, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Aug. ISOl. 

Henr)- Siirns, 72d O. V. I. 

Alonzo Trapp. 72d O. V. I. 

James Geisinger, 72d 0. V. I. 

Joseph Beusinger, 72d O. V. I. 

Milton Parmer, Co. K, 10th O. V. I, 

John Geisinger, Co. K, 10th O V. I. 

Almond F. Norton, Co, A, 24th O.V. I. 

Allen Young. 

Henr>- F. Hettinger, Co. C, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Nov.,'(.4. 

Second Lieut. Robert Park. 

Allen Sargent. 

John Feltz. 

HOMER TOWNSHIP. 

Henry Roop, Co. 1, 29th 0. V. L, e. '64 ; killed at Buzzard's Roost, Ga. 

Henry H. Hibbard, Co. I, 2'Jth O. V. I., e. 1864; disd. July, 1865. 

John Koop, Co. I. 2Uth 0. V I., e. 1864; disd. 1865. 

Samuel Coller, Co. K, I6th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; died at Jack- 
son, Miss. 

William Culler, Co. K, 16th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22. 1S61 ; di.,d. Oct. 11, 
1864. 

Sergt. Jacob Coller, Co. H, 15th U. S. R., e.Oct. 15. 1801 ; died at Rcs- 
aca. Ga., S-pt., 1861. 

James T. Miller. Co. A, 72d 0. V. I., e. Oct.. l.SOl ; disd. July, 1802. 

Sergt. Lorenzo Vaiiderhoof, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. .-\pril, 1861; disd. 
March, 1803. 

George Shafer, ( 'o. I, 72d 0. V. I., e. Oct., 1861 ; disd. July, 1S62. 

Sergt John E. Fotch, Co. L, 2d 0. C. A, e. Sept. 26. 1872; disd. 
June 1,1877. 

Daniel Coller, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. June, 1802 , di. d at Kno.wille, 
Tenn., Dec. 27, 1863. 



Nathan Miller, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802 ; disd. 

Nathan Miller, 29th 0. V. I.; disd. June 16, 1865. 

George A. House, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862; disd. June 

10, 1805. 
Francis A. Allen, Co. H, 2d 0. I. C, e. Aug. 28, 1861 ; disd. Jan. 

14, 1803. 
Francis A. Allen. 25th O. V. Bat., e. Jan. 7, 186i ; disd. Dec. 14, '65. 
John Crow, Co. B, 124th 0. \'. I., e. Aug 22. 1862; died .Tan. 16, '63. 
Sergl. Elias Freyman, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. 18, 1862; disd. 

June 9, 1805. 
Morris Klickinger, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862; killed at 

Mission Ridge Nov. 25, 1803. 
Daniel Frank, Co. E, 120th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802; disd. Jan. 

8, 1864. 

Ezra Freyman, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 18, 1862 ; disd. April 

26, 1803. 
D. Gardner, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I,, e. Aug. IS, 1862; disd. June 9, '65. 
William Hanes, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. IS, 1862: disd. June 

9, 1S65. 

Theodore Hawk, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Jan. 26, 1863; disd. June 

2, 1S65. 
William Kemery, Co. B, 124th O. V, I., e. Aug. 22, 1862; disd. June 

9, 1865. 
David Kevser, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862; disd. June 

9, 1865. 
Francis Kellev, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Feb. 4, 1864 ; disd. July 13, 

1865. 
Stephen Kemerv, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 18, 1862; disd. June 

9, 1865. 
Gideon LeibT. Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802; disd. Ang.,'03. 
James Low. Co. B. 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. June 9, '05. 
Oliver Low, Co. K, 102d O. V. I., e. Aug. 13, 1802 ; disl. July, 1865. 
Sergt. Lloyd A. JIarsh, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. 18, 1862; disd. 

June 0, 1865. 
Israel Moyer, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. 18, 1862 ; disd. June 

9, 1865. 
Corp. James Park, Co. K, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 25, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 

24, 1862. 
Charles Shelhart, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862 ; disd. Aug., 

1863. 
William Stitle. Co. I., '29th 0. V. I., e. Jan. 8, 1863 ; disd. Sept., '66. 
Leoret Spring, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802; disd. Jam- 

9, 1805. 
James Tinsler, Co. A, 12nth 0. T. I., e. July 16, 1802; disd. Mav,'65. 
Sergt, Orson Vanderhoof, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862 ; disd. 

June 9, 1865. 
Albert Voorhees, Co. C, 176th 0. V. I., e, Aug. 22, 1864 ; disd. June 

16, 1866. 
Jackson Young, Co. B, 124th O. V. I., e. Aug. IS, 1S64; disd. June 

9, 1865. 
John O. Leney, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I.; disd. 
Jonathan Mayer, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., 0. June, ISOl ; disd. 
Franklin B. Spring, Co. K, Sth O. V. I. 
Henry E. Spring, Co. K, Sth O. V. I. 
Jeremiah Swartz, Co, K, Sth 0. V. I. 
John G. Marsh, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I. 
Rufus C. Marsh, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
Henry Rex, Co. I, 29th O. V. L 
James Jlillor, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I. 
James Hank, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
Philip Ilawk, Co I, 29th 0. V. I. 
Wm. H. Cuoper, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
Jefferson Bail. Co. I, -29111 O. V. I. 
Uriah Cook, Co. I, 29th O. V. I. 
William Angel, Co, H, 2d 0, V C, 
Lester Huntington, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C. 
James L. Chapman, Co. H, 42d O. V, I, 
Nathan Clouse, 1st 0. V. \. 
James MiKee, Co. A. 72d O. V. I 
George Fleck, Co. A, 72d O. V. I. 
William Hassikv. J. J. Bair 

W. Miller. E. Ilanes. 

J. Hankev. J. Hanes, 

J. Barnes. E. Rairich 

G. Barnes. C. Huntington. 

J. Delong. C. Perkins 

J. Myers. 

LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 

H. D. Palmer, Co. C, 176th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1864 ; disd. Aug. 

14, 1865. 
C. B. Olcolt, Co. E, 10th 0. V. C, 0. Nov. 4, 1862; disd. Sept. 4, '63. 
C. B. OlMtt, 6th 0. V. C, e Feb. 29, 1864; disd, Julv 11. 1865. 



. w - 



-*;' 


i 4. 


_^ 5 


1 








1 


HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 345 




Sergt. L. G. Perry, Co. C, lYGth 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1804; disd. Aug. 

14, 18U5. 
Capt. Homer Thrall, Co. B, 17th 0. V. I., e. April, ISOl ; disd. Aug. 


LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP. 




Jonathan Ring, Co. K, 23d 0., c. June 9, ItiOl ; died at Frederick, 






1861. 


Sept. 22. 1863. 






Capt. Homer Thrall, Co. D, 22d O.-V. I., e. Aug., 1861; disd. Nov. 


John G. Reisinger, Co. E, 1st 0- L. A., e. Oct. 29, 1861 ; disd. 






1864. 


Martin Reisinger, Co. B, 191st 0. N. G., 0. Feb. 28, 1805 ; disd. Aug. 






L. B. Sweet, Co. C, 176eh 0. V. I , e. Sept. 3, 1804; disd. July 14, 


27, 1805. 






ISO.''.. 


John J. Reisinger, Co. B, 191st 0. N. G., e. Feb. 28, 1865 ; disd. Aug. 






Sergl. W. A. Pelton, Co. H, 10th 0. V. C. e. Nov. 3, 1862; disd. July 


27, 1865. 






24, 1805. 


Edwin a. Beach, Co. K, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4, 1861 ; disd. Nov. 






Second Lieut. Win. U. Brookor, Co. B, loth 0. V. C, e. Sept. 13, 


21, 1804. 






1862; dibd. June 12, 1804. 


John Miller, Co. K, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4, ISOl, disd. 






Second Lieut. Wm. H. Brook.'r, Co. E, l.S2d 0. V. I., e. Feb., 1865; 


A. I. Pritchard, Co. K, 72d 0. V. I,, e. Nov. 4, l.-(61. 






disd. July 7, 1805. 


John Warner, Co. G. 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4, 1861. 






S. Norton, died March 16, 1S60. 


First Lieut. Wm. C. Beutel, Co. G, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4, 1861. 






Wm. Leach, 196th 0. V. I.; died July 13, 1S64. 


Wesley Howard, Co. G, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4. 1801. 






J. R. Demming, 8th 0. V. I.; disd. 


William Hoxsey, Co. G, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 4, 1801. 






A. Forties, Co. C, 176th 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1SG4 ; died Dec. 6, 1864. 


Wm. Mathews, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






S. Whitman, Co. E, 10th 0. V. C; di-d at Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 23, 


John Brestel, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






1862. 


Martin Terril, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






U. A. Stranahan, died March 25, 1865. 


Henry Farnsworth, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






S. Monosmith, 0. V. I.; kid. Dec. 23. 


Fred Born, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






P. Meyers, kid. at Shiloh May 1, 1862. 


Jacob Dunderman, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






D. Fritz, 124th 0. V. I.; died June 6, 1864. 


J. B. Riuear, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






L. French, 124th 0. V. I.; died April 4, 1803. 


W. E. Chamberlin, Co. D, 1st 0. V. A. 






A. M. Everilt, 124th 0. V. I,; died June 3, 1.S64. 


Edwin Warner, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 






J. Damon, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861 ; died March 26, '63. 


George Chamberliti, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 






G. Culver, Co. K, 8lh 0. V. I., e. June 24, ISOl; died March 20, '63. 


Franklin Moore. Co. D, IstO. V. I. 






J. Bartshe, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861 ; died Sept. 29, '01. 


Chas Hancock, Co. D, 1st 0. V. \ 






George Benton, 124th 0. V. I,; kid. Sept. 20, 1863. 


Philip Winninger, Co. K, 1st 0. V. I. 






W.xtaon M. Woodworth, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I , e. Aug. 12, 18G2; disd. 


Wm. Instle, Co. K, 1st 0. V. I. 






Jan. 27, 1804. 


Gottlieb Wohlpet, Co. H, 3d Jlich. \ . I 






Walter Canfleld, Co. C, 176th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 3, 1804; disd. June 


David Chadwick, Co. F, 24th 0. V. I. 






14, 1860. 


Frank H. Pierce, 6th U. S. A. C. 






Sergt. Adin W. Durkee, Co. D, 23d 0. V. V. I., e. April, 1S61 ; disd. 


Geo. Gaylord, Co. L, 6th U. S A. 0. 






Jan., 1863. 


Jonathan King, Co. K, 2.3d 0. V. I. 






Sergt. Adin W. Durkee, Co. E, 42d 0. V. I., e. Jan., 1864; resd. Aug 


Christian Sevmore, Co. G, 49th 0. V. I. 






1865. 


Wm. Uga, 67th 0. V. I 






George Randall, Co. B, 42d 0. \. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; disd. Sept 


Jacob Roth, 67lh 0. V. I, 






30, 1864. 


Fred Kimmick, 72d 0. V. I. 






First Lieut. Henry Fritz, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., c. June 24, 1861; resd. 


Jonas La Bier, Co. E, 4l8t 0. V. I. 






B. F. Nickerson, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861; disd. on ac- 


Charles Uga, Co B, 9th Mich. V. I. 






count of wound at Antietam. 


Joseph Zimmerman, Co. D, 55th 0. \ . I. 






Washington Forbes, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861 ; disJ. July 


I. L. Beneger, Co. H, 37lh V. I. 






13, 1864. 


Peter Halftermeier, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 






Samuel Powers, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861. 


John Mott, 37th 0. V. I. 






Reuben Ream, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I , e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Dec , 1804. 


John Weber, Co. A, 43d 0. V. I. 






James Kellogg, Co. B, 42d 0. V. 1, e. Sept., 1861. 


Fred Brodt, 67th 0. V. I. 






Henry W. Horton, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Dec. '64. 


John Raver, Co. K, 7th 0. V, I. 






Herman Ross, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1801 ; disd. Oct. 1, 1862. 


Charles Muntz. Co. K, 7th 0. V. I, 






John H. Horton, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861; disd. Dec, 1804. 


0. Merrick, 42d 0. V. I, 






Peter Miers, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861; kid. May 1, 1803. 


G Zimmerman, 8th Mich. V. I. 






Georee Bendle, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1801. 


C. Betz, 1st Mich. V. 1. 






Joel Sawyer. Co. D, 23d 0. V, I. 


Martin Smith, 5.sth 0. V. I. 






William Nickerson, Co. E. 42d 0. V. I., e. Seiit., ISOl , 


B. Ritz, Co. C, 72d 0. V. I. 






Ormel Forbes, 0. V. I. 


William Frank, Co. H, 72d 0. V. I. 






Timothy Powers, 0. V. C. 


John Dye, 5th 0. S. S. 






Joseph Monosmith, 2d 0. V. C. 


S. M. SiK>oner, 5th 0. S. S. 






Emery C. Newton, CVj. H,27th 0. V. I. 


Henry Mahlev, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I,, e. June. 1801 : disd. 






Samuel Welman, Co. H.42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1801. 


E. R. Beach, 7.id 0. V. 1. 






Capt. Azor 11. Nickerson, Co. I, Sth 0. V. I , e. Aug., 1801 ; disd. on 


J"hn Amons, 72d 0. V. I. 






account of wounds at Gettysburg. 


John Ritz, 72d 0. V. I. 






Maj. Azor H. Nickerson, U.S. A.; still in service. 


John Mallot, 72d 0. V. I. 






Dexter Fritz, lOth 0. V. I 


John Geiger, 72d 0. V. I. 






Arthur Budlong. George Chase. 


Frank Wormstick, 72d 0. V. I. 






M. Gardner. Judson Wyatt. 


August M. Wormstick, 72d 0. V. I. 






C. S. Morehouse. Nelson Maine. 


Fred Neff, 72d O. V. I. 






Perry Maine. N. Nickerson. 


Albert Smith. 72d 0. V. I. 






L. Nickerson. A. S. Powers. 


J. Jl. Hawk, Barber's S. S. 






. John Kaidaie. Simon .Seeley 


Wendel Matt, Barber's S. S. 






Nathan Sutlifte. L. Brooker. 


Feli.\ Matt, Barber's S. .-^ 






H. Brooker. Wm. Forbes. 


Peter Roth, Barber's S. S. 






W. Judson. J. F. Main. 


Capt. M. Frey, 103d 0. V. I, 






N.W.Mills. W. A. Mallorv. 


James Clark, 103d 0. V. I. 






N. R. Olcott. H. Perrv. 


David Clark, loud 0. V. I. 






Wm. Willard. M. Buck. 


Aaron Everly, 103d O. V. I. 






H. Mallorv. R. Pelton. 


A. Atkinson, 42d 0. V. I. 






E. Pelton. D. Randall. 


John Wass, 42d 0. V. I. 






0. W. Turner, E. Warner. 


Henry Spooner. 42d 0. V. I. 






H. Ward. W. H. Brayton. 


C. Olin, 124th 0. V I. 






A. Curtis. M. Dunbar. 


G. L. Arnold, 124th 0. V. I. 






W. Gambole. T. Halliday. 


DeLos Moon. Frank Moon. 






J. Jud.son. Wm. Leach. 


Wm. Renter. Geo. Musser. 






James Slocum, died in service. 


Geo. Armbruster. Lewis Rolling. 


k 


(SJ 


William Willard. 


Chas. Hariman. A. R. Lork. 


I 








V 




—f 


a r 



346 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



James Labare. Leonard Labare. 

Sol Pritchard. H. A. MaU-y. 

C. R. Maley. John Montz. 

Caleb Reber. Wm. Reber. 

Henry Miller. John Themes. 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 

Levi Bowman, Co. B, 4-2d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, ISCl ; disd. Sept 

;», 1864. 
Frederick T. Moss, Co. I, llltb N. Y. V, I., e. July 9, lsf,2; disd. 

June 16, 186.'). 
Corp. James E. Parker, Co. I, 160th 0. X. G., e. May 8, 1804; disd. 

Aug. 23, 1S64. 
Corp. John Lance, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 15, 1802 : disd. Jan.— 
Corp. John Lance. 28th Mich., e. Sept. 15, 1864; disd. June 5, 1800. 
Seth Ault, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 12, 1862. 
Surgeon G. W. Waltz. Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861; died. 

Sept. 30, 1864. 
William Winters, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. June 

27,1865. 
James Winters, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 29, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 

13, 1864. 

Sergt. A. T. Boise, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. April 27, 1S61 ; disd. Aug. 

18, 1861. 
A. T. Boise, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861; disd. Sept. 

30, 1864. 
Alfred Bowman, Co. B, 124lh 0. V. I., e. Oct. 3. 1..02; disd. Juno 

14, 1866. 

Adam Bowman, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G , e. May 3, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Geo. Eaken, Co. D, 166th O. N. G., e. May 2, 1804; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
Geo. E. Miller, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, '64 ; disd. Sept. 9, '64. 
Abraham H. Eaken, Co. D, lOCth 0. N. G.. e. May 2, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
James Stewart, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
William E. Moulton, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
John P. Waltz, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 15, '61 ; di.sd. July 2, '64. 
Sergt. N. M. McConnell, Co. D, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 10, 1866. 
Alonzo House, Co. A, 2d O. V. C, e. March 11, 1864; died Aug. 28, 

1864, at West Philadelphia. 
Komaine B, Hart, Co. B, 108th N. T. S. V. I., e. July 27, 1S62 ; disd. 

Dec. 15, 1802. 
Sergt. Romaine B. Hart, Co. H, 22J N. Y. V. C, e. Dec. 9, 1863 ; 

disd. Aug. 1, 1865. 
DewlicB Phillips. Co. D, 166th 0. V. N., e .May 2,1864; disd. Dec. 

9, 1864. 
E. H. Phinney, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov. 14, '61 ; disii. Dec. 2, '64. 
Samuel Clark, Co. B, l;ilh O. V. I., e. Aug. I, 1,S62 ; disd. June 6, '65. 
Lyman C. Nichols, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1S61 ; disd. Sept. 

30, 1864. 
John L. Miller, Co. D, 160th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; died at Ft. 

Richardson. Va., July 20, 1864. 
Geo. C. Buchanan, Co. D, ICOth O. N. 6., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Jacob A. Miller, Co. D, 166lh 0. N. G., e. May 16, 1864; died at Ft. 

Richardson, Va., July 11, 1864. 
Amos D. Sheldon, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. Mav 2, 1804; disd. S.pt. 

9, 1864. 
George €. Moody, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 24, 1S61 ; kid. at Vicks- 

burg, July 31, 1863. 
Solon D. Moody, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Aug. 1, 1862 ; died Young's 

Point, l.a., Feb. 23, 1803. 
Sergt. Isaac L. Pierce, (;o. I, 2d 0. C, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; disd. 
Sergt. Isaac L. Pierce, Co. B, 2d 0. V. V. C, e. Dec. 31, 1863; died at 

Berryville, Va., Sept. 13, 1864. 
John W. Thomas. Co. G, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1802; died at Mil- 

liken's Bend, La., July 8, 18G3. 
William O. Lance, Co. B, 42'i 0. V. I., e. .\ug. 2.'>, 1S62: died at 

Jli'mphis, Tenn , May 30, 1S63. 
Joseph H. Richards, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. July 20, 1862; died at 

Young's Point, La., Feb. 10, 1863. 
Wm. H. Riebards, Co. B, 42d 0. V. L, e. Sept. 22, 1S61 ; died at 

Young's Point, La.. Feb. 21, 18ia. 
Levi A. Chas.s Co. B. 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861; died at Vicks- 

burg, June 2. 1863. 
Chas. H. Miilington. (;o. H. 42d O. V. I., e. Oct. 10, ISGl ; died at 

Ashland, Ky., March 26. 1862. 
Henry lludd, Co. B, 42d O. V. L, July 22, 1862; died at .Milliken's 

Bend, La., March 21. 1863. 



Geo. J. Williams, 
Miles Mack. 
Henry Chapin. 



Helson A. Barrett, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1862 ; died May 

23, 1863. 
Lyman Thomas, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; died at Ash- 
land, Ky , March 4, 1862. 
Sergt. Josiah Asire, Co. B, 42dO. V. I., e. March 25, I8G2 ; kid. at 

Champion, Miss., May 1, 1863. 
Corp. E. J. Carlton, Co. D, le6th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; died at Ft. 

Richardson, Va., July 5, 1864. 
Corp. Allen H. Baker, Co. A, ISth Ky. V. I., e. May 12, 1862 ; disd. 

May 20, 1866. 
Alexander Lowe, died in service at Nashville, Tenn. 
James D. Lowe, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1801; kid. at Antietam. 
Sergt. Peter Miller, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept.. '61 ; disd. Sept., 

1804. 
Jacob Watring, Co. B, 42rt 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
W. E. I'arton, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
Elliott McDougall. Edwin Rice. 

E.B.Harris. J. B. JlcConnell. 

Henry Howard. Frederick Howard. 

Geo. W. Jourdoin. <;'yrus D. Jourdion. 

George W. Foote. 

A. J. Harrington, died at .\udersonville. 
A. J. .Smith. 
E. F. Smith. 
H. F. Pronty. 
Horace Potter, Co. E. 3d O. V., Mexican war. e. June. 1846 ; disd. 

Sept., 1S47. 
Capt. Horace Potter. 
William Wheeler. 
.Tohn W. Bowman. 
P. L. Waltz. 

Lieut. R. L. McConnel, Co K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; read. 
Sergt. G. W. Patterson, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1S61 ; disd. Oct. 

23, 1802. 
T. B. Randall, Co. K, 8th 0. V. L, e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
John .\nderson, Co. K, 8th O. V. I., e. June. 1.861, disd. 
Marvin B. Wyatt, Co. K, 8th O. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Lvman P. Judson, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
Benjamin Rudd, Co. I, 2d 0. V. 0. 
Albert Bigas, Co. I. 2d O. V, C. 
Josiah Howes, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
John Gruf, Co I, 2d O. V. C. 
W. F. Smith, Co. E, 5.Sth 0. V. I. 

Wm. H. Bockus, Co. K, 8ih 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 23, '62. 
Wm. H. Bockus, Co. 6th U. S. C, e. Oct. 23, 1862 ; disd. May 26, 'trt. 
W. J. Cbamberlin, Co. 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept., '64. 
.\mos Crites, O. V. I ; disd. 

A. M. Hauser, 160th O, N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept., 1864. 
William Bowman, lOOth.O. N. G., e. May, 1804 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
Levi Lance, 106th O. N. G., e. Mav, ISOi; disd. Sept., I.S64. 
H. H. Williams, 160th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept., 1864. 
E. E. Andrews, Co. F, 160th O. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept.. ''14. 



MEDINA— VI LL.VGE AND TOWN.SHir. 

Musician Worden Babcock, Co. l\ 176th O. V, I., e. Feb. 18, 1806; 
i di^id. July, 1806. 

1 Frederick Kimmich, Co. H, 72d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 10, 1861 ; disd. Aug. 

1806. 
1 Sergt. C. H. Kimball, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11,1862; died. 
} June 25, 1866. 

William II. Bennett, Co. A, 8th Wis. V. T., o. Aug. 14, 1861 ; disd. 

Jan. 3, 1804. 
William H. Bennett. Co. A, 8lh Wis. \'. I., e. Jan. 4, 1864; di.~l, 

Sept. 5, 1805. 
Charles A. Kunitz, Co. 0, 10th H. A., e Aug. 19, 1862; disd. Mav 

27, 186.9. 
Corp. Squire Frazier, Co G, 102d 0. \. I., e. .\ug. 6, 1862 ; disd. June 
19, 1806. 
! Drummer C. H. Manville, Co. K, Slh 0. V. I., e. Mav 20, 1861 ; diad. 
July 1.3, 1804. 
Corp. Otis S. Young, Co. 1, 3d Minn. V. I., e. Oct. 11, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 

31, 1S63. 
Sergt. Oils S. Young, Co. I, 3d Minn. V. I., e. Jan. 1,1864; disd. 

"Sept. 2, 1865. 
Sergt. Sidney S. Alden, Co. K, 42il V. I., e. Nov., 1801 ; disd. Dec, 
1 2, 1861. 

Second Lieut. Sidney S. Alden, Co. E, 189th O. V. L. e. March 9, 
! 1866 ; di."d. Sept. 28, 1865. 

' Charles Levct. Co. H, 8th O. V. I., e. Juno 6, 1861 ; disd. June 
■26, 1804. 
Joshua S. Jliison, Co. V, 103d 0. W I.,e. Am:. U, 1802; disd. March 
12, U^M. 



J^l 



fe. 



HISTORY OF MEDlIfA COUNTY. 



347 



Scrgt. Geo. W. Lewis, Co. 0, 11th 111. V. I,, o. April 13, 1861 ; disd, 

Aug., 1861. 
Mnj. Geo. W. Lewis, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., i-. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. 

July 9, 1866. 
George H. Lowo, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 7, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
John A. Bradley, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1861; disd. Aug. 

13, 1862. 
Q. M. Charles B. Chamberlin, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 7, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 10, 1864. 
Sergt. Okie H. McDowell, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C; disd. 
Sergt. Okie H. McDowell, Co. A, 2dO. V. V. C, e, Jan. 1, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 2, 1865. 
First Lieut. R. M. Dowell, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 29, 1SC2 ; disd. Oct., 

1865. 
Harrison Korack, Co. 1, 103<i 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1861 ; disd. June, '65. 
Enoch E. Borack, Barber's S. S , e. Sept., 1863 ; disd. 1863. 
Sergt. George Rorack, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I.; killed at Strasburg, Va., 

May, 1862. 
Capt. J. H. Greene, Co. F, 8th Wis. V. I., e. July 24, 18C1; disd. 

March, 1865. 
Sergt. Oliver Vader, Co. H, 2d O. V. C, e. Aug. 15, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 

31, 1863. 
Sergt. Oliver Vader, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. Dec. 31, 1863; disd. Sept. 

11, 1865. 

Corp. Henry F. Handy, Co. A, 43th N. Y. S. V., e. Aug, 1, 1861 ; disd. 

Dec. 15, 1863. 
Corp. Henry F Handy, Co. A, 49th N. Y. S. V. V,, e. Dec. 15, 1863; 

disd, June 27, 1865. 
Orlo Jackson, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 

J. Andrew, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., o. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Oct., 1803. 
Sergt, Smith Egbert, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 15, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
Second Lieut. Smith Egbert, Co. B, 186th 0. V. 1., e. Jan. 26, 1865 ;. 

disd. Sept. 25, 1865. 
Alexander Corretsca, Co. E, 3d 0. V. Mex. war, e. June, 1S46 ; disd. 

Sept., 1847. 
Wm. Cater, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Dec. 16, 1864. 
Capt. H. P. Foskett, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 22, 1861; disd. Dec , 

1864. 
Corp. George Hayden, Co. A, 42d 0. V. I., e. .Sept. 20, 1861 ; disd. 

April 10, 1863. 
Timothy Metzger, Co. C, 103d 0. V. I., o. Sept. 9, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
L. B. Mann, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., c. Aug. 14, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Orville Welliug, Co. H, 8th O. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; died at Harper's 

Ferry. 
John Dunn. Co. H, 8th O. V. I., e. June 6, 1861 ; died in W. Vir- 
ginia. 
Ira Brigham, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 6, 1861; killed at Gettys- 
burg, July 3, 1863. 
Daniel A. Wells, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug.. 1862; disd. June 12, 

1866. 
Milo A. Hobart, Co. K, 42d 0. V. [., e. Nov., 1861 ; ilied on Big Sandy 

River Feb. 26, 1862. 
John Graham, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 6, 1861 ; killed at Battle 

of Wilderness. 
Allis E. Brown, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June 0, 1861 ; killed at Win- 

CbcStCFi 

Alfre.l J. Davis, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 6, isnl ; disd. Dec, '61. 
Capt. 0. 0. Kelsea, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; resd. 1861. 
George Harris, Co. K, 42d O. V. I., e., Sept., 1861 ; killed at Port 

Gibson, Ky., May 1, 1863. 
Americus Hitchcock, 1st O. L. A.; killed at Chattanooga. 
Franklin B. Willard, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; died in serv- 
ice April 25, 1862. 
Corp. Joseph Leavet, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; died at 

Frankfort, Ky.. April 12, 1863. 
WoUaston Andrews, Co. B, Ist 0. H. A., o. Jan. 2, 1864 ; disd. 
Curtiss Carpenter, Co. K, 8th O. V. I., e. June, 1S61; killed in 

service. 
Hiram L. Varney, Co. H. Sth O. V. I., c. June, 1861 ; killed at An- 

tietam, Va. 
Walter J. Manning, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861; killed at 

Winchester. 
Edward Welling, Co. F, 166th 0. N. G., e. April 26, 1864 ; disd. Sept, 

9, 1864. 
Asst. Surg. Salmon Hudson, 23d 0. V. I., e. June, 1862; disd. 
Aost. Surg. Salmon Hudson, 11th O. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. Sept., 

1862. 
Post Surg. Salmon Hudson, Louisville, Ky.; resd. Dec, 1863. 
Nathaniel H. Bostwick, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 



Patrick Nugent, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 27, 1864 ; disd. July 

10, 1865. 
F. M. Burdoin, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862 ; disd. June 12, 

1866. 
Albert Oatman, Co. B, ISClh 0. V. I., o. Feb., 1865 ; died at Nash- 
ville. Tenn , July 29, 1S65. 
William R. Maun, C.i. H, fth 0. V. I., e. June G, 1861; died at Fred- 
erick, Md., Dec. 3, 1863. 
Norman Miller, Co. C, 75th N. Y. V. I., e. Nov. 19, 1861 ; disd. Nov. 

25, 18G4. 
Paul G. Wustenberg, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 6, 1861 ; disd. Jan. 

17, 1862. 
Frank Young, Co. D, 25th Mich. V. I., e. Aug., 1862; disd. July 

13, 1865. 
Benjamin E. Potter, Co. G, 2d U. S. C, e. March 6, 1865; disd. March 

6, 1868. 
Capt. 0. P. Phillips, Co. D, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Corp. Simeon Oatman, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I,, e. Nov. 22, 1861 ; disd. 

Dec. 2, 1864 
Musician Edward P. Rettig, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; died 

in service at Medina Sept. 6, 1861. 
Romao R. Rettig, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. Blay 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
First Lieut. Philo W. Chase, Co. H, Sth 0. Y. I., e. June, 1801 ; disd. 

July, 1864. 
Sergt. GrifBn S. Reynolds, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e June, 1861 ; disd. 
Corp. George M. Hitchcock, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861; disd. 

July, 1864. 
Bben C. Blakeslee, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
Wm. H. Floyd, Co. H, Sth O. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. July, 1864. 
Jerry Fitch, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I , e. June, 1861; disd. 
Oscar G. Hart, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
John T. Hauchett, Co. H, Sth O. V I., e. June, 1861; disd, 
Brastus Haight, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
W. Henry Miner, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd, July, '64, 
Charles E. Mclntyre, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861; disd. July, 

1864. 
Nathan B. Nettleton, Co. H, Sth 0, V, I,, e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
Wm. C. Reynolds, Co. H, Sth O. \'. 1., e. June, 1801 ; disd. on account 

of Avounds. 
Solomon Smith, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I,, e. June, 1861 ; killed in service. 
James C.Welch, Co. H, Sth 0, V, I,, e, June, 1861; killed in 

service. 
Frank Strong, 9th 0. Bat.; disd. 
Lewis B. Whitmore, 9th 0. Bat,; disd, 
William Welder, Co, K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1801 ; died April 11, 

1863, at Woodstock, Va. 
First Lieut, Frank A, Rounds, Co, B, ISOth 0, V, I,, e. Feb,, 1865; 

disd. Sept., 1866. 
Surg. Henry E. Warner. 

Cyrus Babcock, Co. B, 186th 0. V. I., e. Fib,, 1865 ; disd. Sept,, '65. 
Capt. William G. Garrett, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862; disd. 

June, 1865. 
Musician Henry G. Sipher, 176th 0. V. I,, e. Feb., 1865; disd. July, 

1865, 
Louis Rolling, Co, C, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. for disabil- 
ity in 1864. 
E. A. Post, Co. B, Ist O, H, A,; disd, 
Albert Hawkins, 
Hiram H, Manning, Co, B, 124th 0, V, I,, e. Aug., 1862; disd, July, 

1865, 
Harrison G. Blake. Co, H, Sth 0. V. I,, e. June, 1801 ; disd. 
Col, Harrison G, Blake, 106th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept, 

9, 1864, 
Lieut. Col. Herman Cantield, 72d 0, V, I., killed at Pittsburg 

Landing. 
Ed Madole, 2d O. V. C. 
John Gersienberger, Co. I, 72d O. V. I., e, 1862 ; killed in service at 

Memphis, 
Isaac Alexander, Jr,, Co, K, Sth 0, V, I,, e, June, 1861 ; July, disd, 

1864, 
Jacob Alexander, Co, K, Sth 0, V, I,, e, June, 1861 ; disd, 
Edward Chapin, Co, Is, sth O, V, I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
Wm. Jordan, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I,, e, June, 1861; disd, 
Merrit Northrop, Co, H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; disd. 
First Lieut. Albert L, Bowman, Co, K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 22, 1861 ; 

disd. Dec, 1864, 
William F, Sawtell, Co, K, 42d 0, V, I„ e, Nov,, 1861 ; disd, for 

disability, 
William Wallace, Co, K, 42d 0. V. I,, e, Nov,, 1801 ; disd. for 

disability. 
Charles Blanott, 12th 0. Bat; disd, 
Frederick Minor, 12th O. Bat.; disd. 
Burt O'Neal, 12th 0. Bat. 



T' 



i^ 



348 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY 



Jacob Hetirv, 12th 0. Bat. 

Keulien Blaoott, Co. E, 42d O. V. I., e. Not., 1861. 

Col. D.in A. Pardee, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov., 18B1. 

Julius C. Clark, Co. I., 2d 0. V. C. 

Irvin Varney, Co. I, Sth 0. V. I., e. June. 1S61 ; killed in service. 

David Dver,'Co. G, 42.1 0. V. I., e. Nov., ISOl. 

Richard Ansael. Co. H. 23d O. V. I. 

John W. Johnston, 39th 0. V. I. 

Martin Hill, Co. I, 2d O. V. C; disd. 

Lewis C. Munroe, Co. I, 72d O. V. I. 

Fred Frank, Co. H, 72d 0. V. I., e. 1861 ; disd. on account of wounds 
at Pittsburg Landing. 

A. D. F.HUst, Co. A, 2d 0. V. C; disd. 

Henrv Armstronir. Co. K,103d 0. V. I.; died in the service at Frank- 
fort, Ky. 

Dan forth Ainsworth. 

Henry J. Reutter, Co. H, Ist Colo. Ter'y; died at Camp Weld, Den- 
ver City, Colo., Nov. 12, 1S61. 

Frank Hills, Co. B, lS6th 0. V. I ; disd. 

Frank Hills, Co. F, 166th 0. N. G. 

E. Spillman, Co. E, 166th O. N. G. 

H. W. Whitney, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G. 

J. Spillman, Co. A, 1st 0. S. S. 

G. D. Billings, Co. B, 69th O. V. I. 

J. G. Hickox. Co. D, 178th 0. V. I. 

John Esgate, Co. C, 166th 0. V. I. 

George Esgate, Co. C. 68th 0. V. I 

Will Babcock, Co. C, 176th O. V. I. 



.May 2, 1861; disd. Sept., '64. 



; disd. 

, e. Feb. 18, 1865 ; disd. July, '65. 



E. E. Smedlev. Co. A. 2d 0. V. C; disd. 

Ed. Cohan, 196th 0. V. I. 

Henry Spillman, Co. K, loth 0. V. I.; died at Mt. Vernon, Ind., 
May 21,1862. 

M. Delos W.imer. Mich. V. I.; died in service at Bowling Green, Ky. 

George E. Warner, Wis. V. I.; died in service at St. Louis, Mo. 

Morgan Andrews, Co. G, 84th 0. V. I.; died in service at Cumber- 
land, Md. 

C. E. Barnes. 

Romulus Barnes. 

Charles Babcock. Co. E, 166th O. N. G., e. May, 1864; disil. 

Wm. H. Beal, Co. E. 166th 0. N. G.: disd. 

Harris Bishop. 

Frank Brenner, Co. E, 166th O. N. G. 

H. D. Barteau. Noble Bradley. 

Arthur Bradley. Philander Briggs. 

George Brainard. 

Patrick Cunningham, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I.; killed at Bowling 
Green, Ky. 



di.-d on boat on Miss. River. 
Samuel Crocker. 
Luther Davis. 



, e. June, 1861; di«d. 

. Dec. 1860; disd. 1S65. 
Romaine Haniblin. 
A. Hasbrook. 
William H. Jacques. 



died at Ft. Richard- 



Charles Raeor. 
Lyman Register. 

Henry Shuler, Co. C, 10.3d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 18C2; June, 1865. 

J. K. Stoaks. 
Thomas Simmons. 

J. B. .-hane, Co. E, e. I66th 0. N. G.; died at Mahaska, Iowa. 
Frank Smith. 
Harry Shumway. 

Samuel L. Stoddard, Co. K, 103d 0. V, I.; died in service at Frank- 
fort, Ky. 



Charles Cushman. 

Homer Chase, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 

Noble C.ok. 

.Tabez Chapman. 

James Esgate. 

Hiram \V. Floyd, 103d 0. V. L, e. June, 1861 ; killed at Altoona, 

Penn., on way home from service. 
Surg. J. L. Firestone. 
H. Featherly, Co. H, Sth 0. V. 
Fnink Graham. 
Newton E. Gile, 6th U. S. Bat. 
Ti.ib.rl Hall. 
William H. Hayes. 
W. F. Eccleston. 
Alexander Haves. 
Surg. E. G. Hard, appointed Aus. 12, 1S63, 1st 0. V. H. A.; disd. 

Aug. 18, 1864. 
James Kelsey. 

George Kast, Co. G, 166th 0. N. G. 
N. H: McClure, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864; 

son, D. C. 
Augustus Mclntyre. 
George B. Munson. 
George Miller. 

James Newins, 166th O. N. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept.. 1864. 
Austin Nettleton. 
A. Parsons. 
Sevmour Parsons. 
Ben Piper, Co. E, 16Cth O. N. G. 
Charles Potter. 

Cant. Geo. Re<lway. 103d O. V. I.; e. Aug., 1862. 
AugnstuaJUsor, i24th 0. V. I. 
Hiram Rice. 
P. l{<.l.bins. 
David A. RichanJs. 
Louis T. Rounds, Co. K, 103d O. Y. L; died in service at Brunswick, 

his home- 
Lieut. M. S. Boot, 103d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; resd. 



L, e. Sept., 1861; disd. 

Harlan Wellin. 

G. D. Mclntyre. 
I.; died in service at Pleasant- 



R. W. Stockwell, Co. B, 42d 0. V. 

Frank Truman. 

Fillmore Welling. 

Joseph Welch, Co. G, S4th 0. V 

ville, Perm. 
August Kesselmeier, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 : disd. Julv, 

I8i;4. 
Elisha Coy, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861; disd. July, 1864. 
Ebenezer Manning, Co. E, 3d Mex. war, e. June, 1846; disd. Sept., 

1847. 
William H. Hickox, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; disd. 

Dec, 1S64. 
Samuel C Pancoast, Co. K, 16lh O. V. I.; disd. 
H. Buttolph, Co. E, 25th 0. V. I. 

John H. Wass, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept., 1861; disd. Oct., 1864. 
H. Bowman, 124th 0. V. I. 

George Brenner. Co. E. 106th 0. N. G., e. May, 1S64; Sept., 'U. 

Frank Baglev Co. B, 186th O. V. I ; died in service. 

Joseph 0. Packerd, Co. D, 6th 0. V. C. ; wounded at Hatch's Bun, 

Va.; died in Cleveland, Ohio; buried by the Freemasons, at 

Weymouth, Ohio, his home. 
S. T. Harrington, Co 1. 103d O. V. I.; died in Andersonville Prison. 
Henry Shan-. Co. E, 166th 0. N. G.; died at Ft. Richardson, Wash- 
ington, D. C. 
Chas. B. Olcott, 6th 0. V. C. 
AIb.Tt Isobell, 9th 0. Y. Y. A.; disd. 

David A. Richards, Co. 1, 18(ith O. V. I.; died at Washington, D. C. 
Curtis Carpenter, Co. K, Sth O. V. I., e. June, 1861 ; died in service. 
Harvey Treman, died in service. 
L. N. .s.ickett. 
Edmund C. Brown, Co. K, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864 ; died at 

Fairfax, Ya. 
W. W. Monger. Co. K, 103d 0. Y. I., e. Sept., 1862 ; disd. Sept., '65. 
(1. D. CImpin, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G.. e. May, 1862 ; disd. June, 1864. 
Lieut. Wm. 0. Sanders, Co. E, 106th O. N. G., e. May, 1862; disd. 

Sept., 1864. 
R. K. Rood, Co. E, 166th 0. N.G., e. May, 1862; disd. Sept., 1864. 
Chas. Barrett, 3d 0. Mex. war, e. June, 1846; disd. Sept., 1847. 
Stephen M. Hyatt. 3d 0. Mex. war, e. June, 1847. 
Wrn. S. Booth. .3d O. Mex. war, e. June. 1846; disd. Sept., 1847. 
D. F. Miller, 166lh O. N G., e. May. 1804; disd. Sept., 1864. 
W. F. Cooper, 166th 0. N. G.. e. May. 1864 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
Dewight Hinman. 166th O. N. G , e. May, 1864 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
M. A. Curtis, Co. 1. 67th III. Y. I., e. April, 1862; disd. Sept., 1.862. 
M. A. Curtis. Co. H, ISth Mich. Y. I., e. Dec 18, 1863; disd. May 

15, 1865. 



MONTVILLE. 

Daniel Sickman, Co. K, 42d 0. Y. I., e. Julv 15, 1862; disd. Ni)v. 

20, 1864. 
Daniel Sickman, Co. E, 96th O. Y. I., e. Nov. 20, 1864; disd. July, 

7, 1S65. 
H. H. Hard Tseaman), No. ,i4 Miss. Squadron, e. .\ug. 27, 1864; disd. 

June 20. I860. 
Linus S. Thayer, Co. E, 166th 0. Y. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept 

9. 1864. 
First Lieut. Lewis Fretz, Co. E, 166th 0. Y. I., e. May 2, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
James Righter, Co. G, 49th Penn., e.'Aug. 31, 1861; disd. Sept. 

15, 1862. 
Henrv O. West, Co. E, Ist O. Y. L. A., e. Aug. 23, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 

1'. 1S64, 
Joseph H. Nicely, Co. 1, 103d O. Y. I., e. Aug. U, 1862; disd. June 

12. 1865. 
D. N TiUapangh, Co. C, 144th O. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

1, 1804. 
F. H. Stannard, Co. I, 103d 0. Y. I., e. Aug. II, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1S05. 
Corp. Thomas Y. Nicholls, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Nov. 1861 ; died at 

Poe, Ohio, while in service. 
Isaac Rnshon, Co. F, 13th 0. Y. C, e. Jan. lf>, 18C4; disd. July 

15. 1S65. 
William Grim, Co. H. 19th Mich., e. Aug. 1862; disd. June 10, '05. 



^-. 



Is 



^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



349 



Corp. Ira Bennett, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; died. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Sergt. George Thomson, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept. 9, 1864. 
John Nichols, 2d O. V. C. 
Charles N'ichols, 103d O. V. I.; kid. in battle. 
Henry Nichols, ll)3d 0. V. I. 
Daniel Nichols, 103d O. V. I. 
George Nichols, Iowa regiment. 
Harrison Nichols, Michigan regiment. 
Albert Nichols, Michigan regiment. 
Ferry C- Nichols, lod-day service. 
Sergt. Gajlord Thomnon, Co. E, ir,6th O. N. G., e. May 2, 18C4; disd. 

Sept. 9 1864. 
Winthrop Hill, Co. E, lC6th O. N. G., c. May 2, 18G4. disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
John Waffle, Co. B, ISOth 0. V. I , e. 1864; disd 1865. 
George W. Reed, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 14, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 

15, 1863. 
George W. Eeed, Co, I, 29th O. V, V. I., e. Dec. 13, 1863; disd. July 

26, 1865. 
Zacheus Famsworth, Co. 1, 29th 0. V. I., e. Oct. 26, 1661 ; died at 

Winchester, Va,. May 3, 1862. 
Irvine Fifield, Co. H, 103d O. \'. I., e. Aug, 10, 18G2; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Jesse B, Scott, Co. G, 15th Penn. V. I., e, April 18, 1861 ; disd. Aug. 

18, 1661. 
Jesse B. Scott. Co, H, 72d 0. V. I., e. Dec. 1, 1S61 ; disd, Feb. 18, '62. 
Sergt. George Kennedy, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; died 

in sen'ice, at home, July 15, 1864. 
R. C. Fenn, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1SB4; disd. Sept, 9, '54. 
Henry Burnett, Co. B, 42d 0, V, I,, e. Sept, 3, 1861; disd. Dec, '64. 
Elias Roshon, Co, I, 29th O. V, I,, e, Nov, 4, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 21, '63. 
Elias Roshon, Co. I, 29th 0. V. V. I,, e. Dec. 21, 1863; disd. June 

15, 1865. 
Corp. Alanson Hewes, Co. A, 79th Bat, O, N. G,, e. July 21, 1863 ; 

disd. May 1,1866, 
Joseph Heath, Co. E, 166th O. N. G., c. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Samuel Styer, Co. K. 42d 0. V. I., e. July, 1862; disd. July, 1865. 
Samuel C. Rosenberry, Co. 1, 103d O. V. I., e. Aug. 1, 1861; disd. 

June 12, 1805. 
Cosom H. Kindig, Co. T, 29lh O. V. I,, e. Nov. 12, 61 ; disd. Dec. 

21. 1863. 

Gosom H. Kindig, Co. I, 29th 0. V. V. I., e. Dec. 21, 1863 ; disd. July 

5, 1865. 
Harrison H. Kindig, Co. H, 19th Mich. V, I., e. Aug. 9, 1862; disd. 

June 10, 1865. 
Abram 0. Kindig, Co. K. 12th Mich. V. I., e. Jan. 28, 1864; disd. 

Feb, 15, 1866. 
Noah Krieble, Co. I, 44th Tnd. V. I,, e. Sept, 10, 1861; disd, Nov. 

20. 1864. 

James Heaton, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1862 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Orsemus Howe, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., c. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Charles Bennett, Co. F, 6th 0. V. C, e. Dec. 26, 1863 ; disd. June 

27. 1865. 

Chester W. Abbott, Co. 1, 103d O. V. I,, e. Aug. 11, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Nathaniel Case, Co. E, 3d O. V. I., Mexican war, c. June. 1S46 ; disd. 

Sept., 1847. 
Nathaniel Case, Wis. V, I,; disd. at end of service, 
James Heath, Co. I, 103d 0- V. I,, e. Aug, 11 ; disd, .Tune 12, 1865. 
Harrison Frizzell, 64th .\rtillery. 
Henrj- G, Frizzell. 64th O. V, A. 
James Grim. Co. I, 29th O, V. I,, e, Nov,, 1861. 
Clarke Beach, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 
Abel Archer, Co. I, 29th O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 
Cutties Abbott, 12th O. V. I. 
Anthony Fretz, 12th 0. V, I. 
Mahlon Fretz, 12th 0. V, I,; died in service. 
Manoa Roshon, disd. 
Edwin Mabry, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Oct, 14, 1861; disd. Dec. 16, 

1863. 
Edwin Mabrj-, Co, 1, 29th V. V. I., e. Dec, 15 ; disd. July 26, 1865. 
Joseph Krielde, 166th 0, N. G., e. May 2 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
William Houseworth, disd. 
Jos, A. Overholt, Co. F, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1804 ; disd. Sept., 

1S64. 
•Tames Shane. 
Gordon Sanford. 
Daniel Kaufman, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G,, e. Mav, 1864; died Sept., 

1864. 
O. P. Morse, Bat. B, Ist 0. L. A. ; disd. 



SPENCER. 



1st 0. L. A,, e. Aug. 29, 1861; disd. June 17. '65, 
Co. H, 2d O. V. C, e. Sept. 5, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 



Sept. 22, 1861; disd. 



John Miller, Co. I, 
John N. Munson, 

■25, 18C4. 
Corp. Alonzo H Miller, Co. B, 42d 0, V I 

Sept. 30, 1864. 

Silas Harper, Co. 1, 1st 0, L, A., e. April 5, 1864; disd. June 13, 'Go 
Reuben H. Falconer, ft. B. 42d 0. V, 1,, e. Sept. 21, 1861 ; disd. Sept, 

30, 1SI>4, 
Beers Pittinger, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 21. 1861 

30, 1864. 
David Grandy, Co. B, 42d 



. V. I., e. Sept. 21, 1861 ; 



disd. Sept. 
disd. Sept. 



disd. 1865. 
1864; disd. 



June 



e. Aug. 12, 1862 ; died at 
I,,e. Aug. 22, 1864; disd. 
May 25, 1 S61 ; disd, Aug. 



.30, 1804. 
John Stotlet, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 21, 1801 ; 
J. H, Daugherty, Co. C, 176th 0, V. I , e. Sept. 

6, 1864. 
Hart L, Stuart, Co. B, 2;id 0, V. I., e. Aug. 13, 1862; disd. June 

30, 1865. 
Sergt, J. S Sooy, Qi. B, 124th 0. V. I., 

Chattanooga, Tenn. 
Benjamin F. Lewis, C<i. C, 176th 0. V. 

June 20, 1865. 
Eeuben Falconer, Co, K, Sth 0, V. I,, e. 

18, 1S61. 

A. I. Sovj, Co, B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; died at Chatta- 
nooga, Tenn. 
John J. Coolman, 2d 0. V, C, e. Sept., 1861 ; died at Platte City, 

Mo,. Feb. 20, 1863. 
Leonard Rice, Co. K, 8th O, V, I., e. Jan., 1861 ; disd, July, 1864, 
William Rice, Co, K,8th O, V. I,, e. June,1861; disd. 
James Dickerson. Co. K, 8th 0. V. I„ e. Sept, 21, 1861 ; disd, 
Reuben Wall, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I,, e. Sept. 21, 1861. 
Frank H. Roice, Co. F, 3d O. V. C. 
Wm. H. Morrison, Co. D, 23d 0. V. I., e. Ang., 1862. 
James Winters, Co, I. 29th 0, V. I,, e, Nov., 1S61 . 
Jonathan Everhart, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861. 
William Gilberts, Co. I, 29lh 0. V. I., e, Nov., 1801. 
Thos, W. Daugherty, Co, C, 127th 0, V. I. 
G. W. Betz, Co. H, 104th 0. V. I. 
Gayer Henry, Co. D. 4Gth Wis. V. I. 
John Innman, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861, 
Samuel Sooy, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861. 
Orlando Smith, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C. e. Sept., 1861. 
John W. Hodge, Co. U,, 2d O, Y. C, e, Sept., 1861. 
Jacob Long, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1862; disd. June 

16, 1865. 
David Haynes, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1862; died in 1863, 

at Franklin Tenn. 
First Lieut. C. M. Steadman, Co. B, 124th 0. V. I,, e. Aug. 12, 1862; 
kid. at Rome, Ga , May 27, 1864 ; body in hands of the enemy. 
C. C. Inman, Co. B, 124th O. V. I„ e. Aug. 12, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 



SHARON. 

Norman Schoonover, Co. A, 2d 0. V. C, e. March 1, 1862 ; disd, 

March 1,1865. 
Wm. H. Varney, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug.. 1S61 ; died at Fort Scott, 

Kan,, April 9, 1862. 
Corp. William McCoy, Co. I, 2d 0. V.C ,, e, Aug, 13, 1861 ; disd. June 

9, 1862. 
William McCoy, Co. A, 179th 0. V. I„ e. Aug. 29, 1864; disd. June 

5, 1865. 
David L, Homes, Co. A, 190th O. V. I., e. March 2, 1865 ; disd. Sept 

11, 1865. 

O. K. Chatfield, Co. A, 196th O. V, I., e, March 2, 1865 ; disd. Sept 
11.1865. 

Charics NichoIIs, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., c. Aug. 14, 1862 ; disd. Dec. 
18, 1862. 

Charles NichoIIs, Co. B, 13th O. V. C, e. Feb. 22, 1864 ; died at Alex- 
andria, Ya. 

Theodore C. Merton, Co. 1, 103d 0. V, I,, e. Aug. 12, 1862 ; disd. .luly 

12, 1865. 

Henry S. Hayden, Co. A, 42d 0, V, I., e. Aug. 9, 1862 ; diiKi at 

Young's Point, La., Jan, 25, 1863. 
William Tabor; killed near Milliken's Bend, La. 
James Winkler, Co. A, 196th O. V. I., e. March 1, 1865 ; died at 

Camp Chase. Ohio, .\pril 5, 1865. 
Thomas Drnry, Co. D, 29th 0. Y. I., e. Feb. 11, 1864 ; disd. about 

Nov. 1, 1864, 
Jacob Fulmer, Co. G, 86th O. V. I,, e. June 5, 1863 ; disd. March 

5, 1864. 
C. M. Fairchitds, Co. E, 166th 0. V, I., e. May 2, 1861 ; disd. July,'61. 



330 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



C. JI. Kairchilila, Oo. H, 2ttth 0. V. I., e. Nov. 1, ISBI ; JieJ at Wash- 
ington, D. C, Sept. 11,180^. 

Harvtv J. Cornell, Oo. A, 42d O. \. I., c. Oct. 1, 18til ; died at Pike- 
toil, Ky., March 8, 1802. 

W. H. Cornell, Co. H, 29th 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; killed near Dal- 
ton, Ga., Miiv 8, lsr,4. 

Corji. Samuel M. Borland, Co. I, lll3d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 2, I8C2 ; died 
at Gump Nelsni, Ky., June -1. 18G3. 

.Samuel Slianafelt, Co. I), 29th O. V. I., e. Sept., I8fi2 ; killed at Chan- 
eellorsville, Hay, 1SG3. 

Jay Chatfield, Co. A, lOOth 0. \'. I., e. March 1, 1865: diad. Sept. 
11,1SG5. 

James H. Cassidv, Cu. II, lo4tli O. V. I., e. Aug. 7. 1S62 ; diad. Jtily 
8, 1865. 

Orestes T. Engle, Co. F, 4l8t O. V. I., e. Aug. 1.5, ISGl ; died. Dec. 
31, 1863. 

.Sergt. Orestes T. Engle, Co. l\ -Ust 0. V. V. I., e. Jan. 1, 1864 ; disd. 
Nov. 27, 1865. 

Wilson L. Hazen, Co. D, 160tli I). V, I., e Mav 2, l.sii4; disd. Sept, 

4, 1861. 

Milton W. Turner, Co. H, 11th Mich. V. I., e. Veh. 8, 1865 ; died at 
Cliattauo'jga, Tenn. 

John Fitzgerald, Co. fi, 2d (I. V. C., e. Feb., 1862 ; disd. 18C5. 

Henry lliizen, Co. H, 11th U,, e. May, ISiJl ; disd. June, 1861. 

Henry Hiizen, Go. II, 29th o. V. I., e. Nov. 1, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 1, '62. 

Davici H.inghumn, 6th Mo. L. A., e. Oct. 1861 ; diad, July, 1865. 

Josiah Faust, ( 'o. B, 42d 0. \'. I., e. Sept. 20, 1861 ; killed at Vicks- 
hurg. May 19, 1S63. 

Corp. Alphouzo Hazen. Co. E. 166th 0. V. I., e. Mav, 1861; disd. 
July, 1861. 

Sergt. Alphonzo Hazen, Co. H, 29th 0. V. V. L; disd. June, ISOo. 

Edgar L. Beech, Co. G, 150th O. N. G., e. May 1, 1864 ; died at Sar- 
atoga Hos,, Aug. 1,1864. 

Smiuei Kulp, Co. B, 6th 0. V. C, e. Nov. 1, 1862; diad. March 4,'64. 

Franklin J. Waltz, Co. D, 29th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 20, 1862 ; disd. June 

5, 1865. 

L. A. Lewis, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1<61 ; disd. Sept. 30, "64, 
Marion W.^Itman, Co. N, 3d Penn. L. A., e. Feli. 22. 1864 ; disd. Nov. 

9, 1865. 
Enoch 0. Hasting, Co. D, 29th O, V. I., e. Sept. Hi, 1861 ; disd. July 

12, 1862. 
Thomas Ueshler, Co. I, lolid 0. V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1803; died near 

Castle St^itiun, E. Tenn. 
Sergt. William H. Irater, Co.I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug, 10,1862; disd. 

June 12, 1S65 
Henry Nicholls, Co. I, lii3d 0, V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Thomas Branigiin, Go. 1, 103d O. V. I., e. Aug. 10, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1805. 
Arthur Bradley, (Jo. I, lo3d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11. 1802 ; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
Clinton D. Waffle, Co. G, S6th 0. Y. I., e. Julv Hi, l.sns ; disd. March, 

1864. 
Clinton D. Waffle, Co. B, 180th O, V. 1., e. July 6, 1864 ; died. Aug. 

15, 1S65. 
Rouey Kemp, Co. B, 4th 0. A., e. Feb.. 1861 ; disd. July, 1865. 
S. ¥. Chamberlain, Co. G, 115lh O. V. I., e. Aug. 1, 1862; disd. June 

29, 1865. 
George Messmer, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., Sept., 1S61 ; disd. Dec, 1863. 
Georgi' Messmer, 1st Wis. Ind. B., e. Dec, 1863 ; diad. July 18, '65. 
Edward Hunt, Go. G,86th 0. V. I., e. June 12, 1.S03 ; disd. 
Edward Hunt. 10th 0. V. C. e. .\ug. 24, 1864; disd. Sept. 24, 1864. 
Isaiah John, Co. 1, 107th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1862 ; disd. Fob. 5, '63. 
Isaiah John, Co, A, 196th 0. V. I., e. March 2, 1865; disd. Sept. 

11,1865. 
Brailey A. Udell, 5th Ind. O. .S. S,, e. Dec. 6, 1862 ; disd. Jan., 1864. 
H. S, Schlott, 20th 0. V. B., e. Sept., 1803 ; disd. June, 1805. 
(;. C. Ginger\', Co. H, 104th <). V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. June, 1865. 
Emanuel Gingery, Co.I, 2dO.V. C, e. Aug.,lS01 ; died at Fort Scott, 

Kan., Sept. 27, 1862. 
Alvin U. Miller, Co. B, 180th 0. V. I.; disd. 
Henry 0. Morton, Co. B, 30th U. S. C, e. Sept. 10, 1869 ; disd. June 

2, 1862. 
Justis A. Dickerson, Go. I. 2d 0. V. G., e. Aug., 1861, 
Simuel Fulmer, Go. I, 2d 0. V. C., e. Aug., 1861. 
Frank Finney, Cxj. 1, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug., 1861. 
Marshal O. Freeborn, Co. 1, 2d 0. V. C, e, Aug., 1861. 
Frit/. Mohn, Co. I, 2d O. V. C, e. Aug., 1861. 
Bradley Curtis, 6tb 0. Bat. 
John Keod, 6th 0. Bat. ; diad. 

Elijah llannlton, Co. D, 29th O. V. I., o. Aug., 1861. 
Marahal Hougliin, Go. D, 29tli O. V. I., e. Aug., 1861. 
William Statan, Co. I), 29th 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1861, 
Washington Shanafelt, Co, D, 29th 0. V. I,, o. Aug., 1861. 
Wallace A. Green, Go. B. 42d O. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 



Daniel K. Smith, Co. B, 42d 0, V. I., e. Sept., 1861, 
Timothy Smith, Go. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
Henry Daykin, Co. G, 72d 0. V. I. 
John D, Piuni, Co. G, 72d O. V. I. 
Calvin Porter, Go. O, 72d O. V. I. 
James W. Stuner, Go. C, 18th 0. V. I. 
Godhilf Eberhard, Co. II, 72d 0. V. I. 

Sec.md l,iout. E. V. Turner, Go. H, 29th 0, V. I., e. Oct. 22, 1861 ; 
disd. Julv 31, 1865, 



WADSWORTH VILL.A.GE AND TOWNSHIP. 

Jacob L. Overholt, Co. E, 166th 0. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. 

Sept., 1864. 
Musician John Welty, Co. E, 61th 0. V. I., e. Feb. 3, 1862; disd. 

Feb. 19, 1864 
Musician John Welty, Co. E, 54th 0. V. I., e. Feb. 19, 1864; died. 

June 8, 1865. 
( harlesHemry. Co, D, 99th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862; disd. Feb. 

13, 1865. 
Wagoner B. F. Sclabaih, Co. G, 86th 0. V. I.; e. June 24, 1803; disd. 

Fob. 10, 1864. 
Wagoner B. F. Sclabach, Co. B, 180th 0. V. I., o. Aug. 10, 1864; 

disd. Julv 12,1865. 
Sergt. Uriah Fink, Co. L, Ist Penn. V. K, C, e. Julv 31, 1861 ; tt»ns. 
Sergt. Uriah Fink, U. S. S. C, e. Dec 27, 1864; disd, Aug. 17, 1865. 
Sergt. John D. Eoas, Co. F, 0. N. G., e, April 20, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Sergt. N. Billiard, Co. A, 179tb 0. V. I., e, Sept. 15, 1S64; disd. 

June 17, 1865. 
Jacob H. Kickert, Co. F, 160th 0. V. I., e. May 7, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1804. 
Alfred L. Corman, Co. C, 9th Penn. V. C, e. Sept. 10, 1861 ; diad. 

Dec 31, 1S63. 
Alfred L. Corman, Co. C, 9th Penn. V. V. G., e. Jan. 1, 1804; disd. 

Julv 18, 1865. 

A. L. Treat, Co.G, 16th 0. V. I., e. April 22, 1861; disd. Aug. 1S,'61. 
Corp. A. h. Treat, Co. C, 67th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 21, ISOl; disd. Dec. 

28, 1864. 
Wm. H. Rogers, Co. E, 2d 0. V. H. A., e. July 8. 1863; disd. Aug. 

23. ISOo. 
John B. Hunsberger, seaman Miss. Squad. U. S. N., e. Jan. 7, 1804 ; 

disd. Jan. 7, 1865. 
James H. Van Orman, Co. K, Sth O. V. I., e. May 22, 1801; disd, 

March 24, 1803. 
James H. Van Orman, 13th O. V. C, e. Feb. 22, 1864; disd. Aug. 

Ill, 1805. 
Abraham Krider, Oo. K, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov. 22, 18C1; disd. Dec. 

2, 1864. 
Jacob E, Krider, Co. K, 42d O. V. I., e. Nov. 22, 1861 ; disd. Dec 

2, 1864. 
Aaron BI. Boss, Go. B, 42d 0, V. I., e. Sept. 19, 1861; disd. Sept. 

30, 1864. 
Lonia A. Gilbert, clerk, Co. A, 160th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 7, 1864; disd. 

June 23, 1836. 
Joseph Tyler, landsman Mi.as. Squad. U. S. N.. e. Aug. 24, 1862; disd. 

Nov. 15, 1862. 
P. M. S. Joseph Tyler, Miss. Squad. U. S. N,, e. Nov. 15, 1862; disd. 

May 30, 1863. 
Theodore D. Wolbach, Co. E, IGth 0. V. I., c. Sept. 21, 1861 ; di.sd. 

Oct. 31, 1864. 
Eli Overholt, ('o. H, 29th 0, V. I,, e. Oct. 28, 1861 ; disd. Dec. 3, 1863. 
Capt. Allen P. Steele, Co. I, 2d O. V. C, o. Aug. 13, 1861 ; read. Aug. 

23, 1862. 
First Lieut, Allen P. Steele, Go. G, 86th 0. V. I., e. June 14, IS63; 

disd. Feb. 10, ISM. 
Austin Steele, Co. H,8th 0. V. I., e. April 22, '61 ; disd. Juno 25,'61. 
Austin Steele, Co. H, Sth O. V. I., e. June 26, 1801 ; died at Wash- 
ington, D. C, March 28, 1864. 
John J. A. Days, 42d O. V. I., o. Aug. 25, 1862; diad. Feb. 22, 1863. 
First Lieut, Joahua llile, Co. D, 0. V. I., e. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disd. 

July 19,1.865. 
Henry Shellv, Co. I, 119th Penn. V. I., o. Aug. 14, 1.862; disd. June 

19, 1865" 

B. F. Sonanatinc, A. McL. S,, O. V. C, e. Aug. 25, 1862; diad. June 

1.3, 1865. 
Joseph T. l.yle, Co. H, IMth 0. V. I., e. Aug. 7, 1«62 ; disd. June 

17, 1K65. 
William J. Reeao, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 21, '61 ; disd. Aug.,'03. 
H, B. Yoder, Co. 1, 103lh O. V. 1., e. Aug. 9, 1862 ; diad. Juno 12. '65. 
Atwi.od Merritt, Go. G, 108th N. Y. S. Y. I., e. July 25, 1862; diad. 

Dec. 3, 1 SC2. 
Harrison Sours, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862; trans. Dec, '64. 



^^ 



^^ 




-.,-><^ 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COX'NTY. 



353 



Harrisdti Sours, Co. E, 96th 0. V. I., e. Dec, 1864; disd. July, 7, '65. 
Corp. T. VV. Screene, Co. C, 6th 0. T. B., e. Nov. 10, 1861; disd. Dec. 

11, 1863. 

Q. M. S , T W. Screene, 6th 0. T. B,, «•. Dec. 27, IS63; disd. Sept. 

I, 1865. 

Wm. Freeborn, Co. G, 86th O. V. 1.. e. June 20, 1863; disd. Feb. 

10, 1864. 
Williiim H. Nice. Co. B, 149th Ind V. I., e. Feb 8, 1865; disd. May 

13, 1865. 
L.G. Mills, Co. C, 2d Mich. V. I., e. April 21, 1801; disd. July 

21, 1864. 

Ciipt. L. e. Mills, Co. C, 179th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 0, 1861 ; disd. June 

17, 1865. 

W. A. Biildwin, Co. B, 180th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 16, 1864, disd. July 

25, 1865. 
S.»ba»tian C. Goss, Co. D, 90th O. V. I., e. Aug. 12, 1802; disd. April 

18, 1864. 

David W. Corl, Co. F, 45th O. V. I., e. June 26, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1805. 

Frank H. Boyer, Co. H, 29lh 0. V. I., e. Oct. 28, 1861; disd. Nov. 

3, 1804. 
Frank II. Boyer, Co. H, C H. V. E. C, e. April 4, 1865; disd. April 

3, 1800. 
B. F. McCoy, Co. G, 64th 0. V. I., o. Nov. 9, 1801 ; disd. Jan. I, 1864. 
B. F. McCoy, Co. G, 64th 0. V. V. I., e. Jan. 1, 1864; died at Chat- 

taiioc.ga. Tenn , May 19, 1804. 
Samuel Ervine McCoy, Co. G, 04th O. \'. V. I., e. Nov. 9. 1861 ; died 

at Bardstown. Ky., Marcli 15, 1862. 
Musician Curtis Waltz, 1st O. L. A., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Sept., 1802. 
Absalom Brown, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1802; trans, at dis. 

of 42d. 
Absalom Brown, Co. E, 96th l). V. I.; died at White River, Nov. 30, 

1804. 
Sc-cond Lieut. Edward Andrews, Co. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 5, '62; 

disd. May 19, 1863. 
Al»raham Berger, Co. K, 77th Penn. V. I., e. Dec., 1862; disd. June, 

1805. 
Henry B. Musselmati, f;o. 1, 103d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1862; disd. June 

24, 1S65. 
Christian Conrad, Co. I, 29th 0. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. Nov., '64. 
Christian Conrad. Co, I, 29th 0. V. V. I., e. Nov., 1864; disd. July 

22, 1805. 

Jackson Eatou, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. April 22, 1801 ; disd. 

Jackson Eatou, Co. H, 8th O. V. I., e, June 22, 1801; disd. on ac- 
count of wounds. 

Uriah Helmick, Co. M, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861 ; died at Ft. Scott, 
Kan., 1862. 

James McCoy, Co. G. 86th O. V. I., e. July 14, 1S03; diad. Feb. 
10, 1864. 

Corp. Jacob P. Hofer, Co. G, 102d 0. V. I., e. Feb. 28, 1864; disd. 
Sept. 28. 1865. 

George W. Durling, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. April, '61; disd. Sept., '62. 

George W. Durling. 6th U. S. 0.; disd. March, 1864. 

A. M. Beck, Co. X, 2d O. V. C, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; trans. Jan. 11, 1864. 

A. M. B^ck, 103d O. V. I., .Ian. 11, 1864; disd. Aug. 20, 1864. 

Chap. Francis S. Wolfe, 95th N. Y. S. V. I., e. Oct. 12, 1861 ; disd. 
Julv 31, 1864. 

Capt. Pulaski C. Hard, Co. D, 29th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 10, 1861 ; disd. 
March 12, 1862. 

.lonatban Ebner. Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 13, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 

Calvin Sowers, Co. B, Oth O. V. C, e. Feb. 29, 1804; disd. June 

10, 1865. 
Frederic Spoorn, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., o. Aug. 25, 1862; disd. Aug. 

13, 1863. 

Ebcnezer Bissell, Co. H, 2d 0. V. C, e. March 2, 1865; disd. Sept. 

II, 1866, 

Andrew Herrington, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I , April 20, '01 ; disd. July, '61. 
Andrew Herrington, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I, e. Oct. 10,1861; disd. 

March 24, 1803. 
Thomas (.'. Hard, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 8, 1862; disd. June 

12, 1865. 
James E. Huflman, Co. E, 115th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 14, 1862; disd. 

June 22, 1865. 
Sergt. Heury A. Mills, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 11, 1862; disd. 

June 24, 1865. 
Corp. Wm. C. Lyon, Co. E, 169th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864: disd. 

Sept. 4, 1804. 
Egbert Freeborn, Co. B, 186th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 23, 1864 ; disd. July 

12. 1865. 
J. D. Bimer, Co. B, 6th 0. V. C, e. Oct. 29, 1862 ; disd. July 9, 1865. 
William Coppleberger, Co. G, 86th 0. V. I., e. Julv, 1863 ; disd. Feb. 

10, 1864. 
George Findley, 5th Ind. 0. V. S. S., e. Sept., 1862; disd. July 18, 

lt!65. 



Stephen Harris Perhamus, Co. A, 104th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 6, 1862 ; 

died. June 5, 1865 
Emanuel Mattinger, Co. C, 12th Mich. V. I., e. Nov. 2, 1861 ; disd. 

Dec, 1863. 
Emanuel Mattinger, Co. C, 12th Mich. V. I., e. Dec, 1803; disd. 

JIarch 5, 1866. 
Nathan Itouch, Co. G, 67th Penn. V. I., e. Feb. 7, 1862 ; disd. Feb. 

7, 1864. 
Nathan Kouch, O.j. G, 07th Penn. V. I., e. Feb 7, 1862; disd. July 

7, 1865. 
Corp. Patterson V. Wilki..8, l(i2d 0. V. I., e. July, 1862; disd. Dec. 

30, 1865. 
Musician Horace Greenwood, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept. 14, 1861 ; disd. 

Sept. 4, 1802. 
Musician Horace Greenwood, Bat. A, 0. V. L. A., e Feb. 6, 1864; 

disd. Aug. 29, 1865. 
Jacob Vanorsdall, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. May, 1861 ; disd. July, '64. 
Garret A. Vanorsdall, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. May, 1801; disd. July, 

1864. 
Richard Packer, Co, H, 8th 0. V. I., e. May, 1861 ; disd. July, '64. 
Washington Darling, Co. H, 8th 0. V. I., e. May, 1861 ; disd. July, 

1804. 
Quincy A. Turner, Co. K, 42d 0. V. I., e. Nov. 22, 1801 ; disd. Dec, 

1804. 
William McCoy, Co. I, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861. 
Charles Grutz, Co. G, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861. 
Louis O. Bonner, Co G, 2d 0. V. C, e. Sept., 1861. 
Tlo.mas Folger, Co. H, 29tli 0. V. C, e. Oct., 1861; disd. 
Hiram Root, Co. H, 29th 0. V. I., 6. Oct., 1861 ; disd. 
A. B, Freeman, Co. G, 64th O. V. I., e. Nov., 1861 ; disd. 
Joseph Lackey, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Oct., 1861; disd. 
John Murray, 0. V. I. 
Lampson C. Curtis, Co. D, 23d 0. V. I. 
James E. loe, Co. F, 23d O. V. I. 
Robert A. Rosenberry, Co. I, 23d 0. V. I. 
John G. Barton, 23d O. V. I. 
L. G. Mills, Co. C, 23d O. V. I. 
Edward Newman, Co. D, 37th O. V. I. 
Charles Stauffer, Co. D, 55th 0. V. I. 
H. man Kittle, Co. F, 65th 0. V. I. 
Jackson Brown, Co. I, 72d V. I. 
John H. Auble, Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862.; disd. June 24, '05. 



WESTFIELD. 

Calvin Chapin, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; disd. Oct. 16,'64. 
Second Lieut. Ozias W. Foot, Co. E, 128th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 16, 1863 ; 

disd. July 13, l.sii5. 
Harriscm B, Owen, Co. B, 42il 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1801 ; died at Ash- 
land. Ky., March 11, 1802. 
John C. Ramsey, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. April 21, 1801 ; disd. Aug. 

18, 1802. 
John C Ramsey, Co. F, 166th O. V. I., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Sergt. Jacob Wagoner, Co. K, 103d O. V. I., e. Aug. 8, 1802; disd. 

June 12, 1805. 
Francis Kidd, Co. E, 4Sth Bat., 0. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802 ; disd. 
Aaron Clark, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1801; disd. Dec 2, '64. 
Henry P. Naylor, Co. F, 160th O. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Richard Hogan, Co. R, 8th O. V. I., e. May 20,1801 ; transferred, Oct. 

22, 1802. 
Richard Hogau, Co. C, 6tli U. S. C, e. Oct. 22, 1862 ; disd. May 2C,'64. 
Leon.ard H.St. John,Co. F,I66th O.N.G., e. May 2, 1804 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1804. 
Jonah Styles, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 22, 1861 ; disd. Sept. 1, '63. 
Jonah Styles, Co. F, 160th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Homer St. John, Co. F, 106th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 
Leroy B. Owen, Co. G, 42d 0. V. X., e. Nov. 26, 1861 ; disd. Dec 2, '64. 
Henry S. Wells, Co. F, 160th 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept. 

9, 1864. 

Eben S. Chapin. Co. G, 42d O. V. I., e Nov. 26,1801; disd. Dec 2,'04. 
Lorenzo A. Loomis, Co. E, 4eth Mass. V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1802; disd. 

July 29, 1863. 
Newton N. Reese, Co. G, 86th 0. V. I., e. June 20, 1863 ; disd. Feb. 

10, 1864. 

David Collon, ('o, K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; killed Nov., 1863, 

at .Armstrong Hill, Tenn. 
Andrew Truman, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; died Aug., '63, 

at Somei-set, Ky. 
J. C. Raynolds, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd. June, 1865. 






'-^ 



354 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Hack Shaw, Oo. K, lliSd 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1S62 ; died Jan., 1863, at 

Frankfoii, Ky. 
W. n. H. Jonc-s, Oo. I, 2d 0. V. C, e. Aug. 13, 1861 ; disd. Feb. 

17, 1863. 
Nathan S. Jones, Co. K, 86th 0. V. I., e. July, 1862 ; died Dec, 1863, 

at Cumberland Gap. 
Jo.sei.h Nihutf, Co. K, 16th O. V. I., e. Sept. 12, 1861 ; disd Oct. 29, 

1S63. 
Joseph Nihuff, Co. M, 9th 0. V, C, e. Jan. 25, 1864 ; iisd. July 20, 

1S65. 
Chancey C. Halliwoll, Co. D, 166th O. N. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. 

Sept. 9, 18(;4. 
D. E. Lutz, Co. K, ll«d 0. V. I., e. Aug., 1862 ; disd June, 1865. 
D. P. Kennedy, Co. D, ICeth 0. N. G., e. May 2, 1864 ; disd. Sept. 

9, 1861. 
Abraham Moore, Co. G, 19th Ind. V. I., e. April, 1861 ; disd. Aug., 

1865. 
S. B. Hikox, Co E, 128th 0. V. I., e. Dec. 18, 1863 ; disd. July 18, 

ISCo. 
John Mowery, Co. I, ln2d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 7, 1862 ; disd. 
Geo. A. Robinson. Co. C, 23d Mich. V. I., e. Sept. 21. 1864 ; disd. 

June 6, 1865. 
W. U. McDonald, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 6, 1861 ; disd. June, 

1864. 
W. U. McDonald, Co. E, 152d InU. V. I., e. Jan. 18H5 ; disd. July, 

1865. 
First Lieut. Joseph H. Freeman, Co. C, 2d Iowa V. C, e. Aug. 14, 

1861 disd. Nov 30, 1862. 
Alfred Tanner, Co. K, 16th 0. V. I., e. Sept. 28, 1861; disd. Oct. 

31, 1864. 
William C. Mansfield, 2d 0. V. C. ; killed at Horae Creek, Mo., May 

7, 1863. 
Lieut. Otis Shaw, Co., K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861 ; resigned. 
Odas W. Foot, Co. K, 8th 0. V. I., e. June, 1801 ; disd. 
Lieut. 0. G. Daniels, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861 disd. July, 

1864. 
Allen McFarland, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Washington Reed, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Perry Cowick, Co. K, Slh 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Jo'ieph Monosmith, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e, June, 1861. 
Curtis Merry, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
George W. Todd, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Daniel McN.al, Co. K, Sth O. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Daniel Field, Co. K, Sth O. V. [., e. June, 1861. 
John McDonald, Co. K, Sth O. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Daniel HubbiirJ, Co. K, Sth O. V. I.,e. June, 1861. 
Daniel Fritz, Co. K, sth 0. V. I., e. June, 1861. 
Maj. David E. Welch, 2d 0. V. C. 
William Reed, 2d 0. V. C. 
William McCabe, 2d 0. V. C. 
Henry Martin, 2d O. V. C. 
Benjamin McFarland, 2d 0. V. C. 
Thomas Sliaw, 2d O. V. C. 
James Kildy, 2d O. V. C. 
Andrew Dentiison, 2d 0. V. C. 

Curtis F. Lutz, (V). B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept. 1H61 ; disd. Dec. 1864. 
Ludwick Wagoner, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Dec, 

1864. 
Aaron Loomis, Co. B, 42d V. I., G. Sept., '61. 
Aaron Clark, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Dec , 1864. 
John Johnson, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
John Watkins, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
Henrv Chapin, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Oct., '64. 
William McFarland, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 
William Shaw, Co. B, 42d O. V. I., e. Sept.. 1861. 
Giles .Sheldon, Co. B, 42d O, V. I., e. Sept , 1861. 
George Frazier. Co. B, 42d(). V. [., e. Sept., 1861 ; disd. Oct., 1864. 
Riley Smith. 16th 0. V. I. 
John Truman, 16th 0. V. I. 
George Hope, 16th O. V. I. 
Hiram Mallorv, 16th 0. V. I. 
Martin Hoton, 161h O. V. I. 
Elmore St. .lolin, 64th O. V. I. 
William Cutter, lilth O. V. I. 
Davirl Noi ton, 65th O. V. I. 
George Norton, 05th 0. V. I. 
William Welder, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I. 
Richard Hogan, Co. K, Sth O. V. I. 
Jose])h Wall, Co. B. 42d O. V. I. 
W. McDoodl.., Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. 
Henry Chapin, Co. B, 42d (). V. I. 
Charles Wright, H)3d O. V. I. , 

Andrew Bakman, 1113d O. V. I. 
George Norton. 103d 0. V. I. 
Wm. Richards, Co B, 128th O. V. [., e. Dec, 1863; disd. .luly, 1865. 



C. Easterbrook, Co. E, 128th 0. V. I., e. Dec, 1863 ; disd. July, 1865. 
John Mansfield, Co. E, 166lh 0. V. G., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept.'64. 
Sylvester Lutz, Co. E, 166lh 0. V. G., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept., '64. 
Daniel Heckerl, Co. E, 166th 0. V. G., e. May, 1864 ; died in 

service. 
J. P. Olin, Co. E, 166th 0. V. G., e. May, 1864 ; disd. Sept., 1864. 
Robert Stinson, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. Mav, 1864 ; disd. Sept., '64. 
Samuel Hensur, Co. E, 166th 0. N. G., e. May, 1864 : disd. Sept.. '64. 
W. B. McCracken, Co. E, 166th O.N. G.,e. May, 1864; disd. Sept.,'64. 
L. Colee, Co. E, 106th O. N. 6., e. May, 1864; disd. Sept., 1864. 



YORK. 

H. Judson, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. May 26, 1861 ; disd. 

II. Judson, U. S. Signal Corps, e. Feb. 20, 1864. disd. Aug. 17, 1865. 

Corp. Silas Judson, Co. K, Sth V. I., e. April, 1861 ; disd. May 26, 

1861. 
Corp. Silas Judson, Co. K, sth 0. V. I., e. Oct., 1861 ; died at New- 
ark, N. J , Sept, 9. 1803. 
T. P. Hale, Co. H, Sth 0. V. I., e. May 1861 ; died at Oakland, Md., 

Aug. 31, 1801. 
Paul Swarrz, Co. K, 10.3d 0. V. I., e. Aug. 5, 1862 ; disd. Oct. 11, '63. 
Corp. John H Ford, Co, E, 144th 0. V. I., e. April 23, 1864 ; disd. 

Aug. 24, 1864. 
Charles E. Holcomb, Co. K, 169lh 0. V. I., e. April, 1864 ; died at 

Mt. Pleasant, Del., Aug. 2.3, 1864. 
William 0. Bradford, Co. G, Sth Iowa V. I., e. Aug. 22, 1861 ; disd. 

Sept. 28, 1864. 
William O. Bradford, Co. D, 4th U. S. V. V., e. March .3, 1865 ; disd. 

March 3, 1860. 
Newton Thraps, Co. K, 103d 0. V. I., e. Ang. 5, 1862; died at 

Frankfort. Kv., Feb. 2, 1863. 
Charles Fisk, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. May 22d, 1801 ; died at Fortress 

Monroe Oct. 2, 1862. 
Sergt. Alvin L. Branch, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., c May 26, 1861 ; kid. at 

battle of Wilderness. 
John Seely, Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept. 22d, 1S61 ; disd. Jan. 20, '63. 
Richmond C. Van Orman, Co. C, 7th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 15, 1862; disd. 

Feb., 1864. 
Sergt. Richmond C. Van Orman, Co. D, 178th 0. V. I., e. Aug. 3, 

1864; disd. July 15, 1865. 
Nathan Seeley, Co. A, 2d O. V. C, e. Feb.16,1864; disd.Sept.ll, '65. 
Corp. Martin Pierce, Co. E, 10th O. V. C, e. Nov., 1862; died at 

Murfreesboro.Tenn., April 25, 1863. 
James G. Page, Co. E, 6th U. S. C, e. Aug. 19, 1861, disd. Apiil 

10, 1802. 
Sergt. Theodore C. Gardner, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. April 23, 1861 ; 

disd. Oct. 23, 1862. 
Sergt. Theodore C. Gardner, Co. C, 6th U. S. C, e. Oct. 23, 1862 ; disd. 

Mav '20, 1804. 
Capt. W"ilbur F. Pierce, Co. K, Sth O. V. I., e. April 22d, 1861 ; disd. 

July 13, 1864. 
Sidney S. Branch, Co. K, Sth O. V., I., e. May 25, 1861; disd. July 

1.3, 1864, 
Seymour Drake, Co. K. Sth 0. V. L, e. May 20, 1861 ; kid. at battle 

of Winchester. 
Arga P. Branch, Co. H. 103d 0. V. I.,e. Aug., 1862; died at Frank- 
fort, Ky., Jan. 25, 1863. 
Q. M. Serat. W. N. Pierce, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. Sept. 15, 1801; disd. 

Sept. 1.5, 1861. 
0. B. Wilson, Co. E. 166th O. N. (i., e. May 2, 1864; disd. Sept., '64. 
James A. Apthorp, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 22, 1861 ; disd. July 

13, 1864. 
Abram Volintine, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1801 ; disd. Oct. 

23, 1862. 
Abram Volintine, Co. C, 6th H. 8. C, e. Oct. 23, 1862; disd. May 

23, 1.864, 
C. D. Gardner, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861; disd. July 

13, 1864. 
F. M. Rowley, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861 ; disd. July 

13, 1864. 
George Bates, Co. K, Sth 0. V. I., e. June 24, 1861; disd. July 

13, 1864, 
Albert U. Sampson, Co. G, 42d O. V. I. 
.lohn Seeley, Co. G, 42d O. V. I. 
Zenns Kiiapp, Co. 1, 2d O. V. C. 
William J, Smolke. Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
F. C. Smith. Co. I, 2d 0. V. C. 
Thomas Wilson, Co. I, 2d O. V. C. 
Michael B.iwman, Co. H, 72d 0. V. I. 
John Reitz, Co. H, 72d (). V. I. 
Julius C. Trumbull, Co. L, Ist 0. V. A. 
R. A. Seeley. Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., e. Sept., 1861. 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



355 



MEDINA COUNTY SOLDIERS, TOWNSHIPS UN- 
KNOWN. 

A. J. Woodl.ury, Co. C, ,57th 0. V. I. 
M. G. Curtis, Co, I, 67tli III. V. I. 
J. B. Berry, Co. E. luOih Inii. V. I. 
K. S. Sargent, C-. C, 128th O. V. I. 
C, B. Myers, Co. C.45th Penn, V. I. 
George W. Janis, Co. A, 33d 111. V. I. 
C. C. Case, Co. B, 3-2d O. V. I. 



F. T. Moss, Co. I, lllth N. Y. S. V. I. 
William II Willev, Co. B, 2d 0. V, C. 
William A. Baldwin, Co. B, ISnth O. V. I. 
L. C. Turner, (.'p. I. 19:id 0. V. I. 
George Switzcr, Co. I, Uth 0. V. I. 
L. L. Morton, Co. H, 41st O. V. I, 
Warner Bellows, Co. G, H.'ith O. V. I. 
S. Days, Co. G, USth 111. V. I. 
O. K. Chatfleld, Co. A. 124th 0. V. I. 
F. M. Waltman, Co. M, :)d Penn. h. A. 
John Goldwood, Co. G, lloth 0. \. I. 
?'. - 



CHAPTER VI. 



A RETROSPECT - 



■MEDINA'S EMANCIPATION- 
THE CENTENNIAL 



-THE FIRSr RAILROAD — THE COUNTY S .lUP.ILEE* — 
'FOURTH"— THE ORATION. 



THE greater part of the volume of which this 
chapter forms a part might properly be 
called a retrospective glauce over the past six- 
ty-uine years of the history of Medina County ; 
but in these pages it is desired to give more 
full}- than could elsewhere be given, a sketch 
of two important events in the countj''s history. 
Sueceediiig generations will find it difflcult to 
appreciate the handicapped condition of com- 
mercial and social development before the rail- 
road opened the door to equal advantages with 
the surrounding country. That emancipation 
day that brought the first train-load of passen- 
gers to Medina was full of hope for the future, 
and, though, in some respects, the word of prom- 
ise was kept only to the ear, it was a grand 
event in the annals of the countj-'s develop- 
ment, and one which all, no doubt, will re- 
call with pleasure. Wednesday, November 15, 
1871, was a day long to be remembered in 
Medina. It had been longed for- and prayed 
for some twenty years ; but most anxiously 
awaited during the last few weeks of its delaj'. 
With the completion of the Lake Shore & Tus- 
carawas Valley Railway to Medina, and the ar- 
rival of the first train of passenger cars, the 
hopes and the prayers and the efforts of the 
people were crowned with success. In the lan- 
guage of the Gazette, published on the 17th 
inst., the people could say : " The day has ar- 

* Compiled from the Medina Gazette. 



rived at last, thank God ! and we till feel 
happy. We are out of the wilderness ! And 
we celebrated the event. We celebrated it 
bull}^ ! We had a grand good time and no fail- 
ure." 

A storm of rain on the preceding da}' was 
succeeded at night bj' a fall of snow and cold 
winds. This pre\'entcd large numbers of the 
country people _from coming to town, where 
every preparation had been made to give them 
a hearty welcome. Still, there was a big crowd 
of people in the county seat. They lined the 
sidewalks, filled up the business houses, pre- 
empted the hotels, and sat in the offices, and 
all contributed to the general cheer, notwith- 
standing the cold weather. 

It having been announced that the excursion 
train would reach Medina at 12 o'clock, M.. 
long before and after that hour the current of 
travel set toward the railroad track. Medina's 
lone piece of artillery, re-enforced by the Seville 
battery, was posted on Bronson's hill, near b}-, 
and, during the forenoon, let oflT eight or ten guns 
"just to wake 'em up." It was tedious waiting 
for the train, and it did not finally arrive until 
about 1 o'clock, the crowd remaining good 
humored and reasonably patient in the mean- 
while. A temporary platform had been erected 
for the passengers to step on from the cars, and 
this was the rallying point of the confused 
mass of beings. It was a trying hour to wait. 



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356 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



The people, benumbed with the early touch of 
winter, and tjeset with an anxiety that all shared 
alike, found it hard to direct their minds from 
the absorbing subject. People walked up and 
down the track, up and down the roatl. and up 
and down anywhere to counteract the benumb- 
ing influence of the weather. The track, the 
switch, the remaining engine of the construc- 
tion train, all were the object of the admiring 
scrutiny of the assembled crowtl. There were 
a good many false alarms of the -train is com- 
ing'" and once or twice, those who had charge 
of the bells and steam whistles up town. ' let 
them oflT" — all of which created considerable 
amusement and helped to pass the time. But 
all trains do get in at last, and this train 
proved no exception. It was hoard to whistle 
at York Center, only four miles away, and 
pretty soon the rumlile of the wheels was 
heard ; and then a shriek of the locomotive 
came tearing through the woods, and a passen- 
ger train of six coaches and a baggage-ear hove 
in sight. Off went hats and shawls and shouts 
and bells and whistles and cannon ! The pas- 
sengers in the cars leaned out of the windows 
and cheered, the people at the landing cheered, 
the locomotives added their voice to the gi-and 
uproar, until the whole made up a volume of 
sound excelling anything in the experience of 
the oldest inhabitant. 

The unloading of the train was quite as 
unique in its way. The passengers tlid not walk 
out — thev seemed to just rollout into the arms 
of their frantic friends. The - reception." upon 
which care and circumstance had been elabor- 
ated, 'didn't come off." In fact, the reception 
committee did not know whether they were on 
terra firma or walked the ether, but all were 
happy and all felt welcome, which was the end 
sought. In carriages and on foot, the crowd of 
guests moved up town to the coin-t house, where 
the weather compelled the formalities of the 
occasion to take place. Here Mayor Blake, as 
President of the dav. gaining the attention of 



the crowded audience, welcomed the guests of 
the hour as follows : 

Fellow- Citizens : It is aUogether proper that the peo- 1 
pie of Medina should feel a deep interest in the occa- 
sion that has called us together. It is well to do honor 
to this noble enterprise, and honor to those who are en- 
gaged in its completion. It is a great worli, and one 
that will give new life and enterprise to Medina and 
the whole county. By the completion of the Lake Shore 
& Tuscarawas Valley Railroad, Medina will be tied by 
iron bands to Lake Erie on the north, and the Ohio 
River on the south. By it, Cleveland, on the lake, and 
the citizens on the Ohio River are made our immediate 
neighbors, from whom must grow up mutual intercourse 
and commerce. The coal-fields of the Tuscarawas and 
Hocking Valleys will furnish the motive power, and the 
beautiful, healthy location of Medina, and the product- 
iveness of the surrounding country will form the in- 
ducements for capitalists and artisans to make their 
location here. Here the iron ore of Lake Superior and 
the coal of the Tuscarawas Valley will meet ; here, ma- 
chinery of all kinds will be put in operation, and 
mechanical skill will find ample scope for .all its powers. 

Cleveland, now regarded as a part of the suburbs of 
Medina, will soon make all the necessary combinations 
to " form a more perfect union," and thus Medina will 
become one of the railroad towns of Ohio, This road 
is to be a coal road, and to tap the great coal region of 
the Slate, embracing, as it does, not less than 10,000 
square miles, or quite equal to all that possessed by 
Great Britain, .and far in excess of that of any other 
European nation. While the coal-fields of Ohio, through 
which this road is to run, are as large as the entire coal 
fields of Great Britain and larger than any other Euro- 
pean country, the annual production of coat in Great 
Britain is over 100,000,000 tons, and the annual pro- 
duction in Ohio is only about ;i,000,00l) tons. It will 
be seen, therefore, that, while we have an inexhaustible 
source of wealth in our coalfields, we have scarcely 
begun to draw upon them. 

Great Britain, one of the most powerful nations on 
the face of the earth, of whom it is said, "the sun never 
sets on her possessions,'' derives her great wealth and 
power from her manufacturing industry; and the main- 
spring of her industry is her coal-field. Itissaid " that 
the power developed in the combustion of one pound of 
coal is equal to l,500,0t)0 foot-pounds. The power e-t- 
, orted by a man of ordinary strength, during a day of 
labor, is about the same ; so that a pound of coal may 
be regarded as an equivalent to a day's labor of a man. 






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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



357 



Hence, 3U0 pouuds will represent the labor of a man 
for a year. It is estimated " that the contributions 
made to the wealth of Great Britain, by her annual coal 
products, is equal to that of 1.33,000,000 of skilled opera- 
tives laboring for her enrichment." If these statements 
are true, all may see what Ohio can become by a proper 
development of her coal-fields, and a wise regard for 
her mechanical industry. The Lake Shore & Tuscara- 
was X'alley Railroad being one of the links in that great 
chain of railroads calculated to develop the coal inter- 
ests of Ohio, its importance cannot be overestimated. 
All honor, then, we say to the Presidert and Directors 
of the road. And all honor to those, who, by their la- 
bors and money, furnished the old road-bed years ago, 
without which we would not now have a railroad. 

We welcome you, one and all, to the hospitalities of 
our village. For more than eighteen long years, the 
people of .Medina have labored and struggled to accom- 
plish the building of this road ; and "now is the winter 
of our discontent made glorious summer " by the usher- 
ing in of the first train of cars over the Lake Shore & 
Tuscarawas Valley Railway. We welcome our brethren 
from Cleveland .and from the whole surrounding coun- 
try. Let us all rejoice together that labor and science 
have here erected another monument that shall con- 
stantly proclaim the great truth that nature presents 
no obstacles that may not by man be overcome, and 
made to minister to his comfort and happiness. And 
here, my fellow-citizens, permit me to conclude, in the 
language of our own poet, made to suit this occasion : 
" Has the theme grown too old, and the triumph toocold, 

For a song of joy, I wonder? 
No, not while the shout of the engine rings out 

And the rumble of wheels, like low thunder. 
Falls on the glad ear. No sound that we hear 

Wakes half such emotions of pleasure. 
And the echoes resound, and our pulses rebound 

And beat to a rhythmical measure. 
"By valley and mead, flies the stc-am-propelled steed. 

Like Sheridan's charger to battle. 
The hopes and the fears of eighteen long years 

Are ended at last, and the rattle 
Of his iron hoofs say, as they speed on their way — 

'Behold here the Iriumph of labor ! 
The hamlet awakes, and the City of Lakes 

Reaches her hand to her neighbor. 
"'The air is rife wilh new vigor and life. 

Wherever my hoofs are heard sounding, 
And my shrill shrieking voice makes the valley rejoice, 

And the pulse of the village is bounding. 



The stage-horse is seen on ihe meadow land green. 
And his neigh comes down like a blessing ; 

And poverty's fiying and ignorance dying, 
.And science and commerce progressing.' 

" Hurrah ! ami hurrah ! fur the glad day that saw 

A village and city united. 
The prayers of the past have been answered at last 

.■\nd the hearts of the people delighted." 

To this address of welcome, Hon. F. W. Pel- 
tou, Mayor of Cleveland, being called out, re- 
sponded as follows : " Mr. Mayor and citizens 
of Medina : In visiting your city to-day, I did 
not expect to reply to your welcoming address, 
but came to join in the general rejoicing over 
the realization of our hopes in the final success 
of your railroad project. The completion of 
the Tuscarawas Valley Railway secures to jou 
communication, not only with Cleveland, but 
with every city in the land. It is well calcu- 
lated to stimulate the rejoicings of your citi- 
zens. Medina is now linked with the fairest 
cit}^ of the lakes, whose citizens rejoice with 
3'ou to-day, and are here to extend to ^-ou the 
hand of welcome, with the cordial wish that 
the new railroad may unite us more firmly 
together." 

After this brief response, which was received 
with rounds of hearty applause, Judge Tyler 
was introduced as the man who had done as 
much or more than any other person, to secure 
the building of the road on the old road-bed. 
He began by saying that " the compliment was 
too high for his merits, but to sit still and say 
nothing on such an occasion would not do at 
all. Three months ago, Medina was 250 miles 
away from anywhere. To-day she is added to 
the family of railroad towns. Some twenty 
years ago, Medina started a railroad project ; 
and, like the Medina of old, she has kept the 
bones of the prophet in the shape of the old 
road-bed, and many a dollar has been Ijroughl 
to this shrine. Tiie starters of the old project 
deserve credit, and 1 am glad your ilayor gave 
them credit in his address. Like Rip Van 



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.k 



358 



IIISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Winkle. Medina has sliunbereil for twenty years. 
but you see it has taken but two and a half 
months to wake up — to renew your life. And 
I want to sa}- that you must thank the work- 
men for bringing the railroad to your doors so 
soon. Just set Pete Young to work on a rail- 
road, and he will take it anywiiere. Two 
months ago. or about that, tiie first stake was 
driven, and to-day. a passenger train arrives in 
your town. The railroad comes at tiie right 
time. Tt restores the losses l.iy your great fire, 
and will build you up. The railroad itself will 
lie a success. The stock will l)e good. In 
good hands, as it is, I am not afraid to guaran- 
tee 12 per cent on j-our stock in two years 
Its relations with other roads are of the most 
favorable kind ; connections good ; they all 
fiivor it. It runs through the richest agricult- 
ural and mineral portions of tiie State, and 
Medina is midwa\- on this great line. It now 
depends upon the citizens of Medina whether 
they wull take advantage of their splendid loca- 
tion, where coal and iron and lumber will meet, 
to build up a thriving manufacturing business, 
and a prosperous town. GrO ahead — make the 
most of your advantages. I did everything I 
could to help on the enterprise, and assure you 
no man in Medina rejoices at its success more 
heartilj' than I do." 

This happy speech called out ■■ three cheers " 
from the happy crowd, succeeded by earnest 
calls for Hon. James Monroe, the Congres.sman 
for the district of which Medina County formed 
a part. In responding, he said tliat. •■ upon re- 
ceiving the cordial invitation to lie here, he had 
examined carefully the programme, where he 
found that all that was required of him was to 
be happy and eat dinner. He was happ^' 
already, and. as for the dinner, he was not going 
to talk long enough to keep it waiting. He did 
not expect to say a word — the gratification of 
coming to Medina on a railroad train was su- 
premely satisfying. One thoui^lit. however, 
forced itself UDOn him. He saw a great mauv 



young people here. When he was young, he 
read about the grand old times in history, when 
there were Knights-errant, and he remembered 
that he felt a great regret that he was born in a 
pros3' age — an age when there was no more 
chivalry, no more chance for heroic deeds. He 
had no doubt the young people now thought 
the same — thought that this was only a corn 
and potato planting age. But since then he 
had seen how much there was to do ; what a 
work there is for stout hands and heroic hearts ; 
and he felt that this is the age of true chivalry. 
There are still useful deeds to be performed. 
We require as much heroism, and magnanimity, 
and all that noble quality of Ijod}' and soul, 
called force, now as ever. The events we are 
met here to congratulate the people of Medina 
on, are the kind of deeds required of us. This 
is valiant service. It is a different and more 
useful service than that of the Knights-errant, 
more worthy- of a Christian age and a Christian 
people. The old Knights destroyed cities by 
the sword and torch ; but it is the glory of this 
people, when their cities are burned, to build 
them up. I put it to the 3'oung men, if the 
age of chivalry is gone !" 

Closing with some congratulatory remarks on 
the completion of the road, and a humorous 
allusion to his own services in getting a bill 
concerning the old road-bed through the legis- 
lature, when a member from this district, he 
was heartily applauded, and succeeded by Gen. 
John Crowell, of Cleveland. He said " his errand 
here was to join with the people in rejoicing 
over the completion of the railroad. Ilis first 
visit to Medina was in 1823, when there were 
very few inhabitants in the town or township. 
The countiy was chiefly primeval forest, with 
now and then a log cabin and small clearing 
around it. How different the scene today! 
Tiie wilderness has been removed and trans- 
formed into cultivated fields and happy homes. 
1 do join in rejoicing at the completion of your 
road, and trust j'ou will realize all the benefits 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



359 



from it you justlj- expect. But, Mr. Ma^-or, 
five-minute speeclies are, or ouglit to be, in or- 
der, and all I siiall add is, to assure you tiiat 
Cleveland, one of the suburbs of Medina, ex- 
pects, at the close of the present decade, to num- 
ber 200,000 people ; and Medina may congrat- 
ulate herself, by her present enterprise she is 
promoting not only her own interest, but the 
growth and happiness of her enterprising sub- 
urb." 

The happy reference to Medina's aspirations 
and new-found dignity-, fell pleasantly upon the 
ear of the audience, which responded with en- 
thusiam. James A. Briggs, Esq., of New 
York, was then called out, who by his compre- 
hensive salutation left none to feel that they 
were omitted in his thoughts, and paved the way 
for a patient hearing, notwithstanding the 
length of the exercises preceding him. He be- 
gan with : •' Men, women, children, babes and 
sucklings of Medina : The world moves, prog- 
ress is the order of the day, and the good peo- 
ple of Medina are henceforth and forever in 
railroad connection with all parts of the coun- 
try ; for the iron horse and his train are here, 
and have made their long-waited-for appearance, 
amid the roar of cannon, the ringing of bells, 
the trumpets' pealing sound, and the glad shout 
of a happy people. And I am glad to be here 
once again after an absence of so many years, 
to meet j'ou to-day, not to talk of fields and 
crops, of lowing herds and bleating flocks, of 
advancement in agriculture, ' the noblest be- 
cause the natural employment of man ;' not to 
discuss here political questions upon which 
you are divided, but to stand with you upon a 
common platform, where all are united, where 
you have but one feeling and one interest, and 
where all rejoice in one common impulse, to be 
ridden on a rail out of town, and to take this 
long-wished-for ride, without tar, without 
feathers, without disgrace, ami under the care 
of a good conductor. 

" Farmers, merchants, traders, business men. 



J'OU have long looked for this event, because 
the completion of this railroad will add to your 
convenience, to your material prosperity ; and 
whatever will add to the material prosperitj- of 
a people, is a matter of no small moment. Some 
transcendental philosophers and remarkable 
geniuses, who live in garrets and are always out 
at the toes, and out at the elbows, maj' regard 
those who are in pursuit of monej', as laborers 
who have not a proper appreciation of the true 
dignity of man. But he who at this hour of 
the world's history regards money as of no ac- 
count, lives to as little purpose as he who re- 
gards its mere accumulation as the only end 
and aim of life. Money enables you to have 
comfortable, elegant houses, to improve your 
field stock, to make your labor, by the use of 
implements, lighter, and gives you the means to 
contribute to all the benevolent, humane, edu- 
cational and religious demands of the age, and, 
when calamity comes upon ■ j'our neighbor,' 
as in Chicago, Wisconsin and Michigan, to help 
him in his hour of need to food and clothing, 
and to make you all feel how blessed it is ' to 
give.' 

" To the farmers of Medina, this railroad is a 
matter of no small concern. Your county is a 
very productive one. Only eleven counties out 
of the eighty-eight in the State have more cat- 
tle, five counties make more butter, seven make 
more cheese, three make more pounds of maple 
sugar, seven raise more bushels of oats, six 
have more acres of meadow, and only seven 
counties cut more tons of hay. This is cer- 
tainly a ' good show ' for a county with 20,000 
people. You will soon have railroad transpor- 
tation for all your products, and a few cents a 
bushel on grain, or two cents a pound on but- 
ter and cheese, saved in the cost of getting to 
market, will add largely to the profits of farm- 
ing. Your county, with the five counties south 
of you, through which the Lake Shore & Tus- 
carawas Valley Road is to pass, raised about 
six millions of bushels of wheat, corn and oats 



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360 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



for export. Now. if this road enables the 
farmers of these five counties, to save five cents 
a bushel in marketing this grain, then they will 
put into their pockets $300,000 a year. I have 
no doubt this road will give an additional value 
to the products of these six counties of 81,000, 
000 a year, as you will not raise anything that 
will not have a market value. 

•• Previous to the opening of the Erie Canal, 
the cost of transporting a ton of merchandise 
from Buffalo to Albany was SI 00. and the time 
twent}' days. Upon the ojiening of the Erie 
Canal, the cost was reduced to $10. and 
now to $3. Ten barrels of flour make a ton, 
and, if it now cost $100 a ton for freight 
from Buffalo to Albany, j-ou can figure up at 
your leisure how much wheat and corn would be 
worth a busliel in Medina County. ' Corn at 
75 cents a bushel will bear ti'ansportation 
in the old way, 125 miles to market, and wheat 
at $1.50 a bushel 250 miles, while upon a rail- 
road corn will have a marketable value at 1 ,600 
miles, and wheat 3,200 miles away.' Railways 
are great equalizers, for they make land far away 
from market almost as valuable as land near 
the centers of population. A few years ago, 
the tolls on the Ohio Canal were more per 
mile for freight than the cost of transpoitation 
on railroads is now. 

"Another thing of great value to be derived 
from this railroad is this : Tt will supplv vou 
coal for fuel at 'cheap rate, and this will save 
your timber. The farmers of your own and of 
other counties cannot do a Itetter thing than to 
save your forests. Good timber is becoming 
more and more scarce and valuable ; and how to 
save it is a question your State and county agri- 
cultural societies cannot too thoroughly discuss. 
In New England, I have seen stone walls in 
woods, when twenty years ago thej- divided 
cultivated fields. Tt pays to grow timber and 
wood on that land where it is too cold to grow 
almost anything, except good men and women, 
for export. 



" The transportation of grain by railroad, from 
the West, is rapidly increasing ; and this kind of 
can-ving is of great profit to the grain-gi-owers, 
as the grain is shipped by rail from the dis- 
trict where it is gi-own. and taken, without 
change of cars, to the place of consumption in the 
East, thus saving two or three commissions. At 
a recent meeting of the officers of the Albany & 
Boston Railroad, it was stated by Mr. Chapin, 
President of the company, that its business was 
rapidly increasing, and by reason of its connec- 
tions witli the Western roads. It had carried 
the last j-ear 4,557,700 bushels of grain, and 
that §5.000,000 were needed for additional 
rolling stock and improvements. In a few 
months the cars of the Lake Shore & Tuscar- 
awas Vallev Railroad will be seen loaded with 
grain, eggs and poultry, in towns and cities of 
New York and New England. 

" Wonderful has been the growth of the North- 
west ; it has no parallel in history. When I 
started in 1832 from the hills of Berkshire, 
with my old friend, Judge Humphreville — who, 
for man}' years, has lived among you. and 
whom you have honored with high public 
trusts, and who is worthy of your honor and 
confidence — the onl\- railroad between the At- 
lantic and the Mississippi was the railroad 
from Albany to Schenectady. Now, we have 
one railroad to the Pacific, and two othei-s are 
in progress of construction. In a little more 
than a generation the Northwest has increased 
from 1,600,000 people to 13.000.000. and for this 
marvelous growth it is greatly indebted to rail- 
roads to which its own people have contributed 
but comparatively little. At $42,000 per mile, 
the railroads in the Northwest ha\'e cost 
$830,000,000, and from this large investment of 
capital, farmers derive the largest dividends — 
not only in the actual increase of value to their 
lands, hut in the increase of price they obtain 
for every article their lands or their labor will 
produce. If this railroad adds only $3 an acre 
to the six counties south of Cuvahoga. it gives 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



361 



an ;idc1itional value to the real estate alone, of 
$6,555,390. What was the land worth in the 
counties along the line of the Cleveland, Colum- 
bus & Cincinnati Railroad, at the time that 
road was put under contract, and what are they 
worth now? There is life, business enterprise, 
industry, flourishing towns, and growing cities, 
and imjjroved agriculture along the line of rail- 
roads ; and silence most profound, and dullness 
in the extreme, where the locomotive is not 
seen. 

"In 1850, the Northwest had 1,276 miles of 
railroad : Ohio had 575 miles. Now, the North- 
west has 19,765 miles, and Ohio 3,448 miles. 
Forty years ago, there were 910 miles of rail- 
roads in the United States, now over 50,000 
miles, and it is a remarkable fact that the large 
increase of railroad mileage was, in 1869, 
4,900 miles. This is evidence of the faith that 
capital, the most timid of all things, has in 
railroads in the United States. While ou r popu- 
latiou is increasing at the rate of 1.000,000 a 
year, our railroads are increasing about 3,000 
miles a year. At $42,000 per mile, the cost of 
the railroads of Ohio has been $144,816,600, 
What has been the effect of this investment in 
railroads in Ohio ? In 1850, with 575 miles of 
railroad, the value of real estate, S341 ,588,838, 
the value of personal property, $98,481,302; 
total value of taxable property, $439,966,340. 
In 1870, with 3,548 miles of railroad, the value 
of real estate is $1,013,000,000, and this does 
not include the value of real estate belonging 
to railroad companies, and taking the value of 
personal propertj' as returned in 1 869, $459,884,- 
351. and the total value of taxable property is 
$1,452,960,340. The real estate in Ohio has 
been trebled in taxable value in twenty years, 
and the personal property has lieen increased 
more than four and a half times. Mr. Poor, in 
his carefully prepared statistics of railroads 
and their influence upon property, states in his 
'Manual of Railroads for 1870-71,^ 'that 
every railroad constructed adds five times its 



value to the aggregate value of the property of 
the country.' If this is so, and I believe the 
estimate of Mr. Poor not too high, as the in- 
crease in Ohio is much larger than the estimate 
of Mr. Poor, then the construction of the Lake 
Shore and Tuscarawas Valley Railroad, will 
add $20,000,000, Some of you may think this 
too much, but it is not. When the line of this 
railroad is continued from the Chippewa coal- 
fields to the Ohio River at Wheeling, passing as 
it will, its entire length through one of the 
richest mineral districts in the United States, 
who can compute the wealth that will be devel- 
oped by means of this work? I do not think 
that $20,000,000 is too much to estimate the 
increase of value along its immediate line, 
within ten years from the day the road is 
through to Wheeling. 

" A town in these days, without a railroad, is 
of no account. It is • oft' the track,' at least, 
of trade and travel. Medina is now in the line 
of promotion, and may hope for advancement, 
and may bid a long farewell to the lumbering 
coach — to stage wagons, to mud roads, and to 
patience-trying journeys. There are men here 
to-day who have been as long coming from 
Cleveland here as it takes now to go to New 
York from Cleveland. All hail the coming of 
the cars of the Lake Shore & Tuscarawas Val- 
ley Railroad ! Before another year is gone the 
road will be finished to Dennison, on the line of 
the Pittsburgh & St. Louis road, as I am told 
that Mr. Selah Chamberlain, the contractor, a 
man who knows no such word as fail, intends 
to have the whole line completed by the first 
day of October, 1872. 

" Let me sa^' to you, business men of Cleve- 
land who are here in numbers so large and so 
respectable to-day. that the railroad will, in my 
opinion, be of more importance to all your in- 
dustrial interests than any line of railroad 
leading out of Cleveland. It is a Cleveland 
road, and one that cannot be 'gobbled up' by 
the Pennsylvania Central to hold you at the 



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362 



IIISTOliY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



mercy of that great corporation. It will bring 
you cheap coal, salt, iron, oil. fire-clay and agri- 
cultural products in great abundance. Nour- 
ish it and give it your support. It will pay. 

"Friends of this railroad enterprise. you have 
been fortunate in the men who have taken this 
work in hand, in the character of its otHcers, in 
the ability, energy and responsibilitj' of the 
contractor, who is pushing right on with the 
work, and has not felt the blow which shook 
the credit and tested the strength of the 
strongest in the land, since this road was com- 
menced. Fortunate, indeed, has this country 
been in making connection at Grafton with the 
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapo- 
lis, and the Lake Shore & Michigan Railroad 
companies. Without the arrangement made 
with these two great lines of roads. I do not 
see how this road could have been made. One 
of the best railroad men in Cleveland, told me, 
a few days ago. that the facilities obtained by 
this company for passengers, freight, coal and 
dockage in Cleveland, from the roads above 
named, would have cost, even if they could 
have been obtained, $2,()0(),()00. I believe the 
stock of this railroad will be at par in two 
j^ears, and its bonds are as good as any rail- 
road ever offered in tlie market, as the 40 
per cent for freight and passengers to be 
paid by the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & 
Indianapolis, and the Lake Shore & Michigan 
Southern are, in fact, a guaranty of the bonds. 

•' Well may you ring the bells and fire the 
guns and make merry and prepare a feast of 
good things, at the completion of the first link 
in the chain of railroad that is to connect 3'ou 
with the Lake at Cleveland, and with the Ohio 
River at Wheeling. Onward is the word. And, 
if, in our rapid progress in all material prosper- 
ity, we do not, as a people, forget tliat virtue is 
the strength of a nation — that a correct pul)lic 
opinion is stronger tiian armies —and if the 
common sehooliiouso. the meeting-house, and 
the town house, well lilled with honest, intelli- 



gent people, 'who kn(jvv their rights and dare 
maintain them,' shall be seen from every rail- 
road along our prairies, over the broad savan- 
nas, in our gorges, among our hills and valleys 
— then all will be well in the future of this Re- 
public, the world's best treasure and last hope." 

This was the oration of the day, and it will, 
at this da}-, probably, afford a consolation to 
many who would hardly" be ready to indorse 
his opinion so far as it concerns the value of 
the stock. Gen. Duthan Northrop, T. W. 
Browning, C. G. Washburn, editor of the Ely- 
ria Dcmiici-dt ; A. W. Fairbanks, of the Cleve- 
land Herald ; Royal Taylor, Esq., and Thomas 
Jones, Esq., were called for and made short 
responses, when dinner was announced. The 
invited guests were taken to the American 
House, where all the variety- the market afforded 
was provided. Ample provision had been 
made to feed the crowd that gathered from the 
country, at Empire Hall. Here the ladies 
waited on some twelve hundred persons, who 
were bounteously fed. The dinner was the 
free gift of the citizens of the county, and, after 
all that cared to partake were provided for, 
there was a wagon-load of good provision that 
was dispensed among the poor, who were thus, 
at least, made to rejoice in the coming of the 
i-ailroad. 

As soon as dark set in, the square began to 
blaze out with unwonted brilliancy. One after 
another illumination, was lighted in the business 
blocks, hotels and offices. Some were quite 
elaborate, and all were bright and light, re- 
sponsi\e to the happy mood of the people. 
Some of the mottoes were, ■' Out of the wilder- 
ness ! Hurrah for the railroad ! Good-bye, old 
hacks, good-bye !" •' Welcome to the L. S. T. V. 
Railway. This is the way we long have sought !" 
"The motive power wliich develops the vital in- 
terests of our country — the locomotive !" The 
trees of the park were beautifully illuminated 
with colored lanterns, while -rockets, serpents, 
wheels, Roman caudles, nigger-chasers, zig-zags, 



S> \> " 



l^ 



IIISTOIIY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



363 



whizzers and whirligigs, and fire balloons 
amazed and delighted the assembled crowds. 
A fine pyrotechnic display was made on the 
balcony of PhaMiix Hall, where a piece of fire- 
works, after a little fizzing, blazed ont into the 
large letters, " L. S. & T, V. R, R.' The day's 
festivities closed with a grand ball at I'hwnix 
Hall, 

The excursion train was furnished by the 
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapo- 
lis Company, It was brought to Grafton by 
" Cuyahoga," Engineer Blush, and from Grafton 
to Medina by the '■ Maryland," Engineer Welsh, 
The conductor of the train was Mr, C. Lang- 
don. The returning of the train was set for 4 
o'clock in the afternoon, but it was nearl}' 5 
before it got started. Each guest was furnished 
with a ticket which read as follows : 



Lake Shore k Tuscarawas V^allev R'y. 



OPENING EXCURSION. 

Wednesday, November 15th, 1871, 



PASS THE BEAREK TO MEDINA AND RETURN. 

W. S. Streator, President. 



Excursion Traill will leave the Union Depot at 10.30 o'clock A. M. 
Returning, leave Medina at 4 30 P. M. 



Among the guests in attendance upon this 
occasion were : Selah Chamberlain, J. F. Card, 
H, M, Claflin, E. G, Loomis, C, L, Russell, Di- 
rectors of the new road ; L, T, Everett, its 
Treasurer ; and Judge Tyler, of Cleveland, 
whose services as lawyer for Medina's interests 
made him especially welcome as a guest on this 
occasion. Dr, W, S, Streator, the President of 
the road, was detained at home on account of 
sickness, to the great regret of all. Of the 
Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis 
Company, there were the President, Oscar 
Townsend ; Superintendent, E, S, Flint ; As- 
sistant Superintendent, Robert Blee, and others ; 
from Cleveland, there were Mayor F, W, Pelton, 
and several councilmen ; T, P, Handy, D, P, 



Rhodes. A. Cobb, E. P. Morgan, E, Mill, N. B, 
Sherwin, Gen, John Crowell, T, L, Jones, A, W, 
Fairbanks, Philo Chamberlin, William L, Ter- 
rell and others. The jiress was represented by 
W, F, Hinman, of the Cleveland IfcmM ; F, H, 
Mason, of the Cleveland Lender ; Thomas 
Whitehead, of the Cleveland Plain Dealer ; C, 
G, Washburn, of the Elyria Democrat ; J, M, 
Wilcox, of the Berea Advertiser ; J, A, Clark, 
of the Wadsworth Enterprise ; and Judge Sloan, 
of the Port Clinton Union. 

The following letters were received from some 
who were not able to be at the celebration : 

Elyria, Ohio, November !:-!, 1871. 
Committee on Invitations: Gentlemen — I am iu re- 
ceipt of your favor inviting me to attend the celebra- 
tion of the opening of the Lake Shore & Tuscarawas 
Valley Railroad to Medina, on the loth inst, I sin- 
cerely regret that judicial labors on that day will pre- 
vent my acceptance of your friendly invitation, and 
deprive me of much enjoyment to be derived by being 
present at your celebration. Though absent in the body, 
I will be with you in spirit and join in your congratu- 
lations, I am and remain very truly, 

Yours, W, W, BoYNTON, 

Akbon, Ohio, November 13, 1871, 
H. fl. Blake, Esq.: Dear Sir — Your favor of the 
10th, inviting me to be present at the opening of the 
L, S, & T. V, R, R,, received, I am sorry I cannot, on 
account of business, be present to join in your grand re- 
joicing on the 15th, Akron, proud of her own success, 
joins, however, in spirit with Medina and hopes that 
her new road will add greatly to the wealth and pros- 
perity of her inland neighbor. 

Respectfully yours, L, S, Everett, 

Editor of the Akron Times. 

Upper Sandusky, Ohio, November 14, 1871, 
Hon. H. G Blake, Committee on Inril itions, M dina, Ohio: 
Dear Sir — Your kind note of the 10th inst., inviting 
me to be present at the inauguration of the L. S, &, T, 
v. R, R. at yourvillageonthe 1.5thinst,,receivedyester- 
day, and have delayed answering the same in the hope 
that I might bs able to so arrange my business as to allow 
my absence, but I regret to say that I am disappointed, 
I would delight to be with you on the happy occasion of 
welcoming the " Iron Horse " to your jdace, I have 
many pleasant recollections of Medina and my brief 



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364 



IIISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



residence there. Heartily congratulating you and the 
good people of Medina upon your final success in secur- 
ing a railway line, and thanking you kindly for the 
cordial invitation extended to me, I remain 

Very truly yours, 

P. Tl-NEO. 

The sequel to this chapter is found els(!where, 
and, while it does uot realize the pleasant the- 
ories propounded in regard to the value of stock 
held forth in these speeches. 3-et the great out- 
come to the country has been grandly heneticial. 
and, with this example freshlj- before their eyes, 
the citizens in other parts of the county- are 
quite as eager to invest in the building of a new 
railroad. 

The •' Fourth of July " is of very ancient ori- 
gin, and it is firmly believed by a considerable 
portion of the people in this country, that Adam 
" raised Cain ' on that day very much as is the 
fashion of this age. While this belief is prob- 
ably cherished principally by the younger jjor- 
tion of the community, a very general respect 
for the daj- obtains among the older portion, 
ami ■• Fourth of .July celebrations." of late ^-ears. 
ha\e not been so rare as generally to become a 
matter of historical mention. But the occasion 
to whicii reference is had in these pages, was 
an exception, which, like that tloral phenome- 
non, the century plant, blooms Init once in 100 
years, and then with a glory so short-lived that 
its odor is lost in a day. The •• Centennial 
Fourth " was a subject of national considera- 
tion, and in the State of Ohio, at the suggestion 
of the Governor, it was made, in most of the 
counties <}f the State, a special occasion for the 
review of the history of the county. State and 
nation, and tliat of these fra.gments nothing 
should be lost, many of the county authorities 
have taken measures to preserve them for fut- 
ure ages. On this occasion in Medina, both 
the history of tiie coiuily and the nation were 
reviewed. Of the historical paper presented 
by Judge C. (r. Cotkling. tliis whole volume 



ma}' be considered an elaboration, and the 
sketch of national history, the oration of the 
occasion, presented b}- J. H. Greene, we append 
in full at the repeated request of friends of this 
enterprise : 

■ Mr. President and Fellow Citizens : A 
Fourth of July celebration without an ■ ora- 
tion,' would be like the play of Hamlet with 
the part of Hamlet left out. The committee 
were unable to secure the services of a speaker 
from abroad, and their partiality assigned to 
me the duty of taking this part. I can prom- 
ise you no studied rhetoric or polished oration, 
such as would well befit the occasion, but, if 
you will give me your patient attention. I will 
try to give you a little plain talk on the theme 
that is uppermost in all our minds and hearts 
to-day — the commemoration of the one hun- 
dredth birthday of our nation. It is an event, 
the anticipation of which htis stirred the blood 
of the most sluggish, and kindled the enthu- 
siasm of all. until to-day American patriotism 
finds expression in celebrations that fill the land 
with jubilant voices. 

■' We celebrate the birthday of the youngest 
of all the nations of the earth. It is true, that 
in our time we have seen ail of Germany gath- 
ered under the flag of Prussia — but those 
States have before been in league. It is true, 
that in our time we have seen the Italian na- 
tion emerge from the Papal dominions — Itut it 
was Italy re-united, not created. The South 
American Republics are yet in a chaotic state. 
Under the strong influences radiating from our 
successful experiment in the North, the South- 
ern continent may. in our time, ciystallize into 
a nation. But, to-day, there is none to dispute 
with us the palm of youth. 

■ A hundred years is a Itrief period, and 
compared with tiie age of other nations, we are 
but an infant. Far l)ack in antiquity, nations 
arose, flourished tiirougii thousands of years, 
and fell to jiicces by wars, calamities or the slow 
processes of decay. Others liave survived all 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



365 



the vicissitudes of time, and still exist, hoary 
with many centuries. China, containing nearly- 
one-half the population of the globe, has been 
a compact empire for four thousand years and 
over. Egypt, under various rulers, has existed 
for more than three thousand years, without 
radical change in territorial area or character 
of the people. Persia dates back to the same 
misty antiquity, and is Persia still. 

"The modern nations of Europe are from 
five hundred to twelve hundred years old. And 
away up in the Northern seas — on the border- 
land of that unknown Polar countrj, to discover 
which so many heroic lives have been sacri- 
ficed — only within the past year Iceland cele- 
brated her one thousandth biithday. and it was 
the good fortune of America to be represented 
in the festivities of the Northmen by Bayard 
Taylor, who so well represents the courage, ad- 
venture and culture of his couutrj'men. 

'■ Compared with maturity like this, we can 
realize the brevity of our single century ; j'et 
side by side with the nations that have grown 
gra}' and old, we come, to-day, with our hun- 
dred years, and challenge the records of an- 
tiquity or of modern history to furnish a par- 
allel to our marvelous growth and develop- 
ment. 

" ' We boast our hundred years ; 
We boast our limits, waslied by either sea ; 
We boast our teeming millions, and that we 
All, all are free! ' 

" But, while it is true that as a nation we are 
only one hundred years old, as a people we are 
much older. 

" The forces and ideas which culminated in 
the Declaration of Independence and the Revo- 
lution, had been in operation on this continent 
for at least a hundred years ;. and the causes 
which resulted in the colonization of America, 
had convulsed Europe for a hundred years be- 
fore that. Civilization was then passing through j 
the ordeal of a death struggle between eccle- I 



siasticism and the toleration of individual 
thought. All the principles of civil, political 
and religious liberty, upon which the fabric of 
our government has been built, were fought for 
and died for under the shadow of despotisms 
which exercised unlimited sway over the bodies 
and souls of men, while Columbus was yet 
searching for the shores of the New World. 

" The seeds of American liberty- were planted 
in the d^'kes and ditches of Holland in the six- 
teenth century. When William the Silent — the 
Washington of the Dutch Republic — fought for 
and established religious toleration in the Neth- 
erlands against the sway of Rome, and the 
cruel Philip of Spain, the battle was for us and 
we reaped the victor}-. Although separate na- 
tionality and independence was not in the 
thought of the Puritans and Pilgrims, it was in 
their every act. The Declaration of Independ- 
ence itself was foreshadowed in the spirit of 
that small colonj- which could put on record, 
while surrounded and occupied with nothing 
but hardships and dangers, the resolution that 
thej- would abide by the laws of God until they 
could find time to make better ones ! 

•■ The hundred years of colonial life previous 
to the Revolution was a period of preparation. 
The circumstances and condition of the people 
were fitting them, unconsciously, for an inde- 
pendent national existence. Necessarily, they 
were trained to habits of self-reliance; and, 
although they had no right of choice in the 
selection of their Governors and Judges, and 
no voice in framing the measures which aflected 
their relations to the Crown or their inter-colo- 
nial interests ; yet they had almost unlimited 
control of their local affairs. Their religious, 
educational and material interests were confided 
to their care ; anti the town meeting became a 
source of power at the earliest period in our 
history, greater than Parliament or Congress, 
and has continued such to this day. It natur- 
ally follows that the habits of self-government 
thus formed should make them more and more 



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366 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



restive under the restraints of a Parliament 
and King, separated from them by the vast 
ocean ; and the rightfulness of their exclusion 
from the control of their own affairs in larger 
matters, became a question of absorbing inter- 
est. Objection to taxation without representa- 
tion, brought on the struggle for independence. 
" But separation from the mother country 
was scarcelj' thought of, much less supposed to 
be probable, except by a few prophetic souls. 
The right of representation — the right to a 
voice in the choice of colonial rulers, the right 
to levy their own taxes — these did not seem to 
imply separate national life. The kind of gov- 
ernment that would have suited the colonies, 
under which they would, no doubt, have been 
willing to remain, and, content and satisfied, 
would have been some such system of parental 
government, as that which the United States 
extends over its Territories to-day. Some of 
the best statesmen of England, with a strong 
popular sentiment to back them, entertained 
and advocated views in ftivor of a radically 
modified colonial s^'stem of government. The 
hope that this result would be reached, was 
ever uppermost in the minds of the colonists ; 
and their loyalty to Kina^ and attachment 
to mother country were of such a nature that 
no revolution could have been inaugurated, had 
the issue been separation and independence. 
And, even after the struggle had begun, after 
the great bell that was • to proclaim liberty 
throughout the land, to all tlie inhabitants 
thereof had been rung in Independence Hall 
for patriotic purposes, there were not wanting 
earnest, able and honest men to assure the 
timid, that separation was not the aim of the 
Colonies. But George III and his Ministers, 
and the controlling element in power were in- 
ilexibl\- determined to rule America with a rod 
of iron. Thej' entertained no notions of mild 
government for the colonies. And to their 
severity, to their uncompromising hostility to 
show anything like favor to the American colo- 



nies, more than to any other cause, are we in- 
debted for the full measure of freedom and 
independence which we enjoy to-day. 

" The story of the Revolution is a melancholy- 
page of histor}-. He does no good service to 
the rising generation, who, on this centennial 
anniversary, paints the picture of that seven 
gears' struggle in glowing colors. Since time 
began, there never was a people so little able to 
cope with a powerful foe and carry on a pro- 
tracted war as were the Americans of 1776. It 
needed the Boston massacre, the destruction of 
tea in Boston Harbor, and the battles of Lex- 
ington and Bunker Hill to unite and solidify 
the patriot sentiment of the colonies in favor of 
independence. 

•• The country was without friends abroad or 
resources at home. The war was not a series 
of brilliant campaigns, of daring adventures, or 
great victories ; but for the Continental army 
was a series of reverses and weary retreats. 
The large cities of the country were successively 
in the possession of the enemy, from which 
they emerged at their convenience to chase the 
" rebels." Oh the sorrowful sight that history 
presents of the patriot arm}- with such a char- 
acter as Washington at its head — fl3'ing, fl.ying 
— retreating, retreating — almost continually, 
before the well-fed, well-clothed, well-appointed 
British armies. His troops were half-naked 
half fed, poorly armeA and not half paid. Their 
recompense, if it ever came, would be the grat- 
itude of succeeding generations. For them 
there was only hardship, weary, wounded bodies, 
poverty and death. About most wars there is 
the glory and charm of ■ battle's magnificently 
stern array ' — the ' pomp and circumstance of 
glorious war ' — to kindle the ardor and inspire 
the enthusiasm. But there was no romance in 
the Revolutionary war. It was the dreary, 
heart-sickening struggle of a down-trodden, des- 
perate people. 

■' Often the wretched army was on the brink 
of dissolution — often on the point of disband- 



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HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



367 



ing from sheer despair. The body which, by 
courtes}-, was called Congress, was powerless to 
aid it. It could only appeal to the already 
beggared colonies for help for the famishing 
soldiers, and for recruits for their wasted ranks. 

" But for "Washington, irretrivablo disaster 
must have overtaken the cause. Through all 
the difficulties of those days, his patience and 
his serenitj' seem to us, at this distance, almost 
divine. He held the country up to the work 
which it had put its hands to do. He never 
despaired or became discouraged when every 
one else lost heart and hope. He snatched 
victory from defeat. He bore the caluinny and 
envious carpings of disorganizers calmly, 
never once losing sight of the interests of the 
country. 

•• American Independence would at some 
period have been secured ; but, to George 
Washington is it almost entirely due that the 
Kevolution was successful 100 j-ears ago. 

" It seems miraculous that success could 
have been reached through such a sea of diffi- 
culties. Even the superhuman energies and 
efforts of Washington must have failed, for the 
time at least, had it not been for the aid fur- 
nished by France through the agency and per- 
sonal endeavors of La Fa3'ette — a name that will 
be pronounced even to-daj' with quivering lips 
and moistened e^-es — a name forever honored 
in America, and forever enshrined in the hearts 
of her people. The storj- is old — it is ' as 
familiar in our ears as a twice-told tale ' — but 
we would be ingrates, indeed, if on this day of 
all others we neglected to recall his services 
and honor his memor}' with the trllnite, feeble 
though it be, of our grateful praise. 

" The long struggle for freedom and inde- 
pendence closed, and victorious peace crowned 
the sufferings and trials of our forefathers. 
The foremost nation in the world reluctantly 
conceded the independence of its colonies, and 
withdrew its forces. 

"The Continental army was not invincible, 



but it won a victory for progress and civilization, 
against difficulties that seemed insurmountable. 
Our hills and mountain fastnesses and South- 
ern swamps fought for us. Our inaccessible 
forests and bridgeless rivers were our allies. 
Our very feebleness, which compelled us to 
worrj- and harass the enemy, rather than en- 
gage him, except on fields of our own choosing, 
was our very strength. The King and Parlia- 
ment of Great Britiau, by their harshness and 
bitterness against our cause, fought for us. A 
divided public opinion in England helped us. 
The God of battles was on the side of the weak 
and the weak won. 

''We come now to that period in our history 
about which the least is known — a period run- 
ning over as many years of peace as there had 
been of war, from the close of the war to the 
adoption of the new constitution — a period, 
which it has been said, the historian would 
gladly consign to eternal oblivion. 

" We, who have gathered here to-da}-, have 
still fresh recollections of the closing scenes of 
a war of far greater magnitude. It may, there- 
fore, be worth our while to revert briefly to the 
condition of the army and country at the close 
of the Revolution. 

"The country had been drained of its re- 
sources, and was helplessly bankrupt. The 
people were wretchedly poor, and the nation, if 
it could be called a nation, was without credit. 
Politics were in a chaotic state. The authority 
of the Confederate Congress had dwindled to a 
low ebb. It could vote to raise money, but the 
operation was like calling spirits from the vasty 
deep — -would they come ? The States were in 
a league, not in a union as we have it now ; 
and so slight was the compact that it was seri- 
ously proposed each of the thirteen States 
should send ambassadors to ti"eat with foreign 
powers. They were distracted by jealousies of 
each other, and consumedly tardy in granting 
power of any kind to the General Government. 
Tax-paying was almost optional with the indi- 



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368 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



vidual, and the tax gatherer was cousidered as 
a standing joke. Tlie treasuary vaults were 
empty — not a dollar in hand for the public 
service. The currency of the confederacy was 
worthless. Two hundred millions of paper 
money had been issued by the Government, 
but 88 millions had been taken up and canceled 
by the States in payment of taxes, at the rate 
of forty dollars for one. Congress attempted 
to call in the balance bj' issuing new bills, but 
the new bills rapidly depreciated to par with 
the old. Down went the i^aper money until it 
touched 500 for 1 in gold, and then lower and 
lower it sank until one thousand dollars of the 
Continental money was gladly exchanged for 
one dollar in gold or silver! A lower depth 
could not be reached, and when the slang 
phrase was invented by the Yankee patriot, • not 
worth a continental ! ' the rag l;)aby of the Rev- 
olution disappeared. 

'• Our ambassadors in Europe — Franklin, 
John Adams and Jay — were begging on their 
knees for help, thankful for every miserable 
pittance that was doled out at exorbitant rates 
of interest; and our Minister of Finance had 
no other means of raising funds than to draw 
on the Ambassadors and sell the drafts. The 
private fortunes of the prominent patriots had 
been swallowed up to sustain the army. That 
was no meaningless exclamation — no 'glitter- 
ing generality ' in the Declaration of Independ- 
ence, where they pledged their lives, their for- 
tunes and their sacred honor. Their lives and 
their fortunes were freely (jtfered upon the altar 
of freedom, and their sacred honor will remain 
untarnished to the end of time ! 

'•The patriot army was to Ije disbanded. 
The soldiers had not been paid for months or 
years, and the only prospect licfore Iheni was 
starvation. No wonder they mutinied in Phila- 
delphia and surrounded Congress with their 
determined bayonets ! It was all that Wash- 
ington and (iates could do to supi)ress the ris- 
ing storm in tiicir camps — and there is no more 



pathetic picture of the whole Revolution than 
that scene in camp where Washington stood 
among the discontented veterans, eyes dimmed 
with tears, wiping his spectacles and speaking 
simply and pathetically, ' Fellow-soldiers, you 
perceive I have not only grown gray, but blind 
in your service.' 

"They had fought the tight to the end. and. 
instead of marching to their homes as victori- 
ous conquerors, to the sound of martial music, 
and under the shadow of waving tiags, with the 
plaudits of a grateful people cheering them on, 
the soldiers of the Revolution were penniless, 
in rags, and the object of fear and reproach by 
the people. On many obscure country roads 
and lonely by-paths, the ' Old Continental in 
his .ragged regimentals.' with his well-worn 
flint-lock on his shoulder, and his empty haver- 
sack l^y his sitle, trudged his weary way from 
camp and garrison to the home he had left years 
before, to the home in ruins or in wasteful de- 
cay, and to friends on whom labor and care, and 
poverty had left their marks. 

" The soldiers of the Revolution went out 
from the army, and down into civil life, down 
into the toils and struggles of rebuilding and 
repairing the wastes of wai-, down into poverty 
and drudgery, and down into the pages of his- 
tory, where the record of their glorious lives 
will forever shine as a Ijeaeon light for liberty, 

•■ Independence was achieved and libert}- se- 
cured, but the union of the States was yet to 
be aceomplislied. The era of statesmanship 
had arri\-cd. Traditional policy must be sup- 
planted, by experiment, in new lines of political 
action. Public opinion must be educated to 
accept ratlical changes in society and govern- 
ment. The political action of the States was 
independent of each other. Each claimed and 
exercised sovereign power. Kveu in so inipor- i 
taut a matter as the treaty of peace with (treat 
Britain, each State claimed aiul exercised the 
right of ratifying or rejecting so much as it saw i 
tit. If the resources and power of the thirteen 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



371 



original States had been equal to their iiide- 
peudeuee and assurance, they would have 
formed the greatest confederacy the world ever 
saw! 

'■ It seemed a hopeless task to such states- 
men as Hamilton and Madison to convince the 
States that their very existence depended upon 
a closer union, and thej' were denounced as 
monarchists for advocating a central govern- 
ment. Washington incurred wanton and severe 
abuse, and yet. he said there were not ten men 
in the country who wanted a monarchy. John 
Adams drew maledictions upon his head by the 
remark that the English Constitution was one 
of the grandest achievements of the human 
race. 

"There was widespread opposition to a 
standing army, and a distrust that the recently 
disbanded soldiers would become a privileged 
pensioned, idle class. The Order of Cincinnati, 
which the officers of the Revolution formed at 
the close of the war, was fiercely assailed by 
civilians, as the beginning of a military aris- 
tocracy. ' So general was the apprehension 
that the military would overshadow the civil 
authority, that the regular standing army of 
the United States was reduced to vighti/ men, 
twenty-five of them at Pittsburgh, guarding 
public stores, and fifty-five of them stationed at 
West Point ; while the highest officer of the 
army was a Captain! ' 

'' The sti'uggle of statesmen for national 
unit}', vigor and power, was as long and as des- 
perate as the struggle of the patriot soldiers 
for independence. The Constitution which has 
been handed down to us, was a battle-field 
fought over step by step, and inch by inch. It 
has its Concord and Bunker Hill, its Vallej' 
Forge and Yorktown ; and, as Washington led 
the forces and achieved the victory in one field 
of strife, justly earning the title of Father of 
his country-, so Alexander Hamilton marshalled 
the forces in the other, carried the day by the 
force of logic and statesmanship, and fairly 



earned the no less honorable distinction of be- 
ing the Father of our political system. 

" The right of the General Government to col- 
lect the customs duties ; to maintain an army ; 
to enforce treaties ; to coin money ; in short, 
every fundamental principle which has been 
engrafted into the organic law, giving the na- 
tion vigor and strength, if not life itself, was 
vehemently opposed. 

" It was tedious work to get the consent of 
the States to the holding of a convention to 
frame a Constitution for consideration ; and 
the adoption of the instrument was altogether 
problematical. But, finally, in 1789, six or seven 
years after the close of the Revolutionarj' war, 
the States, or a majority of them, one after an- 
other, at wide intervals of time, and with reser- 
vations and e\'ident reluctance, adopted it. 
Then, and not till then, did the United States of 
America become a nation — then, and not till 
then, could it be said that ■ Lii)erty and Union 
were one and inseparable — now and forever !' 

" We need to take a retrospective glance to 
rightly appreciate our present advancement, 
and fully realize how wonderful and rapid has 
been our progress. 

"Although the impulse which led to the col- 
onization of America was zeal for religious tol- 
eration, it is only in our day that it has become 
a fixed and unalterable and practical principle. 

" Our forefathers of colonial times believed in 
the right of private judgment, provided private 
judgment coincided with their doctrines ! They 
established and maintained a connection be- 
tween church and state, and the influence of 
the religious sj'stcm prevaded and dominated 
the rising political, educational and social in- 
stitutions of the country'. The realitj' and in- 
tensitj" of the feeling may be inferred from the 
declaration of John Adams : ' That a change 
in the solar system might be expectnd as soon 
as a change in the ecclesiastical system of 
Massachusetts ! Massachusetts was not alone 
— in all the colonies there was a union of the 



IIISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



political and religious systems, either directlj', 
or indirectly in the way of religious tests as 
qualifications for citizenship or official prefer- 
ment. 

■' What a revolution in thought has occurred 
we realize to-daj- in tiie abandonment of that 
system in nearl}- every State of the l^nion — the 
onl^- lingering relic to remind us that it ever 
prevailed, being the exemption of church prop- 
erty from taxation — and that, too, must ere- 
long cease to be a relic — for the whole system 
was long ago ' smitten with decay in the Old 
World, and it cannot flourish in the New.' 

" The sun still shines in the heavens, and the 
planets revolve with the same unvarying pre- 
cision and serene indiflference to our aflairs as 
they did in the days of John Adams ; but the 
ecclesiastical system of Massachusetts, and 
all the other colon3' States, has experienced a 
change ; and more nearly than ever before con- 
form to the requirements of the great founder 
of Christianity, who solved the problem of 
church and state, in one sentence, 1,800 years 
ago, when He gave the advice to '' Render unto 
Csesar the things that are C;esar's, and unto 
God the things that are God's.' 

" The divorce of the nation from the ecclesi- 
astical sj'stem has not made us a Godless na- 
tion ; on the contrary, throughout the length 
and breadth of the land, to-day 4O.(t(jO,000 of 
people, irrespective of faith or creed, fervently 
respond to the invitation extended by the Pres- 
ident of the United States in his Proclamation 
issued last week, ■ to mark the return of this 
day by some public religious and devout 
thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bless- 
ings which have been bestowed upon us as a 
nation during the centenary of our existence^ 
and humbl}' to invoke a continuance of His 
protection.' 

" Our educational system is peculiarly Amer- 
ican in origin, character and growth. Common 
schools were established in the colonies at a 
very early date. Documents over 200 years 



old are found on record, respecting the estab- 
lishment of schools, which presented a plan em- 
bracing ' local responsibility, State oversight, 
moderate charges or free instruction, and recog- 
nition of the primary school, the gi'ammar 
school and the university.' The watchword of 
Connecticut 100 years ago — -that the public 
schools must be cheap enough for the poorest. 
and good enough for the best ' — is our watch- 
word to-day ; and the common-school system 
of our fathers, expanded and improved — ' dif- 
fering in details but the same in outline^ 
furnishes education of the children of our 
people in every State, from the Atlantic to the 
Pacfic' 

" It is true there has been a controversy from 
the beginning in regard to religious instruction 
in the schools, and we are called upon at the 
close of the first century of the Republic to set- 
tle the vexed question. Can we doubt that it 
will be settled, so that • instruction shall be 
free, unsectarian, non-i)artisan, and open to all, 
without distinction of race, birth-place, or so- 
cial standing ? ' 

" Perhaps we are not so well prepared as the 
older nations to confer the benefits of what is 
called the higher education ; but our progress 
in this direction has been remarkable when we 
consider what an immense amount of pioneer 
work has had to be done. The nine colleges of 
1776 have increased to five hundred and fifty 
in 1876, and millions of dollars in gifts are an- 
nually given to American institutions of learn- 
ing. In no other country in the world has a 
college been established for the education of 
deaf mutes. We have no less than forty-five 
institutions for the education of that class of 
unfortunates ; and twenty-seven institutions 
for the education of the blind. Our cities and 
towns are provided with free libraries ; and the 
modern newspaper, grown to be a compendium 
of all knowledge no less than the record of 
current events, finds its way to every home in 
the land. ■ As a nation, if we are not the best, 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



373 



we certainly are the most generally educated 
of any people in the world.' 

" In literature, our Shakespeare and Milton 
and Burns — our Dante and Goethe — have not 
appeared ; but for the English Goldsmith we 
have Washington Irving ; for the eynie Carlyle, 
Emerson the thinker ; for Chatham and Sheri- 
den and O'Connell, we have Webster, Choate 
and Phillips ; for the historians Macaulay and 
Froude, we have Bancroft and Motle}' ; and for 
the poets and song-writers of all countries and 
climes we, have our Longfellow, Bryant, Whit- 
tier and Holmes. 

" If the work that has been done in this coun- 
try in the field of original scientific research 
and discovery will not compare with that of 
Germany, France and England, it is because we 
have not had the leisure to devote to the pa- 
tient, monotonous and apparently objectless 
labor, without which results are not reached. 
For the most part the business of our lives has 
been to get roofs to shelter us, and food and 
raiment to sustain us. If it was literally true 
that our forefathers secured a foothold and es- 
tablished a home on this continent, with — 

" ' One hand on the mason's trowel, 
Anil one on the soldier's sword,' 

— it is no less true that we, their descendants, 
have had to fight and build and struggle to 
subdue the mighty West. 

" ' We cro.«sed the mountains, as of old 
The Pilgrims crossed the sea, 
To make the West, as they the East, 
The homestead of the free.' 

" Yet Franklin, Rittenhouse, Fulton. Morse, 
Henr}-, Howe and ' Old Probabilities ' are Amer- 
ican names suggestive of discoveries and appli- 
cations in science without which the civilized 
world would be much more than a centurj- be- 
hind its present progress. Our science has 
been immensely practical, not abstract ; and we 
have applied the science of the age and of all 
ages, until we outstrip the oldest, the largest 



and the most powerful nations of the world in 
the extent of our material prosperity. 

" What a growth has been ours ! What pros- 
perity we have reached ! In no spirit of vain 
boasting, but with grateful hearts and joyful 
pride, do we point to the blessings that crown 
this centennial year of the Republic. 

"The inventive genius of the world has been 
laid under contribution to aid our mightv 
enterprises and to relieve our over-burdened 
hands and brains of much of the druds- 
ery of labor. Our resources have been devel- 
oped at a marvelous rate, and to an extent that 
has made us prodigal of wealth ; but yet, they 
are practically inexhaustible. Our territorial 
area embraces nearly the whole continent. Our 
commerce spreads over eveiy sea. the grimy 
smoke of our steamships curling upward from 
every port in the known world ; and the steam 
whistle that calls the mechanic to his dailj- labor 
in our villages, is heard in the remotest interior 
of Japan, as the kej^ note of a newer and bet- 
ter civilization. The 3,000.000 of people who, 
one hundred years ago, were invincible in the 
holy cause of liberty, have multiplied to nearly 
fifty millions ; the thirteen States to thirty- 
eight ; and our national wealth is practically 
be3-ond computation. 

'• The borders of the Great West have been 
pushed from the Alleghanies to the lakes, and 
from the lakes to the iDrairies, from the prairies 
to the plains, and from the plains to the mount- 
ain ranges, on whose further slopes the surf of 
the Pacific beats a perpetual rhythm. 

" Our telegraphs and railroads have annihi- 
lated time and space. Where the emigrant of 
184:9 trudged for months Ijeside his heavily 
loaded wagon, crossing the American desert to 
reach the El Dorado of California, the steel 
locomotive and palace cars of tlic fast train 
now speed over the same distance in three days 
and a half, and the telegraph fairly transmits 
to our ears the whir of its wlieols, us it flies 
from station to station. 



374 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



'• It is said oi' iis tliat we are given to boast- 
ing ; but how can we recount the story of our 
progress, so that it shall not seem to imitate 
the romance of Alad<rm's lamp? Our most 
severely simple record tells of achievements 
that wiuged Mercury with pride could ha\e re- 
counted to the gods ; or Puck, girdling the 
earth in forty minutes, could have joyfully re- 
peated to the astonished people of fairy land! 
Our soberest words seem lilce wild exaggera- 
tions. 

'■ Embarrassments anil periods of depression 
we have had, Init they have been temporary, 
and, in the end, beneficent, as the one will be 
through which we are passing now. 

'' Our youth, the principles underlying our 
S3-stem, the arts of peace we have cultivated, 
and our communitj* of interests and simplicity 
of social customs, have been measurably our 
safeguards against national misfortunes and 
calamities which follow national departures 
from the laws of right. But we have not es- 
caped the i)enalt}' of any wrong action. Our 
brief and inexpensive war of conquest resulted 
in increased sectional strife, and only gave us 
a viper that stung the bosom that warmed it. 

" By the sacrifice of the best blood of the 
nation, and the expenditure of untold treasure, 
we extirpated slavery and atoned for our former 
neglect of the rights o!' the black race. His- 
tory will bear testimony to the redeeming fact, 
that, during all the years the system of slavery 
disgraced our civilization, it was only tolerated, 
not protected by the organic law of the land, 
and that the judgment and conscience of tiie 
larger part of our people held the priictice in 
abhorrence. 

•'To-day the nation is Iree in reality as well 
as in name. The hands that were raised to dis- 
member it for the sake of perpetuating a crime 
against humanity were beaten down by the up- 
rising of a people determined that the Union, 
founded upon justice and lil)erty. and cemented 
by the blood of the patriots of the Kevolution. 



should not be impaired or destroyed. The tat- 
tered battle flags of our loyal regiments, the 
flower-strewn mounds in our graveyards, the 
armless veterans in our streets, speak eloquently 
of the terrible earnestness of the struggle. 
The amended constitution guaranteeing the 
rights of the enfranchised race, and their eleva- 
tion to citizenship, and equality before the 
law, tell of our reparation for their wrongs. 
And this flag, ' with not a stripe erased, or a 
star obscured,' waves over the length and 
breadth of the land to-day, the symbol of 
beautj' and glory, vindicating our courage and 
honor liefore the whole world. 

'• It would be recreancy to the great memo- 
ries of this day to leave unsaid that there are 
blots on our record the odium of which can 
never be effaced — crimes against libert3-, against 
humanity, against civilization. The treason of 
Benedict Arnold, the assassination of Abraham 
Lincoln, the torture of our soldiers in the prison- 
pens of the South, and sympathy for the cause 
which demanded and the miscreants who com- 
mitted the atrocity, are crimes that deserve, 
and to the end of time, will receive, the execra- 
tion of the civilized world. Over the memory 
of individuals whose misdeeds are committed 
from sudden impulse, passion, or the ordinary 
moti\'es of depravity', we throw the mantle of 
charity and oblivion ; but for those whose 
crimes, like these, humiliate and involve a na- 
tion in their conseipiences, ■ History has no 
forgiveness and the memory of man no forget- 
fulness.' 

"In conclusion, fellow-citizens, I trust to 
violate none of the proprieties which all parties 
on this day cordially unite in obser\ing, by 
conjuring you to let your condemnation rest 
with emphasis upon corruption, intriguing, and 
faithlessness in the administration of public af- 
fairs. Demand the unconditional abandon- 
ment of practices not strictly in accordance 
with the dictates of simi)le truth and plain 
honesty. Corruption, i)roslilution of power to 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



375 



purposes of self-aggrandizement, fraud, and a 
long catalogue of vices of a darker hue have 
fastened themselves upon every government, 
like barnacles on a ship, since governments be- 
gan. Absolute purity and fidelity in the exe- 
cution of public trusts it were vain to expect ; 
but the people of a nation who excuse or pali- 
ate the slightest deviation from the straightfor- 
ward performance of duty in their public serv- 
ants are themselves responsible, and justly 
suffer the consequences. Honest^' and faithful- 
ness in the everv-day life of tiie citizens of the 
State, will secure honesty and faithfulness in 
official life. We have no trained class of pub- 
lic functionaries, and need none. No need of a 
complicated civil service system, when we can 
go into our offices, stores andrfactories, into our 
shops and on our farms and choose at a venture 
men educated, self-poi.scd and capable of filling 
anj' office from President down. The strength 
and glory of the nation, whicli to-day enters upon 
a new era, depend not upon the greatness of its 



rulers, but upon the virtue, industry and intel- 
ligence of its people ; and for the untried fut- 
ure this is the 'promise and potenc}' ' of a 
national career, the highest and completest that 
human society can reach. Let us hope that 
the impulses which go forth from this day to 
influence our national character, may give 
strength to our love of justice, as well as a 
brighter glow to our patriotism. 

" As we look back over our history ft'om the 
vantage gi'ound of a hundred years, we see that 
the nation of to-day is not the nation of yester- 
day, but the outgrowth of conditions and strug- 
gles which can never be repeated. And he 
who stands in this place on our next Centen- 
nial Fourth of July, to review the century hid- 
den now by the vail of the future, will see that 
progress has been made, not by repeating our 
experience, but in new directions — our age and 
our acts furnishing the impulses which lead 
into new pathwaj^s of enterprise and lionor." 



CHAPTER VII. 

MEDINA TOW.VSBTl' — Di;8CRIl'TI0>! AND TOPOGRAPHY — O (MING OF THF. WIIITKS — LOST IN THK 

WOODS— indl:sti:ii:s ok thk pioneers— early incidents— RLLIOIOLS 

AND LUUC.VTIONAL — VILLAGES. 



AN unbroken forest, that, when, clothed 
in its robes of summer luxuriance, was 
almost impenetralile to the rays of the noonday 
sun and shut out his light from the virgin earth 
beneath ! No sound, other than the war of the 
tempest, the howl of the wild beast, the yell of 
the Indian, had ever echoed through its gloomj' 
aisles, until the advent of the sturdy pioneer. 
Far off in his New England home, reports had 
come to him, as he toiled among his sterile 
hills, of a land 13'ing away to the West, that 
flowed, at least figuratively, with milk and 
honey, and had determined him to seek in this 
f\ibled land the wealth it promised. As he 



alighted from his lumbering wagon, drawn 
hither by oxen, the whole range of his vision 
took in a wild and tangled forest, nothing more. 
No human liabitations, no churches, no villages, 
no schoolhouses, dotted the landscape, or nestled 
in the heavily timbered groves. It was a pic- 
ture little calculated to inspire enthusiasm in 
the new comer, and less determined men woukl 
have despaired at the uninviting prospect un- 
folded before them. But their strong arm and 
indomitable energy have triumphed and wrought 
a grand transformation in the sixty odd years 
that have come and gone since the first white 
man squatted in this section of the countr}-. In 



AJ^ 



Ll^ 



370 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



the pages precediiiii:, matters pyrtaining U) the 
couiitv at large have been taken up, and the 
ditieroiit threads of its history fully carried out. 
In this I'hapter. our business is witli Medina 
Township, and everything in its history will be 
treated of in its proper place. 

The township of Medina lies just north of 
the center of the county, and is bounded north 
by Brunswick Township, east by (Iranger, 
south Ijy MontviUc. and west bv York. It is a 
little less than a full township, bi'ing only about 
four and a half miles north and south, by four 
and a half miles east and west, and is designated 
as Township 3 north, Range 14 west. It is 
somewhat rolling and even hilly in places, but 
not enough so to render much of it unfit for 
cultivation. It is sufficiently rolling, however, 
to require little or no artilicial drainage. A 
heavy growth of timber originally covered the 
entire township, comprising the different species 
indiurenous to this section of the State, viz.: oak 
beech, maple, hickory, ash, with a little poplar 
and walnut, together with some of the smaller 
shrubs. 

The soil is mostly of a clayey nature, and 
produces corn, oats and wheat bountifully, 
and also is adapted to grazing, and is used con- 
siderably in that way. Some attention is paid 
to .stock, particularly cattle, and the dairj" Ijusi- 
ness is one of the large and valuable industries 
of the township, though not so extensively car- 
ried on now as it was a few years ago. The 
township has an excellent natural drainage. 
The most important stream is the Rocky River, 
which traverses it in almost all directions ; a 
branch flowing from northeast to southeast, by 
way of Weymouth, then, taking a curve, it 
passes on to the northwest, leaving the township 
near the northwest corner. It has any number 
of branches and tributaries, uiost of which are 
small, and many of them nameless on the maps, 
but afford to the land most excellent drainage, 
anil to the farmer an abundance of stock water. 
In earlv times. Rockv River was utilized by the 



pioneers, wlio Iniilt a number of mills along its 
tortuous course, for which it furnished good 
water power. One railroad passes through a 
corner of Medina Township, which, since its 
completion, has been of great benefit to the 
people as a means of bringing markets nearer 
home, and as affording a mode of travel and 
transportation superior to what they had before 
enjoyed. 

Medina Township was settled principally 
from the old Nutmeg State, consequent upon 
the fact, perhaps, that this entire section, known 
as " the Reserve," belonged originally to Connect- 
icut, as full}' noted in another part of this work. 
But few of the early settlers of Medina, there- 
fore, but were '■ Connecticut Yankees," as they 
were termed by tjie people from other States. 
They brought their natural thrift and energy 
and persevering will with them, qualifications 
essentially necessary in the wilderness life that 
opened up before them. These characteristics 
bore them safely over the trials and privations 
of border life and led them through all dillicul- 
ties to final ])rosperity and happiness. 

The larger portion of the land in this town- 
ship was owned by one Elijah Boardman, a 
native of New Millbrd, Conn. In 1795, he be- 
came a member of the Connecticut Land Com- 
pany, and was thus made the proprietor of 
large tracts of land in the Western Reserve. 
A few others owned small tracts in Medina 
Township, among whom were Homer Board- 
man, Judson Canfield, Z. Briggs, Roger Skin- 
ner and perhaps some others. The township 
was surveyed, in 1810, into eighty-one lots of 
equal size, the better to suit purchasers of that 
da^', who were generally men of small means. 
The first cabin erected in the township was on 
Lot 22, by a man named Hinman. He and 
his brothers cleared about three acres ; built a 
small cabin, in which they lived for a short time. 
But fearing the Indians, who were troublesome 
in this region in consequence of the war of 
1812, then in progress, the Hinmans left their 






r 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



377 



little improvement in one of the periodical 
scares of the time, and never returned. 

The first permanent settler in Medina Town- 
ship was Zenas Hamilton, a native of Dan- 
bur}-. Conn. He had made a purchase of some 
land in the township and determined to occu- 
py it, and so, in the latter part of the summer 
of 1814. he made preparations to move hither. 
He left Harpersfield, N. Y., where he had been 
living for a short time, and, in October, 1814, 
arrived in Medina Township. He went into 
the deserted cabin of Hiumau, Lot 22 being a 
part of his purchase. As soon as he could 
build another and more commodious cabin, he 
moved his family into it. This latter cabin, 
however, was not a palace by any means, but 
strictly of the primitive and pioneer pattern, 
being innocent of any iron, even a nail. It was 
built of logs or poles, one-story high, with 
clapboard roof, and puncheon floor and door, 
the puncheons fastened with wooden pegs in- 
stead of nails, and the boards of the roof held 
to their places with " weight-poles." Mr. Ham- 
ilton and his familj' were alone in Medina 
Township — " monarchs of all thej^ surveyed" — 
for a year and a half before another family ar- 
rived in the neighborhood to relieve them of 
their utter loneliness. Their fare at best was 
meager, and sometimes required the utmost 
exertions to obtain a sufficiency to satisty the 
cravings of hunger. To such extremities were 
they often reduced, that they would put com ; 
into a leather Ijag and iiound it into a coarse 
meal or hominy. xVt other times they were 
forced to shell out wheat and rye b>- hand, 
and boil it, to maintain life until they could get 
meal from the mill, twenty or thirtj- miles dis- 
tant, by measurement, but, taking the roads of 
the times into consideration, some liftj' or sev- 
ent3'-five miles. No one of the present day 
can begin to realize their trials and privations. 
Experience was necessary to form a just idea 
of them. Hamilton was quite a hunter, and 
through this means was enabled to supplv his 



famil}- with plenty of meat. Deer and bears 
were numerous, and during the first few years 
he killed fifteen bears, besides a great number 
of deer and turkeys. These additions to the 
family- pantry were of great benefit, and served 
them in the place of pork and beef. The fol- 
lowing incident is told of him. which shows his 
prowess in hunting ; He was out in the forest 
one day, and, approaching a large oak tree, dis- 
covered a bear at the foot, eating acorns, and, 
as he looked up, saw in the tree the old one and 
her two cubs, getting off the acorns. Knowing 
that, as soon as he fired at the one on the 
ground, it would be the signal for the rapid 
descent of those in the tree, he prepared for 
the emergency, by taking some bullets in his 
mouth and making every preparation for has- 
tily re-loading his gun. He then shot the larger 
bear at the foot of the tree, then hastilj- put 
some powder in his gun, spit a ball into the muz- 
zle, gave it a " chug " on the gi'ouud, causing 
it to prime itself (this was before the invention 
of percussion caps), and in this way shot the 
others before thej- could get down and away, 
thus piling them in a heap at the foot of the 
tree in a very short time. 

Mr. Hamilton was, for many years, a promi- 
nent and active member of frontier society, and 
a most worthy citizen. His cabin was the gen- 
eral stopping-place of early settlers, until they 
could find a shelter, or erect a cabin of their 
own. He died near the township center, many 
years ago, and was mourned by a large circle 
of friends. The next settler in Medina Town- 
ship to Hamilton was James Moore, who 
arrived in the early part of JIarch, 1816. In 
a narrative published by him, he saj's ; "At 
this time. Zenas Hamilton and family were the 
only inhabitants in the township. While I was 
getting material together on Lot 52 for a 
cabin, James Palmer, Chamberlin and Marsh 
arrived, and assisted me in putting up my 
cabin, being the third in the township ; this 
must have been in the fore part of April, ISlfi. 



^- 



378 



HI8T0KY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



I cut and cleared, without team, three acres, 
wliere David Nettleton's liouse now stands, and 
planted it with corn, and left it in care of Jacob 
Marsh, and the last of May, 181G. I started for 
Boston, returning in October of same year. 
During m3- absence, several cabins were erected. 
In April. 1816. 3Ir. Hulet. in the west part of 
Brunswick, was, after Zeuas Hamilton, my 
nearest neighbor in that direction, and Mr. 
Mott, east on the old Smith road, each about 
seven miles from mj- cabin." 

Mr. Moore had come to the new country, 
and prepared a home for his family, who came 
on with Andrew Seaton and familj- in 1818. 
They were (!Moores) from ^Massachusetts, and 
remained upon the place of his original settle- 
ment, viz. : Lot 52. until about 1829. when 
in partnership with one of the Northrops. he 
erected a substantial log house on Lot 73, 
where they remained until 1832. They cleared 
up a good farm on Lot 73, putting up all needed 
buildings, planting fruit trees, etc., when they 
sold out to Daniel Northrop. After selling the 
farm opened on Lot 73, he. in company with 
Erastus Luce, purchased a farm in the north- 
west part of Medina, near Abbeyville, built a 
fine mansion, improved the place highly, and in 
a few years again sold out. He seems to have 
been a man who was not long contented in a 
place, as we learn of several remo\'als made 
from one section of the township to another, 
when he finally sold out and removed to Lake 
County, 111., where he resided for a nunilier of 
years, and where he lived at last accounts of 
him. Mr. Moore gives the following incident 
connected with his trip to this township : •' We 
spent several da3S in running lines, but, finding 
that wherever I selected a lot it was reserved, 
I made the best excuse I could and left for Mr. 
Doan's, and soon became acquainted with Capt. 
Sej'mour, who volunteered to show me the mill 
site, where he and Mr. I)(jan would soon erect a 
mil! in the township of .Medina. Accordingly, 
the Captain, with tin cup, rille, and a most 



formidable butcher knife, led the way. and, as 
if by instinct, found his way some ten or eleven 
miles through a dense forest. After viewing 
the mill site, we descended the branch of 
Rocky River, as far as Lot 53, and, after some 
examination, found our way to Zenas Hamil- 
ton's, where we spent the night. In the morn- 
ing the beech-tree, conspicuous as the seat of 
justice of Medina County, was visited; and, if 
size gives importance, this tree was trulj- im- 
portant. It stood some fort}' or fift^' feet a 
little north of east, in front of the old court 
house.' 

Another of the pioneer families of Medina 
Township, was Abijah 3Iarsh's. They were 
from Windham County, Vt., and came to this 
township in November, 181G. in wagons, and 
were forty-two days on the road. Upon his 
arrival, his family consisted of the parents, two 
daughters, one of them named Lydia. a woman 
grown, and four sons, from nine to eighteen 
j'ears of age. Jacob, an elder son, had come 
out the winter previous, and entered some land 
adjoining Zenas Hamilton's on the north, and 
had cleared some five acres during the summer. 
The family moved into a vacant cabin a little 
south of Hamilton's, until they could build on 
the laud that had been entered by Jacob Marsh. 
Says Mr. 3Iarsh in a communication to the Ga- 
zette : •■ The inhabitants of the township at 
that time were Zenas Hamilton, living about 
three-quarters of a mile north of the center of 
the township, and Rufus Ferris, who settled a 
few months before near where the county seat 
is now located. There were two Ijachelor es- 
tablishments, one near the present site of Bag- 
dad, occupied by Capt. Jtimes .Moore, and a 
sailor named Copps, the other about one and a 
half miles northeast of .Mr. Hamilton's, occu- 
pied b}- James Palmer, and one or two of his 
brothers. These were all the residents of the 
township when we arrived in the fall of 181G." 
.V circumstance occurred soon after the arrival 
of the Marsh family, in which one of the daugh- 



^ i 






>^. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



379 



ters (L3'dia) figured prominently, which will be 
given in connection with pioneer incidents, 
further on in this chapter. In 1820, Harmon 
Munson and wife and Joseph Pritchard and 
family came in and settled near the center. 
The Munsons are an old and respected family 
in the county. 

Within three j-ears from the first settlement 
made in Medina Township bj- Zenas Hamilton, 
the following additional settlers arrived from 
Connecticut and made improvements : Rufus 
Ferris, Noah M. Brousou, Joseph, N. B. and 
Duthan Northrop, the Warners, William Pain- 
ter, Lathrop Seymour, Gad Biakslee, and per- 
haps others. Mr. Ferris, who was the agent of 
Boardman. the owner of the laud, arrived in 
the township on the 11th day of June, 1816. 
He settled about half a mile north of the public 
square of iledina, where he erected a comforta- 
ble log house, and, as he was the land agent, his 
house soon became the stopping-place of new- 
comers. He was originall}- from New Milford. 
and, upon his arrival hei-e, built a sort of shanty, 
into which they stowed their things, while they 
did all their work in the open air, and Mrs. 
FeiTis did her cooking and baking evei-y daj' 
by the side of a fallen tree. Ferris had a num- 
ber of men at work, and pushed forwaril the 
chopping and clearing so rapidly that the}- soon 
had corn and wheat growing where but a short 
time before was an unbroken wilderness. In 
1817, Ferris had the first frame barn put up 
ever built in the township. He employed J. 
and N. B. Northrop to do the work, and " help " 
for raising the huge aflTair was partlj' obtained 
from Liverpool and Brunswick Townships. 
Not being able to complete the building the 
first day, the hands remained overnight and 
finished it next morning. The following inci- 
dent is related of this barn-raising : " Ferris, be- 
ing fond of fun. prepared too large pails of 
milk-punch, sweet but strong with whisky, and, 
in a short time, six or eight of those who drank 
most freely, were on their backs feeling up- 



ward for terra firma.." The raising was finished 
in the morning, and when completed " Uncle 
John Hickox,' as he was called, went up on the 
end rafter and walked the " ridge-pole " to the 
other end and down again to the •' plate." 
This barn was afterward used in which to hold 
some of the early courts of Medina County. 
Mr. Ferris was a man of considerable promi- 
nence in the neighborhood, and much respected 
among his fellow-citizens. Mr. Bronson came 
from Plymouth, and settled here in October, 
1816. Hiram Bronson came to the township 
with the family when small. His mother rode 
most of the distance on horseback, and carried 
her infant. He has served two terms in the 
State Legislature, and has been a prominent 
citizen in the communit}'. He drove the first 
cattle from Medina Township to market, and 
hauled the first flour from the same place to 
Cleveland ; also hauled potash there with ox 
team, bringing back salt. These trips usuallj^ 
occupied five days. Of the Warners, there 
were David, George, James and E. A. Warner, 
who came about 1817-18. The Bronsons and 
Warners are old and respected families, and 
many descendants are still living in town and 
count}', and are among the most worthy citi- 
zens. Mr. Bronson, in company with one of the 
Warners, purchased Lots 37, 54 and 55, which 
thej' impi'oved, and upon which the}' settled. 
The Northi'ops, one of the prominent fami- 
lies of the township, came in 1816-17. Duthan 
came first and built a cabin on Lot 30. for his 
father, Joseph Northrop, who had stopped with 
his family at Nelson, in Portage County. He 
waited there for snow, that the trip might be 
more easily made by '■ sledding." The last of 
January, 1817. he came on to Medina, and went 
into the house with Ferris until his own could 
be finished. It had been put up by Duthan, 
and covered, and now, in order to make mud, 
or mortar, for the purpose of daubing the cracks, 
they had to heat water, and dig through the 
snow, then eight inches deep. But patience and 



^FH 



V 



380 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COLXTY. 



perseverance triumphed, and thej' moved into 
their own cabin on the Otli of February. It 
was without Hoor, door or chimney, and the 
weather was very cold. There was. however, 
plenty' of wood convenient, and they managed 
to keep comfortable, and in a few da^'s a stick 
chimuej- was added to their primitive home. 
Puncheons were then hewed, and a door was 
made ; bedsteads were manufactured from poles, 
a few rude stools, and their houseliold furni- 
ture was complete. Mr. Northrop, as we have 
stated, was from Connecticut. He was Ijorn in 
Brookfleld. and his wife in Stratford ; he died 
July 21, 1843. iu the seventy-eighth 3-ear of his 
age, and his wife December 26, 1851. aged 
eighty-two years. His family consisted of Nira 
B.. Betsey (Mrs. Johnson), Duthan, Eliza 
(Mrs. Barnes), Morris and Mary. The latter 
died unmarried. Morris and Gen. Duthan 
Northrop are still living — the others are all 
dead. (ien. Northrop lives at Mentor, and is a 
neighbor to Gen. Garfield, whom he knows well. 
Nira B., Betsey and Morris all lived to celebrate 
their golden weddings ; Diithan's wife died a 
short time before their fiftieth marriage anui- 
versar\-. William Painter, Gad Blakslee and 
Lathrop Seymour came iu the spring of 1817. 
Painter and Blakslee were from Plymouth, and 
Sej-mour from Waterbury. Blakslee died years 
ago, aud of Painter we were unalile to learn 
anything definite. 

Capt. Seymour was a prominent man iu 
the community. He left Connecticut with his 
family in the latter part of Septemlier. 1807, in 
company with four other families with ox teams. 
Through mud and mire they finally arrived at 
Buffalo, whore the}- took passage in a small, 
-dirty vessel, and. after a tiresome voyage of sev- 
eral weeks, arrived at Frie, Penn. At this 
place Mr. Seymour left them and started for 
Euclid, while his wife conlinueil her joiirnev on 
foot, in company with another family. Ilor.ses 
were procured at Euclid, and Seymour met them 
fortv miles from Erie, and took them to Euclid, 



where the^- spent the winter, and in the spring 
went to Cleveland and remained there three 
months. They then removed to Columbia, where 
they suflcred severely with the ague, and dur 
ing their stay there lost a child. Tliey next 
went to Huron, and, war being declared between 
the United States aud Euglaud. soon after, Mr. 
Seymour enlisted as a soldier, and his wife was 
left alone most of the time with her children. 
In 1814. Mr. Seymour having served out his 
time in the armv, they moved to Liverpool) 
where they boarded the hands that worked in 
the salt-works. From this place, they again 
went to Columbia, and in March, 181(5, came to 
Medina to look at a mill site, which he and Mr. 
Doan had lately purchased. In April, 1817, 
he moved to Medina and settled permanently. 
He took his family into a little log shanty, so 
small that when their beds were spread down 
the}- covered the entire floor. In company with 
Doan, he built a saw-mill iu the fall of 1817, 
and the next year built a gi'ist-mill at Wej-- 
mouth. These were the first mills in the town- 
ship. Capt. Seymour and his family sufl'ered 
all the privations common in a new countrj' at 
that early period. Once they were without 
bread for three weeks, and had to live on meat, 
potatoes and milk. This was before Seymour 
built his mill at Weymouth, and the neai-est 
mill was four days distant with ox teams. Capt. 
Seymour died in December, 1835, but his wife 
survived him many years, living to a good old 
age. 

Chamberlin and Marsh, who came to the 
township with James Palmer in the spring of 
1816, did not remain long, but soon removed to 
Sullivan. James Palmer, who, as we have said, 
came with Chamberliu and Marsh, built a cabin 
on liOt 16. and opened a large farm, which he 
reduced to a fine state of cultivation : and 
upon which he lived until his death, which oc- 
curred iu i'\'liruary. IS.JO. He is described by 
those who knew him. as a just and upright man 
and worthv citizen ; higiiiv esteemed and re- 



:^z 





AUJ^LlTO "C/j^eJ^r^ 



AGE 87 YEAR S 



.!£: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



381 



spected by all who knew him. Timothy Doan, 
Samuel Y. Potter. Isaac Barnes and a Mr. Cal- 
ender and a few other families settled in the 
township in 1817. Shortly after the arrival of 
those mentioned above, F. A. Abbott, with his 
family, came in and located on Lot 53, north 
half while Augustus Philips settled on the south 
half of same lot. Philips' father and mother 
came in 1820. Thej- were colored people, and 
are said to have been descendants of the noted 
Indian chief— King Philip. In 1818, David 
Allen, John Briggs. S. B. Welton, Eden Hamil- 
ton and their families moved in and became 
settlers. Eden Hamilton. Jr., Jacob R. Wei" 
ton and David Nettleton had precetled them a 
short time, and were already permanent settlers 
of the township. Several other families came 
soon after, but remained a short time, and then 
went West. Giles Barnes settled on Lot 71 in 
1818 ; his brother, John Barnes, came at the 
same time. They were from West Hartford, 
Conn. John went to Michigan, where he linallj- 
died. Isaac Barnes came from Camden, N. Y., 
to this township, and some years later removed 
to Michigan. 

The Clarks were another of the pioneer fam- 
ilies of Medina Township. Ransom and John 
L. Clark, brothers, came in May, 1817. They 
purchased a part of Lot 45, and, until they could 
build a shanty, they slept under tlieir wagon 
which the}- " weather-boarded " with elm-bark. 
They built a cabin of such poles as they could 
themselves handle, the floor and ceiling of which 
were made of bark. In this they kept bach- 
elor's hall through the summer, and during the 
following winter. Ransom, who was a joiner, 
worked at his trade in Wooster, while John L. 
taught school in Columbia. The next spring, 
(1818) Dr. B. B. Clark, a brother to Ran.som 
and John, arrived in the township, and brouglit 
the information that their father, John Clark, 
Sr., was coming, and might be expected in a 
short time. The.v at once commenced cutting 
logs for a cabin for the family, and had it up 



and partly covered when their father arrived. 
The roof was soon finished, and the family 
crossed the river on drift-wood (the river being 
verj' high at the time), leaving the teams behind. 
They carried their bed-ticks over with them, 
and filled them with straw and leaves, and 
lodged in their new cabin in true pioneer st3de, 
and, like those around them, fared as best they 
could. They were on the road forty days from 
Bridgewater, Conn., and arrived in June, 1818. 
The}- were good, upright citizens, and there are 
still numerous descendants in the county. The 
pai'ents of Le\i Chapin were among the early- 
settlers in Brunswick Township, but afterward 
moved into this township, where Levi now lives, 
a worthy representative. They were from Berk- 
shire County, Mass., and came to Ohio in 181G, 
by ox team. The elder Chapin had traded a 
farm in 3Iassachusetts for wild land in the 
" Reserve," upou which he settled upon his ar- 
rival here. Capt. Seth S. Walker was from Mass- 
achusetts, also, and settled in Medina Township 
in 1835. He was in the war of 1812, and 
served in the Fortieth Regiment of Infantry. 
He and his good ladj- celebrated their golden 
wedding in Medina on the 9th of July, 18G7, at 
which many friends were present, including 
thirtj--six children and grandchildren. He is 
now eighty-six and his wife eighty-two years of 
age, and are living on the old homestead with 
their son Andrew. Matthew L. and A. Hamil- 
ton came in 1818. They were cousins of Zenas 
Hamilton, the first settler of the township. Each 
of them entered 100 acres of land — Matthew's 
where he novf lives. In the fall of the year, he 
returned to New York on foot, where he married 
in August. 1821, and in the fall came back to 
Medina in a two-horse wagon. Charles M. Cook 
came to the township with his father's family in 
1818, from Connecticut. He died January 1, 
1877. Stephen N. Sargent came from Boston, 
Mass., and settled in Medina Township about 
1817. and was a man of some prominence. 
Capt. Austin Badger is another of the pio- 






->_ 



382 



IIISTOUY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



neers of Medina Township, and among tlie old- 
est in tile countj- now living. He is a native 
of New Yorlc. and. during the war of 1812. 
bore his share of the privations of soldier life. 
In 1818, he came to Ohio, and in Ma}' of that 
year located in Medina Township. He found, 
upon his arrival in a new eountrj-, a striking 
contrast to the civilized communit}- he had left ; 
the cabins were few and very far between, and 
of the rudest construction. He built the first 
double-log house on the present site of ^Medina 
Village, and with one Ilickox, wlio was a mar- 
ried man. opened a tavern, the first in the 
neighborhood. In this tavern court was held, 
before the building of a court liouse. Capt. 
Badger took the contract for clearing ofi' the 
public square, in 1819, and, also, for the build- 
ing of the first court house. He is still living 
in the village of .^ledina. though, in a few years 
after he came to the count\-, he removed Into 
Montville Township, where he lived until he 
settled in Medina, some j-ears ago. We are in- 
debted to him for manv particulars relating to 
the historj', both of 3Iedina Township and the 
county at large. The Nettletons were among 
the early settlers of the township. Five mem- 
bers of the famil\- came in between 1818 and 
1832. and three of them eoleliniti'd their golden 
weddings. 

But emigrants were now coming in rapidlv. 
the vacant- land was being taken up. and settle- 
ments made to sucli an extent as to preclude the 
possiliility of the liistorian keeping pace with 
them. Soon there was not a vacant lot in the 
township, and the settlers' cabins were found 
in verv close proximity to each otiier. 

For the first few years, the pioneers had to 
sufl'er more or less for the actual necessities of 
life. Bread and potatoes were extremely scarce, 
in conscfpience of the distance to where they 
were to be obtained. At one time. X. B. Nor- 
throp went tifteen miles and paid SIO for twen- 
ty busiiels of potatoes, and ."?."> to get them 
hauhnl home. Some time previously, he had 



gone twenty miles for a load of wheat, paid 
$1.50 per bushel for it, got it ground and then 
paid a like sum to get it home. He also, it is 
said, paid S3 for the first bushel of salt, S34.50 
for the first cow, and S26 for the first barrel of 
pork. At another time. Mr. Northrop and F. 
A. Abbott paid $\\ for a barrel of Liverpool 
salt, and it fell short one-tenth. All this falls 
far short of the privations actually endured by 
the hardy settlers, who had staked their all 
upon hewing out a home in tlie wilderness. 
Sa\s Howe, in his historical collections of Ohio, 
referring to Medina : " Owing to the want of a 
market, the products of agriculture were very 
low. Thousands of bushels of wheat could at 
one time be bought for less than 2.") cents per 
bushel, and cases occurred where ten l^ushels 
were offered for a single pound of tea, and re- 
fused. As an example : Joel Blakslee, of Me- 
dina, about the year 1822. sowed fifty-five acres 
in wheat, which he could only sell by bartering 
with his neighbors. He fed out most of it in 
Ijundles to his cattle and swine. .\.ll that he 
managed to dispose of for cash was a small 
quantity sold to a traveler for 12^ cents per 
l)ushel. as feed for his horse. Other products 
were in proportion. One man l)rought an ox- 
wagim, filled with corn, from (i ranger, eight 
miles distant, which he gladly exchanged for 
three yards of satinet for a pair of pantaloons. 
It \i'as not until tlie opening of the Erie Canal. 
that the settlers had a market. From that time 
the course of prosperity has been onward. The 
early settlers, after wearing out their woolen 
pantaloons, were obliged to have them seated 
and kneed with buckskin, in which attire they 
attended church. It was almost impossible \" 
raise wool, in con,seqnenee of the abundance <il' 
wolves destroying the sheep. " In addition to all 
these little annoyances and discomforts, many 
dangers existed. The woods were full of wild 
beasts, some of which would not hesitate to at- 
tack human beings when pressed by hunger, 
and if a person chanced to get lost in the for- 



^ 



t 



' i\ 



HISTOKV OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



383 



ests, the}" ran great danger of being devoured 
hy them. 

The following incident, which occurred in 
181(5, is told in a communication written by the 
brother, of the lady who figures in the afl'air, 
and published in the Medina Gazette, De- 
cember 17, 1869 : '• About two weeks after our 
settlement [the IMarshes] in Medina, the 
Palmers went to Sullivan to assist in surveying 
that township into lots, and my sister, Lj-dia 
Marsh, went there to keep house for them in 
their absence. Jly brother generally went over 
to stay with her during the night. One evening 
he went over just at dusk, and, not finding her 
in the house, went out to the cow-yard, suppos- 
ing she was milking the cow. He found the 
milk-pail hanging on the bar-post, but Lydia 
and the cow were absent. My brother re- 
mained until after dark, shouting and calling 
her name, but, hearing no answer to his re- 
peated calls, returned home and ga\-e the alarm. 
Jlr. Hamilton turned out, and we procured the 
assistance of Moore and Copps. Jlr. Ferris 
lived five miles awa^-, and was not called upon. 
The search for her was kept up through the 
night, between Palmer's and where Weymouth 
is now located, as the cattle were in that direc- 
tion, and we righth- judged that it was in an at- 
tempt to find the cow that she became lost. A 
horrid din of all kinds of sounds was kept up 
at Palmer's house during the night, and the 
party who prosecuted the search in the woods 
kept shouting, but no trace of the lost one 
could be discovered. In the morning, we all 
assembled at our cabin, and, after hastilj^ swal- 
lowing some breakfast, held a consultation as 
to the best mode of procedure. AVe were 
somewhat alarmed, and there was just cause 
for our fears. It had rained in the fore part 
of the evening, but before midnight turned 
cold, commenced snowing and froze hard. We 
supposed she had become exhausted with fa- 
tigue and benumbed with cold, and. if she had 
not already perished, would soon, if not found. 



The plan adopted was to send a message to 
arouse the inhabitants of Liverpool, the nearest 
settlement of much extent, and renew the 
search at once. A person was dispatched to 
Liverpool, and we had taken a few steps toward 
Palmer's, when Lydia suddenly made her ap- 
pearance, looking some years older than she 
did the day before, but otherwise safe and 
sound. We called our messenger back, who 
was not yet out of hearing, and all repaired to 
the house to hear her story. We were some- 
what excited ; the sudden transition from fear- 
ful foreboding to the certainty of her safet}' 
was not calculated to produce coolness on our 
part. In the first excess of joy at her safetj', 
we all had to ha\-e our jokes at her forlorn ap- 
pearance before we could listen to her story ; 
but, when the excitement had subsided, she gave 
us the history of her wanderings. The Palmers 
had one cow and a j'oke of oxen, which ran in 
the woods. The cow usually came up at night 
and was shut in a small yard. There was a bell 
on one of the oxen, but none on the cow. Mr. 
Palmer had told Lydia. if the cow failed to 
come up at night, not to go into the woods 
after her ; but she disobeyed his injunction 
and hence was lost. The afternoon was cloud}", 
and L3"dia, busy with her work, did not no- 
tice the lateness of the hour until it began to 
grow dark in the house. She then took her 
milk-pail and hastened to the cow-}^ard. The 
cow was not there, but she heard the bell o\'er 
toward where Weymouth is now located, and. as 
it did not appear to bo more than half a mile 
distant, she hung her pail on the bar-post 
and started after the cow. It grew dark rap- 
idl}", and when she found the oxen the cow was 
not near enough to be seen. She depended on 
the cow to lead her home, and hunted for her 
until it was quite dark, and, in wandering 
around in the search, she became uncertain 
which way home was situated. In her dilemma 
she started the oxen, in hopes that they would 
lead her home ; she could follow them bv the 






E> \ ' 



384 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



sound of the bell, but could not see them at the 
distance of ten feet. The oxen, however, had 
no idea of going home, and, when she became 
convinced the3' would not, she left them and 
undertook to find the wa^- without them. She 
was in error as to the place where she left the 
oxen. She supposed it was north of Palmer's, 
on or near the line of Brunswick, and this mis- 
take led to another, which cost her eight or ten 
miles' travel in the morning. A drizzling rain 
had set in early in the evening, and, in the almost 
total darkness that surrounded her, she fell into 
a creek and of course was thoroughly wet. The 
wind had got into the north, the snow was fall- 
ing, it was freezing rapidly, and she began to 
realize some of the discomforts of being lost in 
the woods in a stormy night. About midnight, 
she stepped on ground that seemed to have 
been trodden down harder than that she had 
traveled over, and, feeling with her hands, found 
ruts made by wagon wheels, and knew she was 
in a road. It was too dark to think of follow- 
ing it, and she concluded to wait until morning. 
Sitting down by the side of a tree, she pulled 
off her stockings, wrung the water out, wrapped 
her feet in her clothes, and awaited the coming 
of daylight. She supposed she had struck the 
road between Hamilton's and Liverpool, and, if 
her absence was not discovered, she intended 
to get back to Palmer's in the morning, and 
not let anvbod}' know slie had been lost. To- 
ward morning, she heard the roosters crowing 
but a little way off to the north, but, believing 
they were in Liverpool, she did not go to the 
house in the morning, as she would have to tell 
them she had been lost, and she had some 
holies of being able to keep the secret of her 
night's experience in the woods. Her stock- 
ings were frozen in the morning so she could 
not got tiiem on her feet, .so she put on her 
shoes without them and started soutli. The 
place where she stayed overnight was about 
eighty rods south of our cabin, and a little fur- 
ther from Hamilton's, where she lieard the 



chickens crow ; and of course she went directly 
from home. She first took the road running 
southeast from the center, and followed it 
about three miles, as near as we could judge 
from her description, then came back and took 
the road to Ferris' and followed that to the 
river, and then knew from our description of 
the crossing where she was, turned about and 
came home." 

The above incident took place within a few 
miles of the county seat of Medina Count}-. 
As we look around us at the farms and pleas- 
ant homesteads, standing so thick that one 
may travel all daj' and never be out of sight 
of some farmhouse, it is rather difficult to real- 
ize all that is contained in the words, " lost in 
the woods," and that, too, onl}' sixt}^ or se^■enty 
years ago, when, for miles and miles, the 
forest was dark and almost impenetrable, ex- 
cept to wolves, bears, panthers and other raven- 
ous beasts, and the cabin of the settler was to 
be found at rare intervals. The young lady 
who figured as the heroine of this ratiier un- 
fortunate circumstance, resided for many j-ears 
in Medina Count}-, the wife of Uriah M. Chap- 
pell. They, at different times, lived in Wads- 
worth, Guilford and York. 

Medina Township was one of the first created 
after the formation of Jledina County, and was 
originally organized by order of the Commis- 
sioners of Portage County, before Medina Coun- 
ty got her maciiinery into good running order. 
The order issued by the Portage County Com- 
missioners to liold an election, was dated ]March 
24, 1818. This election w-as for township otti- 
eers, and organization was effected by appoint- 
ing Isaac Barnes, Noah 3L Bronson and .Abra- 
ham Scott, Judges ; and Samuel Y. Potter, 
Clerk of Fjlcction. The following township 
ofllcers were duly elected : Joseph Nortlu-oii. 
Abraliam Scott and Timothy Doan, Township 
Trustees ; Isaac Barnes, Township Clerk ; Kufus 
Ferris and Lathrop Seymour, Overseers of the 
Poor ; Abijah Marsh and Benjamin Hull, Fence 



■^F 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



385 



Viewers; James Palmer, Lister; llufiis Ferris, 
James Moore, Zeuas Hamilton and AVilliam 
Painter, Supervisors ; Samuel Y. Potter and 
Ransom Clark, Constables, and James Jloore, 
Treasurer. These first officers have long since 
paid the debt of nature, and not one is now liv- 
ing. As will be seen, settlers were so scarce in 
the township that there were not men enough 
to fill the few offices, but several had to take 
two offices apiece. Thus was the township 
legally- organized, and the first officers elected 
to administer its affairs according to law. Zenas 
Hamilton was the first Justice of the Peace for 
Medina Township. The following incident of 
his ideas of equity sind justice is related in 
Northrop's historj- of the county : •' Joseph 
Northrop had bought a pig from a Mr. Wood- 
ward, of Bath. As the monej- was not sent 
quite as soon as Woodward had expected, he sent 
his claim ($2) to Zenas Hamilton, with orders 
for him to sue on it. But Squire Hamilton, 
rather than send a summons, went two miles 
through the woods, informed Mr. Northrop of 
the fact, and told him that if he would say that 
the money should be in hand, three months 
from that time, he would do no more about it ; 
and thus the matter ended." In those primi- 
tive days, when people, in the simplicity of 
their hearts, were thoroughly honest, civil offi- 
cers were frequently much more read}' to sa\e 
their neighbors trouble and expense than to 
pocket a paltr}- fee for a small lawsuit. 

At the beginning of the settlement of Medina 
County, the people encountered many difficul- 
ties in obtaining bread. The nearest mills were 
twent}^ and thirty- miles distant, and required 
from five to ten days to make a trip with ox 
teams, which were then the usual means of 
hauling and milling. The first mill in Medina 
Township was a saw-mill erected by Seymour 
& Doan, in 1817. The nearest grist-mills were 
at ^liddlebury and Stowe, which, in the best of 
weather and the best condition of roads, was a 
four days' journey with ox teams. The next 



year they built a grist-mill adjoining their saw- 
mill, which had been erected where Weymouth 
now stands. This was the mill site mentioned 
by James Moore in his narrative pertaining to 
the early settlement of Medina. Moore & 
Stevens erected a saw-mill early in the year 
1818, at Bagdad, near the center of the town- 
ship. It was soon afterward purchased by 
James Warner, who, with his son-in-law, Ste- 
phen N. Sargent, put up a grist-mill in 1820, 
just below the saw-mill. These early mills 
were a great benefit to the pioneers, and relieved 
them of the long, tedious journeys to mills at a 
distance. The township and town of Medina 
are now supplied with as fine mills as may be 
found in the State of Ohio, and the people of 
to-day, who have the best of mill facilities at 
their very doors, can, with difficulty, realize 
what their foi'efathers had to encounter here 
sixty or seventy years ago, in the one simple 
feature of procuring meal and flour. 

The early roads of Medina were merely trails 
through the forest, in which the underbrush was 
cut c>ut to enable wagons to pass. One of the 
first of these was from Liverpool to Squire 
Ferris', and which passed Zenas Hamilton's. 
Another of the early roads branched off from 
the one above mentioned, at the Center, in a 
southeasterly direction, striking the " Smith 
road," near the corner of the township. The 
people had onh' ox teams, and these rough 
roads cut through the woods, after being passed 
over a few times, became impassable from mud, 
compelling them to continually open new ones. 
Some years later, a road was opened from Cleve- 
land to Wooster, and afterward extended to 
Columbus, known as the Columbus and Cleve- 
land stage road. This road passed thiough 
Medina, and was, in the eai'lj- da3s of the coun- 
try, a great thoroughfare of travel, being a 
stage route between the north and south parts 
of the State. Jledina has improved, however, 
in respect to its roads, as well as in man}- 
others. Good roads now pass through the 



^ a 



11^ 



Jkt 



386 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



tovvnsliip ill every direction, with substantial 
bridges spanning all the little streams, so that 
locomotion is not retarded in any respect, hut 
uninterrupted travel may be enjoyed with the 
outer world, without danger of sticking fast in 
the mud. or being drowned in some swollen 
stream. 

The first birth, death and marriage, in a new- 
settlement, are objects of considerable interest 
to the people. The first-born in a neighbor- 
hood grows up an individual of great impor- 
tance : the first wedding is an event that is 
long remembered, while the first funeral and 
the first grave in a lonely wilderness engenders 
sad and mournful refiections that shadow the 
community for years. Of the first birth in 
iledina Township, there are conflicting state- 
ments. One authority says : ■• The first per- 
son born was Mattiiew. son of Zeiias Hamilton. 
June 9, 1815." This is doubtless correct, as 
Zenas Hamilton was the first actual settler in 
the township and located as early as the fall of 
1814. It is told of this first born of Medina 
Township, that, when he arrived at maturity, 
he studied medicine and went West, where he 
had worked himself into a good practice as a 
physician, and, in crossing a river one day. to 
see a patient, was drowned. Tiie first girl born 
is claimed to have been Eliza Sargent, now 
Mrs. Judge Humphreville, who was born in 
August. 1818. Thi.s first birth of a female is 
contested by Samaiitha Doan, now Mrs. Slade, 
whose post office address is Collamer, it being 
claimed that she was born in June preceding 
the birth of Eliza Sargent, which took place, as 
given above, in August. The first death is said 
to have been a }'Oung daughter of Asahel Par- 
malee, from Vermont, while stopping in the 
settlement on their wa\- to Sullivan. It oc- 
curred early in the spring of 1817. Another of 
the early deaths of the township, occurred at the 
raising of a log barn for Giles Barnes, August 
\2. 181 !l. Barnes lived on Lot "Land. in rais- 
ing a heavy barn, a man named Isaac J. Pond. 



in taking up a rafter, was killed. He had got 
up on the house with the rafter, and was stand- 
ing on the end of the ■■ butting-pole," when it 
rolled and he. losing his balance, fell, and the 
rafter struck him on the head, causing instant 
death. His little sou, Henry N. Pond, was three 
months old that day, and his mother, the wife 
of -Mr. Pond, on hearing of his sudden death, 
fainted away. The remains of the deceased 
were interred the next day. and the bereaved 
ones had the sincere sympathy of the entire 
community. The grave was on Lot 53. a little 
west of where F. A. Abbott lived. It is a sad 
coincidence, that the child, Henry N. Pond, re- 
ferred to above, was, some thirty years later, 
then the head of a family of his own. killed by 
the fall of a dead tree, while at work in his 
field. Both father and son were much- re- 
spected and worthy citizens. Thus, as the sea- 
sons roll on. so do the shad}- and sunny sides 
of this life appear. The first couple married 
in the township were Giles Barnes and Eliza 
Xoi'throp. on the 23d of JIarch, 1818. It was 
a time of great rejoicing, and the whole neigh- 
liorhood turned out in nmssc to celebrate. In- 
vitations had been sent out to all the dwellers 
in the township to attend. The ceremony was 
lierformed by Rev. I\. Searle, an Episcopal 
clergyman, and the first preacher in the town- 
ship. The festivities were continued to a late 
hour; but. as -'the boys ' had provided a good 
supply of torch bark, when the ceremonies and 
rejoicings were over, they went to their homes, 
lighted on their way by their bark torches. 
Some were said to have been a little •• high " 
from the efl'ects of the wine they had drank. 
This, however, was not considered in the least 
extraordinary (even for some clergymen at that 
day), under such circumstances as a frontier 
wedding. Whisky did not contain so much 
poison then as at the present day. hence was 
ii6t so dangerous. 

The cause of education in Medina Township 
is coeval with its settlement by white people. 






£:£l 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



389 



Thej' came from a section of the country where 
the education of the }-outh was considered one 
of the first and greatest duties of the time. 
The first school taught here is said to have 
been taught bj- Eliza Northrop, in the old 
log meeting-house built by the people in 1817- 
In the summer of the same j'car, she taught 
school, and among her pupils were Joseph, 
Ruth, Elizabeth and Mary Hamilton; George, 
Lucius, Carlos and Lester Barnes ; Banner and 
Harrison Sej-mour ; Jared and Marj- Doan ; 
Anna, Cynthia, Philemon, Chloe, Ruth and 
Madison Rice ; Clement and Freeman Marsh ; 
Frank and Philander Calender, and Lois and 
Liusa Palmer — twenty-three all told. Proba- 
bly not one of the pupils of this pioneer school 
is now living. ^ More than sixty years have 
passed since it was taught. In that period the 
school system has been much perfected, and 
school facilities increased according to the de- 
mands of the time. The following statistics 
from the last report of the Board of Education, 
show the present state of the scliools of Me- 
dina Township : 

Balauce on hand September 1. 1879 $61.5 79 

State tax 270 00 

Irreducible fund 17 30 

Township la.K for school and schoolhousc pur- 
poses ."lOS 35 



Total $1,409 44 

Whole amount paid teachers 5)(;03 50 

Paid lor fuel, etc 105 10 

Total expenditures 708 GO 



lialance on hand September 1, 1880 $QiO 84 

Children between the ages of six and twenty- 
one years : Males, 81 ; females 91 ; total, 172. 
There are in the township five comfortable 
schoolhouses, valued at $3,000. The best and 
most competent teachers are employed, and 
good schools are maintained for the usual term 
each year. 

The religious history of Medina Township 
dates back almost to the first settlement. The 
first preacher was the Rev. R. Searle, an Epis- 



copal minister. He was here as early as the 
spring of 1817. The first public religious 
service, of which we have a reliable account, 
was held at the house of Zenas Hamilton, on 
the 11th of March in the above year. At this 
meeting. Rev. Mr. Seaile preached the first ser- 
mon delivered in the new settlement, lie had 
been the Rector of St. Peter's Church. Plymouth, 
Conn. Services were also held the next day, 
when Rev. William Hanford preached ; he was a 
missionary from Connecticut. A short time 
after this. Rev. Searle organized St. Paul's par- 
ish of Medina. This was what is now St. Paul's 
Church of Medina Village, though organized 
originally in a distant part of the township. 
Some of the first members were Rufus Ferris, 
Miles Sej'mour, Benjamin Hull, Harvej- Hickox, 
David Warner, William Painter, George War- 
ner, M. B. Welton and Zenas Hamilton. The 
first church edifice was erected in April, 1817. 
Says Jlr. Northrop in his history- of the county : 
'■ On the 10th day of April, 1817, the people 
assembled with teams and tools, at the place 
appointed, near the present residence of Chaun- 
cey Blakslee, where Herbert Blakslee now lives, 
and about a mile northeast of the present 
town house, cleared away the underbrush, cut 
the timbei', hauled it together, and put up a log 
meeting house ; cut the tree, made the shingles, 
covered it, etc. About noon, notice came that 
Mr. Searle would be there and preach a sermon 
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon that day. We did 
our best to be readj'. We prepared seats by 
placing poles between the logs and stakes drove 
in the ground, and had it all ready in due time. 
Mr. Searle came and fulfilled his appointment ; 
nearly all were present who could get there. 
The exercises wore accompanied with approjiri- 
ate singing, and all passed oti' in verj' pleasant 
pioneer style." It was in this house the first 
school was tauglit as aheady noticed. It was 
a kind of union church, and was occupied by 
all denominations who were represented at the 
time in the communitj-, though the Episco- 



"fy" 



^i 



390 



IIISTOHY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



palians mid Co!igreo;ationalists were largely in 
tbe preponderance, and. as a general thing, it 
was used half of the time by each of these 
denominations. Some time after, a log church 
was built at the Center, and in it meetings 
were conducted, iu the greatest harmony, until 
it was burned. A town house was then built, 
which was used also as an Episcopal Church, 
until it. too, was burned. A meeting house 
was then built by the Congrcgationalists at 
Bagdad, and meetings held there and at the 
vilhige. alternately, for several \'ears. 

Among the early Congregational ministers of 
Medina Township were Rev. William Hanford, 
Rev. Simeon Woodruff, Rev. Lot B. Sullivan 
and Re\-. Horace Smith. The first Congrega- 
tional Church was organized at the house of 
Isaac Barnes, on the 21st of Februarv. 1810. 
by Rev. William Hanford, from Connecticut, 
who had been sent out bj- the church as a mis- 
sionary. He was assisted in the organization 
by Rev. Simeon Woodruff, one of the first Pas- 
tors of the church. Among the original mem- 
bers of this organization were Joseph Northrop 
and Charily, his wife ; Isaac Barnes and Mar- 
tha, his wife ; \. B, Northrop ; Giles and John 
Barnes. Mr. Hanford preached for several 
yeai-s, both to this society and in Medina Vil- 
lage ; this society was finally moved to the vil- 
lage, wliere further notice will be made iu con- 
nection with tlie Congi-egational Church. Rev. 
Lot B. Sullivan was also an early minister of 
this fii-st Congregational Church, and served 
one j'ear as Pastor, dividing his time, one-half 
to it and one-half to the church at Wellington. 
Rev. Horace Smith was with the churches of 
Medina and (Jranger Townships for about six 
months as a missionary sent out by Hamp- 
shire Missionary Society, Massachusetts. Rev. 
S. V. Barnes came about 1827. and was instru- 
mental in getting up a gi-eat revival in the 
east part of the township, and afterward in the 
village and vicinity. He was the stated minis- 
ter in Medina and Weymouth for a number of 



years. Says Mr. Northrop : •■ Religious, moral 
and temperance reform were gaining the as- 
cendancj' ; schools were improving ; and every 
important enterprise was cherished, and urged 
onward to success. Thus we seemed to see 
the wilderness and solitarj' places literally bud- 
ding and blossoming as the rose, and, indeed, 
becoming vocal with the i)raises of the .^lost 
High God." The church history of the town- 
ship centers principally in the village, although 
the first societies were organized outside of it, 
and so the histories of these earl}- religious so- 
cieties will be resumed in the chapter devoted 
to Medina Village. Another incident from Jlr. 
Northrops history of the count}-, and we will 
pass from this branch of the subject : " During 
the time of the rectorship of Mr. Searle, in con- 
nection with St. Paul's Church in Medina, a 
somewhat exciting difficulty occurred among 
some of the members, and. at the same time, 
the Episcopal Methodists at the village mani- 
fested considerable engagedness in their prayer 
meetings, and in reply to some remarks of 
Squire Ferris upon the subject, Seth Roberts 
said that the devil had really come to Medina, 
had got the Episcopalians all by the ears, and 
frightened the Methodists to their prayers ; and 

the 

" Presbyterians look on and sing, 
'Sweet is the work, my (iod and King,' " 

When this township was first settled by the 
white people, there were still a few roving 
bands of Indians in this section of the State. 
They were friendly, however, although, when 
Zenas Hamilton m,<ide his settlement in Medina, 
the war of 1812 was raging, the Indians that 
occupied the country along the Rocky River 
were not hostile. For a few years after settle- 
ments were made in the township, the Indians 
remained in their old hunting-grounds, but 
were, it is saitl. most Inveterate beggars. Mr. 
Northrop says they were intlucetl to leave from 
the following circumstances : ■■ .Mr. Hulett. of 
Brunswick, was at Nelson, Portage County, 



-^ 



t 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



391 



and, saying something about the Indians being 
a nuisance, Capt. D. Mills, the old pioneer hunter, 
well known to the Indians, told Mr. Hulett, 
that if he would tell them that Mills, Redding 
and some others that he named, were coming 
out there, and would make way with every In- 
dian they could find, he thought they would 
leave. ^Mr. Hulett did so, and sure enough, 
the}- packed their horses and left, and never re- 
turned." 

Thus it has ever been, since the occupation 
of this country by the European, the rights of 
the Indian have been utterly disregarded, his 
lands and hunting-grounds wrested from him 
by the pale-face Christian, and he driven back 
step bj- step, as the increase of his white foe 
demanded more room. And 3et we curse the 
Indian as a bai-barous savage, that ought to be 
exterminated from the face of the earth, wholly 
forgetting that to us are they indebted for 
much of their barbarity and fiendish cruelty. 
There is no doubt but that we would be as sav- 
age as they, were we placed under similar cir- 
cumstances. We do not set ourself up as the 
champion of the " noble red man." nor the 
apologist of his cruelties, but merely to note an 
historical truth, that, where Indians were treated 
as human beings, they displajed a noble mag- 
nanimity, and returned gratitude for gi-atitude 
to a degree never excelled even by the Anglo- 
Saxon. 

Wild beasts of every description were plent}- 
when the country was new. Wolves particu- 
larly wei'e plenty, and were a great source of 
annoyance to those who made an attempt to 
raise hogs or sheep. The following incident is 
related as an illustration of the depredations 
committed by these pests of the pioneer days : 
Gad Blakslee, an earl}' settler of Medina Town- 
ship, had procured a fine flock of sheep, and the 
wolves killed eighteen at one time. It was 
found that they inhabited the " wind-fall," in 
the south part of the township. They got Ze- 
uas Hamilton to go and assist in making a 



trap, in which, together with a large steel trap, 
they caught nine old wolves, besides a lot of 
young ones, and one more old one, the next 
year. This thoroughly cleaned them out in that 
locality, and the people were no more annoyed 
by them. Wolf hunts and bear and deer hunts 
were a common sport and pastime with the 
early settlers, and they used to collect in gi-eat 
numbers for the purpose of engaging in one of 
these periodical hunts. As other chapters of 
this work detail some of these hunts, we will 
make no further mention of them here. 

The progi-ess of the new settlement for the 
first few years, was necessarily slow. There 
were no markets for produce, and the settler 
did not exert himself to raise bountiful harve.sts, 
but merely sufficient for his moderate wants. 
A few bushels of corn and wheat sufficed, while 
the forest furnished him his meat. Besides his 
trusty rifle, the principal tools he had to work 
with were his ax, his drawing-knife and his 
shaving-horse. To these, in a settlement of 
any extent, were added an auger or two, a 
broad-ax, and an implement called a •■ frow," 
which was used for splitting out clapboards. 
The original members of this pioneer settle- 
ment have all gone to their last repose. They 
were the men of the '• Golden Fleece ' — the 
" Argonauts,'' whose lives were full of romance 
and adventure. Time has mellowed the asper- 
ities of their character and of their deeds, and 
enveloped them in a haze of purple and golden 
light. The generation of men who settled in 
the limits of Medina Township during the fii"st 
fifteen or twenty years, have gone only recently, 
or linger yet for a moment to look their last 
upon the green fields of time. Their children 
are the Ijusiness men and women of to-da}-. 

The little place, rejoicing in the high-sounding 
name of Bagdad, as a town, was never much of 
a success. It was designed originally for the 
town of the township, and. we are told, even as- 
pired to the honor of becoming the county seat. 
Failing in this, it rapidly dwindled into insig- 



392 



lllSTOHY OF MEDINA COrXTY. 



nifieiince, and, like ancient Rome, the spider 
"wove her web in its palaces, the owl sung his 
watch-song in her towers. " A mill or two, a 
small store, a carding-machine and fulling-mill 
constituted all the toAvn the place ever pos- 
sessed. James Warner built a mill here — first 
a saw-mill, to which was afterward added a 
grist-mill. Deacon Northrop built a saw-mill 
a little lower down the stream, and a few years 
later sold it to Gad Blakslee. A store was 
kept for a time, but did not last long. A church 
was built here by the Congregational people, 
as already noticed ; and a carding-machine and 
fulliug-mill was built, and run by water-power 
from the mill. The fulling-mill, wo believe, is 
still in operation. This is the only trace left to 
tell where once stood the great city of Bagdad. 
Sic transit gloria, etc. 

Wevmouth was one of the early points of 
settlement. It was here that Lathrop Sey- 
mour built a mill at an early day. as men- 
tioned elsewhere. Soinetsime after building 
this mill, he sold it to one Jairus Stiles, who 
operated it many years. After this mill went 
down. Seymour put up a sugar factory near 
the same spot. His son had been away at 
school, and learned enough chemistry to know 
that by a certain process potato starch would 
yield a certain amount of sweet. Upon this 
information. Seymour erected a I'actory for the 
purpose of manufacturing sugar from potatoes. 
or from potato starch. It proved a failure. 
It was then changed into a mill, and in that 
capacity proved more valuable than as a sugar 
factor\-. There is a grist-mill on the old site, 
which was built about 18511-52. and which is 
now owned and operated by Norman Miller. It 
is a good mill, is in good running order, and 
doing a flourishing business. 

The first store in Weymouth was kept by 
Doan & Adams, in an early day. J. P. Doan 
erected the building in which Erastus Brown 
now lives, for a storehouse. Adams was a 
brother-in-law to Doan. and came from Kuclid. 



and in partnership with him opened a store, a 
business they continued several years. The 
nest store was kept l)y a man named Sale, in a 
building erected bj- Lathrop Sej-mour. Sale 
was a native of the Isle of Man, and, after mer- 
chandising here for several j-ears, died of hem- 
orrhage. A post office was established at Wey- 
mouth verj- early, and Stephen N. Sargent 
commissioned as Postmaster. H. B. Seymour, 
however, attended the office, and was virtually 
the Postmaster. The present representative in 
this department of Uncle Sam is Lewis R. 
Mann. lie also keeps a store, .\nother stoi-e 
is operated by Amos II. Livingston. This is 
at present the mercantile business of Wey- 
mouth. There are two blacksmith-shops and 
a wagon-shop. A pheese factory was erected 
in May, 1870, by Sedgwick & Clark. Says the 
Gazette, referring to it : •' The building was 
erected and apparatus finished at a cost of 
S^S.dOO. Make up 4,300 pounds of milk daily 
into cheese, turning out ten and eleven cheeses 
each day. The milk is obtained from 200 cows. 
There is a continued flow of water through the 
factory, which is a neat and complete establish- 
ment." This comprises the business of the 
place. In early times, it was a noted point in 
the lumber business. But. with the disappear- 
ance of the timber, and railroads passing 
through other portions of the county, its days 
of prosperity have passed. Years ago, there 
was a great deal of teaming from M'ooster to 
Cleveland, and the road passed through Wey- 
mouth. Flour was hauled from Wooster. and 
goods brought back in exchange. So from 
Weymouth lumber was hauled to Cleveland and 
exchanged for goods, which were sold to the 
settlers. The name Weymouth was bestowed 
on the place by Judge Bronson. When the}- 
applied for a post office, it, of course, must have 
a name, and, by request, Judge Bronson called 
it for We\'mouth in Massachusetts. Like Bag- 
dad, Wej'mouth came near being the county 
seat. But. for the fact that those owning the 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



393 



land about Weymouth lacked sufficient pnljlic 
spirit to donate land for public buildings, tlic 
place would no doubt have been selected as the 
seat of justice. Ah, what might have been ! 

"Of all sad words of tongue or pen, 
The saddest are these: 'It might have been.' " 

Weymouth has always been the seat of learn- 
ing and education. One of the early school- 
houses of the township was built here. The 
present large schoolhouse was originallj' built 
for other purposes. The upper stor\' was fin- 
ished and used as a hall, for a lodge of the 
Sons of Temperance. The lower story stood a 
year or two unfinished, when it was purchased 
by the School Board, and from that time on 
used as a schoolhouse. In August, 1873, the 
board, under a law creating separate districts. 
bought the entire building and opened a high- 
school department, and since that time the 
children of Weymouth and vicinity have en- 
joyed school facilities equal to those of an}- 
other portion of the county. The present teach- 
ers are : ^\'illiani T. Bracj', teacher of the high 
school ; Miss Kitty Thomas, teacher in inter- 
mediate department, and Miss Mary D. Per- 
kins, teacher in the primary department. 

The iMethodist Episcopal Church of Wej"- 
mouth was organized on the 15th of June, 
1834, by the Rev. George Elliott. Meetings 
were held in the schoolhouse for several years 
after organization. About the year 1840. a 
church was begun, but was not completed and 
dedicated until in 1856. Rev. Mr. Elliott, who 
was instrumental in forming the church, was its 
first Pastor. Numerically, the societj" has 
never been very strong, and of late years has 
decreased in membership, until at present there 



are but about twenty on the church books, and 
they are without a Pastor. Neither does the 
church support a Sundaj- school. 

The Congregational Church was organized 
in Januai-y, 1835, at the house of Lathrop Sey- 
mour. Thej- worshiped in private houses 
and in the schoolhouse, until about 1838-39, 
when they erected their church building. Since 
it was originally built, it has been remodeled 
and enlarged, until, at this time, it presents a 
fine appearance and is quite a handsome little 
temple of worship. The society was originally 
organized bj' Rev. S. V. Barnes. Their last 
Pastor was Rev. (). ^V. White, who died last 
summer (1880), and since that time thej- have 
been without a regular Pastor. The present 
membership of the church is between seveutj'- 
flve and one hundred, and a good Sunday 
school is maintained, under the superintend- 
ence of John Morrell. It is well attended by 
the children of the town and vicinity. 

Medina Center is the crossing of two of the 
principal roads, and the geographical center of 
the township. One of the early churches, as 
alreadj' noticed, was built here, and afterward 
burned. A town hall was erected, which was 
also used for church purposes, until churches 
were built iu other portions of the township. 
The town house, at present, stands alone at the 
Center. Not far from it is a ver^- handsome 
little cemeter}-, where a number of ■• stones and 
lettered monuments " show the affection of the 
living for the dead. 

This brings us down in tlie histor}' of the 
township, to the lajing-out of the village of 
Medina, the capital of the county. The differ- 
ent departments of its history, however, will be 
treated of in another chapter. 



^^i £ 



:>: 



394 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



tlt^ 



CHAPTER VIII. 



MKUINA VII. [.A<;i-: — LAID OUT A.S THK (.'OUNTY 
KACTrUERS— THE (illKAT FIRE.S— 
CATION \I, — SECRE' 



"ly /F RDIXA. the seat of justice of Medina 
-^'-*- Comit_v. is situated on tlie Cleveland 
Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Railroad, near 
the goograpliical center of the countj'. and is 
twenty-four miles south of the city of Cleve- 
land. It was originally called Mecca, and is so 
marki'd on the carlj- maps of the State, from 
the Arabian city famous in history- as tlie birth- 
place of Mahomet, f^ome years later, it was 
changed to its present name of Medina, beiug 
the seventh place on the globe bearing that 
name. The others are Medina, a town of Ara- 
bia Deserta, celebrated as the burial-place of 
Mahomet ; Medina, the capital of the Kingdom 
of Woolly-, West Africa ; Medina, a town and 
fort on the Island of Bahrein, near the Arabian 
shore of the Persian (lulf ; 3Iedina, a town in 
Estremadura, Spain ; Medina, Orleans County, 
N. v., and Medina, Lenawee County, Mich. At 
present, Medina contains about 1.400 inhabit- 
ants. 

The village of .Metlina was laid out in 1818. 
The plat is dated November 30. of that year, 
hut was not recorded until January 6, 1820. 
The following is written upon the margin of 
the original document : • A plat of land sit- 
uated in the township of Medina, given by 
Elijah l?oardman to the county of .Medina.'' As 
statetl in the preceding chaptei'. most of the 
land in .Medina Township belonged to this 
lioardnuiu. who was a native of Connecticut. 
When the I'liunty was formed, and Medina se- 
lected as the seat of justice, .Mr. ]?oardman 
made a donation of laud to the county for that 
purpo.se. The original i)lat comprised 240 lots, 
or about 2:57 acres, which was the donation 



SEAT— IT.S GROWTH AND DEVELOIWIENT— MANU- 
INCIDENT.S— REMGIOUS AND EDU- 
T SOCIETIES. Ere. 

made by Boardman. At the public sale of lots, 
Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 were reser\ed l)y the county 
for the public buildings. John Freese was Re- 
corder at the time the town was laid out. and the 
record of the plat is in his handwriting. Abra- 
ham Freese was Count}' Surveyor, and surveyed 
and laid out the future capital of the county. 
Since the town was originally laid out, numer- 
ous additions have been made, until Medina 
now covers ground enough for a city of 5,000 
inhabitants. The first house built within the 
corporate limits of Medina was a log build- 
ing put up by Capt, Badger, on the present site 
of the Barnard Block. He also put up another 
house near by soon after the erection of the 
first, and these were the first buildings erected 
in the new town. The first building put up by 
Badger was kept as a tavern, the first in the 
town of Medina, and was opened for the accom- 
modation of '■ man and beast," in the fall of 
1818. Mr. Badger was unmarried at that time, 
and a man named Hickox lived with him, and 
together they kept tavern. The first court held 
in Medina County was in the second story of 
this log cabin. This humble frontier tavern 
was a place of great resort. It was the great 
news emporium of the neighborliood. The peo- 
ple gathered here to exehaugi' their Itits of gos- 
sip with eaeh other, and to elicit from traveler 
guests the fullest digest of the news of the 
day. Here, also, announcements were made of 
the logging-bee, the house-raising, the dance ; 
and, when the public met to arrange for a grand 
hunt, they deliberated in this old log tavern. 
It was within its hospitable walls that the older 
meml)ers of the community occasionally dropped 



r 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COl'NTY. 



395 



in, and, basking in tlie genial glow of the wood 
fire (we had no coal then ; it had not been in- 
vented), and with a well-filled pipe, and a glass 
of toddy, perhaps, the merry song or thrilling 
frontier story went round the circle. The front- 
ier tavern was a jolly place, and. that they have 
become olisolete. the more is the pity. Another 
of the early taverns of Medina was the Chidester 
House. This was the stage house, after a line 
was establi.slied from Cleveland to Wooster and 
Columbus, and. like the frontier tavern, was a 
place of considerable resort. About stage 
time, everybody flocked to the tavern to see 
the stage come in, just as the boys of the pres- 
ent da}- gather at the depot about train time, 
to see who can swear the biggest oaths, chew 
the most tobacco, squirt out the greatest (juan- 
tity of juice, and use the most obscene lan- 
guagg. As the stage rattled up with the blow- 
ing of the horn, and the prancing of the " fiery, 
untamed steeds," the people stood around opeu- 
mouthed, ready to pick up any sti-ay scrap of 
news from the outside world. The Chidester 
House was long a famous stopping-place, and a 
well-known tavern in this section of the State. 
Medina is well supplied with hotels at present, 
the " American," the ■• Union " and the '' Bren- 
ner,'' being the principal houses of entertain- 
ment. 

The first goods sold in the new town was by 
a man named Shoals, who opened a small store 
in 1819. He built the first frame house in 
Medina, which was designed for a store house, 
and, in which, upon its completion, he opened 
a stock of goods, and for several ^'ears kept up 
the business. His store stood upon the present 
site of the court house. Tlie next stores were 
kept bj' Sherman Bronson. and a man known 
as " Judge " Smith ; but which of the two was 
first in the mercantile field is not known, but 
it is believed that Bronson was first. Both, 
however, were early merchants of the place. A 
post office was established very early, and Ku- 
fus Ferris was appointed by the Federal Gov- 



ernment as its representative in this departr 
ment. He kept the office at his residence, 
which was in the north part of the town. The 
mail was brought from Ravenna, sometimes on 
horseback and sometimes on foot, the carrier 
trudging through the forest with the mail-bas 
on his shoulder, stopping at .Medina on his way 
to Norwalk. After the opening of the turnpike 
from Cleveland to Wooster and the establishing 
of a stage route, the mail was brought by the 
stage. Dr. B. B. Clark succeeded Ferris as Post- 
master. Capt. (Jreene. the present Postmaster, 
and his gentlemanly clerks, will probablj' turn 
up their fine G-recian noses, as tliej* recall the 
small and insignificant establishment from 
which theirs has sprung. It would now re- 
quire several men to carry all the mail that 
passes through the Medina office in twentj'-four 
hours. From this small start, and ever^'tiiing 
must have a beginning, the town grew apace, was 
burned down, grew up again, was again burned, 
and still again, Phojnix-like, it rose from the 
ashes. In a copy of the Ohio Fi-er Press, and 
Mfdi'na Count)/ Advertisfr. of December 17, 
1833, the following advertisements appear, 
which show something of its business at that 
early period of its existence : B. Durham, 
store ; A. D. Kinney, u minor ; the Medina 
L^'ceum ; dissolution of co-partnership ; (4. 
W. Howe, druggist and doctor ; Oviatt& Bron- 
son ; Leonard & Harris, hatters ; King & 
Guun, pork dealers ; Leonard Case, lawyer ; 
Smith & Seaton, cabinet-makers ; B. Durham, 
a column advertisement of a new store : stray 
heifer ; Administrator's Notice ; Blannot & 
Wilder, boot and shoe makers ; James Brown, 
tailor ; Mansion House, W. R. Chidester. pro- 
prietor ; new tannery, by King & Shafler : 
stray heifer ; for sale, by D. Northrop : Ad- 
ministrator's Notice ; marble tomb-stones, bj- 
Nathan T. Clark ; carriage making, by Sylvester 
Hawkins ; ashes, Oviatt & Bronson : new 
goods. King & (runn ; Smith, Root & Owen, 
mercliants ; L. T. Searle. lawyer ; for sale, by 



\m« 






2:.: 



3U6 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Peak & Sargent : new goods, by Oviatt& Bron- 
son ; stray ox ; satklle and harness makers, 
Woodham & Kawson : new goods, by Peak & 
Sargent ; for sale, by Oviatt & Bronson ; E. 
H. Garrett, boot and shoe maker ; advertise- 
ment of Oliid Ri'yixter and Aiiti-Masoiitc Re- 
view ; new blacksmith establishment, by Hay- 
ward & Olin ; notice, Blauuot & Miller; Hayes' 
baker and roaster, by Chauucy Gilbert ; sad- 
dle and harness, by M Dorgin ; tailoring, by J. 
J. Ruetzers ; patent ploughs, bj' Peak & Sargent. 
The Giizette. of May 10, 1872, says: "As a 
proof of Medina's business, we give the follow- 
ing statistics : Four dry good stores ; seven 
grocery and provision stores ; one hardware 
and crockery store ; three drug stores ; two 
clothing stores ; two millinery stores ; two 
stove and tin stores ; one paper store ; two 
jewelrj- stores ; six shoe stores and sho})s ; two 
tailor-shops ; two cabinet-shops ; two furni- 
ture stores ; one photograph gallery ; a score 
of sewing machine agencies ; three hotels ; one 
saddle and harness shop ; one marble factory ; 
two paint-shops ; one printing ottice ; one car- 
riage fiictory ; one wagon factor}' ; three black- 
smith-shops ; one foundry ; ont; machine- 
shop ; one flour and feed store ; one coal-yard ; 
three lumber-yards ; two planiug-mills ; one 
saw-mill ; one feed-mill ; two meat-shops ; one 
brick-yard ; two livery stables ; two dentists ; 
nine lawyers ; seven doctors ; four preachers ; 
four churches ; a fine schoolhouse ; two bar- 
ber-shops ; one telegraph ollice ; one railroad 
depot; two cheese factories, and flourishing- 
lodges of Masons. Odd Fellows and Good Tem- 
plars." 

In the primitive days of the town, the people 
had their social gatherings, and all passed off 
very harmoniously. Their log-rollings, their 
house-raisings, and such little att'airs were well 
attended, and good-fellowship prevailetl through- 
out. Capt. Badger gives the following account 
of the first Fourth of July ever held in i^Iedina : 
"In 1819, the Fourth of Jul}- came, as it had 



come in former years, and it was resolved by 
the citizens wlio lived near, that it should be 
observed with appropriate honors. In the 
morning, a long pole was cut. and stuck in a 
hollow beech stump where the old court house 
now sta]ids, and on its top, streamed gloriously 
and unrivaled in the air, a bandana handker- 
chief, being the best fac simile of the nation's 
flag that could be ibund and used. Those who 
participated in that memorable celebration were 
myself, R. Ferris, 15. B. Clark. Caleb Chase, 
Erastus Luce, Thoinas Currier and perhaps 
some others. We drove forks in the ground, 
prongs upward, then laid on pole-stringers, 
then put on cross-ties, and covered the whole 
top with peeled bark, on which we set some pro- 
visions, and, standing up around our hastily 
rigged and sumptuously piled table, discussed 
past events and the future prospects of our na- 
tion, our State and our count}'. Good whisky, 
being one of the necessary articles on such a 
day, was bountifully furnished and plentifully 
drank as a beverage. Sentimental toasts were 
drank, and always responded to by three hearty 
yells, and as many drinks of liquor. Whisky, 
sweetened with home-made sugar, constituted 
the drink that was handed around in the fash- 
ionable circles in those days. In the evening, 
we returned to our cabins highly gratified with 
the glorious celebration of the nation's birth- 
day. We, on that day, gave names to all the 
streets or main roads that then centered in the 
village, by which names they are still called." 
It was thus that the pioneers enjoyed life in 
the wilderness. There is little doubt' that the 
participants in that backwoods celebration, 
never, in after years, enjoyctt one more thor- 
oughly than they diil on that occasion. 

In 1820, the Fourth was celebrated in Medina 
on a far more extended scale than that of the 
previous year. A great many additional pio- 
neers had come into the county. The people in 
every township in the county, and a great many 
townships that were not in the county — and 



J^l 



t^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



397 



perhaps never will be — were invited to come 
and bring their provisions with them, thus 
making a kind of donation part}' on a big 
scale. By noon, there was a large gathering 
and a cordial greeting ; the dinner was of tlie 
best the country- then atibrded, and all fared 
sumptuously. As on the previous occasion, 
sweetened whisk}" was the drink of the day, and, 
as the population had greatly increased, this 
time it was made in a wash-tub, and a pretty 
big one at that. As often as it was drained it 
was re-filled, and from that memorable tub — 
more memorable than Diogenes' tub — every 
person dipped in his tin cup and drank to his 
entire satisfaction. Many of the more sturdj- 
men took it raw, declaring the sugar spoiled 
the flavor of the whislvj', and. in consequence, 
the ground flew up and knocked quite a num- 
ber of them down before night. "It was," 
said one who participated, • a glorious daj' at 
the court house." Speeches were made, the 
Declaration of Independence was read. Hail 
Columbia and Yankee Doodle were sung, and 
" the day we celebrate " was celebrated in glori- 
ous style. The next year another and still 
more extensive celebration was had in the town, 
but our space will not permit a description of 
all these old-time Foui'ths, and so we will call 
it a "go," and pass on. 

The public buildings of the place were built 
at the expense of the county. As we have 
stated elsewhere, Capt. Badger took the con- 
tract to clear ofl' the public square, in 1819, 
and the first session of court was held in 
the upper story of his tavern. As the county 
settled up, the village grew in proportion. The 
first court house — the old bricli on the oppo- 
site corner from the Barnard Block — was built, 
and a jail reared its somber head near bj-, as 
mentioned in another chapter. In 1835, the 
village attained to sufficient importance to ad- 
mit of being incorporated, and for this purpose 
a special act of the Legislature was obtained, 
as the law then required, and thus Medina be- 



came an incorporated town. But, as the rec- 
ords were all burned in the great fire of 1870, 
we are unable to give any particulars connected 
with its incorporation, or any of the first offi- 
cers. Nor could we obtain the name of the 
first Mayor. The affairs of the corporation 
are managed at present by the following gen- 
tlemen, viz.: Joseph Andrews, Mayor; Pliram 
Goodwin, Clerk ; William F. Sypher, Treasurer ; 
S. Frazier, Marshal, and George Hej'den, G. 
W. Lewis, P. C. Parker, Albert Munson, R. I. 
Saulsbur}' and K. S. Shepard. Councilmen. The 
town was now one of dignity, with a Mayor 
and Board of Common Council, and put on con- 
siderable style, used a great deal of red tape 
and did things up in good order generally. 

One of the memorable events in the history 
of Medina, was the great sleigh-ride of 1856. 
This was for the prize banner, and originated 
by a certain township turning out on some 
particular occasion a large number of four- 
horse sleighs. First one township and then 
another captured the prize, until it finally be- 
came a county matter, attracting the attention 
of Summit, Cuyahoga and Medina Counties. 
In the contest, Medina turned out 140 four- 
horse sleighs (no other kind were admitted into 
the contest); Cuj-ahoga 151. and Summit 171, 
making 462, all told, and giving the prize to 
Summit Count}-. The sleighride of 1856 was 
to regain the prize. Each township made up 
its company, and all met at Medina on the ap- 
pointed day, and, when marshaled in force, num- 
bered 181 four-horse teams — being ten more 
thau Summit had when she captured the prize. 
From Medina, tlie cavalcade of sleighs pro- 
ceeded to Akron in good order, where they 
were fittingly and appropriately received b}' 
the authorities. All passed off harmoniously 
and without accident, and Medina brought back 
the prize, which was presented to the commit- 
tee appointed to receive it, in eloquent terms. 
Thus ended one of the most remarkable sleigh- 
rides on record. 



KT 



ihL^ 



398 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



But few towns in the State have been so un- 
fortunate in the waj-of flres as Medina. In- 
deed, it has become quite cosmopolitan from 
the number of its conflagrations. It has l)een 
burned and re-ljuilt and burned and re-built 
again. Its last great fire was almost as calam- 
itous, when everything is taken into considera- 
tion, population, wealth and resources, as was 
the great fire which followed it the next \'ear, 
to Chicago. The first destructive tire in Medi- 
na occurred on the evening of April 11. 1848. 
twenty-two years before the last one. It broke 
out in the shoe store of Barney Prentice, in 
what was known at that time as '• 3Iechanics' 
Block." It spread rapidly in all directions. 
From its beginning place, it went north, west, 
east, south ; north, laying Judge Castle's cor- 
ner in ashes : south, taking Mechanics' Block, 
one room of which was occupied by Prentice, 
another bj- Loring, a tailor, and another by Mr. 
Bostwick, a tinner, and the dwelling by Peak. 
It stoppetl here for the want of buildings to 
burn. Going west it took in a house, standing 
where the Gazette was in the second fire years 
after, owned by Mr. King, and back of Mechan- 
ics' Block, a large building owned b\' Judge 
Castle. Crossing from this to Blake s building, 
it went south and east ; south, destroying the 
printing office of Mr, Speer and a house owned 
by a carpenter ; east, taking Chidester's hotel 
and outbuildings, and Dr. Mungers house and 
barn, and Mr. Canfield's barn. In all, six bus- 
iness houses, four dwellings, two barns : total, 
twelve buildings. There was. at the time, no 
fire company, but a hook and ladder company 
hafl been formed. ^lanj', however, were not 
available, as the rules of organization were im- 
perfect, and so the fire-fiend had pretty much 
its own way. The losses by this lire were 
heavj', considering the size and business of the 
town. Summed up, they were something about 
as follows : Judge Castle's loss was a couple of 
two-story frame buildings, valued at S9.300, 
and insured in the Medina Mutual Fire Insur- 



ance Company- for S2.800. He was able to 
save about S:i,800 worth of goods, together with 
forty-six barrels of pork. Hon. H. G. Blake 
lost a two-story frame building, with law office 
and fixtures, valued at $7,(M)(). and insured 
in same company mentioned above, for S3,0()0. 
Chidester lost a two-story frame building ; 
Charles Bostwick's share in the Mechanics' 
Block, S1,80U — insured in same company for 
§600 ; Mr. Loring's share in same block. S9t)0, 
insured for S300 in the same company. The 
total loss, in round numbers, was about •■^Id.UOO. 
which, as seen, was but partiall\" eoveretl by 
insurance, and that in a companj- that, at the 
time, was insolvent, or so nearlj- in that condi- 
tion that we believe very little of the insurance 
was ever paid. The etfect of this fire was the 
erection of a better lot of buildings than the 
town had possessed before, as man\- of those 
burned were old, rickety wooden buildings, and 
were replaced by substantial bricks. 

It was in the great tire twenty-two yeai-s later, 
that the town suflered the greatest destruction 
of property. The alarm sounded on the night 
of April 14, 1870. calling the people uncere- 
moniously from their virtuous couches, and, in 
a few short hours, almost the entire business 
part of Medina was in ashes, much of it for 
the second time. The fire started in an old 
wood building, a part of which was occupied as 
a barber-shop, bj' one Frank Charis, and owned 
by C. E. Bostwick. Says the Gozitte : ■■ When 
the fire was first discovered, it could easily 
have been extinguished by a few buckets of 
water, liut, by the time these were procured, it 
was beyond any such fragile means of control. 
It spread rapidly over the burned district of 
1848. and. reaching out on either side, hou.se 
after house was licked into the fiames and con- 
sumed. The heat was intense, and the air 
filled with flying sparks and burning cinders. 
It leaped across the street and caught the 
Ph(Bnix Block, which was soon blazing from 
roof to cellar.'' This block contained Boult's 



yi 



i> '*w 



it 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



399 



dry-goods store, McDowells drug store. Blake 
& Woodward's law office, with Phoenix Hall in 
the upper storj-. The Whitmore Block, on the 
east, followed next ; then the International Ho- 
tel, and, after burning barns and outbuildings 
in its rear, it stopped in this direction for want 
of further available material. West of Castle's 
corner, it spread to the Gazette, then to Bar- 
row's cabinet-shop, when it stopped on that 
street. South from Phoenix Block, it took in 
several frame buildings, viz. : Asire's dwelling 
and cabinet-shop, Eagle Hotel, and then stopped 
in that direction, and, nearly opposite, it stopped 
at Seaton's grocery. ■• Thus far," says the Ga- 
zette, ''the fire was confined to the burned dis- 
trict of 1848, bnt it did not stop here. It 
crossed the street into the Selkirk Block, and 
from there spread rapidly north along the west 
side of the square, taking every building but 
two on the street.'' Those burned were Good- 
win & Hinman and Lampman, in Selkirk Block : 
Dr. S. J. Smith's drug and book store ; Dr. Mur- 
ray's and J. B. Young's offices, up stairs'; Tiffany 
& Co.'s drug store ; Root's jewelry store ; San- 
ders & Sturgcs' tin store ; with Walker's and 
Robinson's offices, and Sacket's photograph 
gallery, up-stairs ; D. A, Wells' jewelry store ; 
S. H. Bradley & Son's hardware store ; A. Mat- 
teson's grocery ; J. W. Blaust's shoe store ; 
Humphreville Block, Dr. Hard's office. Com- 
mercial Bank. Sypher's shoe-store, and G. W, 
Hobart's grocery-store, when it wore itself out 
and stopped in this direction. There were no 
lives lost in this calamitous event, but several 
parties were more or less injured. 

The Gazette, in summing up the results of 
the fire, says : ■ The number of buildings 
burned, including all stables and barns, amount 
to about forty, A great many others caught 
tire, but were saved by the superhuman efforts 
of the people. At 3 o'clock A, M., A. W. Hor- 
ton mounted a horse, and went to Seville, where 
there was a hand engine. Some sixtj' or sev- 
enty men responded, and were soon on their 



waj^ to Medina, where they did good work in 
keeping the fire under, as it was about subdued 
when they arrived. They remained as long as 
there was need of their services." The follow- 
ing table of losses, and owners of destroyed 
propert}' is taken from the Gazettes report of 
the fire : 
William Asire, total loss about $7,000 

Insurance 900 

A. Andrews, loss in money and clothes, about... 300 
H. G. Blake, total loss about 10,000 

Insuran ce 8, 000 

J. M. Beebe lost household furuituie, value not 
known, 

.J. .\. Retli» lost property to the amount of 300 

C. E. Bostwick, total loss about 2,300 

J. B. Beckwith, total loss about 500 

Dr. J. L. Bean, total loss about 700 

E. Brenner (hotel), total loss about 2,500 

S. H. Bradley & Son, total loss about 9,300 

Insurance 5,500 

T, A. Blacklord, total loss about 6,000 

Insurance 1,000 

G. \. L. Boult, total loss about 8,000 

Insurance 4,000 

G. D. Billings (Dentist), total loss about 700 

Mrs, Maria Bennett, total loss about 100 

Mrs. H, M. Butler lost furniture and clothing, 

John Barrow, total loss about 1,500 

J, W, Blanoit lost boot and shoe store. 

C. Castle, total loss about 4,300 

I nsurance 2,1)00 

W. H. Canfield, total loss about 200 

Frank Charis, total loss about 300 

Commercial Bank, loss about 1,700 

E, .). Fenn was insured for 13,000 and received 

for loss 460 

J, H. Greene (Gazette), loss about 4,000 

Goodwin & Hinman loss over insurance 600 

A. Griesinger, loss over insurance 800 

A. Houck (Intern.ational Hotel), loss about 6, .500 

,1. W. Hatch total loss about 1,000 

S. Humphreville loss about 2,000 

High & Bradway total loss 6,000 

J. F. Hobart, insured for f>700 and received for 

loss 100 

George W. Hobart, loss above insurance about., 800 
Mrs. 0. M. .Johnson, loss above insurance about 200 
L, Leon, insured for $5,000, and received for 

loss 7.30 






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>^ 



400 



HISTOEY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



S. P. Lampman, loss $500, no insurance. 

Odd Fellows, on furniture in hall, insured for 

$J00, received $100 

J. P. Miller, insured for $1,000, saved goods 

amounting to $3,000, loss 2,000 

McDowell Brothers, loss over insurance 3,500 

Dr. P. E. Munger, loss $100, no insurance 

Dr. L. S. Murray fno insurance) 300 

A. Matteson, total loss over insurance, about... 1,300 
0. i S. S. Oatmnn, loss about $2,000, no in- 
surance. 
A. I. Root s jewelry store, loss over insurance.. 1,000 
Renz & Brenner, total loss about 5,500 

Insurance 1,000 

Dr. J. W. Robinson, total loss about .500 

No insurance. 
W. 0. Sanders, total loss about 4. .500 

No insurance. 
R. P. Seaton, insured for $1,000, received for 

loss 302 

Selkirk Bros., loss about 4,000 

No insurance. 
H. Shuler, loss about 700 

No insurance. 
W. H. Sypher, insured for $300, and received.. 100 
William Shakespeare, tailor's tools, loss about 50 

Dr. S. J. Smith, loss over insurance 2,500 

L. W. Sacket (photographer), loss 1,500 

No insurance. 

Tiffany & Co., insured for $0,000, loss 2,.5O0 

S. B. Woodward, loss 500 

No insurance. 
D. A. Wells, insured for $900, recei .-ed for loss 750 

H. .T. Walker, loss over insurance 1.200 

P. Warren (.American House), loss over insur- 
ance 200 

.1. B. Voung, loss about 1.000 

No insurance. 
Mrs. J. Whitmore, loss over insurance 1,300 

Tlie people of ]\I(xliiia, althouiili their town 
was, for tlie secoiul time, laid in ashes, did not 
sit down in idleness, but went to work tit once 
in good, hard earnest. For the purpose of re- 
buildinsi the town, an association was formed 
and duh' incorporated by tilinir the necessary 
pa|)ers with the Secretary of State, with ti capi- 
tal of $H)0.00(». known as the -Medina Build- 
ing Association,' and with the following incor- 
porators : II. (r. Blake, John Rounds, S. H- 



Bradley. A. W. McClure. N. H. Bostwiek. II. .1. 
Walker, A. I. Root and W. C. Bradway. This 
association was formed in imitation of a similar 
one at Chardou. Ohio, a town that had been re- 
cently burnt, and re-built by means of a build- 
ing association. The 3Iedina Building Associa- 
tion, however, did not amount to anything, and 
soon went b^' the board. Upon looking over 
the ground, and their financial balances, the 
people found themselves able to rebuild with- 
out the assistance of an association. As early as 
in May, several of the sufferers had commenced 
the work of rebuilding, or at leti.st of clearing 
away the rubbish, preparatorj- to laying the 
foundation of their new structures. Among 
these were McClure & Roumls. A. I. Root, W. 
0. Sanders. S. H. Bradley, H. G. Blake, Houck 
& Son. A. Griesinger. Renz & Brenner, and 
High & Bradway. 

The fr'a^f/'e, of July 15. 1870. contains lliN 
notice of the preparations for rebuilding the 
burnt district : ■ From the start, Mr. Blake an- 
nounced his determination to rebuild Phaniix 
Block. Messrs. Rounds & JlcCluro. learning 
that Mr. Tiffany was not intending to rebuild. . 
bought his lot for the purpose of putting up a 
block. A. I. Root; Sanders & Sturges. and S. 
H. Bradley also announced their intention to 
rebuild. This secured buildings to cover ground 
which had been occupied by the Ainsworth 
Block. Matteson's lot was purchased by Mi-. 
Boult, and then the ground-work for the 
new Union Block was complete. Shortly after. 
Dr. Smith purchased the Selkirk lots — south 
corner of the square — hirge enough to accom- 
modate two stores. One of these has been sold 
to E. J. Fenii. who will build next summer. 
Thus in a short time after the disaster, arrange- 
ments were made which would secure the re- 
l)uilding of that side of the square this year, 
as far up as the Humphrevillo lot. Shaw, Lewis 
and Pancoast luive bought this lot. and, in con- 
nection with J. F. Hobart, have made arrange- 
ments to build Commercial Block. Thus the 



^^ 



_4i--*^ 



liL 



HLSTOKY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



401 



west side of the square has been disposed 
of and will be re-built this summer. Nearly as 
encouraging state of things exists in the burnt 
district south of the square. 3Ir. Cbaniberliii 
bought the Castle corner, and, with Mr. J. P. 
Miller, one-half of that block will be finished 
this season, the other half next J'ear. The 
Messrs. Oatman are intending to put up a build- 
ing for their meat market. The Mechanics' 
Block, b}' Reuz & Brenner, and Griesinger, is 
being built upon the last lot of the burnt dis- 
trict. Across the street, the Eagle Hotel is 
nearl}' rebuilt. " So far as adding to the beauty 
of the town, the great Are, like that of Chicago, 
was beneficial, inasmuch as it was the means of 
building of it up with a much better class of 
buildings than generally found in a place the 
size of Medina. All the blocks and buildings 
alluded to in the foregoing sketch have been 
put up. and are of a character any town rany 
well be proud of Union Block, on the west 
side of the square, presents a front of 131 feet 
and is from 60 to 100 feet deep, two stories 
high. It is divided into five stores, and was 
finished March 1. 1871. The brick was burned 
here for its construction, and the lumber and 
lime bought in Cleveland. It is a block credit- 
able alike to builders and owners, and cost, in 
round numbers, about $25,000. Mechanics' 
Block was commenced in June, 1870 ; the brick 
was furnished by E. Hale, of York. It is forty- 
four feet front, sixtj- feet deep, with tin roof and 
cost about $7,000. It is a handsome business 
block, and is owned by Renz & Brenner, and 
A. Griesinger. Commercial Block was com- 
menced in August, 1870. T. D. Allen was the 
architect, and McMuUen Brothers the contract- 
ors. It is seventy-four feet front by fifty feet 
deep, built of brick, two stories high, and cost 
some $12,000. It is one of the handsomest 
blocks in the city. 

The Phffinix Block is another ol" the fine 
structures, that, like its memorable namesake, 
arose from the ashes of the great fire. Refer- 



ring to its history, the Gazette says : " The 
corner of the square, occupied by the imposing 
new three-story brick block of Hon. H. G. 
Blake, has an e\eutful history'. In earh' years, 
it was the emporium for the trade of the 
neighborhood, and. at the present day, holds its 
own as a business center. The fire of 1848 
swept ofl" the frame buildings which had accu- 
mulated there, and they were replaced by a 
handsome brick block, by Mr. Blake, who was 
then, as now, the owner of the corner, and then, 
as now, public-spirited, energetic and liberal." 
This block was destroyed again by the fire of 
1 870, but efforts were made at once for rebuild- 
ing it. It occupies a space of 75x88 feet, is of 
brick, three stories high, with basement under 
entire building. The first story is di\ided into 
stores, one room of which is occupied by the 
Phrenix Bank. The second story is mostly of- 
fices, while the third story is divided into two 
large halls ; one of them, and an elegant one it 
is, is used by the Odd Fellows ; the other, 
Phrenix Hall, 44x88 feet, is a very fine theater, 
well furnished with stage, scenery, etc., and will 
comfoitably seat 500 persons. Many other 
blocks and substantial buildings were put up 
after the fire. The Barnard Block, Asire's fur- 
niture store, the Brenner House, and a number 
of others. These fine buildings, as we have 
said, give to Medina an elegant appearance 
seldom found in a town of 1,500 inhabitants. 

In February, 1877. another fire occurred, 
which, for a time, caused the greatest alarm 
and anxiety. The Empire Block and two or 
three other buildings adjacent were burned, re- 
sulting in a loss of several thousand dollars. 
The fu'e. however, was subdued and did not 
spread beyond the buildings mentioned. Great 
" wailing and lamentation ' was heard in con- 
sequence of there being no organized fire tlepart- 
ment beyond a Inicket brigade. It seems 
strange, that with all these fires, the people 
did not sooner wake up to the necessity of 
a well-systemized fire department. But. on the 



:^ 



402 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



principle, apparently, that the lightning never 
strikes twice in the same place, this all-impor- 
tant move had up to this time been neglected. 
But the oft-repeated reminders of their negli- 
gence, linally aroused them to a sense of the 
emergency, and, in July. 1877. the Council 
authorized the issuance of bonds to tiie amount 
of $3,000 for the purpose of purchasing a tire 
engine, and made the following appointments in 
the newlj' created department, vi/.: K. Bren- 
ner, Chief Engineer : O. M. Jackson. First As- 
sistant, and Samuel Scott, Second Assistant. 
In August of the same 3'ear, a two-horse engine 
was purchased, and arranged so that it could 
be drawn bj* men also. It is known as •' No. 4 
Silsby Rotary Steam Fire Engine," and was 
built at Seneca Falls, X. Y. Three streams of 
water can be thrown, with a capacity of 425 
gallons per minute. It was furnished com- 
pletel}- and performs effective service with ver}- 
low steam. The hose cart, purchased at same 
time, carries 500 feet of rubber hose, all in 
good st3'le and shape. Thus the Medina fire 
department is full}- organized, and ready to 
meet the fire fiend with some show of advan- 
tage. 

Medina, as a manufacturing town, does not 
make any great pretensions. There are. how- 
ever, a few establishments that do that kind of 
business, and hence require some notice in 
these pages. Among the manufacturing es- 
tablishments, past and present, we ma.y no- 
tice the stone and hollow ware factory, cheese 
factories, jewelry factories. Root's bee estab- 
lishment, carriage factory, foundry, planing- 
mill. grist-mill, etc.. some of which have passed 
awaj' among the things that were. The stone 
and hollow ware inanufaetor\', is one of the 
most extensive industries in Medina. The 
buildings were erected in the fall and winter 
of 1874-75. and business operations commenced 
in the early spring of 1875. The original pro- 
prietors were Tiiomas Jones, D. M. Thomas 
and John Smart, of Trov. X. Y. The establish- 



ment is a three-story l)rick. 68x21 feet, con- 
sisting of store, furnishing-room, engine-room, 
mill-room, etc. There is an average of some 
thirty-five hands employed, and a large amount 
of work is turned out annual!}'. It is now 
owned, we believe, by ^\'. II. Bradwa}-. The 
ciieese factories are also an extensive industry 
in Medina, as well as in tlu' entire countj". A 
factory was erected in 18(50. by R. M. IMcDow- 
ell & Bro., which did a large business. The 
Gtizrtti: of .'September 2. 1 870. said : ■ Each 
year since it started, there has been an increase 
in its business. The milk of 700 cows is re- 
ceived daily and made into cheese, the tlaily 
receipt being 14,000 pounds of milk, which 
is made up by seven hands." The Excelsior 
Cheese Factory was built in 1873-74. on the 
site of the factoiv which had been burned. It 
is a frame building, with brick basement walls, 
and is owned by C. B. Chamberlin & Co. The 
main building is 28x82 feet, and was erected at 
au aggregate cost of $5,000. It has a front of- 
fice and receiving-room 12x20 feet, and engine- 
room on west side which is fire-proof The 
manufacturing room is 20x30 feet and contains 
three vats, a water reservoir and water pi|)es. 
The press-room is 12x28 feet ; the dry-room is 
28x40 feet, with basement of same size. The 
capacity of the establishment is sufficient to 
work up the milk of 1.000 cows, turning out a 
large number of cheeses daily. 

The grist-mill of O. C. Shepard was built in 
1872. The grist-mill is 30x40 feet, the saw- 
mill is 20x60 feet, and the engine-room is 27 
x37 feet ; the engine is forty-five horse-power. 
The grist-mill contains two run of buhrs — one 
for wheat and one for corn. There is every con- 
venience for handling and unloading grain, and 
the saw-mill has all the modern improved ma- 
chinery, together with the circular saws, one of 
wiiich is fifty- four, the other thirty, inches iu 
diameter. The i)laning-niill of W. H. Wood tV- 
Co., formerly owned by Warner & Smith, and 
built by them in 1874, is a large institution. 



;i^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



403 



and gives employment to several hands. The 
carriage factory of Steaks & Bergey was quite 
an ostalilishment, but has been burned since 
the work of preparing this historj- has been in 
progress. 

The manufacture of silverware by D. A. 
Wells was at one time a large business in Me- 
dina. He used a considerable amount of sil- 
ver in the work turned out, which consisted of 
tea. table, dessert, mustard, sugar and cream 
spoons ; also pie, cake, butter knives, forks, oys- 
ter ladles, etc., with a variety of other articles. 
From four to six hands were employed, and a 
large business was done for a number of years, 
but in the beginning of 1873, Mr. AVells failed, 
and the establishment was closed. A. I. Root 
also carried on an extensive Ijusinoss in the 
manufacture of silverware, previous to his em- 
barkation in bee culture, to which he now de- 
votes his attention, as noticed elsewhere. His 
business consisted in the manufacture of silver 
spoons, knives, chains, rings, etc., etc., and as 
much as 4,500 pounds of gold and silver were 
used in a single year when his business was in 
the zenith of its glory. 

A bubble that rose ver}- suddenly to the bus- 
iness surface of Medina, and as suddenly burst, 
was the " Manchester Oil Company." It was 
regularlj' organized with John Sisler, Presi- 
dent ; A. C. Conger, Secretary ; Levi Stump, 
Treasurer ; David Stump, General Superin- 
tendent, together with five other citizens of 
Manchester, who constituted the company. 
The compau}' leased 300 acres of land from 
Truman Arthur, Rev. Clark, Freeman Stoddard, 
Lucien Clark, JIartin A. Harding and Mr. Aplj-. 
This land was on Rocky River, three miles 
north of the village, and preparations were at 
once made for sinking a well. The work of 
boring was commenced in due time, and at a 
depth of 248 feet below the surface, oil was ob- 
tained, in what was supposed paying quanti- 
ties. The requisite machinery* was put in and 
about a barrel per hour was pumped out, while 



it was verily believed that when fully in run- 
ning order, it would yield fiftj' barrels a day. 
This set the country, and the town on fire (fig- 
uratively), and the oil excitement was raised to 
the highest pitch. People believed that Medina 
County was literally floating in a lake of petro- 
leum. The oil produced by this well was of a 
superior quality, and sold readily at $15 per 
barrel on the ground. Gas issued from the 
well in such a quantity as to admit of its being 
used profitably. The water that came out witii 
the oil was strongly- impregnated with salt. 
Those owning land in the immediate vicinity 
considered their fortunes made, while the en- 
tire community saw the most unbounded pros- 
perity ahead, resulting from •' strikin' ile." But 
alas for human calculations. The enterprise 
failed as suddenly as its short career had been 
brilliant. The flow of oil ceased, a hole was 
bored to a considerable depth, which proved a 
horc (a joke), a large sum of money was left in 
the hole, together with the machinerj- used, 
and the company retired from the " Rocky 
River Oil Regions '' in thorough disgust. Alas ! 
The most extensive establishment, perhaps, 
in Medina, is the apiary of A. I. Root. He 
commenced the culture of bees in 1865, in a 
very small way, and somewhat as an experi- 
ment. The motive that led him into the busi- 
ness is thus told in his book upon the subject 
of bee culture : •• About the year 18G5, during 
the month of August, a swarm of bees passed 
overhead where we were at work, and m\- 
fellow-workman, in answer to some of my in- 
quiries respecting their habits, asked what I 
would give for them. I, not dreaming that he 
could by any means call them down, ofl'ered 
him a dollar, and he started after them. To 
ray astonishment, he, in a short time, returned 
with them hived iu a rough box he hail hastily 
picked up and at that moment I commenced 
learning my a b c in bee culture. Before 
night I had (piestioned, not only the bees, but 
every one I knew, who could tell me anything 



M 



:l^ 



404 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



about these strange new acquaintances of mine. 
Our Ijooks and papers were overliauled tliat 
evening, but the little that I found only puz- 
zled me the more, and kindled anew the desire 
to explore and follow out this new hobby of 
mine. Farmers, who had kept bees, assured 
me that they once paid, when the country was 
new, but of late years they were of no profit, 
and everybody was abandoning the business." 
Mr. Root, however, who possesses a mind of 
his own, and. as he says, - some head-stroug 
notions." went to Cleveland a few days after 
securing his swarm of bees, and, visiting the 
book stores, looked up all the works on the 
subject. The one which to him seemed to con- 
tain the most valuable information on the sub- 
ject was a work by Langstroth, the German 
bee culturist. With the facts contained in 
this book, he set out in the business in earnest. 
He now has one of the most extensive establish- 
ments of the kind in the countrv. As his busi- 
ness increased, and he learned more fully the 
habits and nature of bees, and the best modes 
of their culture, his ideas were given to the 
public through the columns of the Bee Journal, 
when, finally, to more fully meet this end, he 
printed a circular, giving in it all the facts and 
information of which he had liecome possessed. 
This circular eventually grew into a quarterly 
publication, issued at 25 cents per annum. 
This was changed into a monthly, called Ghan- 
ings in Bee Culture, and published at 75 cents. 
In 1S76, it was enlarged, and the price raised 
to $1. 

From the small beginning mentioned, tlic 
business has wonderfully increased, and at the 
present time iMr. Root has seventeen acres of 
ground tastefully laid out and arranged in tlio 
most excellent manner for tiie purpose for 
which it is designed. The following descrip- 
tion of it is given by himself : ■' The apiaries 
cover about two autl a half acres : there are 
seven of them, which will accommodate 5110 
hives. We have at this writing (187'J) 228 



hives, mostly employed in queen-rearing. Three 
or four boj'S and girls are constantly employed 
in rearing and shipping queens. Others are 
employed in making the iiives and implements, 
while others still are employed on the Journal 
and making this book. In fact, there are now 
seventj- or eighty of us altogether. Almost 
every trade and industry is represented in the 
building and on the grounds. We have all 
kinds of wood work, a tin-shop, carpenter-shop, 
blacksmith-shop, machine-shop, printing office, 
book-bindery, sewing room, paint-shop, var- 
nishing and japanning room, a room where the 
comb-foundation is made, a room where leather 
is worked considerably in making smokers, 
and. indeed, we have almost everjthing except 
a grog-shop." But this establishment must be 
seen in order to thoroughly understand the 
working of it. The building is a modern brick, 
large and commodious, and is in keeping with 
everything else in this model establishment. 

In connection with the manufacturing inter- 
ests and commercial growth and prosperity of 
Medina, a few words upon the banking institu- 
tions may not be out of place. The first insti- 
tution of this kind established in tlie village 
was what was known as '■ The Land Company's 
Bank," with David King as President. This 
bank was established prior to 1840. and was a 
bank of deposit merely, and not of issue. At 
another time, a private l)ank was operated by 
Canfield & Ladd. but after several years' busi- 
ness, they failed in June. 1861. In the latter 
part of 1872. the First National Bank of Medi- 
na was org;>nized. with a capital stock of .^50.- 
(100. The otllcers were ; ]i. B. Xettleton, Presi- 
idcnt; W. W. Pancoast, ('ashier; and Olney 
Allen, Daniel Ford. Iv. C. Sturges, II. Jones. L. 
15. Xettleton and W . W. Pancoast. Directors. 
This institution grew out of the old Commer- 
cial Bank, a private bank organized after the 
failure of Canfield & l.add. In .May. 1874. 
the First National Bank suspended operations. 

Till! Phoenix National Bank was organized 



ihL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



407 



in the beginning of 1873. It succeeded the old 
Phoenix Bank, a private institution. The capi- 
tal stock of the Phoenix National is S5n,(»00, 
with the privilege of increasing it to $200,000. 
The President is J. H. Albro, R. M. McDowell, 
Cashier. At the organization, however, H. Gr. 
Blake was made Cashier, and R. M. McDowell, 
Assistant Cashier, but, upon the death of Mr^ 
Blake, Mr. McDowell succeeded him as Cashier. 
The Directors of the organization were J. H. 
Albro, John Rounds, S. G. Barnard, B. H. 
Wood, H. G. Blake, N. T. Burnham, R. M. Mc- 
DoweU, A. H. Hawley, and C. J. Warner. This 
bank is still in operation, and is the only bank- 
ing institution in the town at the present time. 
It has good rooms and office in the Phcenix 
Block. 

The educational historj- of Mediua dates 
back almost to the laj'ing-out of the village, 
and was inaugurated in the proverbial log-cabin 
schoolhouse, the first temple of learning erected 
in the town. This was so similar to that given 
in the preceding chapter of the early schools 
of the township, that it is unnecessarj' to re- 
peat it here. At an early day, and long before 
the establishment of the present common-school 
system, select schools were held in ^ledina, 
also female schools, high schools, common 
schools, and, indeed, all kinds of schools. 
As early as 1841, we find an advertisement in 
the county paper, of " Medina Female School," 
by Miss Charlotte A. Weld. It is announced 
that she will open her school at the residence 
of J. W. Weld, in the village of Medina, on the 
19th day of April, 1841, for the instruction of 
Misses and young ladies, in the following 
branches, to wit : " Reading, writing, spelling, 
geographj-, English grammar, natural philoso- 
phy, chemistry, algebra, Latin, and the rudi- 
ments of French, mental philosophy and geom- 
etry." The terms for this vast arraj- of studies, 
were from $1.50 to $3.50 per quarter, according 
to the studies pursued. A postscript is added 
to the advertisement, in which parents are noti- 



fied that full pay will be required for all pupils 
who attend so much as one week, unless their 
absence shall be caused bj- actual sickness. 

In 1845, we notice an advertisement in the 
Democratic- Whiff, of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, for 
a select school, " in the building two doors north 
of Hiram Bronson's store," where '• all branches 
will be taught on moderate terms." In the same 
paper of October 6. 1847, is an advertisement 
of William P. Clark, of " Medina Select School," 
in which " all elementary branches will be 
taught, together with instruction in French, Ger- 
man and music by Miss JaneF. Bradford." In 
1856, S. G. Barnard advertises " a select school 
for those desiring to qualifj' themselves to 
teach," for which the class will be charged $4 
each for the term. Thus the cause of educa- 
tion advanced by degrees, and the common- 
school sj'stem was perfected. Facilities were 
improved and enlarged in Medina, until they 
reached their present state of perfection. 

The imposing, and even elegant, school build- 
ing of ^Medina was completed and opened for 
the admission of pupils in the fall of 1872. It 
was begun in 1871, and the board, which was 
at the time composed of John Rounds, A. R. 
Whiteside and L. B. Woodward, detenni)ied to 
build it themselves, believing they could do it 
cheaper than outside contractors. The design 
of the new building was drawn by T. D. Allen, 
architect, and, when it was erected, according to 
his plans, made, as all must acknowledge, a verj- 
handsome school building. The board, how- 
ever, after proceeding with the work for a time, 
concluded they had captured a big, white ele- 
phant, and finally let the contract to complete 
the building, to William Hickox, of Medina, 
who agreed to finish it, pay fi;)r the work already 
done by the board, and all for $19,000. The 
building is of brick, with cut-stone basement — 
two stories above basement — which is of itself 
eight feet high. The first story is thirteen feet, 
and the second story fourteen feet, surmounted 
by a galvanized iron cornice four and one-half 



^ 



408 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



feet wide, tin roof, galvanized iron window caps, 
etc. Tlie dimension of tlie building is 84 feet 
fronting west, by G4 feet deep, with a tower 16 
feet square in the front center, surmounted by 
a belfr}- and spire. The basement contains four 
rooms, besides a hall ten feet wide, for coal, 
wood, and pla3'-rooms. The first stor}- contains 
four large schoolrooms, entered from main 
hall through cloak-rooms, and each room has a 
small one for the accommodation of the teacher. 
The second story contains two large school- 
rooms, with a recitation-room for each ; also a 
room for Principal, connected with which is an 
apartment for books and apparatus. The rooms 
are fitted up with the latest improved furniture, 
well heated and ventilated. The halls are ten 
feet wide, with grand staircases from basement 
to second story. Upon the whole, it is a tem- 
ple of learning of which any town may well be 
proud. 

Medina Village forms a special school dis- 
trict, and the following are the statistics gleaned 
from the last report of the Board of Education : 

Balance on liand, .•September 1. 1S79 $ 2,629 07 

State tax 597 00 

Irretlucible fund 3S 37 

District lax for school and schoolhouse pur- 
poses 4.910 71 

Fines, licenses, etc 243 62 

Total $ 8,424 77 

Whole amount paid teachers § 1,881 00 

Amount paid for supei-inteudiiig 1,000 00 

Paid interest on redemption of bonds 3,4.52 88 

Amount paid for fuel, etc 642 00 

Total expenditure §6.975 88 

Balance on hand, Seplember 1, 1880 $ 1,448 89 

The roster of teachers for the present year is 
as follows : Prof W. R. Comings, Superintend- 
ent ; Miss Josephine Manning, Assistant Super- 
intendent ; William A. Fitch, A and B (Irammar 
and Music ; Miss Kate Hills, Junior Grammar ; 
Miss Delia E. Alden, Third Primary ; Miss S. 
M. Wasljurn, Second Primary' ; Miss Bertha A. 
Barnard, First Primary. 



The Medina Normal School was an institu- 
tion that, for several 3^ears, was carried on in 
the village of Medina, and was of considerable 
importance while it lasted. It was established 
in 1872, by H. N. Carver, who embraced in his 
catalogue of branches all those usuall}- taught 
in schools of this character. A special depart- 
ment was included for those desiring to qualify 
themselves as teachers. In reference to this 
institution, the Gazette, of August 29, 1873, 
says : ■■ The theory of instruction is in accord- 
ance with the times, its central idea being to 
teach habits of thought, which will be not only 
available in the school life, but of universal 
application in the life outside. There is a great 
deal of loose talk in educational circles, about 
this matter of learning, to think with clearness 
and accuracy. It is true that no appliances 
which can be devised, can possibly discipline a 
mind so that it shall be strong, active and serv- 
iceable, unless that mind takes the work upon 
itself with the earnest determination to use all 
the powers already possessed, for the fullest 
development of its possibilities. But it is no 
less true that the instruction of one who has 
thus disciplined himself and who is thoroughly 
familiar with the best methods of exciting 
mutual activitj', and directing it in proper 
channels, are eminently more valuable than the 
best efforts of a mere professor of books." At 
the close of the third year of this school. Prof 
Carver published the following report of its 
successful operation : '• The classes pursuing 
the studies of the scientific course have num- 
bered from ten to sixteen ; those of the classic, 
from four to eight, and. tilmost without excep- 
tion, the work throughout has been of the most 
thoroughgoing kind ; the class in calculus, for 
example, have mastered every topic as dis- 
cussed b3' Ijoomis, with t;ollaleial topics from 
other authors, Olnej', Robinson, etc., sufficient 
to assure themselves of their ability to read 
and master these authors at their leisure. Tiie 
same general course has been pursued iu the 



"TH 



jS^ 



!k^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



■100 



other branches of mathematics, and in all the 
sciences. The other classes in the common 
branches, book-keeping, etc., have done equally 
well ; and, judging from a long experience, I 
think it would be difficult to find a body of 
j'oung people who have done a year's work 
more substantiallj- than have the pupils of our 
school' Notwithstanding this flattering report 
of its general working, the school began to de- 
cline, and, about the ^ear 1 877-78, was flnalh" 
and permanentl}- closed. 

Christianity received the early attention of 
the citizens of Medina, and led to the estab- 
lishment of church societies, while j-et the 
population of the place consisted of but a score 
or two individuals. The first church organized, 
perhaps, was St. Paul's Episcopal Church of 
Medina. It comprised the parisli formed by 
Kev. Mr. Searle, mentioned in the previous 
chapter, and, although the first church was 
built in the township some distance from the 
village, yet. as the latter increased in popula- 
tion, the church was moved to the village. 
Among the original members of this church 
were Capt. Badger, Sheldon Welton, Eben Wel- 
ton and wife, J. Welton. Noah Bronson and 
wife, Eev. Searle and wife. George Warner, 
James Warner and wife, and perhaps others. 
Upon the organization of the society in the vil- 
lage, services were held in the court house, 
until a building was erected. The exact time 
of the erection of the building is not known at 
the present date. The edifice is a frame, and, 
upon its completion, was dedicated to the 
service of God by Bishop Mcllvaine. Rev. 
William Granville was Rector at the time of the 
dedication ; Eev. Searle was the first Rector 
of the church, and the original organizer of it. 
The next Rector after Mr. Searle, was Rev. 
Alva Sanford, who was followed by Rev. Will- 
iam Granville in 1833. Rev. Mr. Stamer and 
Rev. Mr. Kenned}' each was witli the church 
for a j"ear or two ; then came Rev. George Davis, 
who served for about twenty -five years. The 



present Rector is Rev. Mr. Culloch ; and the 
church has a membership of about ninety, and 
a good Sunday school is maintained through- 
out the year. Capt. Badger is perhaps the 
only one of the original members of this church 
now living, and. from him, most of its histor}- 
was obtained. 

The Congregational Church of Jledina was 
originally organized in the township, as was St. 
Paul's p]piscupal Church. It dates its organi- 
zation back to 1817, as given in the preceding 
chapter. Soon after its formation, a church 
was built at Bagdad, but the increase of popu- 
lation of Medina was the means of bringing 
the church to the village. The first church, a 
brick edifice, was built in Medina in 1833 — 
the corner-stone being laid in August of that 
year. The usual box of relics was placed in 
the corner-stone, but, when the building was 
torn down recently, the box had disappeared, 
leaving no trace behind. When the church was 
built. Rev. Simeon Woodruff was Pastor. Since 
his da}-, the Pastors have been nearly as fol- 
lows : Rev. Samuel Lee. from Vermont, came 
in the fall of 1834, and remained until July 
1837, and was succeeded by Rev. Talcott, who 
remained about a year, when Rev. B. C. Bald- 
win came. He died here in 1844, and Rev. I. 
Hart succeeded, remaining one year ; then Rev. 
William Baldwin for one year, followed by 
Rev. F. H. Brown, who remained about sis 
years. Rev. D. A. Grosvenor came next, and re- 
mained some six years, followed b}" Re\-. G. W. 
Palmer, who stayed about two years, and was 
succeeded by Rev. Howenden, who also stayed 
two years ; then Rev. Dempsey was with the 
church one year, when he died. Then came 
Rev. C. N. Pond, who remained three or four 
years, succeeded by Rev. E. J. Alden, remain- 
ing five years ; then Hex. A. T. Reed, who stayed 
about five and a half years. He was suc- 
ceeded by Rev. H. J. Ryder, the present Pas- 
tor. A new church edifice is now under con- 
tract to be finished by the 1st of August, 



\i< (i 



J^! 



410 



HLSTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



1831. The old church has Ijoen torn down to 
make room for the new one, and the society' 
holds its meetings in I'hfenix Hall. There are 
at present about 1 50 active members. A flour- 
ishing Sunday school is maintained under tlu; 
superintendence of Jlr. A. I. Hoot. 

The following incident in the history of this 
church, occurred during the s()iritual supervision 
of Rev. Mr. Brown, and is related by one of 
the old members. Mr. Brown was a man who 
was remarkal)ly fond of a fine horse and a good 
dog, and it is said that he could discover the 
good and bad points of a horse as quick as the 
most experienced turfman. To such an extent 
did he carry this trait, as to elicit the remai'k 
from an old parishioner one day. that. '■ Parson 
Brown's father spoiled an excellent horse-jockej" 
in his effort to make a preacher. " Mr. Brown 
was the owner, at difl'erent times, of good 
horses, and. while possessor of his best one, 
perhaps, a circus came to 3Iedina. When the 
cavalcade of ■■ calico " horses made the grand en- 
trance into town, the Parson was (by chance, of 
course), out driving, and, apparently unconscious 
of his position, had dropped into the rear end 
of the procession, and thus passed through the 
principal streets, until a member of his flock, 
somewhat ashamed of the part his Pastor was 
playing, met him on a crossing, and asked him 
if lie iiad "joined the circus,' This, with 
other acts of his, caused dissensions in the 
church, and eftbrts were made to obtain the 
preachers resignation. This he declined to 
offer, and instituted proceedings in the church 
against a number of the unruly members. 
Having, by some means, a majority of the 
members on his side, he was enabled to ma- 
nipulate matters according to his own wishes. 
To give character to tiie procee<lings. he had I 
prociu'cd the services of an old minister (who, 
it is said, had reached second childhood) to sit 
with him during tiie trial as assistant modera- 
tor. One day, when about to ■■ call ofi"' for 
dinner, the moderator, Mr, iJrown, invited Dea- 



con Northrop ■• to lead in a short prayer." 
The following is said to be a verbatim copy of 
the prayer olfered ))>• the Deacon on that occa- 
sion : '• Oh Thou who knowest the hearts of 
all men. we praj* thee forgive whatever savors 
of Popery in the moderator, or of servility in 
the church, .Vmen." Finally, the church suc- 
ceeded in getting rid of their troublesome Pas- 
tor, and has flourished in peace and harmon}' 
ever since. 

The Methodist Episcopal Church was orig- 
iuall}- organized about 18111-20. They built a 
little church in South Medina at a ver}- early 
day, which was used until the erection of the 
present edifice, in 1859, which is a substantial 
frame building. They sold the old church 
building, which was converted into a private 
residence. After passing through different 
hands, it was finally moved up near the Union 
Hotel, and was burned some years ago. llev- 
Mr. Farrah is the present Pastor of the Method- 
ist Church, and has in his charge about one 
hundred members. A flourishing Sunday school 
in connection with this church, under the super- 
intendence of Mrs, Parmalee, is well attended. 
There is. or was, an organization of Protestant 
Methodists in Medina, but of them we were un- 
able to learn anything definite. 

The Baptist Church of Medina was established 
ou the 23d of August, 1S33. The original 
members were Eden Hamilton, T. M. Fenn and 
Mary, his wife ; James H. Holcomb and Lucy, 
his wife ; Stephen Bonnel and Harriet, his wife : 
Anson Hamilton, Sarah Hamilton, Anna Ham- 
ilton. Elizabeth Hamilton, Kunice Graham, and 
Adelaide antl Maria W. Fitch, Elder J. New- 
ton was the first minister, and began iiis labors 
February 20, 1834, and was succeeded in the 
following August by Elder .Jami'S Hoovey, who 
was succcedeil September 30, 1830, by Elder Asa 
Straight, Next came Elder Jesse Mason. June 
17, 1837. ;ind was followed by Elder Muda- 
man January 11, 1830, and he in February by 
EUler Corwine. and he bv Elder Clark in Octo- 



3?;; 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



411 



ber following, and he b}- Elder D. A. Randall in 
Maj-, 1840. He continued until June, 18-13, 
when Elder Solomon Dimick came ; Elder Ran- 
dall again succeeded him March 1, 1844, and 
Elder Torbett followed him on June 1, 1846, re- 
maining until March 5, 1853, when Elder M. 
Shank took charge. In March, 1860, he was 
followed b}' Elder J. W. Covey, and he by Elder 
Smith Goodwin, March 2. 1861 ; Elder J. A. 
Davis succeeded him Julj' 4, 1863, and Elder 
J. V. K. Seelej- succeeded him June 10, 1865. 
He remained until November 1. 1872. when 
Elder J. B. Sutton came as supply, remaining 
until May 3, 1873, when Elder Bickward came 
as supply. Elder G. W. Nead followed him 
October 1, 1874, and remained until November 
30. 1878, when Elder Randall came back for 
the third time — this time as supply. Novem- 
ber 23, 1880, Elder W. T. Galloway came, and 
is still in attendance. The first building was 
commenced in the fall of 1845, the corner-stone 
being laid on the 11th of September, by T. M. 
Fenn. (Pre^•ious to this, the society worshiped 
in the old court house.) The frame was raised 
April 4, 1846, and the building completed and 
dedicated, August 12, 1847. It is a frame 
building, and cost in money $1,650, besides 
much of the work, which was donated bj- mem- 
bers. At present, there are about seventy -five 
active members. A good Sunday school is car- 
ried on, of which Charles B. Hord is Superin- 
tendent ; the average attendance is eighty chil- 
dren. 

The Church of the Disciples is of recent or- 
ganization, being formed in 1877, In- Elder T. 
D. Garvin, of Columbus, as the " Disciples' 
Church of Jledina." The cause which led to its 
being established grew out of a great revival 
held here in the fall of that year (1877), in 
which there were some fifty or more conversions. 
The organization was effected with fort3^-two 
members, and Union Hall was the place of wor- 
ship. Elder George Peekham was the first 
regular Pastor, the present one — the Rev. Mr. 



Garvin, brother to the one mentioned above as 
the organizer of tlie church. The societ}- has 
recently completed the most beautiful church 
edifice in Medina. It is built of brick, is of 
modern architecture, and was dedicated to the 
worship of God in the latter part of the year 
1880. It has a large membership, and a flour- 
ishing Sunday school. 

A Catholic Church was organized some ten 
years ago in Medina, with a small membership. 
It is visited bj- priests from Liverpool and 
Grafton. .V neat little frame church was Ituilt 
about 1877-78. What the membership is at 
present, we were unable to learn. 

A church was organized years ago in Medina 
b}- the Universalists. The circumstances which 
led to its formation were as follows : Rev. J. F. 
Avery, a Congregational minister, announced 
upon a certain time, that he would preach in 
Medina on the subject of Universalism. This 
caused the Universalists, to speak in the slang 
of the period, to " get up on their ear,' and so 
the}' went to work and organized a church so- 
ciety. The}' commenced a church edifice on 
the northeast corner of the public square, which 
was never finished, as the society was short- 
lived, and was disbanded in a few years. The 
United Brethren bought the unfinished build- 
ing, but their membership dropped off in a 
year or so, and their organization ceased, and 
the building was sold to the Free- Will Baptists, 
who finished it. They used it for a short time, 
but they l3ecame numerically weak, and finally 
disbanded. The building was again sold, and 
has since been used as a business warcliouse. 

The secret and benevolent organizations, 
kindred in spirit and in works to the Christian 
Church, come now appropriately in order. 
Freemasonry, the most ancient of all the secret 
orders, is also one of the most honorable. Of all 
its mj'steries, there is nothing in it more wonder- 
ful than its perpetual youth. Human govern- 
ments flourish, and then disappear, leaving only 
desolation in tlie places where their glory used 






LA 



412 



IIISTOny OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



to shiue. But the institution of Freemasourv. 
originating so long ago tliat no histoiy tells of 
its beginning, has survived the decay of dynas- 
ties, and tile revolutions of races, and has kept 
pace with the marvelous march of civilization 
and Christianity. Tlie institution was planted 
ill Medina in a verv early day. following close 
in the wake of religion itself 

Medina Lodge, No. 5S, A., F. & A. M., was 
organized in 1820. by M. W. John Snow. Grand 
Master and W., Abram I. McDowell, (-hand 
Secretary. The following were the charter 
members, and among them will be recognized 
many of the earliest settlers of the town and 
county : Kev. R. Searle, Rufus Ferris, Seth Blood, 
Noah 31. Brouson, Lathrop Seymour, W. L. 
Peets, Julius Chidester, Ransom Clark. Lemuel 
Thaj-er, Jason Hubbell, B. M. Atherton, Abra- 
ham George, F. A. Atherton, George L. Chapman 
and Abraham Freese — the latter gentleman be- 
ing named in the charter as the first Worshipful 
Master. The lodge sutfered during the Morgan 
excitement of 1828-30, and was forced to sus- 
pend work for a time in consequence. At the 
time it became extinct, A. Miles was Worship- 
ful Master. The paraphernalia were all given 
over to John Freese for safe keei)ing, who was 
the Secretary. While the Lodge remained 
dormant, Mr. Freese died, and tlie property fell 
into the hands of enemies. Subsequently, the 
jewels and some of the books were restored 
but the charter was " forever lost," as was * 
* * * in the death of the man of Tyre. On 
the recommendation of the committee in the 
Grand lodge to whom the matter was referred, 
tiie charter was reissued in 1S43. since which 
time the lodge has flourished. It has now 
about ninety active members, and is ofiicered 
as follows : D. Hinman, Worshipful Master ; 
K. G. Hard. Senior Warden ; F. B, Clark, Jun- 
ior AVardcn ; T. S. Shaw, Treasurer ; E, J. 
Fenn, Secretary ; II. F. Handy, Senior Deacon ; 
N. W. I'iper, Junior ])eacon. and W. O. San- 
ders. Tiler. 



Medina Chapter, No. 30, Royal Arch Masons, 
was organized under authority of M.-. E.-. W. 
B. Hubbard, Grand High Priest, and E.-. B. F. 
Smith. <i rand Secretary, and was chartered as 
a regular working Chapter, October 22, 1845 — 
the first meeting being held January 29, 1846. 
The charter members were Nathaniel Eastman, 
Stephen V. Barnes, Philo Welton. D. H. Weed, 
Nathan High, Samuel Shafler. Alex. Beatty, 
Augustus Pardee and E. J. Bruce. The char- 
ter designated Nathaniel Eastman as the first 
High Priest ; Stephen V. Barnes, King, and 
Philo Welton, Scribe. The membership at 
ijresent is forty-two, with the following officers: 
Hiram Bronsou, M.-. E.-. High Priest ; P. C. 
Parker, E.-. King; C. P. Chamberlin, E.-. 
Scribe : Aaron Sanders, Treasurer ; T. S. Shaw, 
Secretary, and W, 0. Sanders, Tiler. Since the 
organization of the Chapter, the following 
members have served as High Priests : Na- 
thaniel Eastman, one term ; D, H. Weed, one 
term ; Alfred Davis, one term ; Hiram Bron- 
sou, six terms ; John A. Rettig, fourteen terms ; 
W, J. Foot, two terms ; A. C. Smith, two terms ; 
0. S. Codding, one term ; Orlin Oatman. one 
term ; J. K. Bergey, two terms, and Aaron 
Sanders, one term. 

Medina Council No. 43, Royal and Select 
Masters, was organized October 12, 18G7, by 
Will M. Cunningham, Grand Puissant of the 
Grand Council of Ohio, and John I). Caldwell, 
Grand Recorder. The first officers were Th.-. 
111.-. John Rounds. Grand Master ; III.-. John 
A. Rettig. Deputy Grand blaster, and Comp. 
G. W. Noble. Principal Conductor of Work. 
The records show twenty -two meral)ers and 
the following list of officers : Th.-. 111.-. John 
A. Rettig, Grand Master ; III.-. Orlin Oat- 
man, Deputy Grand Master ; Comp. E. J. Fenn, 
Principal Conductor of Work, and W. H. 
Hayslip, Recorder. Mr. Rettig has an exten- 
sive Masonic experience, and is the only man 
we have c\ev known, or e\-en heard of, who has 
been resularlv elected to, and served out, the 



*^ (s~ 



4^ 



HISTOP.Y OF MEDlIfA COUNTY. 



413 



terms as Worshipful Master of two Lodges at 
the same time. He was Master of Litchfield 
Lodge, No. 381, and of Wadsworth Lodge, No. 
385, and a member of Medina J^odge, No. 58, 
all at one and the same time, performing faith- 
ful service in all. 

Morning Star Lodge, No. 26. L 0. 0. F., was 
instituted Januarj' 18, 1844, by Thomas 
Spooner, Special Deputy Grand blaster. The 
charter members were S. B. Logan. S. H. 
Bradley, Jo Whitmore, H, G. Blake. U. A. 
Drake and H. Torbett, all of whom are now 
dead, except S. H. Bradley. The first officers 
were; S. B. Logan, N. G.: Jo Whitmore, V. 
G.; and S. H. Bradley, Secretary. The present 
membership is forty-six, with the following 
officers : Aaron Sanders, N. G.; William Witter. 
V. G.; and G. D. Billings, P. and K. Secretary. 

Medina Encampment, No. 33, I. O. 0. F., 
was instituted January 14, 1849, by William S. 
Johnston, S. P,, Deputy of the State. The fol- 
lowing were the charter members : E. L. War- 
ner, S. H. Bradle}-, Alfred Davis, Jo Whit- 
more, W. L. Terrill, C. B. Prentice and Charles 
Hubbard. The first officers were : J. Whit- 
more, C. P.; A. Davis, H. P.; S. H. Bradley, S. 
W.; E. L. Warner, Scribe; C. Hulibard, Treas- 
urer, and W. L. Terrill, J. W. There are eleven 
members on the roll, officered as follows : 
Aaron Sanders, C. P.; J. S. Mason, H. P.; N. 
W. Piper, S. W. ; A. Griesinger, J. W. ; R. W. 
Clark, Scribe, and G. W. Hobart, Treasurer. 

Medina Tribe, No. 48, I. 0. R. M., was organ- 
ized under charter granted by the Grand Coun- 
cil of the Improved Order of Red Men, signed 
by William Percy, Grand Sachem, and coun- 
tersigned by George B. Means, Chief of Rec- 
ords, and dated 15 Sun, Buck Moon, G. S. D., 
378. This branch of the Tribe met at Sanders' 
Hall, on the 24th Sun, Beaver Moon, G. S. D. 
378, and kindled its first Council fire. Deputy 



Sachem George B. Means being present, who or- 
dered an election. About fifteen pale-faces peti- 
tioned for dispensation. The following officers 
were elected and duly installed liy the J)eputy 
Sachem : Sidney J. Smith, Sachem ; John A. 
Rettig, Senior Sagamore; H. G. Blake, Junior 
Sagamore ; J. N. Robinson, Prophet ; H. J. 
Walker, Chief of Records ; J. F. Hobart, Keep- 
er of Wampum ; W. H. Hickox, Brave ; and 
J. H. Greene, Satrap. The Tribe kindled the 
Council Fire, in ample form, each seven suns, 
and added a great many members, until the 15th 
Sun, Plant Moon, G. S. D. 390, when the gi-eat 
fire burnt their wigwam, with all the valuable 
treasures it contained, viz. : the ■• Execution 
Tree," "Prophet's Stump," 'Outer" and "In- 
ner Wickets, ' etc. The Grand Council agreed 
to furnish a new charter whenever a wigwam 
should be provided. None, however, has yet 
been secured, and hence the Imi)roved Order 
of Red Men of Medina. ha\e gone to the ■• happj- 
hunting-grounds. ' ' 

In all time and in all countries, there has 
been, co-extensive with man's existence, some 
mode of disposing of the dead. ■ Let us bury the 
dead out of our sight." said Abraham, and this 
mode is, to-da}', the prevailing custom in civil- 
ized lands. The cemetery of Medina was the 
necessity of the time in which it was located, 
and is now almost in the central part of the 
village. It contains many of the pioneers of 
the count}-, some of whom were laid away to 
rest in that silent spot, when Medina was but 
a sickly hamlet. It is to be regretted that the 
cemeter}' was not originally laid out. at least a 
mile further from the town, as a continued 
growth will, sooner or later, render this a neces- 
sit}'. It is quite a loveh' spot, and manj' pret- 
ty stones and monuments mark the spot where 
slumber the loved and lost. Peace to their 
ashes. 



:rz 



'XL 



414 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



CHAPTER IX.* 



WADSWOKTH TOWNPHir— PHYSICAL FE.\TUUES — FLORA AND FAUNA — EARLY FAMILIES IN THE 
TOWNSHll'— OROANIZ.^TION OF THE TOWNSHII"— ORIGIN OF rHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 






WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP derives its 
name from Gen. Elijah Wadsworth, a 
native of Litchfield. Conn., who was one of the 
original proprietors, and came to Caufield, Ma- 
honing County, in 1799, to which place he 
moved his family in 1802. Wadsworth is No. 1 
in Range 13 of the Connecticut Western Reserve, 
and is bounded on the north by Sharon, on the 
east b}- Norton, in Summit County, on the 
south bj- Chippewa and Milton, in Wayne 
Count}-, and on the west by Guilford. It la3's 
in the southeast corner of Medina County, and 
its south line, being the line of the Reserve, is 
on the forty-first parallel of north latitude. 
The township is five miles square, and should, 
therefore, contain 16,000 acres of land, but 
the tax hst shows 10,417 acres. The high- 
est elevation on the New York, Pennsj'l- 
vania & Ohio Railway (formerly the Atlan- 
tic & Great Western Railroad), which 
passes through the southern portion of 
the township, is 594 feet above the level of 
Lake Erie, and the land on the old Pardee 
farm, the old Loomis farm, and also on the old 
Dean farm, ma}' be about 200 feet higher than 
the summit of the railway ; so that the highest 
elevation in the township may be 800 feet 
above Lake Erie. The lowest gi-ound is in the 
southwest portion, the bed of the River Styx 
where the railwa\' crosses that stream, about 
one mile south of the township line, being only 
37G feet above the level of Lake Erie. At the 
railwaj- station, one-half mile south of Wads- 
worth Center, the elevation is 545 feet above 
Lake Erie. 

The township is wholl}- underlaid with sand- 

*Contributed by Hon. Aaruu Pardee. 



Stone rock, in manj- places showing upon the 
surface, but generallj- covered with drift from 
twenty-five to eighty feet in depth. Though 
there are such considerable inequalities in the 
face of the land, there is scarcely an acre to be 
found but what is capable of the highest culti- 
vation. Springs, generally of pure soft water, 
are found in nearly all parts of the town- 
ship. These flow north, south, east and 
west. The River Stj-x is the most con- 
siderable stream of water ; it rises in Mont- 
ville. and runs south through the west 
part of Wadsworth to Milton, Wayne County, 
where it unites with the outlet of Chippewa 
Lake, which is called the Chippewa, and is a 
tributarj' of the Tuscarawas. The River Styx 
was once quite a formidable stream, its level 
bottoms from one mile to one mile and a half 
in width, originally covered with a very heavy 
gi'owth of timber, were subject to an overflow 
in wet seasons, rendering traveling across them, 
at times, quite impracticable, until cross-ways 
and bridges could be made. But the stream 
has been cleared out and straightened, so that 
at present, the ground is dry, the roads are 
good, there is no trouble from overflow, and the 
bottom fanns are as valuable as any found in 
the State. Holmes' Brook, a tributary of the 
Styx, rises near the Sharon line and runs south- 
erly, emptying into the Styx in the south part 
of the township. Another tributary is called 
Blocker's Run. This stream rises in the north- 
cast quarter of the township, and, running 
through Wadsworth Village, empties into the 
Styx near the mouth of Holmes' Brook. Both 
these streams were early utilized for milling 
purposes. Another stream used for the old 



>^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



415 



" Well-house Mill," drains part of the south 
part of the township, and flows on to the Chip- 
pewa. Still another, called Silver Creek, a 
stream of some note, rises in the southeastern 
portion, and meets the Chippewa a mile or two 
west of Clinton, in Summit County. Some of 
the springs in the north part of the township 
flow north into Wolf Creek, but the springs of 
that region generally- contribute to form the 
Hudson Kun, which rises near the northeast 
corner, and, running southeasterlj' just east of 
Western Star, and through Johnson's Corners, 
reaches Wolf Creek near its junction with the 
Tuscarawas. 

From the general elevation, one would sup- 
pose the dividing ridge between the Lake and 
the Gulf would be found here, and that some 
of the waters would run into Lake Erie ; but 
the fountain heads of the Styx and of the 
Rocky River, are about a mile from the north- 
west corner of the township, and it is all the 
way descending to the water's of Rockj' River ; 
yet, b}' the intervention of the Styx, the waters 
are all turned southerly, so that every foot of 
this territory must be held to be part of the 
Mississippi Valle}'. 

In its native state, this was a most magnifi- 
cent timbered region of country. There was 
scarce an acre in the whole township, on which 
if its original timber were standing to-day, but 
would be more valuable for its lumber than the 
best aci'e of improved land. The forest trees 
were in great variety. On the bottom lands were 
elm, swamp oak, black walnut, white walnut, or 
butternut, basswood, sycamore, white and black 
ash, hard and soft maple, beech, cherry, hickory 
and an occasional buckeye, and on the ridges 
in addition to nearl}' all the above varieties, 
were white, black and 3'ellow oak, chestnut, 
whitewood, or poplar, cucumber, pepperidge or 
gum-ti'ce and sassafras. The highest lands 
were called chestnut ridges, and the very lowest 
black-ash swamps. There were man}- thou- 
sands of white oak, whitewood, white ash and 



black walnut trees that, if standing to-day, 
might be readily sold for an average of $30 to 
$50 each. Alas ! how many of these sturdy 
monarchs of the forest were girdled and killed 
as cumberers of the ground, or felled by hunt- 
ers in the night aud left to rot and waste ; 
how man\' were chopped down in windrows in 
the clearings ; and, when the dry time came in 
the spring, were set on fire and consumed, trunk 
and branch. Besides the more important forest 
trees above mentioned, there was a numerous 
undergrowth of smaller varieties, as ironwood, 
boxwood, slipperj- elm. crab- apple and wild 
plum. The ironwood and boxwood were in- 
valuable for levers and wedges. And the box- 
wood flowers, large, white and lasting, gave the 
woods in spring a most charming appearance. 
The wild plums were found on the bottoms in 
great abundance in the fall, while chestnuts, 
hickory nuts and acorns, in profusion, laj' un- 
claimed except by wild animals. Of still 
smaller vegetation there was a great profusion. 
There were wild roses, blackberries, raspbei'- 
ries, -nild currants, gooseberries, upland whor- 
tleberries, several kinds of native grasses, leeks, 
various kinds of ferns, nettles, mandrakes, 
skunk cabbage, wild turnip, ginseng aud winter- 
green. Such a region of country, in its native 
beaut}-, was a delight to the eye, and one will 
have to go far to find its equal in the United 
States or elsewhere. 

The wild animals found here, when the white 
man made his first advent, were bears, wolves, 
deer, graj- foxes, raccoons, wild-cats, pole-cats, 
woodchucks, hedgehogs,opossums, otters, minks, 
musksrats, weasels, black, gray, red, and flj'- 
ing squirrels, chipmunks and wood-mice. The 
red fox and wharf-rat are unwelcome emigrants, 
and not to the manor born. On the Styx bot- 
toms and on Dry Run are the remains of an old 
beaver dam, but no beaver was ever known to 
have been caught in this region. Of game, 
birds, there were wild geese, ducks, and tur- 
keys, partridges, quails and pigeons. The 



~» V 



a!-^ 



^k 



416 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COFXTY. 



droves and flocks of the last four mentioned 
kinds of birds were innumerable. Then, there 
were the hawks, the owls, the buzzards, the 
crows, the blackbirds, the whip-poor-will, the 
mourning dove, brown thrasher, red birds, blue- 
jaj-s, woodpeckers, robins, blue birds, ground 
birds, meadow larks, yellow birds, hang-birds 
and humming-birds ; occasionally might be 
found a snipe, an eagle, a crane and a loon. 

There were no lakes or natural ponds in the 
township, and. the streams being small, the fish 
were in proportion. In the Styx and its tribu- 
taries, were found bull-heads, sun-fish, white 
bass and suckers and other smaller fish. The 
reptiles were sufficiently luimerous to be at 
times very disagreeable. The large yellow rat- 
tlesnake was quite common ; the black rattle- 
snake, sometimes called Massisauga, so named, 
as is said, from a tribe of Indians inhabiting 
the neighborhood of Mahoning River, where the 
snake was first found, was common in the low 
lands of the township, and frequently around 
springs. Both of these w«re very venomous 
snakes. The yellow rattlesnake frequently at 
tained a length of six to eight leet. The Massi- 
sauga was a short, logy snake, but its bite was as 
dangerous as that of the common rattlesnake ; 
fortuuatel}', both of these species are now 
extinct in this neighborhood. There was also 
a large black snake ; the spotted adder or milk- 
snake, so called from its being supposed to be 
fond of cow's milk, was frequently found in 
houses, and sometimes in the buttery or in the 
bed. There was also a small red snake, the 
common spotted snake and various water 
snakes. All of the above, except the rattle- 
snakes, were comparatively harmless, living on 
frogs, insects, and sometimes on young birds. 
Of other reptiles and creeping things, there was 
the common toad, the tree-toad, the common 
frog and bull-frog, also the land turtle. Tlierc 
were green, black and red lizarils iuul the swift, 
which was an animal of the lizard species, 
called swift, because of its swift flight as soon 



as seen by man ; its bodj-, however, was so frail 
and brittle that, at almost the lea.st touch, it 
would break and &y to pieces. 

But few signs that Indians or other human 
beings had visited or inhabited this territory- 
before this townsiiip was settled, have bei ii 
found. Flint arrow-points and stone axes were 
sometimes found b^- the early settlers and some- 
times later; but there are no well-marked 
mounds, or graves, or signs of fortifications, 
made by any prehistoric race or by the Indians, 
such as exist in man}- other places. The first 
white men known to have visited Wadsworth 
were the surveyors who marked the south line 
of the Reserve. This line was made In" Seth 
Pease and a surveying party in the employ of 
the State of Conuecticut, about the year 1797. 
A beech-tree formerlj- stood on the west bank 
of Holmes' Brook, near the north side of the 
Center road, on which was early found in old 
letters carved in the bark, this inscription : 

PHILIP WARD 1797 
T D 
RC 
WV 

We are informed by the Rev. Edward Brown, 
in his memorial of Wadsworth, published in 
1875, that he had seen this inscription on the 
north side of said beech-tree, and that it was 
legible as late as 1834, when the tree was cut 
down in straightening the road, but who Philip 
AVard and his companions were, or for what 
purpose they visited that locality, is unknown. 
They ma\' have been part of the surveying party 
of Seth Pease. 

For much that follows, in pursuing the history 
of Wadsworth, the writer will l)e largely in- 
debted to the labors of the Rev. Edward Brown, 
above mentioned, who has embodied in his 
■• Wadsworth Memorial," many things that the 
truthful historian could not omit. And, in tak- 
ing from Mr. Brown's book, quotations will not 
always be painted out, but many things will be 
taken iiodily, some of them not original with 



3?l" 






^Il 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



417 



Mr. Brown ; but there is much due to him for 
his faithful investigations into the early history 
of Wadsworth, and the writer takes great 
pleasure in giving him the deserved credit. 

We quote from " Wadsworth Memorial," page 
43: 

'■ The first white man who ever had a habita- 
tion in Wadsworth, was a former Indian trader, 
of English birth, from Montreal, by the name 
of John Holmes, who, marrying among the In- 
dians, lived among them as a hunter and trap- 
per, and was known to the white settlers as 
' Indian Holmes.' The remains of his old cabin 
used to be pointed out to me, near the brook 
that bears his name. But, as he had in a great 
measure lapsed from civilization, had never 
purchased nor cultivated land, but lived the 
roving, unsettled life of an Indian, he is no 
more entitled to the name of first settler than 
the aborigines themselves, and, like them, would 
have been forgotten but for the accident of his 
name having been given to the stream." 

Wadsworth was originally surveyed into nine 
tracts of land; eight of which were allotted to 
eight different parties, the ninth being held in 
common by several persons. Tract 1, or the 
Wadsworth Tract, was in the southeast corner 
of the township, extending from the east-aud- 
west center road to the south line of the town- 
ship, and from the east line of the township 
westerl}- about a mile and three-quarters. 
Tract 2 was on the north side of the center 
road, bounded east by the township line, and 
contained about sevent3'-two acres. Tracts 3 and 
4 were very small tracts hing i.lirectly north of 
Tract 2. Tract 5, or the Tappan Tract, was 
three miles long east and west, and two and 
one-half miles uorth and south, includiug the 
whole of the northeast corner of the township, 
except what was contained in Tracts 2. 3 and 4, 
and also including part of the northwest quar- 
ter of the township. Tract G was on the west 
side of Tract 1, containing about forty acres ; 
and Tract 7 directlv north of Tract 0. and ex- 



tending to the east-and-west center road. Tract 
8, or the Ely Tract, was two and one-half mites 
north and south, and throe miles east and west, 
bounded on the east by Tracts G and 7, and em- 
bracing the whole of the southwest quarter, 
and a half-mile in width of the southeast quar- 
ter ; all of the abo^-e-mentioned tracts were 
originally surveyed into lots for settlement, gen- 
erally of 160 acres. Tract 9 remained, held in 
common, for a long time, and was finally par- 
titioned bj- proceedings in court. This accounts 
for the great diversity in the size and number- 
ing of the lots in Tract 9. The lands in Wads- 
worth, after being surveyed, were held for sale 
at prices from S2 to S5 per acre, with easj- de- 
ferred payments, whde the Congress land south 
of the Reserve line, could Ije had for $1.25 per 
acre, cash in hand. For poor people, as the 
earl}' settlers generally were, to get a credit for 
their land was a strong inducement, and accord- 
ingly the Reserve was settled as soon as the ad- 
joining Congress land. 

An account of the first settlement in Wads- 
worth Township is given by Mr. Brown in his 
Memorial as follows : 

" The first settlers were the families of Dan 
iel Dean and Oliver Durham, emigrants from 
A^ermont. The settlement was begun ou the 
east line of the township, on the ground that 
is now a part of the village of Western Star. 
Their arrival was March 17, 1814. The next 
famil}' was that of Salmon Warner, February, 
1815." 

Mr. Benjamin Dean, the oldest son of one of 
these families, attended the pioneer meeting in 
1874. He was then a resident of Blairstown, 
Iowa, and his account, written by himself, was 
read to the meeting as follows : 

"On the 1st day of March, 1814, Oliver Dur- 
ham and the writer, Benjamin Dean, went seven 
miles into the wilderness, and made the first 
beginning in Wadsworth. 

"M}' father, Daniel Dean, and my brother 
Daniel, came two days later. We built a camp. 



„-<l 



rv-^ 



^^ 



■d^ 



418 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COINTY. 



or shelter, bj' sticking crotches and laying a 
pole on them, then cut and split planks, or 
puncheons, and placed them with one end on 
the [yo\e and the other on the ground. At night, 
we built a large fire in front of our camp, and 
wrapped ourselves in blankets, and lay there 
with our feet to the fire. The wolves howled 
about us nearly all night, but did not come 
within sight. Sometimes the}- would get still : 
but, if we would make a little noise or increase 
our fire a little, they would give us more music. 
At one time, I rapped on a dry ti-ee, and the}' 
yelled at the lop of tlieir voices. We soon 
found that they had a line of travel from Wolf 
Creek to the Chippewa, and that they passed 
us every alternate night, following the road, 
until the settlement became so large that they 
went around it. But they always, in passing, 
saluted us with a specimen of their music. 

'' We cut and drew the logs for my fathers 
house, 18x18, and for Mr. Durham's, IGxlS 
feet. We had our own help, my father, Mr. 
Durham, my brother, fourteen years, and myself. 
sixteen years old ; the rest of our help, seven 
men, came seven miles. They were Basley 
Cahow. Jacob Vanhyning (with but one arm). 
Indian Holmes, Theodore Parmelee, George 
Hethman, James and George Cahow, and with 
this help we raised both houses in one day. We 
got a I'oof on my father's house, and all moved 
into it on the 17th day of March. 

'• At that time there were but eight dwelling- 
houses between us and Talmadge Mills — after- 
ward called Middlebury — which was thirteen 
miles distant from our settlement ; they were 
those of Jacko}- Cahow. Theodore Parmelee. 
Indian Holmes (these all lived wliero Parmelee 
afterward built his brick iiousc). Pliny Wilcox 
—who lived near the foot of the hill, where 
Mr. Perkins afterward built his stone house. 
Paul Williams and his son Barney — afterward 
called Col. Williams — lived on the hill beyond 
where Aki'on now stands, and betwixt there and 
the Mills, we passed .Major Spieer ami Mr. 



Hasen. ,(The aliove was written in Iowa ; I 
have learned since I came here, to my astonish- 
ment, that the town of Akron now not only 
takes in the Williams farms, but also Maj. 
Spicer's. and the whole of Middlebury.) But 
to return. The saw-mill and the grist-mill, made 
of hewed logs, and three log houses, were all 
that could be seen where Middlebury now 
stands. There was a log house, and some land 
cleared, where old Squire Henry A^anhyuing 
afterward lived, on Wolf Creek, and he moved 
in June, 1814. 

" There were, at that time, in the teiTitory 
afterward formed into Medina County, including 
Norton. Copley, Bath and Richfield, in Range 
12. only twenty families, viz. : Five in Norton, 
three in Harrisville. five in Liverpool, two in 
Bath and five in Richfield. My mother saw no 
woman but Jlrs. Durham until August, and 
Mrs. Durham saw no woman but Mrs. Dean 
until October, during which time she gave birth 
to a sou, the first born in the township. He 
was called Alonzo : was born in July, 1814. 

•■ The first store in Middlebury was opened in 
July, 1814, in a room of Judge Norton's house, 
by Peleg Mason. In 1815, he and his brother 
built a small storehouse, and other merchants 
soon came in. It will be remembered that this 
was during the war, called the war of 1812, and 
provisions were closel}' bought up for the army- 

• Before harvest, wheat was worth $3 a bushel' 
flour $17 a barrel, and pork could not be bought 
at any price. To my knowledge, salt, wiiich 
had to be brought up in wagons, on account of 
the British fleet on the lakes, was worth $20 
per barrel in Cleveland, or about 10 cents a 
pound. You may well conclude that these 
were pretty hard times.'' 

The early settlers of Wadsworth were from the 
Hast, and had been accustomed to farm labor. 
They were a hardy, industrious class of people, 
and were very economical. Their moi-al char- 
acter was good, and they were mostly religious. 
But ver\- few of them had money to pay for 



♦^T — 



rf* 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



419 



their land, and had to buy on credit. Some of 
them had hard work to support their families, 
till the\' could raise a crop on their own lands. 
A very few had money to pay for improve- 
ments, after paying for their land, and this 
helped the poorer class, as it enabled them to 
get employment in helping to clear land. 

It cost much labor to clear up the land, as 
the timber was very heav}-. This, with their 
laud debts, kept the people embarrassed for a 
good manj- years ; but they lived together in 
peace and harmony. In general intelligence 
and literar}- culture they would compare favor- 
ablj- with the farmers of this day. 

At that time, there was no school law in the 
State ; and, where they got inhabitants enough 
together, they built schoolhouses b}* neighborly 
liberalit}-, and emploj'cd teachers at their own 
option. Each had to paj' in proportion to the 
number of da3"S their children were at school. 

•' We had good schools in those days, and the 
best society I ever was in. I often think of 
the meetings we had in the old log schoolhouse, 
mostly by reading sermons, and sometimes a 
missionary would come and preach to us. 

" The land iu Wadsworth is mostly, as j-ou 
know, high and rolling. The land in the north- 
ern part of the township is said to he as high 
as any in the State. It is certainly as health- 
ful, and naturally as good for fruit, as any in 
Ohio. 

" In 1828, we swapped farms with Steward 
Richards ; we took his laud, where William 
Freeborn now lives, and he took that upon 
which we first settled, being what is now called 
the Duly farm, of Western Star. Our orchard 
ou the location, began to bear iu 1824; and, 
from that time until 18G4, when I left Wads- 
worth for Iowa, where I now reside, the apples 
were never killed but ouce. We had a frost in 
1834, that killed all the apples in the State. 

" In the beginning, our land was cleared bj' 
girdling such of the large timber as would kill 
easily, and a good deal of that timber was per- 



mitted to stand till it would fall down and rot ; 
doubtless, a good deal of sickness was caused 
in this way. 

•• Before we mo\ed to Wadsworth, the old 
east-and-west center road had been partially 
opened. Men owning land in western town- 
ships endeavored to have the road, to encour- 
age settlements. The road was first located 
bj' an order from Trumbull Count}'. This was 
when all this count}-, and still west of us, was 
part of Truml)ull County. Capt. Bela Hubbard, 
of Randolph, was the surveyor, and Squire 
David Hud.son, of Hudson, Gen. Campbell, of 
Ravenna, and Squire Dav, of Deerfield, were 
the exploring committee. Squire Day after- 
ward had the job of opening the road. I think 
this was in the year 1808. 

"In ISIO, after Portage County was organ- 
ized (includiug what is now Medina County), 
and Owen Brown, of Hudson, was one of the 
County Commissioners, another appropriation 
was made, and Capt. Huljbard was employed to 
make more bridges, and other improvements. 

'■ The surveying party above referred to 
named the streams in this vicinity. They 
named Wolf Creek, in consequence of finding 
the carcass of a deer on its banks, that had 
been killed bj' wolves ; and, when the}- passed 
Hudson's Run, Squire Hudson named it by 
cutting his name on a beech-tree. All the rest 
of the party chose streams, and recorded them 
in the same waj- ; but when they came to River 
Styx and Chippewa, they gave them other 
names, no one preferring to leave his name for 
either of them. This statement I had from 
Capt. Hubbard, in 1814, and afterward from 
Squire Hudson. Benjamin Dean. " 

We now quote from ^Ir. Brown : 

" The first settlers of Wadsworth were princi- 
pall}" from three States — Vermont. Connecticut 
and Pennsylvania. From Vermont were the 
Deans, 0. Durham, and his brother Calvin (who 
wrote his name Dorwin), his father-in-law, 
Salmon Warner, and sons, Reuben F., Salmon, 






±1 



420 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUKTY. 



Jr., Daniel, Horatio, Amos. M. D.; (Elislia Dur- 
ham, brotlier to 0. and C.. died on the way 
from Vermont, and his widow, daughter of Ly- 
.sander Hard, married Mr. Henry Wright). 
Lj-sander Hard and son Harlow, aud step-sons, 
Davis and Welles Holcorali. and his brother, 
Abraham Hard, with his sons, Cyrus, Aliraham, 
Jr., L. Xelsou : John M., Peter and Lea\itt 
Weeks; Timothy S. and Harry Bennett (Abel, 
Stanton and Elam Bennett came afterward) ; 
W. H. Wright and Jliltou Wright, aud after- 
ward their lather, Ebenezer Wright, and their 
brother Orris; Samuel M. Hayileii aud Hiram 
C. Kingsbury. 

"Of those from Connecticut, first. Orin 
Loomis. then his father. Joseph Loomis. and his 
brother, Sherman Loomis : Benjamin Agard, 
and his sons, Alviii and Roman L.; Frederick 
Brown and sons. Marcus. Joim and fjdward ; 
William S., Harry and Cullen Richards, after- 
ward their father. Jedediah Richards, aud his 
other sons. Jedediah, Mills. Tiobert U., Ezekiel. 
Julius, and George. ?I. I), (part of these live 
just over the line of Norton); Augustus Mills 
and sons, Harry A.. Lunian P., I'hilo P., William 
and C. Curtis ; Allen Pardee aud afterward his 
brothers, John, George K., Augustus, Aaron, 
and still later, Sheldon and Ebenezer, and 
brother-in-law. Phineas Butler ; Norman and 
Cyrus Curtis, and afterward their father, Cyrus 
Curtis, Sr. The Millses. Cintises and Pardees, 
though from Norfolk. Conn., resided for a time 
in Marcellus. N. Y. 

" From Torrington. Conni'cticut. came ( Jeorge 
Lyman. Gurdon Hilliard, Robert Hilliard. Lem- 
uel North. Abel Beach and his sons. (Jeorge 
and Orlando ; Elisha Hinsdale and his sons, 
Elisha. Sherman, and .Mliert. From Winsted 
came Philemon Kirkum and his son. George 
Kirkum. just over the line, in Norton. From 
Hebron. Connecticut. William Kylcs. 

'• From Pennsylvania, .'-^amuel I^locker and 
sons, David and Eli ; Jacol) Miller aud .sons. 
Georjje and David : the Rasors. Geor<re. Chris- 



topher, and William ; old Mr. Everhard and 
sons, Jacob, John. Christian and Jonathan ; 
Henry, (Christian and Israel Ritter ; Lawrence, 
Adam anil I'aul l?aughman. and sons, and 
Adam and Jacob Smith ; Peter Waltz and sons, 
John and David ; John Wise and Jacob Wise ; 
Nicholas Long and John liOng. 

■' From ^Maryland. James Gitford. Henry Fal- 
coner and Samuel Falconer. 

" The west part of Wadsworth, along the cen- 
ter road was, before it was cleared up, verj- 
swampy, and, because of its dismal appearance, 
was named bj* the surveyors, '• The Infernal 
Regions ; " and the sluggish stream that oozed 
through the swamps, was named "River Styx," 
from the old mythological river of that name. 
Those swamps and River Styx were a great 
dread to travelers for manj- years. The old 
road was tilled with causeways, made of poles ; 
two of them, near River St^x, each about forty 
rods long, and one over the Styx, on the Medina 
road, over eighty rods long. The late Judge 
Brown changed those causeways into turnpikes, 
in 1826 and 1828. 

" The first house built and clearing made, on 
the ground where Wadsworth Village now 
stands, was that of Frederick Brown, in 1816. 
The next house west of this, at that time, was 
that of George Burr, of Harrisville, as the road 
then ran. fifteen miles. Passing Harrisville. 
going due west, the next settlement was at 
Upper Sandusky ; the next at Fort Wayne, 
Ind.. and no other to the Pacific Ocean." 

We give further extracts from Brown's Me- 
morial found on page 64, which he entitles 
" Humorous. I'oetical and Prose Narrative of 
Aaron Pardee, l-Isq.,'' read at the Pioneer's 
meeting : 

" My ilear boys ninl girls, come ami ?it down be.siilp mo 
While I tell of the early d.ays, things that I know. 
At the age of sixteen, a tall Yankee, they found me 
In Wadsworth, one morning, a long time ago. 
There were four of us, .lolin, sister .Julia, and mother, 
.And John's wife and children, and Allen, my brother. 



n 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



421 



John, he drove one wagon, and Allen the other, 
And I drove two cows, and T think I drove slow. 

" We were two weeks in coming from old Onondaga, 

We stopped every Sunday, at noon for a bite. 

Turned otl' before reaching the bold Cuyahoga, 

And in Tinkler's Creek Hollow we stayed over night. 

On through the Old Portage, by Josh King's we came 
twining 

Our way round the hills, by old Henry Vanliyning. 

At length, just at night, while the sun was still shin- 
ing. 

The house of Phin Butler, it just hove in sight. 

" This was in September, 1824. Butler mar- 
ried m^' sister Sail}'. They lived on the corner, 
where the road turns to Akron. The house 
stood on the south side of the stream, on 
Slanker's land now. Butler and Judge Par- 
dee moved from New York State into Wads- 
worth, six years before, and Al went back to 
help us move. 

"For the next three years following, [ think 1 was busy ; 

I worked on a farm, and I planted and sowed. 

To think how I whirled round e'en now makes me 

dizzy. 
And though tall then as ever, I " specs that X growed." 
At all parties and meetings and gatherings you'd find 

me 
At evening, on horseback, with some girl beliind me. 
I smile, and T weep, when old memories remind me 
Of the right arms around me those nights, as we rode. 

"I knew every boy and girl in Wadsworth 
then, and ever3body else. Here at the Center, 
were Judge Brown's folks, Levi Blakslee and 
Hiram C. Kingsbury. We moved on to the 
Tim Hudson farm, now called Rasor farm. 
Samuel Blocker's folks were on the Yaukey 
farm ; then old Jake Miller and John Sprague. 
Next came, as you go east, Squire Warner, 
Gus Mills, Stew Richards, and old Uncle Jed, 
Cul, Zeke, Mills, George and Jule. (I believe 
they could all fiddle, that is, the Richards 
could.) Then there was Capt. Cyrus Curtis, 
lived on the little stony knoll this side of West- 
ern Star, and Col. Norman on the hill north ; 
Henry Wright along the town line ; then old 



Lysander Hard owned the Dague farm ; John 
Nesmith on the other side of the road. Capt. 
Lyman owned the Doolittle farm ; but I think 
he was In Canton, teaching school. Uncle 
Ben Agard on the Sowers farm ; Judge Eyles, 
and Uncle Joe Loomis, and Orin and Abel 
Beach. Then there were Lewis Battison, Alvin 
Agard, and Lemuel North. Moodj' Weeks 
lived down in the hollow, since a part of the 
old Glasgo farm. Moody Weeks died in Feb- 
ruary, 1825 ; his funeral was the first I ever 
attended in Wadsworth. Then there were Peter 
and Leavitt Weeks, Tim Bennett, Jimmy and 
Nancy Spillman. Elder Newcomb, Richard 
Clark, Gurdon Hilliard and Robert, Ben Dean, 
and his father, Daniel Dean. Judge Pardee 
then lived on the farm now owned b}' Jacob S. 
Overholt. and Harry Mills between them and 
Butler's. Then it was woods, over to Ete 
Moody's and Ira's. Then old Abram Hard, 
old Dr. Smith, on the Hanchett farm, Luther 
Hemmingway, Tom French, " Spider Hanchett," 
Abel Dickinson and Josh Shaw, where Benja- 
min Tyler now lives ; then, Chauncey Hart. 
Then you come over toward the Center, and 
you find George Beach and Sherman Loomis. 

'' All the southwest quarter of the township 
was woods, except George Beach's farm, and 
David Bier's, who had a house opposite the 
house of O. Beach. Then, to come back into 
the southeast quarter, we find the Everhards, 
the Rasors, Christian, Christopher (called 
Stofel), William and George ; the Smiths, Jake 
Smith and Big Jake ; Samuel Hayden. the 
Falconers, Henrj- and Sam ; William and Ben- 
jamin Simcox ; James Piatt, and Reuben 
Warner ; Piatt lived just south of the depot, 
and Warner where the pine trees stand. 

" .So now let's go back to the scenes of ourchildhood. 
Our youth, or our manhood, and log-cabin home. 
With the small spot of clearing reclaimed from the wild- 
wood 
Where the wild deer and wolf unmolested could roam. 
Dream on, dear old man, or dear lady, thy dreiiming 



^f 



^ 



422 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Gives joy to thy lieart, on thy countenance beaming; 

Or, perhaps, may awaken those tears that are stream- 
ing 

Down the deep furrowed cheelc, for tlie days that are 
gone. 

" The townshipof Wadswortli once shone iu wiM glory, 
As she came from the workshop of nature and IJod. 
The trees of her forests stood lofty and hoary, 
Giving shade to the soil where no white man had trod. 
But we took her and gave her a thorough reforming: 
Her children are now lier unrivaled adorning. 
We present them, all happy and smiling, this morning ; 
Our jewels are here, in the image of (iod." 

The fir.st child liorii in Wadsworth, was Alon- 
zo Durliam. The first persons married were 
George Rasor and Margaret Smith, Februar}' 
25, 1817. The rite was performed hj Salmon 
Warner, who was one of the first Justices of 
the Peace. The first religious meeting was 
July, 1814. at the house of Oliver Durham ; 
the services were conducted by Squire Waruer 
and Daniel Dean. The first sermon was 
preached by Rev. 0. G. Gilmore iu 1815. The 
first church organized was the Methodist in 
1816. The first township election held after 
Wadsworth was detached from Wolf Creek 
Township and organized, was April 6, 1818, 
officers elected : Joseph Loomis and Salmon 
Warner, Justices of the Peace ; Frederick 
Brown, Jacob Miller and Daniel Dean, Trust- 
ees ; Samuel Blocker an<l Joseph Loomis, 
Overseers of Poor ; Samuel M. Ilayden, Lister ; 
Lj'sander Hard, Treastirer ; George Lyman and 
William C. Richards, Constables ; Sherman 
Loomis, Clerk ; Johti Wilson and Jacob Miller. 
Fence Viewers. George Lyman was Constable 
two years, did sdl the l)iisine.ss, and his fees 
amounted to $1, which was for selling a strtiy 
horse. The first law-siiil iu tiie township was, 
John Reed vs. Henry l^'aleoner. Reed h;id sold 
a piece of tallow to Falconer, containing about 
three pounds of green l)eech wood. Squire 
Warner decided thtit Reed siiould pay liie cost 
and have nothing for his tallow. 

Benjamin Agard cletired the first field of 



timber in 1818, and built the first frame house 
in 1825. The house is still standing, on the 
Sowers farm. Timothy Hudson built tlie first 
frame barn in 1819. The first tannery was 
carried on by Levi Blakslce. The first shoe- 
maker was James Piatt, the next Reuben F. 
Warner. 

'• We also had shoemakers and tailors, who 
went from house to house and did the work for 
the whole family. This was called ' whipping 
the cat.' Our grindstones were made bj- Sam- 
uel M. Hayden. In 1819, Hiram C. Kingsbury 
set up a Ijlacksmith-shop on the bank of the 
brook, east of the present Village Corners. He 
was tilso an ax-maker. The first retail store 
was owned by Allen and John Pardee ; the 
second by George Lyman ; the third by H. B. 
Spelman." 

Mr. Brown then says ; 

'• The first settlers came just at the close of 
the war with Great Britain, called the war of 
1812. From the Genesee River westward, the 
whole country was new ; mostl}' heavilj- tim- 
bered forest. The emigrant on his way, found 
not even a common turnpike road. The family 
of my father, Frederick Brown, accompanied 
by Sherman Loomis, were six weeks on their 
way from Connecticut with a tlu'ee-horse team 
and wagon. Tiiat of Elisha Hinsdale eight 
weeks. 

'■ The immigrant who cottld not hew out a 
new axle or a new tougtie for his wagon, from 
;i Ibrest tree, was often in a sorr\' predicament. 
Goods for the country stores were brought from 
I'hiladelphia, over the Alleghanies. in what was 
known ;\s a Conestoga wagon — a large vehicle, 
alioiit double the size of a common wagon, 
witli box about three feet deep ; the wheels 
doul)le-tired. to keep from sinking in the mud. 
The wagons were almost invtiriably painted 
blue, and covered with canvas stretched upon 
poles ; ;i large tiu'-bucket, for lorication. hang- 
ing below the hind axle. 

•Our tinware and -notions,' were usuallv 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA C0U:NTY. 



425 



brought to our doors bj' peddlers, mostlj- from 
Connecticut, who bore an opposite character to 
the Pennsylvania teamsters. Far too many of 
them for the good name of their State, and to 
the grief of the moral New England settlers of 
the Keserve, sleek, polished knaves — so that 
the honest yeomen from the counties south of 
us, judging the race by its vagabonds (as was 
very natural), when they came among us, were 
on the lookout lest they should be 'yankeed ' — 
a synonym for swindled — and the horn gun- 
flints and wooden nutmegs that gave the sobri- 
quet of the 'Nutmeg State' to Connecticut, 
passed even into song. 

" Salt was first brought from Pittsburgh ; 
afterward — about my first recollection — from 
a little village on the lake shore, called Cleave- 
land, which the Cler/velaud Herald, in 1824 
(fifty years ago), told us — contained 100 houses. 
Since then, it has lost a letter from its name, 
and added considerablj' to the number of its 
houses. 

"Mr. Dean tells us of pajing 10 cents per 
pound for salt, in 1814, and Mr. George Lyman | 
$11 per barrel in 181.7. My father moving 
from Connecticut in 1816 — the memorable 
'cold summer ' — it was exceedingly difficult to 
find food enough to subsist the family upon 
the road ; often able to buy or beg only enough 
for the little ones, and retire fasting, to find 
food on the road some time in the forenoon. 
Wheat, when it was to be had at all that year, 
was $3 a bushel, and corn $2. The bear, the 
deer and the wild turkey, under the well-aimed 
rifles of Orin Loomis, David Blocker and Will- 
iam Simcox, furnished the supplies that kept 
the neighborhood from starvation. To that 
corps of hunters were afterward added Phineas 
Butler and Timothy Dascom. All these were 
' mighty hunters ' in those days. 

"Our limited trading was done at Middle- 
bury, until Mr. Porter opened a store at the 
cross roads, then called Harveystown, eight 
miles southeast t>f Wadsworth. The}' adver- 



tised that they would give a high price in 
goods for dried ginseng root, and the woods 
were searched over the next fall to find the 
precious root, for there was money in it. My 
brother and 1 dug and drietl enough to buy for 
each of us our first white cotton shirts, at the 
low price of only 50 cents per yard ; and the 
next Sunday, 3'ou may believe that • Solomon 
in all his glory was not arrayed like one of 
these.' Do you think that we wore any coats 
on that day and hid the white arms '? No, 
indeed ! Though late in October, it was too 
warm, so we carried them on our arms. 

" But the day of high prices soon passed 
awaj', as the farms were cleared up, and then 
came on the great financial pressure, with 
its low prices, beibre the opening of the Erie 
and the Ohio Canals, when it was hardly pos- 
sible to raise enough in money from their farm 
products to pa}' taxes. I can remember when 
rye for distilling brought a better price than 
wheat for bread. The first grinding was done 
at Norton's mill — afterward known as Tall- 
madge Village, afterward as Middlebury, now 
a part of Akron — and at Wetmore's mill, in 
Stowe, a mile above Cuyahoga Falls, and at 
Northampton Mills. I can well remember 
when they used to put up at my father's house, 
going and returning from Bliddlebur}' with 
their grists, from as far west as Sullivan, Hun- 
tington and Wellington. Afterward, Rex's 
mill, east of New Portage, was built ; then the 
mill so long owned by George Wellhouse, in 
Chippewa." 

Many of the houses in those days were built 
independently of saw-mills or planing-mills or 
nail or glass factories. An ax, a hammer, an 
iron wedge, an auger, a frow, a broad-ax, a log 
chain, a yoke of cattle and a few neighbors were 
all that was necessary to make a dwelling-house 
or barn, 3Iany a Iniilding had the logs cut in the 
forenoon, drawn and hiid up in the afternoon 
and covered with long shingles. 

The shingles would be rived out and put on. 



-K 



^ 



42li 



HISTORY OF MEDINA- COUNTY. 



and held down by weight-poles, all finished the 
same day. Roofs made in this manner would 
not only shed rain and keep out the snow, but 
would last for a long time. Oak, chestnut, or 
whitewood timber, hewn on two sides, split 
through the middle and laid down hewed side 
uppermost, constituted the floor. A stick chim- 
nej-, paper windows and a puncheon door, with 
the frame work and wooden hinges fastened 
together with pegs in gimlet-holes, the chinks 
between the logs plastered up with mud, and 
the house would be complete. In a timbered 
country, such as this was, such a house would 
be warm and comfortable. As illustrating the 
scarcity of materials, it is related that on the 
death of Julia, wife of Sherman Loomis, in 
1820, Jacob Miller, in making the coffin, could 
find but eighteen nails in the township, and 
Mr. P. Butler, by the light of a torch, on 
the evening before the funeral, drew out four- 
teen more from the boards of his new house, 
which nails he had brought with him from 
Onondaga County, N. Y. 

The uplands of the township were first set- 
tled, and clearings were commenced by cutting 
and piling all timber except oak, chestnut, 
whitewood and such others as woukl die by 
being girdled. In the driest time, the fallow, as 
it was called, would be set on fire, and, if the 
wind and weather were favorable, the brush 
heaps, leaves and rotten wood would all be 
consumed, and the ground all burnt over black. 
Timber left on the ground was then logged and 
burned, the standing trees girdled, the rails 
split and fences made. A field, such as de- 
scribed, was then suitable for corn in the spring, 
which might l)e hacked in with the corner of a 
hoe, or in the fidl a bushel of wheat was sown 
broadcast to the acre. A good yoke of oxen 
hitched to a drag with nine teeth, would 
thoroughl)- mellow and "get in" an acre of 
wheat in one day. The surface of the land was 
rich in vegetable mold, and the first crops 
were generallj' very fine. After se\eral years' 



cultivation in corn, oats and grass, the girdllngs 
would be chopped down and niggered, which 
meant burned in two, or else cut, and, when 
logged and burned up, the land would be finally 
cleared. Good crops were obtained by clear- 
ing land in this way, and much time and ex- 
pense saved. Girdlings, however, were not un- 
mixed blessings. They were dangerous in a 
high wind. Men, cattle and fences must stand 
from under. Old Mr. Dean was once asked 
why the fences were so often broken down and 
so few cattle were killed by the falling limbs 
and timber. His answer was : " Cattle can 
dodge, but the fence can't dodge." In a very 
dry time the girdlings would get on fire ; trees 
would burn from bottom to top : the sparks 
would fly from one to another until the whole 
would be ablaze. New settlers generally find 
out what it is to fight fire. But some of the 
land was cleared clean from the beginning. 

Many acres of new land were originally 
chopped and cleared for 810 per acre. The soil 
on tlie ridges was a dry, sandj' loam, and on 
the bottoms more inclining to sand. The soi' 
was deep, and mixed with rich vegetable mold, 
and adapted to the cultivation of all kinds of 
gi-ain, grapes and vegetable productions, and 
fruits, such as apples, pears, peaches, plums, 
cherries, and small fruits of all varieties. Wheat 
has alwaj's been a staple crop in Wads worth, 
but our best farmers have always practiced the 
rotation system. 

They would take a farm, say one hundred and 
sixt}' acres, and clear off all but forty acres. 
Put in each year twenty acres in wheat ; seed 
in the fall to timothj-, and in the spring to 
clover. Twenty acres in oats ; after harvest 
put on manure and sow in wheat. Twent\' 
acres in corn ; the next sjjring in oats. Twenty 
acres in meadow. Twenty acres for rye, flax, 
potatoes, orchai'd, garden, grapes, berries, door- 
3'ard, barn-j'ard and lanes ; and twenty acres 
for pasture, which ought to adjoin the woodland 
where the stock were allowed to ranae. \\liat 



-B PV 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



427 



is seeded down everj' year becomes meadow, 
or pasture, and then some of the grass land is 
plowed up for corn. Thus by alternating, and 
saving his manure, the farmer is growing rich, 
and his farm richer and more productive every 
season. Man}' of the earlj' settlers were too 
poor to paj' for their farms in the beginning, but, 
b}' judicious farming and steady industrj- and 
economy, have become wealthj-. No man could 
be more independent than such a farmer. He 
raised nearly everything necessary to support 
his family. All his grain, meat, wool and flax 
for cloth ; fruits, potatoes, garden vegetables, 
butter, eggs, sugar, if he chose to tap his maple 
trees ; and, with some of all these to sell, and 
much wheat and other grain, with cattle, horses, 
sheep and wool, the farmer was truly independ- 
ent, was rich and gi'owing richer. 

The excellencies and advantages of Wads- 
worth Township have always been appreciated 
by its inhabitants. More than forty years ago, 
at a celebration of the Fourth of July, this was 
among the regular toasts. It was believed to 
be true then, and is undoubtedl}' true now — 
" Wadsworth Township " — 

" Where is tlie town but five miles square, 
That can with this of ours compare ; 
Her fielcLs and fruits are rich and rare, 
Her waters sweet, and pure her air. 
Her sons are wise, her daughters fnir ; 
Where is the town that, can compare 
We ask, and echo answers — where?" 

But, to return from this episode to the more 
early history of the township, we find that the 
first saw-mill was built in 1824, In the spring 
of that j"ear, Joseph and Sherman Loomis and 
Abel and George Beach commenced a saw-mill 
on Blocker's Run, upon the same site where 
Yoder, Screen & Co.'s saw-mill now stands. 
They made the dam by putting in log cribs, 
extending from bank to bank, and so as to 
raise the water about fifteen or sixteen feet. 
These cribs were then filled with dirt, and the 
flume constructed for a flutter-wheel at the bot- 



tom. A fine frame saw-mill was then erected 
directly over the flume, and all completed 
about the 1st of December. A log was rolled 
in ; saw all set read}' for business, only waiting 
for the water to fill the dam. The season had 
been dry, but about this time the rains began 
to descend and the floods came in the night, 
the banks of the stream were filled, the water 
was too heavy for the cribbing in the dam ; 
suddenly the dam gave way, taking mill, saw 
and sawlog, tools and e\'ery vestige of the 
cribbing, and everything, dowu the stream, scat- 
tering it in a thousand pieces. The sau- was 
found about a quarter-mile below, badly Ijent. 
but still fastened to the frame. This was a 
great back-set to the proprietors, and a great 
discouragement to the neighbors, who had al- 
ready drawn in a large number of saw-logs, 
but the proprietors made a rally, and the next 
season, profiting by their experience, put in a 
framework and spars for a dam, and, using 
many of the old timbers for the saw-mill, soon 
got it in operation. The next saw-mill was 
made by George Lyman and Cyrus Curtis, on 
Holmes' Brook. In 1830, Allen and John Par- 
dee erected a grist-mill on Blocker's Run. be- 
low the saw-mill of Loomis & Beach, The 
same frame is now standing, and occupied for 
a grist-mill by John Yoder, in charge of D, V. 
Lehman. The Pardees got their mill-stones 
of Samuel M. Hayden. who procured them of 
Dr. Crosby, from an old plaster-mill below 
Akron, near the old forge. Hayden had in- 
tended to make the millstones himself (as he 
was a worker in stone), from some granite 
bowlders in the neighborhood, but they were 
found to be imperfect. In 1832, Nicholas Long 
erected another grist-mill below, on the same 
stream. 

Some time, perhaps al)Out the year 1828. 
Cyrus Hard erected a carding-mill, the first in 
the township, on Blocker's Run, between Par- 
dee's mill and Long's mill, the site of Hard's 
carding-mill being now used for a gi-ist-mill. 



>? a 



428 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



erected bv Hard aiul occupied by Myers & 
Leathermau. 

The first store in the township, as before 
stated, was started in 182G, and carried on by 
John and Allen Pardee, on the hill cast of 
Wadsworth Village, now the Rasor farm. In 
1830, they moved to the nominal center of the 
township, now the village, and erected the 
stone building which stands on the southwest 
corner of the public square, anil at present oc- 
cupied as a grocery store. In this old stone 
store A. & J. Pardee continued to trade in 
goods of all descriptions for a long time, and 
customers from great distances, even as far 
west as Harrisville. frequented this store. 

In 1827. the Freemasons established a lodge 
in Wadsworth. holding their meetings in the 
chamber of A. & J. Pardee's store ; they con- 
tinued to hold meetings in the township for 
several years, but, finally, removed to Seville. 
where the lodge is now said to be acting under 
the same old charter. In 1867. a new lodge of 
Freemasons was established, and the}' have 
their bi-monthly meetings in their lodge-room, 
in the third story of Odd Fellow Block, south 
side ; their Worshipful Master, at present, is W. 
E. Beardsley. Esq. ; their membership is about 
sixty. 

In 1848, a lodge of I. (). 0. F. was estab- 
lished, which has continued in working order 
to the present time : their Noble Grand, at 
present, is H. H. Bricker, and their member- 
ship about one hundred. They own the north 
part of I. 0. 0. F. Block, hold their meetings 
in the third story, and derive quite a revenue 
from rents of the remainder of the building. 

There is also a lodge calkid Knights of La- 
bor, who hold their meetings in Hickox build- 
ing ; the number of their membership and 
names of their ])rincipal officers are not known. 

The first school taught in Wadsworth Town- 
ship was by Harriet Warner, a daughter of 
Salmon Warner, Esq., in a room of her father's 
double log house. The first log schoolhouse 



was erected on the farm of Jacob Miller, at the 
cross-roads, one mile and a half east of the vil- 
lage. The first school taught in this house was 
by Marcus Brown, son of I'Vederick Brown. 
The second by his sister. Catharine Brown, 
afterward Mrs. T. Hudson. About a year later, 
another house was put up. near the residence 
of the late Judge William Eyles. The first 
school taught in this, was by Miss Loderaa 
Sacket (now Mrs. Loomis), in 1819. Those 
houses were, for manj- 3-ears, known as the 
north and south sehoolhouses. The first school 
at the Center (now Wadsworth Village) was in 
a log house owned by Frederick Brown, and 
was taught by Dr. William Welton, These 
were also the only houses of ^^'orship for sev- 
eral years. 

Of the early teachei-s of Wadsworth, Sher- 
man Loomis, George Lyman, Lemuel North 
and John Nesmith deserve particular mention. 
And not a few who have made their mark as 
scholars, and in the learned professions, re- 
ceived their first inspiration in those log-house 
seminaries. 

In 1837. Wadsworth Academy was incor- 
porated, and the octagon building erected for 
that puri)ose. 

We sometimes meet with a man of brilliant 
mind, who seems to have been born with a mis- 
sion — successful in one direction, and in that 
one alone, yet that success so marked as to 
out-distance all competitors. Such a man was 
John McGreg(jr. He seemed to have been 
made for a teacher. In those days, the fame of 
Wadsworth Academy, which was simply John 
McGregor with a house to teach in, extended 
far and near, and was known even beyond the 
limits of the State. But few teachers have had 
so many pupils who have been successful in 
after life, mainly through the impulse given to 
tiieni by one mind. His method was simple, 
perfectly' natural, yet inimitable. Graduates of 
a modern normal school would have found 
much to criticise in the order he kept. But 



VI- 



l\^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



429 



what cared the enthusiastic Scotchman, so long 
as his scholars were daily drinking in his in- 
structions, and catching his enthusiasm, while 
their lessons were not conned over, but learned 
till they knew that they knno them ? 

He scorned all codes of rules for the gov- 
ernment of his scholars. " You are gentlemen 
and ladies." he would say ; " you have come 
here for one purpose, and that alone. It is 
your school, not mine, and you will see to it 
that nothing shall call me from the one work of 
giving instruction. I rely solely upon your 
own self-respect and sense of propriety and 
honor." It was very rarelj' that he reproved, 
but. if it had to be administered, it left a scar. 
But such was his simplicity of heart, and sin- 
cerity, that if. on reflection, he thought he had ! 
done any injustice to a pupil, he would volun- 
tarily ask pardon before the whole school. He 
loved and took a pride in his pupils, and his 
pupils loved and were proud of their teacher. 

In 1828. the 3'oung men met in the log 
schoolhouse. and organized a lyceum. under the 
name of the Wadsworth Literary Club. The 
same company also formed a rhetorical school, 
and chose Capt. George Lyman as teachei". 
They held weekly evening schools for speaking, 
acting of dialogues and colloquies, at the house 
of Benjamin Agard. and concluded with an ex- 
hibition in the unfinished upper story of the 
new house of William Eyies. The exhibition, 
after the ancient style of dramatic perform- 
ances, was opened by the recitation of a pro- 
logue, composed for the occasion bj' one of the 
young men. which is given verbatim from 
memory, and will answer as a specimen of 
Wadsworth pioneer poetry : 

PROLUUL'K. 

Unused to come before an audience 
To speak or act, or any such pretense. 
Our youthful faces, with confusion glow, 
When we consider what a depth below 
Perfection's standard our endeavors all. 
At such a time as this, must surelv fall. 



But still, my friends, if you will bear in mind 

The many disadvantages we find, 

Our chance of practice limited and small, 

Our talents trifling, almost none at all, 

Our education poor, our means confined — 

I say if you will even keep these things in mind — 

Greatly surprised, perhaps, you will not be. 
Our imperfections and our faults to see. 
Some surly critic, mixed among the throng, 
May snap and snarl, and say that all is wrong — 
That not a sound salutes his ear aright, 
And not a graceful action meets his sight. 

So he may criticise, detract and rail, 
And say, in every point, we wholly fail. 
But stop, my friend, prithee don't be so fast! 
You may be partly wrong yourself, at last ! 
Lend me your patience, while to you I tell 
An anecdote, that fits your case full well. 

A beggar boy once met upon the road, 

A kindly man, who generously bestowed 

A meal of victuals on the hungry coot, 

.■Vnd a refreshing pot of beer to boot. 

The beggar ate; then turning, when he'd done, 

Unto his benefactor, thus begun : 

"Your meal of victuals was not worth a curse. 

Your bread and cheese were poor — your beer was worse. 

I do not thank you for such stingy fare. 

When you have cakes and pies, and wine to spare." 

"Ungrateful wretch ! " the generous man replied : 

" I gave it you — what could you ask beside? 

" It was the very best I could provide; 

And with the best you are not satisfied. 

Go — thankless cur! Go, villian, stay not here '. 

And. nevermore, in human sight appear! 

' Beggars should not be choosers ; ' so now clear I " 

And now, my good friend, just hear one word more 

And then my prologue will all be said o'er. 

There is a maxim which you all have seen. 

Which near expresses every word I mean ; 

Never look a gift-horse in the mouth. .\men! 

Criticism being thus disarmed, the exhibition 
was, by universal consent, pronounced a •' suc- 
cess." This exhibition was enlivened bj- an 
orchestra, consisting of a flute, clarinet, bass- 
viol, violin and bassoon ; played by Uriah M. 
Chappel, W. S. Richards, James Newcomb, 
Julius Richards and Ezekiel Richards. 



1>L 



430 



HISTORY OF MEDINA ( UlXTY. 



About 1820-31, the townsliip was finalh' dis- 
tricted for scliool purposes, and more com- 
modious frame structures built. Tliese have 
since given wa}- to still larger ones, principally 
l)iiilt of brick, with the modern improvements. 
This brings us to the history of the public 
school building of Wadsworth Village. 

This was begun in ISO',). The drall for the 
building was made by the late Col. S. C. Porter, 
architect, of Cleveland. It is a large brick 
building erected at a cost of S25.000. The 
money was raised by bonds at 8 per cent. The 
interest and a part of the principal paid each 
year.* The building is of three stories, with 
JMansaixl roof The whole upper story is fur- 
nished for a hall. 

The Wadsworth Village High School, occupy- 
ing the above-described building, has been con- 
tinued to the present time ; it is under the 
superintendence of Hiram Sapp, with five as- 
sistants. The average daily attendance during 
the past school year was 241. Total enumera- 
tion. 400. 

Tlie first physician in the township was Dr. 
John Smith, wiio lived a short time in the east- 
ern part of the tovvnship, and then removed 
just over the line in Guilford, on the Medina 
road. Dr. Samuel Austin was the next, at 
Western Star. The first at the Center, now the 
village, was Dr. Nathaniel Eastman. The next, 
and for many years the only one at Wadsworth 
Village. Dr. George K. Pardee. 

The first death in Wadsworth was that of 
Daniel Ware, in 1817. He was buried in the 
south burial-ground. The funeral discourse 
was preached by John Wise, of Chippewa. His 
coffin was made bj- Reuben Warner and others, 
from puncheons split from a tree, and hewed 
down to tliin planks. 

'■ The next death was that of an infant 
daughter of Frederick and Chloe Brown, July 
15, 1817. This was the tirst burial in liie Cen- 
ter ground. The second l)urie(l in that ground 

* Now nearly all paid. 



was Abraham Falconer, son of Henry Falconer ; 
died. 1817. The first adult burial was that of 
John Curtis; died of consumption in 1820. 
Tlie second adult burial, Julia, wife of Sherman 
Loomis, and daughter of Augustus MiUs, in 
1820. The next, Mrs. Wright, wife of William 
Henry Wright, and daughter of Lysander Hard, 
in 1821. The first burietl in the town-line ground 
was the wife of Ebenezer Wright, and mother 
of W. II. Wright, in April, 1825. The next, 
John Sprague, in 1820. The next, Lyman 
Brown i killed bi" falling under a cart loaded 
with stone, at Akron, in 1826. 

The first post office in the township was kept 
by Abel Dickinson, on the Medina road, estab- 
lished in 1822, which was removed to the Cen- 
ter in 1826, and kept Ijy Frederick Brown. The 
first at Western Star, established at the same 
time, was kept b}- Mills Richards. The first at 
River Styx, by David Wilson. Previous to 
this, the old citizens received their letters from 
Talmadge, Canton, Old Portage, New Portage, 
or whatever office was to them convenient. 

The first mail route was from Canton to Nor- 
walk, by way of Medina, established about 1821. 
The mail was carried by Josiah Price, of Can- 
ton, who brought our news from the Canton and 
Medina offices to our doors, calling us out with 
a tin horn. 

About the year 1824. John Wilson. Esq., of 
River Styx, began to carry the mail over the 
^Medina and Canton route on horseback once a 
week, and continued for se\eral years. Diu'ing 
Jackson's first term. Abel Dickinson was Post- 
master superseding Jiiilge Brown, and John 
Pardee was his deputj- or assistant, and kept 
the office in Pardee's store. Afterward, Pardee 
was Postmaster, and held the office in the stone 
store for a number of }ears, when Dr. George 
K. Pardee became Postmaster, holding the 
office in a Iniilding standing where the residence 
of John Lytle now is. At his death in 1848, 
it was (•hanged several times, and held between 
Charles J. Pardee and Sherman Blocker, Esq., 



^" 



i^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



431 



finall}' settled with Pardee for quite a time. 
Orlando Beach held the office also for a short 
time. It was afterward lield b}' John G. 
Houston, who was sueceedoil by H. C. Pardee, 
who held the office in the town hall, where it is 
at present located, under the cliarge of his suc- 
cessor, Eli O^'crholt, Esq. 

The first settlers of Wadsworth were mostl}' 
accustomed to sustain the institutions of relig- 
ion ; yet. coming from different sections of the 
country and springing from different nationali- 
ties, each was naturally- tenacious of his own 
belief and his accustomed mode of worship. 
They suffered, as new settlements generally' do, 
more from too many church organizations 
than too few ; each sooiet}- being too feeble, 
for many years, for efficient work, yet from the 
earliest they were accustomed to the public 
worship of God, 

Mr, Brown, in his Memorial, .sa3s ; -'The first 
religious meeting was held at the house of Oli- 
ver Durham, in July 1814, The attendance 
was by the families of Messrs, Dean and Dur- 
ham, and Mr, Salmon Warner, a brother-in-law 
of Mr. Dean, and father-in-law of Mr, Durham, 
who had visited the place to select a farm for 
himself Moving there the next February, reg- 
ular praj'er-meetings were established at his 
house, so that public worship may be consid- 
ered to have been established in Februarj-, 
1815, the families of the first three settlers 
composing the assembly ; that of Jlr. Dean be- 
ing of the Baptist, and those of Mr, Warner 
and Mr. Durham of the Methodist denomination. 
These meetings were continued at the house (jf 
Mr. Warner, until the erection of the first 
schoolhouse, in 1816. In Ma}- of that 3'ear, 
emigrants from Connecticut, the families of 
Frederick Brown, Benjamin Agard and Joseph 
Loomis, having arrived, they, with some other 
new arrivals, helped to sustain these meetings, 

"I have heard my father, in mj' youthful 
days, relate the pleasing incident of his first 
introduction to IMr, Warner, and the arrange- 



ment they made together to set up the Sabbath 
worship in a more public and permanent man- 
ner. He had just arrived the previous week, 
and with his family' was staying at tiie house 
of Benjamin Agard, who had preceded him a 
few months. Hearing that religious meetings 
were then held at the house of a man by the 
name of Warner, the three families went on 
Sabbath morning, through the woods, to his 
house. The meeting was conducted by Mr. 
Warner ; those who were singers assisted in 
that part of the worship, and my father taking 
part in speaking and prayer, 

' After the meeting, Mr. Warner called my 
father into the other part of his double log 
house, for private conference. ' First.' said he, 
' I wish to know who and what you are ? ' M}- 
father replied, 'We are Congregational ists, from 
Connecticut.' Mr. Warner replied, ' My parents 
were Congregationalists ; I am a ^lelhodist, and 
ha\e been almost alone in keeping up meetings 
the past year ; and now I propose that we 
unite, and we can sustain meetings every Sab- 
bath. I see you are singers ; that will be a 
great help. And now your people have a prac- 
tice that I like, that of reading a sermon when 
you have no preacher. Have you anj- volumes 
of sermons j'ou can bring to read from ? ' M}- 
father replied, ■ I have, but many of the ser- 
mons are highly Calvinistic, and 3-ou may not 
approve their doctrine ; so I will hand you the 
book beforehand, and you maj- select such as 
you can call orthodox, and they shall be read.' 
'■ The meetings were conducted jointly by 
those two men, in the manner agreed ujton, at 
the house of Mr. Warner, until the erection of 
what was called the South Schoolhouse, in the 
autumn following (181G), when they were held 
in the schoolhouse. Here began a fraternal 
union between those two old pioneers, who may, 
without anj- injustice to others, be termed the 
first founders of the Methodist and Congrega- 
tional Churches — a union that was never 
broken. To the end of their pilgrimage, they 



r 



432 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



lined each Other as brothers, and consulted 
together lor the social, moral and religious wel- 
fare of the settlenu'ul. 

"In 1816, a Methodist class was formed, con- 
sisting of Salmon Warner, Mrs. Lucina War- 
ner, Miss Harriot Warner. Oliver Durham and 
Mrs. Lamira Durham, William H. Wright and 
wife and Mrs. I*oll3' Kirkum, As no record 
remains, the name of the minister who organ- 
ized the class is not preserved, nor can T learn 
the names of the first ^Icthodist preachers, 
except Ezra Booth and William Eddj-, 

" The Congregational Church was organized 
August 8, 1819, Rev, John Treat the officiat- 
ing minister. The original members were 
Frederick Brown, Mrs. Chloe S. Brown, Au- 
gustus Mills, Mrs, >[artha Mills, (ioorge L^-- 
man, Mrs. Opiielia Lyman, Benjamin Agard, 
Sherman Loomis and Jacob Lindle}-, 

"On the 25th of August, 1817, a l^nion 
church and society was formed by members of 
the German Reformed and TiUtheran denomi- 
nations. The names of the original members 
can not be olitaiued. The elders were Peter 
Waltz, Sr, and Christian Everhard, Trustees, 
Jacob Everhard, Adam Baughman. Benja- 
min Faust, first Pastor, 

"A Baptist Church was organizeil under the 
pastoral charge of Obadiah Newcoml), in 1821, 
This was afterward the nucleus of the Disciples' 
Church, Of its original members, were Oba- 
diah Xewcomb and wife, William Eyles and 
wife, Samuel Green and wife and JIrs, Batti.son 
and Mr, and 3Irs, Donor, of Chippewa, An- 
other Baptist Church was afterward organized 
in the northwest part of the town, by J'llder 
Dimmock, in 183(5. The original members of 
the Disciples' Church were Obadiah Xewcomb, 
Satira Newcomb, Matilda Xewcomb, Victory 
Clark, Samuel Green, A, B, Green and T'olly 
Eyles. 

" About the time of the separation of the 
Methodists from the Congregationalists, Mr. 
Brown was joined l\v George Lyman, a young 



man from ToiTiugton, Conn., who toi^k an ait- 
ive part in sustaining the meetings. They were 
held every Sabbath, twice a day. in the old 
style of New England. After singing and 
prayer, and singing again, the leader either 
read a sermon or called upon some other to 
read. The most frecjuent reader was Sherman 
Loomis, whose musical voice and rhetorical 
delivery is still one of the pleasant memories 
of those days. Of those who were occasion- 
ally readers. I can recall George Kirkum, 
HaiTj' Lucas, Lemuel North, John Sprague, 
Allen Pardee, Dr, George K, Pardee. Aaron 
Pardee and George Lyman. 

■' On the erection of the next schoolhouse, 
then called the North Schoolhouse, the meetings 
were held alternately in each place. From 
1821 to 1824, Mr. Lyman was absent from the 
township, and Mr, Brown was assisted in con- 
ducting the meetings, by Ebenezer Andrus and 
William Graham, of Chippewa, a portion of 
the time being occupied by Rev, Obadiah New- 
comb, the Baptists and Congregationalists unit- 
ing in his support. He preached a part of the 
time in Norton and Coventry, He was a man 
of ability, much respected ; and his services 
much demanded on funeral occasions, 

" The western part of the township, and east- 
ern part of Guilford, were settled b3' members 
of the Mennonite denomination, I have no 
record of their churches (embracing each of 
the divisions known by that name)," 

The two churches are called Old and New 
Mennonites, The Old Mennonitxis still worship 
in their log meeting-house, in the west part of 
Wadsworth, on the Seville road, on the hill. 
The new church established a college in Wads- 
worth Milage, said to have been the first b\' 
that denomination in the ITnited States, Their 
school has been removed, and the college build- 
ing is now occupied as a private school insti- 
tute, in charge of T, J, Dague, Esq, But the 
church remains, and they hold weekly meetings 
in their meeting-house on the Medina road. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



433 



The Universalists maintained preaching for 
several years, from 1824. Their first minister 
was a Mr. Williams, who afterward became a 
minister of the Disciples' Church. The next 
was a Mr. Tracy. The next, a Mr. Rodgers. 
But no church was ever formed. 

The first house of worship built in the town- 
ship was the Lutheran and German Reformed 
log meeting-house, on the town line between 
Wadsworth and Chippewa. The next, the old 
Congi-egational House at the Center, built in 
1830, on the site of the present one. which was 
erected in 1842. The Disciples erected the 
house they now occupj\ in 1842. George Hins- 
dale was the architect of both these houses, 
and died the same year. The Methodist House 
was built in 1835. The Congregationalists 
have continued from the time of their first or- 
ganization with various degrees of prosperity 
till the present time. Their Pastor is the Rev. 
G. C. Reed, and their members number about 
sixty. The first settled Congregational Minis- 
ter, Rev. Amasa Jerome, was installed Novem- 
ber 1, 1826. He was followed by Revs. Fay. 
Boutell. Johnson. Brooks, Tallcutt. Wright, 
Wilder, and. after an interval of some years. 
Rev. T. W. Browning, of the Methodist Church, 
was employed for a time, and he was followed 
by Rev. D. E. Hatheway, then by Rev. Edward 
Brown, in 1874. afterward by the present Pas- 
tor. . 

A church was organized about 1875 in 
Wadsworth. who call themselves the Church of 
God, and number about forty members. They 
occupy the building formerly used for the 
Wadsworth Academy, which is an octagon 
building, standing at present ou the corner of 
Lyman and Prospect streets. 

The 3Iethodist Church has continued from 
its first institution, in 1816, in the township, 
meeting in various places until the erection of 
the present meeting-house, in 1835 : always 
under the charge of an itinerant ministry, and, 
like the other churches, having their seasons 



of revival and depression from various causes, 
until, in 1867, their house of worship was en- 
larged and remodeled. Tiieir church is now in a 
prosperous condition, their house commodious, 
and a convenient parsonage, at present under 
the pastoral charge of Rev. F. S. Wolf Their 
communicants number about 150. The Disci- 
ples have continued their worship in their 
church, finished in 1842, under various Pastors, 
among them Revs. A. B. Green and H. Jones, 
and the last of whom were Rev. J. F. Rowe. 
Rev. J. Knowles from April, 1869, to April, 
1872 ; then Rev, C. F. W, Cronemyer, and after 
him Rev. J. A, Williams. The present condition 
of the church is prosperous, mth good congre- 
gation and interesting Sundaj- school. Under 
the pastoral charge of Elder C. W. Henrj'. 
The members number about 100. 

The organization of the Reformed Church 
was effected on the 24th day of October, 1858. 
Its first Pastor was Rev. Jesse Schlosser, who 
began his labors here about four months pre- 
vious to the organization. During his pas- 
torate, the services were held in the Congre- 
gational and Disciples' Churches, furnished by 
their congregations. 

Six members constituted the church at the 
beginning. Their names, in the order in which 
the}- appear upon the record, are Henrj- Yockej-, 
Catharine Yockey. John C. Kremer. Lydia Kre- 
mer, E. K. Kremer and Isaac Griesemer. The 
first officers were Henry Yockey, Elder, and J. 
C. Kremer. Deacon. 

The second pastorate was that of Rev. Jesse 
Hines, who began his labors June 1 , 1860. It 
was under his pastorate that the old octagon 
academy building, and lot (elsewhere mentioned 
in this work), were purchased of Aaron Pardee, 
for SI 50, and converted into a house of worship. 
It was dedicated October 6, 1861, Revs, S. B, 
Letter and William McCaughey preaching the 
dedicatory sermons. 

Rev, S, C. Goss, the present Pastor, entered 
on his labors August 1. 1866. At the be<rin- 



-»|^ 



434 



IIISTOUY OF MEDINA COUNTY 



ning, the membership numbered forty-three. 
The present numerical strength of the congre- 
gation is one hundred and sixty. 

There are in Wadsworth YilUige and town- 
ship seven meeting-houses, and. within five 
miles of Wadsworth Center. m;iy be found 
eighteen more, making twenty-five, and there 
are resident ministers in Wadsworth Yillage to 
the number of at least twelve, showing that 
there is no excuse for Wadsworth to be called 
an irreligious community. 

It is refreshing to turn to a narrative fur- 
nished for Mr. Brown's Memorial by Sherman 
Blocker. Esq.. an old resident of Wadsworth. 
and hear him speak of the pioneers as follows : 
'■ While there were some theological differences 
of opinion, yet, taken as a community together, 
there never was a more honorable, upright and 
conscientious set of people found on this broad 
continent than were the early pioneers of Wads- 
worth.'' He sajs ; •■ They were as a unit in pro- 
moting each other's welfare and happiness, each 
seeking to move and work in that sphere best 
calculated to render the most good, in which he 
was born and reared. 

•■ At first there may have been some distrust, 
but in a very short time all distrust vanished 
into thin air as soon as they came to know each 
other ; and soon, the mass of early pioneers 
came to be like brothers and sisters, promoting 
each others welfare in all possible ways. 
Would to God that such a spirit now prevailed 
among all the people as ruled the mass of 
pioneers in Wadsworth fifty to sixt^- j-ears 
ago ! " 

Every one who has gone through the vicissi- 
tudes of pioneer life is aware of the fact that 
its tendencj- is to beget a spiritof adventure, to 
the extent that comparatively but few of the 
first settlers of a frontier town, or their children. 



whose earliest impressions were amid the ad- 
venturous beginnings, are known to remain and 
spend their lives there. Especialh- is this true 
of those of Anglo-Saxon, or Celtic origin. Si < 
that the same individuals are often found among 
the adventurous frontiersmen in two or more 
States ; often moving on till old age overtakes 
them upon the frontier. 

The rapid opening of the States of the inte- 
rior, westward of Ohio, became an incentive tu 
new emigration, to such as had been among tin- 
first settlers, or their children who had grown 
up while as yet all things were new. This 
period was consequently marked b\- great 
changes of population ; so great that many 
names of the old families that counted not a few 
upon the poll books and muster rolls, nearly or 
quite disappeared. Particularly was this true 
of the New England portion. Selling out and 
moving on the front wave of civilization, and 
their old homes passing into the hands of the 
wealthier but more conservative Teutonic race. 
or what are sometimes termed " Pennsylvania 
Grermans." till the proportion of the two races 
was reversed. This also seriously affected the 
original churches, particularly the Congrega- 
tional and Methodist, which, through these 
causes, became, during this period, almost ex- 
tinct ; while a large church of the German Re- 
formed denomination, and another of the Men- 
nonite. the members of both being chiefly of 
German descent, attracted the major part of 
the church-going population, till the revival of 
business by the location of the railroad ami 
the discover}- of the coal mines, brought again 
members of those two denominations, and a 
resurrection of their churches. During that 
period also, the old Wadsworth Academy was 
suspended, and the octagon building occupied 
for that purpose was converted into a church. 



:e^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



435 



CHAPTER X.* 

WADSWORTII TOWXSHIl' AND VII.LAGK— A NOTAHIJ': KriDI'-MIC — rOAI. 1NTKUE.ST8— INCOKl'ORA- 
TION AND GROWTH OF THE VTI.LAGIC— 1:AIU,V INriDENTS— FAMILY (lENKALOGlES. 



n"^HE years 1844 and 1848 were memorable 
J- for a malignant epidemic that visited the 
township, carrying off b}- death a large number 
of its inhabitants. It prevailed verj' exten- 
sivel}" in Ohio, Indiana. Illinois and Michigan, 
and was known as malignant erysipelas, or 
er3-sipelatous fever. The following description, 
written by Dr. C. N. Lyman, one of the physi- 
cians who treated for the disease. ma\- be valu- 
able for a historic reference, both as to the dis- 
ease and its treatment: 

" During the year 1844, there occurred within 
the limits of the township an epidemic of erj'sip- 
elas, very severe in its character and fatal in its 
results, selecting for its victims some of the 
best of our citizens of adult age. It was con- 
fined mostl}' within the limits of the township, 
though extending somewhat into the townships 
of Norton and Chippewa. It began in the 
month of January-, and continued until the fol- 
lowing August, when its virulence subsided, 
with occasional manifestations until the winter 
of 1848, when it re-appeared in the east part of 
the towns of Guilford and Jlont+ille, with its 
accustomed fatality, and again made its appear- 
ance in this township, marking as its own a 
number of our prominent citizens. 

" Its mode of attack was almost always in the 
form of inflammation of the throat and fauces, 
with a disposition to migrate to other parts of 
the body, usually selecting the serous mem- 
branes. Sometimes, however, the muscular and 
adipose tissues would be the seat of the metas- 
tatic attack. The change from the throat to 
the point of attack would be sudden, and for a 
few hours the patient would flatter himself that 

*Contributed by Hon. Aaron Pardee. 



he was convalescent, when a rigor and restless- 
ness would super\'ene, telling, too often fatally', 
that the hope was onl^- a delusive one. When 
the serous membranes were the seat of the dis- 
ease, the formation of pus was a rapid process, 
the patient frequently dying within three days. 
A post-mortem examination would disclose the 
serous cavities filled with pus. When the mus- 
cular and adipose tissues were the seat of the 
disease, pus was formed in enormous quantities 
if the patient survived long enough. Frequentlj', 
however, death supervened too rapidl}- for this 
process to mature. 

" That portion of the epidemic which occurred 
in 1844 was most successfully treated b}- large 
and rapid depletion, some patients requiring to 
be bled to faintness, two or three times within 
thirt3--six hours. This was markedly the case 
when the serous membranes were involved. 
When the other tissues were the seat of the 
disease, bleeding was not of such manifest util- 
ity. Some eases were so rapid as to call for 
the directly opposite treatment, and they were 
as rapidly fatal. 

" When the disease re-appeared in a severe 
form in 1848-49, bleeding and depletion was 
not tolerated at all. In the few cases in which 
they were tried, in the commencement of the 
outbreak, the results were so unsatisfactory 
that those measures were abandoned immedi- 
ately. This latter manifestation of the disease 
showed less predilection for the serous mem- 
branes than the former. In the first epidemic, 
with a population of about 1,200, there were 
124 well-marked cases, 25 of which proved 
fatal. The later epidemic was spread over 
more territory, but the proportion of deaths to 



s ^ 



436 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



...' I ultackeil wiis greater. Since that time it 
has not appeared in an epidemic form." 

At an earl}- day bituminous coal was known 
to exist in some parts of the township, before 
all its uses or its true commercial value were 
known or thought of More than fifty years 
since, small quantities of coal were found in 
various localities, in digging wells. 

About 1829, coal in beds, cropping out near 
the surface, was found both in the northeastern 
and southeastern portions of the township ; 
and small quantities for several years were 
mined for domestic use, and tlie limited manu- 
facturing of the region. But the location of I 
the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, bring- 
ing these mines into connection with the great 
coal markets afforded by the cities and ex- 
tensive manufactories of the State, not only i 
made them sources of wealth, but, by develop- 
ing an extensive business, added gi'eatlj- to the 
growth and prosperity of the village, and of 
the township at large ; a village by itself hav- 
ing grown up. composed of a )iopulation wholly 
connected with the mining and shipping of 
coal at Silver Creek, the point of shipment a 
mile and a half southeast of the depot. The 
first mining of coal for commercial purposes 
commenced at that point, in February, 1869. 

Mines have been opened in four localities in 
the township : at Humphrey & Coleman's mine, 
on Seth Banghman's farm, the Wadsworth Coal 
Company's mine, on the Dormer farm, the Town 
Line mine, in the northeast, corner which 
extends into Sharon and Norton, and the Stony 
Ridge mine, opened on the land of Don A. 
Pardee. 

The first shipment of coal on the railroad at 
Wadsworth was in 1868. brouglit from the 
Silver Creek mines in wagons till the comple- 
tion of the Silver Creek Branch Hailroa<l. 

Coal is known to exist in minabic quan- 
tities, on or under the following farms in Wads- 
worth Township : in the southeast quarter, the 
Whitman farm, the Dormer, the old Ritter. the 



Dr. Simmons, the Dave Long, Seth Baughman's 
three farms, the Dutt farm and the Andrews 
farm ; in the northeast quarter, the old Spill- 
man larra and the lOyles and Simcox farms ; in 
the northwest quarter, the Oberhollzer farm, the 
Hinsdale farm and the two farms of Don A. 
Pardee, also the Gehman and the McCoy farms- 
The area of land underlaid with coal in the 
township, must be in the neighborhood of 1.500 
acres, a small portion of which only has been 
mined. This coal lies invariabh- under the first 
stratum o;' sand rock which forms the most fa- 
vorable roofing for mining purposes, and the 
coal is generally found from fifty to one hun- 
dred and fifty feet under the surface, and vary- 
ing from two feet to five feet in thickness. 

The village of Wadsworth was originally 
built u|) at what was called the center of the 
township, at the crossing of the north-and- 
south and east-and-west roads. The north-and- 
south road was early laid out as a State road 
from Coshocton to Cleveland, but had been 
formerly laid as a county road through Wads- 
worth Township — it lies two miles from the 
east line, and three lines from the west line, of 
the township. The east-and-west road was also 
a State road, and was laid before the township 
was settled, about the year 1 808. Wadsworth 
Village had grown up about these corners un- 
til after the railroad was established, when, 
on account of the increase of population, it was 
thought desirable to have it incorporated. 

The movement commenced in 18(>5, Dr. ('. 
N. Lyman acting as agent for the people. Ow- 
ing to a mistake in dates, it became necessary 
to make a second publication, so that it was 
not consummated till ISOti. First election, 
April 4. The first otlicers under the corporation : 
Aaron Pardee, Mayor ; J, C. Houston, Re- 
corder : C. N. Lyman. William F. Boyer. John 
Lytle. W. T. Ridenour, and Lumau P. Mills, 
Trustees. 

The boundaries of the corporation are some- 
what irregular. Its longest dimensions, from 



"fv: 



Ll>£ 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



437 



north to south, about one and one-half miles ; 
and from east to west, about a mile ; the whole 
area, 8St6 acres of laud ; a little over one and 
one-third square miles, or about one-tweutieth 
of the township. 

The incorporation of the village necessitated 
the erection of a building for council room, 
police court, jail, etc. This was provided by 
designing a plan for a township hall for hold- 
ing elections and public meetings, with rooms 
for post office, council hall, and • lock-up." The 
question of building a town hall was submitted 
to a vote of the people of the township, and 
the majority vote was for building. It was 
built by township tax in 1867, at a cost of 
$5,000. It is a substantial brick structure, 
two stories high. The lower story has a com- 
modious front room for the post office, and 
back of it the room for council room and police 
and village justice's courts, and a room for se- 
curing prisoners, or lodging vagrants ; or, in 
common parlance, " tramps." 

The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad, a 
continuation of the Erie, was like that road of 
broad gauge running from Salamanca, N. Y., 
and terminating at Dayton, Ohio. Length, 389 
miles. Arrangements were made with the C, 
H. & D. road, by third rail, to run to Cincin- 
nati. Distance from Wadsworth to Salamanca, 
216 miles ; to Dayton, 173 ; to Cincinnati, 232 ; 
distance to New York from Wadsworth, 629. 
The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad has 
changed owners within the past year, and now 
is called the New York. Pennsylvania & Ohio 
Railway. In June, 1880, it was altered from 
a six-foot gauge to the common width of other 
roads. The change was made the whole length 
of the line in one da}-. With the first location 
of this road, commenced the rapid growth of 
Wadsworth Village as a place of business. The 
existence of the rich coal mines and the sur- 
rounding country with its general hcaltlifulness, 
has done much toward building up the place 
and adding largelj- to its wealth and prosperity. 



There are in Wadsworth Village four dry 
goods stores, two hardware stores, two drug 
stores, two shoe stores, three grocery and pro- 
vision stores, two cigar factories, three wagon 
and carriage shops, two planing-mills, one agri- 
cultural machine-shop, one oat-meal mill, two 
bed-bottom factories, two hotels, four doctors, 
three lawyers, one denti.st, three l)lacksmith- 
shops, five shoe-shops, two tailor-shops, two 
harness-shops, two meat markets, two barber- 
shops, two livery stables, two furniture and 
undertakers' stores, four milliner}' stores, three 
jewelers, two tin-sliops, one Ijauk, one printing 
office, one flour and feed store, two restaurants, 
three clothing stores, one grain merchant's 
warehouse, two photographers, and one agricult- 
ural implement depot. 

Western Star is on the township line, about 
equally divided between Wadsworth and Nor- 
ton, and lies just two miles east of Wadsworth 
Village Corners, It contains, on the Wads- 
worth site, about 150 inhabitants. It was in- 
corporated by act of the Legislature, about 
1837, and embraced a territor}- one mile each 
way from the public well, which stood on the 
line of the count}-. 

The place called Weaverville is in the neigh- 
borhood of the Wadsworth Coal Company JNIine. 
southeast corner of the township. Biglow 
Chapel is on the township line about one and 
one-half miles north of Western Star. Clark's 
Corners is two miles north of Wadsworth Vil- 
lage. The River Stjx Bottoms occupy about 
3,000 acres in the west part of the township, ex- 
tending from the north line to the soutli line of 
the township. Silver Creek Junction, or Hum- 
phi'e3-'s coal bank, is about one aud oue-quar- 
ter miles east of Wadsworth Station, 

Among the most celebrated pioneer hunters 
were Orrin Loomis, David Blocker, William 
Simcox, John Waltz and Phineas Butler, It is 
said that Blocker, from 1816 to 1833, killed 
aud dressed over 800 deer ; he shot and killed 
six in one day. 






IV 



sh- 



438 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COrXTV. 



At one time, meat became exceedingly scarce, 
in consequence of the game all leaving the 
neighborhoorl ; and the want of this indis- 
pensable article to the pioneer, produced a 
lamentable aching about the stomach of each. 
Suddenly, one Sunday afternoon, while David 
Blocker was lying on a bed of deer and bear- 
skins, in the cabin, the dogs sang out ; " Tur- 
keys ! " and, bounding off his bed and seizing 
the rifle and shot-pouch, he rushed to the door 
just in time to see the turkeys flying and 
alighting among the trees in every direction 
from the cabin ; for the dogs had rushed among 
them at first sight, and kept up a tremendous 
din of howls and yells at the turkeys, while the 
rifle went crack, crack, as fast as he could load 
and shoot, until sixteen fat turkeys had fallen 
before his unerring aim. By this time the 
flock had disappeared, and, in their place, came 
Judge Brown (father of Rev. Edward). Stjuirc 
Salmon ^Yarner, Reuben F. Warner and Jacob 
Miller (father of George Bliller. Esq., of Akron), 
all of whom had been at a prayer-meeting, at 
vSquire Warner's, half a mile east of where the 
turkey-shooting took place ; and which meet- 
ing was about closing, when they heard the 
successively quick, sharp reports of the rifle, 
and they knew it meant game. As thej- were 
all in want of meat, they gladly and thank- 
fully accepted twelve out of the sixteen turkeys 
killed on that occasion. 

In the eai'ly part of the settlement of the 
township, rattlesnakes were plenty ; and, in one 
day, at a den of the snakes. Samuel Blocker 
and Jacob Miller killed 128 yellow-spotted 
rattlesnakes. At another time, when Samuel 
Blocker was reaping wheat, he cut ofl!" a mon- 
ster rattlesnake's head with his sickle, which 
probably struck at his hand just as he had 
gathered in the wheat straw to cut it off, for he 
did not sec or know anything of the snake un- 
til he had dropped his bunch in its place, and, 
finding the snake headless, looked in iiis hand- 
ful of wheat, wiien lo ! there was his snake- 



ship's head, as handsomelj- cut off as if done 
by a surgeon. 

One day David Blocker was pursuing a 
wounded bear, he met a buck jumping and 
snorting as if in some great trouble. Blocker 
walked up within a short distance ; as the deer 
paid no attention to him. he leveled his rifle to 
shoot the deer, when he perceived one of the 
largest rattlesnakes he had ever seen ; the snake 
darted his fiery eyes at Blocker and at the 
deer, as if at a loss which to attack. Blocker 
aimed at the snake, and the deer bounded off; 
when the smoke had cleared away, he found 
the serpent nicely coiled up. with his head shot 
to pieces ; he reached down to take hold of the 
rattles of the snake, when the back of his 
hand, as quick as a flash, was touched with the 
remains of the snake's head ; he instantly let go. 
but he knew he was not bitten, although fright- 
ened. He took twenty-one rattles from that 
snake, indicating, as is supposed, the age of 
twenty-one years. 

About the year 1818. Samuel Blocker had a 
valuable mare and colt which were attackerl by 
bears and driven off the point of a rock, on the 
north fork of the saw-mill dam. a few rods west 
of the house and lot now owned by William 
Brouse. It was nearly sixteen feet down ])er- 
pendicularly, at that time, where the mare and 
colt lay crushed by the fall, and the indications 
were that one or more bears had gradually 
driven them closer and closer, until they tioth 
pitched off the precipice and perished. 

Captain Lj-man relates that at one time he 
killed, in one day, eight rattlesnakes, seven 
found in a hollow log. the eighth, a very large 
one, found alone b\- himself 

Joshua V. Shaw, in har\esting, was bitten by a 
rattlesnake, which alarmed himself and friends 
very much, but it is said that he was cured by 
a large dose of whisky. 

>Ir. Shaw once found a large doer in his 
wheat field. The field had a very high fence, 
and Shaw cornered the deer where he was una- 



-via •- 



4 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



439 



ble to get over. As he attempted to leap the 
fence, Shaw caught him bj- the horns, and cut 
his throat with a pen-kuife. 

Orrin Loomis and Phineas Butler used to 
hunt in couples. Their principal and most 
profitable game was coon, which thcj* hunted 
for the skin. Their outfit was a couple of axes, 
a torch made of hickory bark, and three or four 
dogs. The}- would go out at evening, and be 
gone, sometimes nearly all night. When the 
dogs treed a coou, the tree had to come down, 
and before it would fairlj- reach the ground the 
dogs had the coon. Hundreds of the best tim- 
ber trees in all parts of the township were felled 
by these hunters in pursuit of coon, and thou- 
sands of coon-skins were the result. A coon- 
skin was about the same as a lawful tender for 
31 cents. 

In 1819, the settlers of Wadsworth hud turned 
out to chop the road through the unsettled 
township north, then known as " Hart and 
Mather's town," to meet a similar company 
from Granger, half-way; thus making an out- 
let to Cleveland. While thus engaged, one of 
the Bruin family put in an appearance. Several 
dogs, which had accompanied their masters, 
immediately made common cause against their 
common enemy. The bear showed desperate 
fight, rising upon his haunches and beating 
back the dogs. Orin Loomis ran up, and, to 
protect the dogs, stuck his ax into the bear's 
mouth, while Judge Brown, coming immediatelj- 
behind him, struck his ax into the bear's head, 
and the other choppers soon dispatched him 
with their axes; and each at evening returned 
home with a large piece of bear meat; no small 
item, in the general scarcity of provisions at 
that period. 

In the fall of 1823, as Butler and Loomis 
were returning after midnight from one of their 
hunts, and had arrived within a mile or two of 
home, it was noticed that the dogs were miss- 
ing. Presently, a noise was heard, fiir back in 
the rear. 



" Hark ! What was that ? '' said Loomis. They 
listened awhile, and agreed it was the dogs, 
sure. " Orr, let's go back," said Butler. " No," 
answered Loomis, " it is too late." ■' But," said 
Butler, " I'll bet the dogs are after a bear ; don't 
you hear old Beaver '? It sounds to me like the 
bark of old Beaver when he is after a bear." 

Butler was bound to go back, and so they 
started. The scene of the disturbance was 
finally reached, after traveling two or three 
miles. The dogs had found a bear, sure enough ; 
but it was in the middle of Long Swamp, and 
the alders were so thick that there was scarcely 
room for man, dog or bear to get through. This 
did not deter Phin Butler, however. They got 
near enough to find out that the bear was sta- 
tioned on a spot a little drier than the main 
swamp, surrounded by alder bushes, and that 
she was determined not to leave it. The dogs 
would bay up close, when the bear would run 
out after them. They would retreat, and then 
she would go back to her nest again. 

"We can't kill her to-night," said Loomis, 
"we will have to go home, and come down 
again in the morning." " No," replied Butler, 
" I am afraid she will get away. We can kill 
her to-night, I guess. You can go and hiss on 
the dogs on one side, and I will come up on 
the other ; and when she runs out after them, 
I'll cut her back-bone ofl' with the ax."' They 
concluded to try this plan, and came very near 
succeeding. As the old bear rushed past, But- 
ler put the whole bit of the ax into her back, 
but failed to cut the back-bone by an inch or 
so. Enraged and desperate, she sprang upon 
the dogs, who, emboldened by the presence of 
the hunters, came too close. With one of her 
enormous paws she came down on old Beaver, 
making a large wound in his side, which nearly- 
killed him. He was hardly able to crawl out 
of the swamp. 

The fight was then abandoned until the next 
morning, as, without Beaver to lead the other 
dogs, it was useless to proceed. It was diffl- 



w - 






•4^- 



440 



HiSTOKV OF MEDIXA COrXTY. 



cult to get the old dog home, hut he finally got 
well. Early iu the morning the hunters were 
on the ground. This time they had their gnus 
with them, but found the old bear was gone. 
On examining her nest of the night before, her 
unusual ferocity was explained. She had a 
litter of cubs, wiiich, however, she had suc- 
ceeded iu remoAing. and must have carried 
them ofl' in iier mouth. In a short time, the 
dogs had tracked her out. She was found half 
a mile lower down the swamp, where she had 
made a new nest. Butler's rifle soon dispatched 
her, but her cubs, four in number, and not 
more than three or four weeks old. were taken 
alive, and kept for pets. ***** 

The following account of Leonard Brown's 
wolf-fight is given in his own words : 

" It was in the mouth of June, 1821. a full 
moon and a clear night. I was seventeen years 
old. About 1 1 o'clock at niglit I was awakened 
by the barking of the dog. which was a com- 
mon occurrence, and we always went to his re- 
lief, and generally found that he had treed 
either a raccoon, a wildcat, a porcupine, an 
opossum, or a fox. (The gray foxes would 
climb trees as readilj- as coons.) This time 
his barking was unusually earnest. I got out 
of bed and put on my pants, but nothing more. 
Bareheaded and liarefooted. I to(.>k my ax and 
started for the dog. When witliiu a few rods 
of the spot, I found it was in the northeast 
corner of the field, where stood a sapling about 
twelve feet high. Supposiug the game to l)e 
on that sapling, I could get on the fence and 
dislodge it from the tree, knowing that the dog 
would take it as soon as it reached the ground. 
I therefore laid down tlie ax and proceeded 
within a rod of the place, wlien a large animal 
made an attempt to jump the fence, but the 
dog caught it by tlie thigh and brought it back. 
It then tried to maive its escape across the 
field, but the dog caught it by the neck, when 
it turned and gave battle. I then discovered 
that it was a wolf, niucii larirer than the dot!;. 



and. as the}' reared upon their hind legs like 
two dogs iu a fight, I caught the wolf b\- his 
hind legs, and, with the help of the dog. laid him 
on his back ; but his jaws flew to the right and 
left so quick, it was ver^' difficult for the dog 
to get a safe hold. I thought I had best get 
my ax as soon as possible, as I had no knife- 
So I started for the ax, but, before I had gone 
ten feet, the dog cried out in great agony. I 
knew he was hurt, so I picked up a stick and 
went back. The wolf was on top. I caught 
him again by the legs and laid him on his back, 
and. by holding his leg witli one hand, I jammed 
the stick into his mouth with the other, and by 
that means enabled the dog to fasten to him by 
the throat. After I had carefully examined 
the dog's hold and found all right, feeling 
assured that if he got away he would take the 
dog along. 1 hastened for mj- ax. When I re- 
turned, I found the wolfi on his feet, and the 
dog on his back, the dog still keeping his hold. 
On my approach, the wolf made a desperate 
etfort to escape, which brought the dog to his 
feet. He then laid the wolf on his back with- 
out my help. I then tried to knock the wolf 
in the head, but dared not strike for fear of 
hitting the dog ; and, fearing the dog would 
give out, as he seemed nearly exhausted, as the 
wolf lay on his back I aimed a blow between 
his hind legs, and supposed T had succeeded in 
cleaving the hips, but it proved I had onlj- 
wounded him in one thigh. 

•• The wolf then lay still, aud I thought him 
dead. I bade the dog to let go his hold. He 
refused. 1 then put one foot on the wolf, and 
took the dog by the nape of the neck with one 
hand, and struck him with the other. The 
dog tlew l)ack as if there was a snake there, and 
the wolf jumped up suddenly and attacked me. 
His jaws came together \ery near my neck, but 
the dog instantly caught him by the throat. I 
then struck him on the head with my ax, break- 
ing the skull ; and the dog released his hold of 
his own acci>rd. 



^ 



£k^ 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



443 



"It was a black wolf of the largest size, 

measuring from the extremit}' of the fore to the 

hind foot, seven feet and nine inches. The dog 

was bitten through the thick part of the fore 

leg. I was minus a shirt — some scratched 

about the breast, with a slight wound on my 

left arm made by the wolf's teeth." 

******** 

The Agard family. — Benjamin Agard, a na- 
tive, it is supposed, of Long Island, was born 
in 1769. Married Rhoda, daughter of Issachar 
Loomis, and sister of Joseph Loomis. He 
moved from Colebrook, Conn., in the winter of 
1816, in company with his brother-in-law, Jo- 
seph Loomis. 

He settled on the Sowers farm, and built the 
first frame house. 

Alvin Agard, eldest sou of B. Agard, was 
born in Colebrook, Conn., in 1797, and died 
July 29, 1837. For manj- years he kept a 
complete meteorological record, on a plan of 
his own, noting the temperature at 6, 12 and 
6 o'clock, the direction of the wind, and the 
rain and suow falls. A record that, if preserved 
by his descendants, might be valuable for ref- 
erence or comparison. He married Lucy, 
daughter of Salmon Warner. Dr. Aurelius 
Agard, of Sauduskj' Cit}', was his son. 

Roman L. Agard was born in Colebrook, 
Conn., in 1805. Married a Miss Wright; died 
June 3, 1846. No descendants of the Agard 
family now remain in Wadsworth. 

Levi Blakeslee was born in Hartland, Conn.; 
son of Rev. Matthew Blakeslee ; was adopted 
in infancy and brought up bj- Owen Brown, 
Esq., of Hudson. Married Abigail Patchen ; 
second wife, Sirs. Ostrander. He set up the 
first tannery in Wadsworth ; his first vats 
were troughs hewed out of whitewood logs, and 
his first bark-mill a huge wheel worked out of a 
granite boulder, attached to a revolving axle 
and turned bj" oxen. He died November 26, 
1864. Children — Amelia Eliza, born March 9, 
1820, married Donnely Hobart, and resides in 



Cleveland ; Anson E. and Owen B. both reside 
in Iowa. 

The Baughman Family. — Of this name there 
were many among the first settlers of Wads- 
worth and Chippewa. They were all from Le- 
high County, Penn., and of German origin. 

Lorentz Baughman, brother of Adam, lived 
on the farm now owned by Dr. Simmons. Died 
in 1840, aged 67. Sons — Henry, Lorentz, Ja- 
cob and Ezra. Daughters — Elizabeth, wife of 
Peter Waltz, Jr.; Rachel, wife of Abraham 
Koplin ; Lydia, wife of John Loutzenheizer ; 
Poll}-, wife of Christian Kopliu. 

John Baughman, nephew of Adam and Law- 
rence, came here in 1829. 3Iarried Lydia, 
daughter of Paul Baughman. Sons — Stephen. 
William, Seth. Israel, Joel and John. Daugh- 
ters — Elizabeth, wife of Samuel Miller ; Han- 
nah, wife of Talbert Simcox ; Elizabeth, wife 
of John S. Yockey. Seth Baughman is one of 
the richest men in the township. 

David Baughman, brother of John, came iu 
1830 ; married Elizabeth Blocker. 

The Beach Families. — Abel Beach, sou of 
John Beach, and fifth generation from Benjamin 
Beach, emigrant from England to Stamford, 
Conn., was born in Torrington, Conn., Januarj' 
3, 1775 ; married Roxy Taylor ; came to Wads- 
worth in 1823 ; owned the farm now the north 
farm of William Brouse ; built the first saw- 
mill in company with his son George, and Jo- 
seph and Sherman Loomis. He was a man of 
great mirthfulness and wit ; died November 7, 
1854. Mrs. Beach died August 30, 1846, aged 
67. Children — S3'lva, lost in the woods in 1824 ; 
George, boi'n 1799; married Mary Delaber; 
came to Wadsworth in 1822 : opened the farm 
now owned by William Cunningham ; lives in 
Clinton, Iowa. 

Orlando Beach, brother of George, born De- 
cember 14, 1802 ; married Julia Pardee, who 
was killed b}" being thrown from a carriage in 
1838 ; second wife, Susan, daughter of Judge 
Philo Welton, who died in 1878. He was aft- 



444 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



erward married to Eliza J. Fisher. Mr. Beach 
died December 20, 1880. He had been an active 
business man in Wadsworlh for nearly sixt3' 
yeare. 

The Bennett Family. — Four brothers of that 
name came from Vermont. Timothy S. Ben- 
nett came with Leavitt Weeks in 1818; lived 
in theeastpartof Wadsworth ; married Rachel, 
daughter of Holland Brown. 

Abel Bennett lived many years in Norton ; 
now lives in lloyalton. 

Stanton Bennett died in Wadsworth, in 1874, 
aged sixty-eight. 

Elam Bennett fell dead while at work in the 
hay-field, in 1832. 

The Blocker Familj'. — Samuel Blocker, a 
native of Pennsylvania, came to Wadsworth in 
1815, and settled on the farm east of the vil- 
lage, now owned by Seth Baughman. He was 
the first tailor of Wadsworth ; died April 2, 
1844, aged seventy-six. 

David Blocker, eldest son of Samuel, came 
with his father. Of his famous hunting ex- 
ploits, the readers of this work have been in- 
formed. He was unmarried ; died June 12, 
1830, aged thirty -eight. 

Eli Blocker, second son of Samuel, died at 
Norton Center, February 18, 1845, aged thirty- 
eight. 

Sherman Blocker, third son, was born in 
Wadsworth December 15, 1819; attorney at 
law ; was for several years Justice of the 
Peace and Postmaster at Wadsworth. He mar- 
ried Sarah H Adams ; resides in Akron. 

Lydia, eldest daughter, married Abraham 
Franks ; resides in Doylestown. Amanda, born 
1812; married Nicholas Long, Jr.; died in 
Michigan. Elizabeth, born in June, 1814 ; mar- 
ried David Baughman ; lives in Wadsworth. 

The Browns. — Hon. Frederick Brown was a 
descendant of the fifth generation from Peter 
Brown, one of the pilgrim band, who came in 
the May Flower to Plymouth, in 1G20. His 
father, Capt. John Brown, commanded a com- 



pany of volunteer minute men, in the Revolu- 
tion, raised in Canton, Coim., who joined the 
army at New York, where he died September 
3, 1776. He was born in Canton, Conn., Au- 
gust 14, 1769. He represented the town of 
Colebrook, in the State Legislature, during the 
war of 1812. He emigrated to Wadsworth in 
1816; assisted in the first organization of the 
town ; was one of the first Trustees, and second 
Postmaster. On the organization of the count}- 
he was chosen Senior Associate Judge, which 
office he held from 1818 to 1832, fourteen 
years. In 1842, he removed to Circleville to 
reside with his son, Dr. Marcus Brown, where 
he died March 14, 1848. He was twice mar- 
ried; his first wife was Catharine Case ; sec 
ond. Chloe Pettibone. 

Frederick Anson, eldest son. attorney at law, 
never lived in Wadsworth. 

Dr. Marcus Brown, born in Canton. Conn., 
Julj^ 5, 1797, resides in Circleville. 

Catharine, born in Colebrook, Conn., in 1799. 
JIarried Timoth}- Hudson. 

Chloe Volucia, born in Colebrook May 6, 
1810. She died at Wolcottville, Ind., Septem- 
ber 14, 1840. 

Dr. John Brown, born at Colebrook Novem- 
ber 12, 1812. Studied medicine with Dr. G. 
K. Pardee. Married Emily C, daughter of 
Capt. George Lyman ; he died at Haw Patch, 
Ind., January 24, 1842. 

Rev. Edward Brown, born in Colebrook No- 
vember 1, 1814. Married Eliza Jane John.son, 
of Palmyra, N. Y. ; second wife, Laura Jane 
Goodale. of Amherst, Mass.; children — Florence 
Amelia, born June 3. 1845, <lied August 5, 
1866 ; .Marian Eliza, born February 14. 1847, 
died November 28, 1864 ; Ellen died in infancy ; 
Marcus Aurelius, born October 9. 1853, at 
Wautoma, Wis.; printer. 

Laura, third daughter of Frederick Brown, 
born in Wadsworth March 11, 1820; gradu- 
ated at Granville Female Seminary in 1840 ; 
married Dr. John A. Butler. La Grange, Ind.; 



.^ f\i 



HISTORY OF MEDINA (orXTY. 



ur, 



second liushanil. Francis J. Smith ; resides in 
Pontiac, Mich. 

Sarah JI., fourth daughter of F. Brown, l:iorn 
in Wadsworth July 2, 1823 ; married Chester 
C. Hammon, La Grange, lud.; she now resides at 
Yankton, Dakota. 

Judge F. Brown was an uncle of the cele- 
brated John Brown, otherwise called Ossawat- 
omie Brown. 

Holland Brown, a native of Massachusetts, 
came to Wadsworth about 1824. Lived on the 
northeast corner farm, now the town-line coal- 
mine. He was a worthy citizen, a member of 
the Disciples' Church. Died April 22, 1844, 
aged seventy-six. Children — Lyman, killed at 
Akron by accident, December, 1825, aged twen- 
ty-seven ; Rachel, married T. S. Bennett ; Al- 
mon, born 1 801 ; resided several years in Wads- 
worth, Sharon and Norton ; he is a carpenter 
by occupation ; has been for several j-ears a 
resident of Akron (Middlebury Ward) ; has 
held several county offices. Is now Justice Qf 
the Peace. 

Erastns Brown was also for many years a 
resident of Wadsworth, where lie followed the 
business of house-joiner and wagon-maker. 
Resides in Wej'mouth. 

Ahi Brown was a respected citizen of Wads- 
worth, a carpenter. Member of the Disciples 
Church. Married Emily, daughter of Jotham 
Blakeslee ; died March 9, 1837. 

Rev. Leonard Brown, born 1811. Married 
Ann L., daughter of Phineas Butler. Is a 
minister of the Disciples' Church. Resides in 
Wellington, Oliio. 

Rev. Holland Brown, born in 1813. Is a 
minister of the Disciples' Church ; resides in 
Brooklyn, Ohio. 

Phineas Butler was born in Saybrook, Conn., 
in 1791 ; married Sarah Pardee : emigrated to 
Wadsworth from Marcellus, N. ¥., in 1818. 
He was a leading member of the Disciples' 
Church ; died in 1846 ; Mrs. Butler died in 
1844. Children — Ann L.. married Rev. Leon- 



ard Brown , resides in Wellington ; Rev. Par- 
dec Butler, born in Marcellus, X. Y., in 181 (i: 
educated at Wadsworth Academy. Is a minis- 
ter of the Disciples' Church. He was one of 
the early emigrants to Kansas, and a zealous 
supporter of the Free State cause, in conse- 
quence of which he was at one time taken by a 
mob of border ruffians at Atchison and placed 
on a raft and sent down the Missouri River 
without paddle or oar. After floating several 
miles he was picked up by a passing steamer. 
He still lives in Kansas. George W. Butler. 
born March 22, 1820 : married Hannah Hull ; 
lived several years in Medina, and died in 1845 ; 
Sylvanus, born in 1822, died in 1844 ; Sarah 
Maria, born Februarj- 18, 1825, married Na- 
thaniel B. Eastman ; resides in Seville. 

Daniel Bolich came to Wadsworth in 1830. 
from Pennsylvania ; died October 11, 18()2, 
aged seventy-two. 

Joseph Bolich, born March 18. 1817 ; mar- 
ried Nancj" Simeox ; still lives in Wadsworth. 
Sons — Daniel, Harrison, Harvey and Talbcrt. 

John A. Clark was born in Guilford Town- 
ship, January 7, 1837 ; was educated at Seville 
Academy, and engaged in teaching and farming 
pursuits till 1SG6, when he removed to Wads- 
worth and engaged in the printing business. 
and in 18G9 and 1870 was Superintendent of 
the Union Schools. Has held the office of 
Mayor of the village and other positions of 
public trust ; he married Emily U.. daughter 
of Thomas Colburn, of Guilford. 

Richard Clark, a native of Connecticut, came 
to Wadsworth from Pittsburgh in 1821 ; mar- 
ried Hannah, daughter of Rev. Obadiah New- 
comb ; died March 17, 18G4, aged 69. 

Curtis Families. — Capt. Cyrus Curtis was 
born at Norfolk, Conn., in 1767 ; he married 
Editha Mills ; resided at New Haven. Vt., and 
^larcellus, N. Y. ; came to Wadsworth in ISl".' ; 
was a man of strong mind and pure ciiaractei'. 
highly esteemed by his acquaintances ; died 
December 6, 1839. 



*5]c 



r 



446 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



Col. Norman Curtis, eldest son of C3'rus Cur- 
tis, born in Norfolk, Conn., Jul_v 24, 1792 ; 
married Elizabeth Lampson ; came to Wads- 
worth from Marcellus, N. Y., February, 1821. 

Cyrus Curtis, Jr.. born in Norfolk, Conn., 
December 24. 1794 ; came from Marcellus, N. 
Y., to Wadsworth, Februar}-. 1828 ; has been a 
man of influence in the town for forty-seven 
years ; was Justice of the Peace. Township 
Trustee and School Director for a number of 
terms; died Marcli 8, 1875. Children — Judge 
Albert h.. born in Marcellus. N. Y.. March 20, 
1818 ; married lloxy Hill : resides in Ashland ; 
H. Holland, born in 1820 ; resides in Iowa : 
^Villiam Pitt, born in Marcellus. N. Y.. October 
26. 1822 ; married Adelia Lyman ; is a drug- 
gist ; resides in ^Yadsworth ; Cliarles B., born 
in Wadsworth, January 1(5. 1824 ; married 
Maria Turner : died in 18G7 , Grace Orra, born 
in 1832 : married Rev. R. Hager ; died in 1856 ; 
Grace Melissa, born in 1832 ; married Benja- 
min Binder, who was killed in the war ; resides 
in Wisconsin ; Lampson C born in 1837 ; mar- 
ried Caroline Nye. 

Dean Families. — Daniel Dean, mentioned in 
this history as one of the first settlers, sou of 
Benjamin Dean, was born in Cornwall, Conn.. 
March 31. 1765 ; moved to Franklin. Vt. ; mar- 
ried Mary Fiekl ; came to Wadsworth, ^larch 
17. 1814: erected the first dwelling: was a 
member of the Baptist Church ; died March 6. 
1836. 

Benjamin Dean, eldest son of Daniel Dean, 
was born in Bristol. Vl.. August 1, 1797 ; came 
to \Vadsworlh March 1. 1814. with 0. Durham; 
he married Julia Phelps : second wife, Harriet 
Fairchild. of Sliaron ; he removed to Iowa in 
1864. attended tlie pioneer meeting in Wads- 
worth in 1874. returned to Iowa, and died Octo- 
ber 14. 1874. 

Moses Dean was a resitlent of ^\'adsworth 
for many years : built a wagon-shop just west 
of the cemetery. The remains of the dam 
built for running machinery, in 1828. are still 



seen ; he married Harriet Hosford, of West- 
field ; died in Iowa. 

Ebenezer Dean lives near Dixon, 111. ; Sal- 
mon Dean lives in Iowa ; William died in Iowa ; 
Polly died in Wadsworth. in 1824 ; Ruth mar- 
ried 1). Gridley ; died in ^V'adsworth. 

Abel Dickinson, a native of Litchfield Coun- 
ty, Conn. ; came to Wadsworth, about 1821 ; 
married JuUa Moodj- ; lie was a man of good 
education and talent ; was the first Postmaster 
at Wadsworth. and at one period was County 
Survejor, and look the census of the county in 
1840 ; he was noted for practical jokes ; he 
cleared up the farm, and built the large stone 
house, now the residence of ^Villiam Phelps ; 
he died at Gleuhope, Penn.. 1868, aged seventy- 
five. 

Dr. Nathaniel Eastman, born at Fort Ann, 
N. Y., June 17, 1792 ; he came to Wadsworth 
in 1823, where he resided till 1827, when he 
removed to Seville. 

Everhard Families. — Jacob Everhard, born 
in Northampton, Penn.. in 1760 ; he was not in 
the Revolution, but was for some time a sol- 
dier in the Indian war that continued after its 
clo.se; lie came to Wadsworth in 1818, and 
took up his residence on the farm southwest of 
the corners, at the coal-banks ; he was a worthy 
member of the Lutheran Ciiurcli. as were all 
his family ; died in November, 1833. Children 
— Christian. l)orii in Wesliuorelaiid County. 
Penn.. in 1783 ; married Magdaleiia. daughter 
of Adam Smith ; came to Wadsworth in 1815 ; 
John, born in 1 785 ; married Nancy Harter ; 
came to Wadsworth in 1815; Christina, mar- 
ried Christopher Rasor ; Mary, married \Yill- 
iam Rasor ; Jacob, born in 1793 : married 
Elizabeth Smith ; second wife. Mary Harter ; 
lived just over the line of Chippewa ; was an 
inlluenlial citizen, and did much for the cause 
of education ; Susan, married John Parshall ; 
second husband. Jesse Rose ; Elizabeth, un- 
married ; died in 1873, aged seventy-five ; 
Jonathan, born Februaiy 18, 1801 ; came to 






:*e 



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-.^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



447 



Wadsworth in 1818, removed to Sharon in 
1831 ; Dr. Nathan S. Evcrhard is a son of 
Jacob, at present practicing physician in 
Wadsworth ; Solomon Everhard, son of John, 
resides on his father's old farm ; and Adam, 
son of Christian, residing on liis father's old 
homestead. 

Hon. William Eyleswas born in Kent, Conn. 
Angust 16. 1783 ; his father was Josiiua Eyles, 
who died when William was quite young. Will- 
iam married Pollj', daughter of Ananias Der- 
thick ; she was born in Colchester, Conn., Sep- 
tember 22, 17S2. In 1813, he came West with 
his family, crossing the Alleghany Mountains 
by the old Braddock army road, down the 
Youghioghen}-. through Pittsburgii. to Palmyra, 
Trumbull County, Oiiio. Mr. Eyles lived in 
Palmyra about a 3'ear, when he moved to Port- 
age Township, then Portage, now Summit, 
County, and bought a farm north of Summit 
Lake, in what is now Upper Aki'on. His house 
was where the Summit House now stands. In 
January, 1820, lie moved to Wadsworth, on the 
farm on the Akron road, now owned by his grand- 
son, William N. Eyles. His children, who were 
born in Connecticut, were Mary Ann, born 
March 10, 1805; Biancy Eveline, born March 
30, 1807 ; William Madison, born February 11, 
1812 ; Clarinda Elvira was born in Portage 
Julj- 12, 1815 ; Betsy 3Iaria, born in the same 
place April 19, 1819 ; Ann Louisa was born in 
Wadsworth December 3, 1821, and Viola Ma- 
tilda, July 9, 1824. Mrs. Eyles died September 
27, 1849. He was residing in Wadsworth Vil- 
lage at the timeof his death, Februar}- 11, 1870. 
His oldest daughter was married to Orin Loomis ; 
the second, to Aaron Pardee ; the third, to Al- 
bert Hinsdale : the fourth, to Reuben N. Woods ; 
the fifth, to D. L. Harris ; and the sixth, to 
James McGalli.ard. 

Mr. Eyleswas a remarkable man. He inher- 
ited nothing from his father but a good consti- 
tution and strong mind. He was a cooper by 
trade, which he followed, in connection with 



farming, for man}- years, during which he accu- 
mulated considerable property ; his early edu- 
cation was quite limited, but he made up for 
this deficiency by an unusual share of natural 
ability and good sense : he was much respected 
by his neighbors and fellow-citizens ; this was 
manifested liy their keeping him in public of- 
fice, without his seeking ; he was Justice of the 
Peace in Portage, and afterward in Wadsworth 
— in all. more than twenty years ; he was County 
Commissioner one or two terms, was twice 
elected to the Legislature, and served one term 
as Associate Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas ; he was originally a Jeffersonian Demo- 
crat, but voted for John Quincy Adams in 182-t 
and in 1828 ; was afterward a Van Buren man. 
and, finally. :i Republican of the straitest 
sect ; and he always asserted and believed tliat 
j he had never changed his politics in the least. 
In religion, he was by education a Congrega- 
tionalist, but, while living in Portage Township, 
he and his wife united with the Baptists. In 
1824, Mr. Eyles and his wife assisted in form- 
ing the first Disciples' Church in Wadsworth, and 
each continued earnest and consistent members 
of that church during life. No citizen of Jle- 
dina County ever left a better example to those 
who should come after him than did Judge 
Eyles. 

David Ettinger was born in Lehigh Comity, 
Penn., January 8, 1S07; married Elizabeth 
Borbst ; second wife, Racliel Myers ; came to 
Wadsworth in 1832; establislied a manufactory 
of hats, which he carried on for twenty-five 
years ; still lives in Wadsworth. 

The Geissingers. — Henry Geissinger was 
born in Northampton County, Peiui., March 5, 
1786; married Elizabeth Kurtz; resided sev- 
eral years in Canada, whence he removed and 
settled in Wadsworth in 1825 ; he had a family 
of sixteen children ; he died April 28, 1872 ; of 
his children living in Ohio. David G.. born in 
Wadsworth in October, 1825, married Mary 
McAlpine and lives in Wadsworth Village ; Jo- 



fk 



us 



HI8T0KY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



seph, born in 1828. lives on the old homestead ; 
married Lydia Shieb. 

Hani Families. — Vbraiiam and l^ysander 
Hard came from Vermont in 1810, and 
settled in Wadswortli in 1818. Abraham was 
born in New Jlillford, Conn., July 7, ITCiC!; 
lie was a member of the Methodist Cliurch; 
lie died August 12, 1814, aged seventy-eight; 
Mrs. Hard died March 11, 1860, aged ninety- 
one. 

Lysander Hard, brother of Aliraiiam. was 
born in Connecticut, dale unknown. 

Children of Abraham Hard — Aun^lia. born 
January 4. 1791 : married William I'helps ; 
Sophia married Abel Johnson of Vermont ; 
came to Wadswortli a widow, in 1829, where her 
four children died ; oneof them, H. C. Johnson, 
was editor of the Wooster Ri puhlican and 
Sandusky Rigister. Cyrus Hard, born in Salis- 
bui-y. Vt, July 25. 1705 ; came to Wadsworth 
before his father, remained a brief time, and 
located in Middlebury. where he erected the 
liist fulling and carding works in this part of 
the Western Reserve ; he married Lydia Hart ; 
his carding and fulling works in Wadsworth 
are mentioned elsewhere ; he was a prominent 
citizen, several times elected Justice of the 
Peace ; died in August, 1865. Kosella. boru 
April 24. 1798; married Chauncey Hart. 
Abraham Hard, born in Berkshire, Vt.. Xovem- 
lier 2!), 1800; married Susan E. Burroughs; 
died January 28, 1850. Julia, born April 1, 
18(16 ; married Caleb Battles : resides in Akron. 
Laura, born January ii. 1809 ; married L. Al- 
len. Lucius Nelson, born in Berkshire May 
30, 1812; came with his father in 1818 ; mar- 
ried Rebecca Snyder; is a house joiner and 
architect : lives in Wadsworth. Dr. Moses K., 
born in Wadsworth August 10. 1818; edu- 
cated at Delaware College. Ohio. 

Children of Cyrus Hard — Dr. Hanson, born 
in 1821 : studied with Dr. G. K. Pardee; grad- 
uated at Cleveland Medical College ; [iracticed 
several veans in Ohio. Indiana. Illinois and Wis- 



consin. Jia Fayette, born in 1823 ; attorney at 
law ; studied with A. Pardee ; resides in Cali- 
ornia. Dr. E. G. studied with Dr. A. Fisher ; 
graduated at Cleveland ; practices at Medina. 
Pulaski C, is noticed under the head of at- 
torneys of Wadsworth ; married Sarah C. 
Wittner. Julia E. married Judge Don A. Par- 
dee, of New Orleans. Caroline, married George 
K. I'ardee, of Akron. Elbert J. Hard, born in 
1848 ; married Filla Deliart. 

The Hilliards. — Guidon Hilliard came to 
Wadsworth from Torriugton, Conn., in 1818, and 
settled in the north part of Wadsworth, where 
he lived till about 1835. when he removed to 
Michigan. He married Adeline Derthick ; sec- 
ond wife, Mrs. Birge. He is still living in Ohio, 
upward of eightj- years old, for several years 
past totall}' blind. 

Robert Hilliard, brother of Gurdon, born in 
Stonington, came about 1820. Married Alice K. 
Briggs ; died in February, 1874. The Hilliard 
brothers cleared a great quantit}- of land in the 
earh' days of the settlement. Children of Rob- 
ert Hilliard — Emily, born June 15, 1840 ; mar- 
ried I. H. Chandler. Henry H., born August 
21,1842; married Adele G. Pardee. Newton, 
born June 17. 1844 ; married Agnes Chandler. 
Jane, born March 28, 1849. 

Albert Hinsdale, son of Capt. Elisha Hins- 
dale, a soldier of the Revolution ; was born in 
Torriugton, Conn., July 18. 1809. Married 
Clarinda Eyles ; moved into the north part of 
Wadsworth in 1835, where he still resides. His 
children are — Burke A., born March 31, 1837; 
is Pi-esideutof Hiram College ; Rolden O., born 
April 30, 1844 ; now resides in Wadsworth. 

Louisa, born ; Wilbert B. was born Maj- 

23, 1851 ; now resides in Wadsworth. 

The Loomis Family. — Jo.seph Loomis, fifth 
generation from Joseph Loomis, a wool-draper 
from Braiiitree, England, who came to Wiiulsor, 
Conn., in 1G39 ; was born in Torriugton, Conn., 
January 19, 1767. .Married Clymena Taylor; 
came to Wadsworth in 1816 ; he was the fii'st 



>w 



y 1^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



449 



Justice of the Peace elected after the township 
was organized; died August 15, 1835. 

Orin hoomis. born in Torrington. Conn., No- 
vember IG, 1701 ; came to Wadswortli in 1815, 
where he resided till about 1840, when he moved 
to Mentor. Ohio, and in 18(56 removed to Old- 
town, 111. He married Mary Ann ilyles. He 
was closely identified with the early history of 
tlie township ; his hunting exploits have been 
mentioned elsewhere. 

Slierman Loomis, horn in Torrington, Conn., 
January 23, 1792 ; came in 181(j. Mamed 
Julia M. Mills ; second wife, Lodemia Sackett ; 
he was one of the leading men in the com- 
munitj- in the earl}- history of the town ; was 
Justice of the Peace for several j-ears, and 
Township Clerk and Trustee ; was universally 
respected ; he was one of the original mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and one of 
the first teachers in the schools of Wadsworth. 
He died February 13. 1851. 

Children of Orin Loomis — Oscar, born July 
24, 1825 ; married A. H. Randall ; Julia, mar- 
ried Luke Smith ; Joseph F., died in the army ; 
Edwin, Albert, Orin, and Frank went West. 

Children of Sherman Loomis — Erastus Ga}'- 
lord Loomis, born September 6, 1824 ; married 
Harriet Eliza Pardee ; he has always resided in 
Wadsworth. and been an enterprising business 
man. No one has done more to build up the 
town and develop the resources of prosperity 
than lie ; he was five j-ears a partner with John 
Pardee in mercantile business, and several 
years with his brother, E. H. Loomis. He is 
now engaged in coal mining in the Silver Creek 
Mining Company*. 

Harvey J. Loomis, born February 18, 1828. 
Married Sarah Ann Reasoner ; he was one of 
the early Free State men of Kansas ; has been 
several times a member of the State Ijegisla- 
ture, 

Edgar H. Loomis, born March 22, 1830. 
Married JIary A. Bryan ; second wife, Margaret 
J. Mills. Diecl August 19. 1871. 



Julia Loomis, born December 5, 1836. Mar- 
ried Joseph Schlabach; second husband, A. P. 
Steele. Mrs. Lodemia Loomis still lives with her 
daughter in Wadsworth. 

Capt. George Lyman was born in Torrington; 
Conn., August 1, 1790. Married Ophelia Cook ; 
came to Wadsworth in 1817; was the first 
Township Clerk, and one of the earliest school 
teachers. In 1821, he went to Canton, where 
he was engaged in teaching three years. He 
returned to Wadsworth and engaged in the 
manufacture of fanning-mills, which had an 
extensive sale. For a time, also, he engaged 
in mercantile business, and, in company with 
Cyrus Curtis, built a saw-mill on Holmes' 
Brook, which did considerable business. He 
also carried on a cabinet-shop several years, 
and afterward was engaged for several years in 
the manufacture of friction matches. Capt. 
Lyman was the first commander of the military 
companj- after it was organized for the town- 
ship. By his energy and enterprise, he did 
much toward the business prosperity of the 
place in its early history. He was one of the 
original members of the Congregational Church, 
and has continued an active, earnest member 
for fifty-five years. He has been Deacon of 
the church, and Sabbath school Superintendent 
more than thirty years. Mrs. Ljman died 
February, 1869, aged se\'enty-five. 

Children of Capt. Lyman. — Emily Charlotte, 
born December 15, 1812 ; was for several years 
a teacher in Wadsworth ; married Dr. John 
Brown; died February 23, 1838. Dr. C. N. 
Lyman, born in Wadsworth, May 14, 1819. 
His professional history is given in that of the 
ph}-sicians of Wadswortli ; married Caroline E. 
Beach. Has practiced as a physician in Wads- 
worth since 1843, except three years he spent 
in Medina. Dr. Lyman is extensively known 
and consulted as a physician among the first of 
his profession in Northern Ohio. 

The Miller Families. — Jacob Miller, a native 
of Pennsylvania, was born October 14. 1785. 



■^y 



^ 



450 




HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Married Sarali Luttman. Seeond wife. Mrs. 
Editha Warner: came to Wadswortli in I8I6 ; 
was a man of influence in the town for many 
}-ears, and a leadius member of tlie Lutheran 
Church ; died June 6. 1859. Children — George, 
born December 14, 1807 ; married Rebecca 
Baughman ; was engaged several years in mer- 
cantile business, in company with his brother, 
John Miller ; was Justice of the Peace ; now 
resides near Aln-on. David, born January 23, 
1810; married Martha Mills; was killed by 
the fall of a burning building in Akron, at 
which he was working as a member of a fire 
company, September 23, 1849. Catharine, born 
April 13, 1812: married Reuben Baughman. 
John, born December 1, 181G ; was a merchant 
in Wads worth; died August 8, 1841. Harriet, 
born March 3. 1820. Mary, born July 28. 1823. 
Married Alexander Beck. Aaron, born Decem- 
ber 3. 1825, died on the way to California, 
June 20. 1850. Susan, born December 4. 1834. 
Married Henry Parmelee ; lives in Wadsworth. 
The Mills Family. — Augustus Mills, was born 
in Norfolk. Conn.. August 10. 1772. Married 
Martha Pettibone ; came from Marcellus. X. Y., 
to Wadsworth in 1818. He opened a large 
farm and built the house where his gi'andson, 
Frank Mills, now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Mills 
were among the original members of the Con- 
gregational Church. He died August 16, 1849, 
aged seventA'-five. Mrs. Mills died April 6, 
1859, aged seventy-four. Children — Sylva, 
bom February 16,1 793 : was one of the earli- 
est teachers in Wadsworth ; married Lemuel 
North; died June 27, 1840. Col. HaiTy A. 
Mills, born in Norfolk, Conn., February 13, 
1795; came in 1816; mamed Harriet Ruggles ; 
second wife. Mrs. Rebecca Orevil. In 1844, 
four of his family were swept off by the epi- 
demic erysipelas, within eleven days. Mrs. 
Mills died April 11.1 844, aged forty-four. He 
died December 4, 1867, aged seventy-three. 
Julia A. Mills, liorn October 22, 1796; mar- 
ried Sherman Loomis ; died May 27. 1820. 



Philecta E., born April 7, 1799 ; married Daniel 
Warner; second husband, Jacob Miller, Mrs. 
Janet Christie, of Akron, is her only surviving 
child. Luman P. Mills, born in Norfolk, Conn,, 
February 9, 1801 ; married Sylva Pease ; sec- 
ond wife. Mary Hawkins ; he was one of the 
leading citizens of Wadswoith ; died October 
11, 1872. Philo 1>. Mills, born in Norfolk, 
Conn.. Jul}- 8, 1805 ; married Amoret Bates. 
William Mills, born in Norfolk October 22, 
1807 ; mai-ried Mrs. Lydia Hurlbutt ; resides in 
Richfield. :\Iartha Mills, born May 25. 1810 ; 
man-ied David Miller ; now lives in Toledo. 
Nancy Mills, born January 25, 1813; married 
Lorenzo D. Russell ; lives in Princeton, 111. 
Cyrus Curtis Mills, born August 2, 1818; 
married Harriet Hurlbutt ; second wife, Marj' 
Ann Harter; died ]\Iarch 7, 1S74. John L. 
Jlills, died May 7, 1855. aged thirty-four years. 

Children of Han-y A. Mills — Julia M., mar- 
ried Charles R. Sprague. Azor R., born Febru- 
ary 11, 1829; lives in Iowa. Capt. Henry A., 
born March 12, 1838: married Matilda C. 
Leaeock ; served in the war of the rebellion ; 
lives on the old homestead. 

Children of Luman P. Mills — Charles P.; 
Lurilla, born November 7. 1830; mamed W. 
F. Boyer ; lives in Wadsworth. Margaret, bom 
September 24, 1833 ; man-ied Edgar H. Loomis ; 
resides in Wadsworth. William D. and Ira H., 
reside near Marshalltown, Iowa. Luman G. re- 
sides in Wadsworth. Frank Mills, son of Philo 
P.. was born May 14, 1836: married Julia 
Grotz ; resides in Wadsworth. 

William McGalliard came from Kentucky to 
.Middlobury. Married Ann Newcomb ; came 
to Wadsworth in 1831 ; was a tailor: died in 
Illinois. James McGalliard, son of William, 
born March 19, 1821: married Viola Eyles; 
died February 27, 1855. John McGalliard, 
father of William, died in Wadsworth in 1834, 
aged seventy-three. 

The Xewcomb Family. — Rev. Obadiah New 
comb, born in Amherst, Nova Scotia, 1774. 






J- 



HISTORY OF MEDIJJA COUNTY. 



4.51 



Married Elinor Bishop ; came to Wadsvvorth in 
1820 ; purchased a farm in the north part of 
the township. The first Baptist Clinrch was 
organized under his ministry. Afterwai'd the 
Disciples' Church ; he was an able preacher ; his 
services were sought on funeral occasions, more 
than those of all other ministers, for several 
years; died October 2, 1847, aged seventy- 
three. Mrs. Newcomb died October 11, 1849, 
aged sevent3--nine. Children — Hannah, bom 
in Nova Scotia September 12, 1799 ; married 
Richard Clark ; lives in Wadsworth. Ann, 
born October 8, 1801 ; married William Mc- 
Galliard : lives in Illinois. James, born Mai'ch 
11, 1804; married Harriet Bennett; lives in 
Hiram. Margaret, born June 2, 1806; mar- 
ried Julius Sumner, of Middleluiry. Susau, 
born September 19. 1808; married Augustas 
Pardee. Statira, born March 31, 1811 ; mar- 
ried Henry Clapp ; lives in Mentor. Matilda, 
born December 24, 1813; married W. M. 
Eyles ; died November 22, 1847. 

The Pardee Families. — The Pardee brothers 
were, in the earl^- days of Wadsworth, among 
the leading men in the town. There were orig- 
inall}' ten brothers, sons of Ebenezer and Ann 
Pardee, of Norfolk, Conn., who moved to Skan- 
eateles, N. Y.; seven of them lived in Wads- 
worth. 

Sheldon Pardee was born in Norfolk April 
21,1788. Married Sally Weisner ; was engaged 
in mercantile business in Elbridge and in Ged- 
des ; was several years employed as salt in- 
spector at Sj'racuse, N. Y.; he moved to Wads- 
worth, and died Jlaj- 6, 1834 ; his family removed 
to Michigan. 

Judge Allen Pardee was born in Norfolk 
February 7, 1790 ; removed to Wadsworth in 
1818. Married Phebe Foster, who died ia 1844; 
second wife was Mrs. Louisa (Bates) Wilcox. 
In 1826, he and his brother John set up the 
first store in Wadsworth. In 1 830, the Pardees 
built a flouring-mill (now Yoder's). which he 
carried on about thirtv years ; he also built 



one in Copley, and a carding and cloth-dressing 
works. Judge Pardee was fourteen years Asso- 
ciate Judge of the county, and fifteen years 
Justice of the Peace ; from his earliest resi- 
dence he has been one of the most active busi- 
ness men. and a leading man in the community; 
he still enjoys a vigorous old age, in his ninety- 
first year. 

John Pardee was born in Norfolk February 
20, 1796. Married Eunice Chamberlain ; came 
from Marcellus, N. Y., to Wadsworth, in 1824; 
was in mercantile business upward of thirty 
years, under the firms of A. & J. Pardee, A., J. 
& E. Pardee, J. Pardee, and Pardee & Loomis ; 
he was a ver}' capable business man ; held the 
office of Justice of the Peace and Postmaster 
for a long time. In 1859. he removed to Par- 
deeville, Wis., where he spent the remainder of 
his life ; Mrs. Pardee died about 1868 ; he died 
June 24, 1873. 

Ebenezer Pardee was born in Skaneateles, N. 
Y., August 8, 1802. Married Almira Brace ; 
he began business in Cleveland about 1825 ; 
was in mercantile business in Canton, and in 
banking in Wooster; came to Wadsworth in 
1834, and went into business with his brothers ; 
he afterward owned and lived upon a large 
farm east of Western Star, now owned by Dr. 
Hill ; removed to Rochester, Penn., where Mrs. 
Pardee died, when he returned to Wadsworth, 
and died September 5, 1865. 

Augustus Pardee was born in Skaneateles, 
August, 1804. Married Susan Newcomb ; set 
up business as a saddler ; came to Wadsworth 
in 1832, and carried on the same business about 
thirtj' years. 

Dr. George K. Pardee was l)orn September 
23, 1806. But few men accomplished more in 
a short life than he. He was a man of mark 
in the county ; studied medicine in his native 
town (Skaneateles, N. Y.) with Dr. Evelyn 
Porter ; was admitted to practice as physician 
at the early age of twentj' years ; came to 
Wadsworth in 1826, where his professional life 



'K 



^f 



,^ 



452 



IIISTOIiY OF MEDIXA COINTY. 



was spent ; liis wife was Susan Thomas, who 
still survives hiiu ; he left no children ; died 
October 3, 1840. 

Aaron Pardee was Ijorn in Skanoatc^les, N. Y.. 
October 8. 1808 ; came with his brother John 
in 1825 ; married Eveline Kyles, who died Sep- 
tember 18. 1873. 

Children of Allen Pardee — William N., born 
Jul\' 30. 1812 ; was a lawyer, and held the 
oHice of Clerk' of iMedina County : married 
Livonia E. Clark ; second wife, (Jaroline Par- 
dee ; died in Michigan. Eugene was Iwrn Oc- 
tober 5, 1814 ; attorney at law ; married Eleanor 
Ta\lor : resided in 'Wooster thirty-five years, 
in professional business. Lauraette was born 
March 11, 1817 : married Rev. J. H. Jones. 
Ann S. was born February 24. 1818 ; married 
Homer King : resides in Wadsworth. Norman 
C. was born May 9, 1830 ; lives in Wadsworth. 
Marj' E. was born April 13. 1832 ; married Rev. 
J. F. Rowe ; resides in Akron. 

Children of Jolui Pardee — Caroline, born 
1816 ; married William X. Pardee ; died in 
Michigan. 1847. John S.. born 1818; married 
Emeliiie Benedict ; was several years a mer- 
chant in Milwaukee, Wis.; located a village in 
Wisconsin called Pai'dceville ; was appointed 
United States Consul at San Juan. Nicaragua, 
and died there September, 1854. Emily, born 
February 22, 1825 ; married Asahel Hanchet. 
Minerva, born February, lS2r); married Joseph 
Utley. Charles, born Septeml)er 29, 1829 ; Vir- 
ginia married Yates Ashley : Jane married (!. 
W. Vilas. 

Children of Ebenezer Pardee — Harriet E., 
born in Wadsworth, .July 23, 1S34 ; married 
E. G. Loomis. Richard H., born in Wadsworth^ 
January 13, 183G ; married Nellie Ketchuni : 
resides at Waterloo, Iowa, Catharine, born in 
Wadsworth. May 13, 1839 ; married Dr. John 
Hill, of Western Star. Mary E.. liorn at Woos- 
ter. February 10,1841 ; married Lucian Moses, 
of Skaneateles, N. Y. James K., born at Woos- 
ter Februarv 26.1815; married Maria Lukins ; 



lives in .^lontana. Joseph W.. born at Woos- 
ter May 12, 1845 ; died in California. Ephraim 
Q., born April 2, 1847; married Jennie Hall; 
lives in Petroit. Elizabeth J., born January 
4, 1849 ; married James H. Reed. Marion 
Ohio. 

Children of .\aron Pardee — William E.. born 
June ti, 1829; married Helen S, Dickey; was 
an attornc}-, residing in Cleveland ; died April 
0, 1800. Henry Chiy, born April 27, 1831; 
married Catharine Ilouck ; attorney at law and 
Auditor of Medina County. Almira S., born 
January 17, 1835; married John G. Houston, 
Don A., born March 29. 1837; married Julia 
E. Hard. George K., born March 1. 1830; 
married Caroline C. Hard : attorney; resides 
in Akron. Frances, born December 25. 1844; 
married P. ^■. Wilkins. Mrs. Wilkins died. 
Ella N.. born September 5, 1850 ; married Dr. 
Wallace A. Briggs. SutliffE., born September 
14, 1852; married Olivia Donat. 

Siineox Families. — Three brothers by that 
name were among the earlj' pioneers — Mit'hael, 
Benjamin and William. Michael removed to 
Hai'risville ; Benjamin lived upward of thirty 
j'ears in Wadsworth ; died in Ilarrisville. Chil- 
dren — -lerusha, married John Brown : still 
lives in Wadsworth. Peregrine Pickle lives in 
Harrisville ; Betsy married John D. Haynes ; 
moved West. William Simcos, born in Penn- 
sylvania, in 1792 ; came in 1816; married Es- 
ther Roliinsou ; second wife, Margaret Wheeler; 
died Februar}- 6, 1855, Children — Resin B., 
married Rebecca Heath ; Nancy, born 1820 ; 
married Joseph Bolich. Talhert, born August 
31,1822; married Hannah Baughnian ; resides 
in Wudsworlfi. 

Spillman Family. — James Spillman came 
from Ireland; married Nancy O'Brien; was 
one of the earliest settlers in Wadsworth. .Mr. 
and Mrs. Spillman were among the earliest 
members of the Methodist Church. Children — 
John married Abigail Ward ; Charles. Mitchell, 
Heurv and Robert ; none of them remained in 






k. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



453 



this vicinity. Dr. Henrj' Spillman, fourth son, 
rose to considerable distinction as a physician ; 
married Laura Ann Brown ; died at Jlodina. 

Haney B. .Spillman. son of Buel Spilhuan, a 
native of Connecticut, was for several years a 
merchant in Wadsworth : married Lucy Ilenrj'. 

Snell Family. — Isaac Snell, born in Rhode 
Island, 1786 ; married Abigail Chapman ; re- 
sided several years in Westfield ; came to 
Wadsworth in 1829 ; was Justice of the Peace 
and County Commissioner; died April 17, 
1851. Children — Job, born 1807 ; married 
Sarah Belden ; died in California. Isaac M., 
born February 16, 1811 ; married Xancy A. Hill- 
iard ; died April 24, 1873. Martin, born 1813 ; 
married Eliza Da\is ; second wife, Mrs. Laura 
Ann (Brown) Spillman. Marv, died 1835, aged 
eighteen ; Chauucey married Ann Scott ; lives 
in California. James S., died March 25, 1849, 
aged twenty -two. 

Tyler Family. — Benjamin Tyler, bora in 
Uxbridge. Mass., February 22, 1 796 ; came with 
his brothers, Parker and Solomon, and first set- 
tled in Norton ; moved to Wadsworth in 1825j 
married Mrs. Olive (Brown) Bartlett, who died 
August 21, 1874. He was for fifty-seven j-ears 
a member of the Methodist Church; died in 
1875. Children — Joseph, born 1822 ; mairied 
Eliza Ann Williams ; lives in Wadsworth. Sol- 
omon, born 1824 ; Rpsina, married Amos Hart. 

The Turner Famih'. — Alexander Turner was 
bom in New York March 29, 1797. Married 
Betsy French; came to Wadsworth in 1825; 
Mrs. Turner died November 7. 1S71. aged sixty- 
nine. Children — Alonzo, born August 4. 1822. 
lives in Idaho; Maria L., born February 22, 
1826. married Charles B. Curtis ; Jasper, born 
April 14, 1838. lives in Missouri ; J. Q. A. Tur- 
ner, born April 1. 1841, married Mary Etta 
Traver. 

The Warner Famil}-. — Salmon Warner was 
born in Westmoreland, N. Y., April 26. 1 764. 
Married Lucina Field ; moved from Fairfield, 
Vt.. to Wadsworth. in 1815. He died Decem- 



ber 5, 1839 ; Mrs. Warner died September 28. 
1829, aged fiftj'-nine. 

Children of Salmon Warner — Harriet, born 
in Vermont about 1790, was unmarried ; died 
in Iowa, 1870 ; Lamira, married (Jliver Dur- 
ham ; Reuben F., born in Fairfield, Vt, August 
26,1794; came with his father in 1815. He 
was four times married — first wife, Hannuli 
Bartholomew ; second, Sarah Reese ; third, JIrs 
Chloe (Bartholomew) Griffin ; fourth, Susan 
Reese. He died September 28, 1838. Lucina 
married Alvin Agard ; Salmon Warner, Jr., 
joined the Mormons and went with them to Salt 
Lake, where he died in 1871. Capt. Daniel 
Warner, born in Vermont. 1800 ; married Phi- 
lecta E. Mills ; died August 30, 1839. Orpha. 
born 1804, died 1826 ; Horatio, born November 
1, 1806 ; moved to Iowa ; was for some time 
Sheriff of Clayton Count3% and held other 
offices of trust. Dr. Amos Warner, born 1808 ; 
studied with Dr. A. Fisher, of Western Star, 
and practiced in compan}- with him at that 
place ; married 3Irs. Esther (Carter) Griswold ; 
removed to Gamavillo, Iowa ; was an able 
phj-sician and highly respected. He was killed 
by being thrown from a carriage. 

Children of Reuben F. Warner — Elmer A., 
born 1822 ; married Antoinette Crittenden ; 
lives in Iowa. Bennett B., born 1824 ; married 
Eliza Cogshall ; resides in Massillon, Ohio. 

The Wall Famil}-. — Christopher Wall was born 
in Germany, November 27, 1779 ; died in Wads- 
worth October 24, 1853. Children — John, born 
December 24, 1804 ; married Mary W. Baugh- 
man ; still lives in Wadsworth. Marj", born 
1806 ; married Jonathan Everhard. 

Children of John Wall — Paul, born August 
6, 1830 ; man-ied Isabella Ruthaker ; resides 
in Wadsworth. Daniel, born November 3, 1835 ; 
married Abigail Geiger ; resides in Wadsworth. 

Hon. Philo Welton was born in Waterbury, 
Conn., March 7, 1782. Married Sarah Blakes- 
lee ; was a Colonel in the war of 1812 ; was 
one of the earliest settlers of Montville ; after- 



454 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



ward moved to Wadsworth, and owned the 
farm late the residence of Orlando Beach. He 
was for man}- years one of the leading men of 
the count}'. Was twice Representative in the 
Legislature, and served one term as Associate 
Judge. He died September, 19, 1852. IMrs. 
Welton died 1852, aged sixty-four. Children — 
Sally, born 1806 ; married Caleb Chase, second 
husband, Nathaniel Bell ; now lives in Iowa. 
Dr. William S. H. Welton, married Caroline 
Crocker ; practiced medicine several years in 
this count}' ; now lives in Iowa. Susan, born 
September 15. 1815 ; married Orlando Beach. 



The Weeks Families. — Three brothers of that 
name came about 1818 from Vermont. They 
were men of great strength and vigor ; were 
carpenters. John Moody Weeks married Mar- 
tha Dennett. Leavitt Weeks, born about 17!M ; 
married Celestia Ta}lor, of Norton ; worked as 
a carpenter many ye^rs in company with his 
brother, Peter Weeks ; the greater part of the 
barns and houses of the earlier years were 
erected by the Weeks brothers. He died in 
1870. His son. George Weeks, lives in 
Akron. 



CHAPTER XL* 

r.riLFORD TOWNSHIP — TOPOGK.M'IIV AND UOUND.M'.V— ! lltRllNAL PR0P1!IET(>K.« - ITS SKTTM:- 

!\II:NT and (iliGANl/.ATKlN — the ANNALS OF A fjUlET NEICHBOKHOOD — 

OKDilN OF SIOVILI.E— (il'.OWTM OK THE VILLAGE — 

CHLRCH ANI> SCIIOOI, INTERESTS. 

A LL persons possessing ordinary intclli- gained ; as all men are more interested in the 
-^^^ gence, as they arrive at the age of un- community immediately surrounding their own 
derstanding, become students of history, not to homes, and to which their acquaintance extends, 



the same extent, nor in the same manner, but 
usually in keeping with their general mental 
culture, by such means as are at their com- 
mand, and always for the purpose of gaining a 
knowledge of past events, and with the expect- 
ation of being benefited thereby. The pro- 



"^ 



than to any other portion of the world, so a his- 
tory is of a general or local interest to the ex- 
tent that it treats of subjects which are of a 
general or local nature. A history of the world 
is of general interest to the inhabitants of the 
entire globe, while the histor}' of a State is 



fessor and the student, the aristocrat and the more particularly beneficial to the people of 

man of toil, the statesman and his most hum- that particular State, and so of the history of 
l)le constituent, alike pore over the pages of j a township or county. The immediate descend- 

the history of their own and other countries, ants of those enterprising fathers and mothers 

and find therein mucli that is Ijcnelicial to them who carvcid our present homes out of the un- 

in their many and varied callings. While the broken wilderness, naturally have more sympa- 

unlettered savage of the forest and desert, liy thy for their sufferings, privations and discour- 



listening to the discour.scs of tho.sc older in 
years than himself. Ixicomes learned in the 
legends tiial hav(> l)een handed down from one 
generation to anotlun-, and is intluenced largely 
in his acts through life by his knf)wledge thus 

' (*initril.tit<-(l I'V J. T. Oriives. 



agements, than would others. So those de- 
scendants take more pride in contemplating the 
many deeds of heroism, in.stances of self-denial 
and final triumphs of those ancestors, during 
their early experiences in the woods, than 
would those who were in no wav connected 



^fv* 



A 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



455 



with them. As hallowed associations seem to 
cluster more and more around the memory of 
the scenes of our youthful days, as time grad- 
ually' removes us from them, so " distance lends 
enchantment to the view" of that, to us, im- 
portant epoch of the past, the time of tlie first 
settlement of our county and township, as those 
daj-s and the e\ents tliat then transpired, seem 
to recede from us. Being admonished that 
sources now existing, from which to gather ma- 
terial for a historj- of that period, are rapidly 
slipping awaj' beyond our reach, and as it re- 
quires a vivid imagination, even when assisted 
bj' the narration as it falls from the lips of the 
pioneer, to set aside the picture that is now 
presented to the eye of the beholder, as he 
views this beautiful Chippewa Valley and the 
hills adjacent to it, and draw one of them, as 
they appeared when clothed with nature's adorn- 
ments, and during the process of, and shortlj- 
after their removal, the necessity for a written 
history covering that period, becomes apparent, 
as it will tend to refresh the recollections of 
those who have helped to make it, and be of 
use to others wlio will live when the tongue of 
the last narrator who can tell the story from 
personal recollection, shall have been hushed in 
death for ages. 

As many of the events herein treated of are 
not matters of record, some dates have been 
arrived at bj' calculation and from recollection, 
and that there are some inaccuracies, is quite 
probable. Yet it will be well for those who are 
disposed to criticise, to bear in mind the fact 
that the}' maj' also be mistaken, and on that 
account be charitaljle. 

The territory now comprising the township 
of Guilford was, prior to its being organized as 
such, known as No. 1, in Range 14, in the West- 
ern Reserve. 

It was purchased, originally, by four individ- 
uals ; Mr. Roger Newberrj', of Windham, Conn., 
owned the southeast quarter , Justin VAey, of 
Springfield. Mass., the southwest quarter ; 



Enoch Perkins, of Hartford, Conn., the north- 
east quarter; and Elijah White, of Hudson, 
Conn., northwest quarter. It is situated in the 
soutli central portion of .Medina County, and 
bounded on the east by Wadsworth, west by 
We.stfield, north by Montville, and south by Mil- 
ton, in Wayne County. The land throughout al- 
most the entire township is of a good quality for 
farming purposes, and produces well all of the 
products adapted to this climate. The Chip- 
pewa Bottoms extend for some distance each 
side of the creek of the same name, and along 
these flats ai'e to be found many of the most 
valuable farms in Northern Ohio. The soil is 
strong, durable, and especially adapted to the 
raising of corn, of which valuable grain thou- 
sands of bushels are shipped yearlj-, besides 
much that is taken by teams to the central and 
northern portions of the county. Potatoes are 
extensively cultivated, and, for the last decade, 
a great amount of tobacco has Ijeen raised in 
this valley, the sandy ridges that are to be 
found in almost every field having been found 
to produce a quality of this article that com- 
pares very favorably with the famous seed-leaf 
of Connecticut. The high lands on either side 
of the valley are considered rather superior to 
the low lands for the production of wheat and 
oats, as less straw is produced, on which ac- 
count there is less danger of injury to the grow- 
ing crop, resulting from storms of wind and 
rain. The character of the land along the Hub- 
bard Creek Valley' is similar to that just de- 
scribed. In the northern and central portions 
of the township, claj' predominates to some ex- 
tent, and the farmers use more fertilizing sub- 
stances, and exercise more care in cropping. 
The extreme eastern portion descends into the 
River Styx Vallej', and there the land is of the 
best quality for nearly all purposes. The en- 
tire township was originallj- heavily timbered, 
all the varieties natural to this latitude l)eing 
found in abundance, and of fine proportions. 
This necessarily made the clearing of land very 



:re 



£U 



456 



IIT.STORY OF MEDINA COrXTY, 



laborious, and yet the eai'ly settlers seem to 
have undertaken the task cheerfully, and with 
the determination to overcoin(> all obstacles. 
The first white man who caiiu' to No. 1, 
with the ol)jeot in \k'\v of there making for 
himself a future home, was Ilenrj' Hosmer. lie 
was born on the 22d of May, 1703, in Massa- 
chusetts, and, in his youth, had often listened 
to stories of frontier life, as told at liis father's 
fireside by his unele, who had removed with his 
family to Central New York. As tliat section 
of country was at that time almost an unbi'oken 
wilderness, this uncle, who occasionalh' re- 
turned East, of course had nuich to tell of hard- 
ships that he and his family had experienced, 
and instances of personal adventure through 
which he had passed. Those narratives fired 
the young Henry's heart with an admiration for 
frontier life to such an extent that he then and 
there formed the resolution that, " as soon as 
he was old enough, he would go West," and, 
during the many long years that he remained 
with his father thereafter, laboring upon the 
old farm, he seems not to have changed 
his mind, for, upon his twenty-third birthday, 
it being the 22d day of May, 181G, he shoul- 
dered his knapsack, and, in company with one 
William Trail, a young man about the same age 
as himself, commenced the journey on foot to 
this 'then far-off and"almost unknown region. 
On arri\ing at iJuffalo, which place was then 
only a small village and the end of all stage 
lines, they found tiiat llicic were but four sail- 
ing vessels upon the lake, and that there was 
but little regularity to their arrival and depart- 
ure. Tiiere was one small vessel in the harbor, 
owned in Cleveland and commanded by a Capt. 
Graves, of Newl)urg, that place being larger 
than Cleveland at that time. The vessel was 
laden, and only waiting for a favorable breeze 
to waft her on iier way homeward. The young 
men waited two days in order to take passage 
on Iioard her to Ck^veland, at the entl of which 
time, lindin<f the wind still unfavorable, and 



her speed}' departure verN' improbable, they 
again swung their knapsacks upon their backs 
and started on foot for Ohio. The country 
through which thej- were now to pass was al- 
most a wilderness, except that occupied by the 
Cattaraugus Indians, they luiviug so far ap- 
proached civilization as to cultivate the soil 
somewhat. The Ohio line was crossed at last, 
and the first night in this State passed at Mes- 
opotamia. On leaving there the next morning, 
they found that their course lay through a 
dense forest, and, as the da}- passed and no 
clearing was reached, they continued their walk, 
and, as night came on, it l)eoame very dark, and 
soon they commenced to hear what were to 
them strange noises from the surrounding 
woods, in all directions. Supposing them to 
be the cry of some species of the owl peculiar 
to this country, the travelers plodded on their 
way, and at last arrived at a house at midnight, 
where they obtained lodging. Here they learned 
that the strange noises that had attracted their 
attention in the woods were the howls of wolves, 
and that persons were often attacked by them 
u\um that road ; that, shortly before, a man 
was passing through there on horseback, and, 
being attacked by them, was obliged to keep 
them off with an umbrella, it being his onlv 
weapon, but that he finallj- escaped, with his 
pantaloons nearly torn off. and with his legs bad- 
ly scratched. As the young men sat there in that 
cabin and listened to that woodsman's tales, 
they began to think that they were, truly, in a 
new country, and that they had already had one 
" hair-l)readth escape," Having reached Trum- 
bull County, they found l)ut few roads open in 
any direction, and those that were open had 
but little in tiieir appearance or condition to en- 
title tliem to the luune. While traveling througli 
Newton, Trail mounted a prt)strate log, in outer 
thus to get over a low, wet piece of ground, 
and. when he had proceeded about half the 
length of the log, he slipped off, and came down 
in the thicket of tall weeds, astride of a fawn. 



^rt*" 



^1 



4. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



457 



What then ensued is thus described by Mr. 
Hosmer : ■' They were both ver^' much fright- 
ened. The deer jumped and bleat3d most pit- 
eousl^', while Trail scrambled to regain the log, 
screaming at the top of his voice. For a short 
time, it was a most laughable scene. The fawn, 
finally, being more considerate than his human 
trespasser, went away a few feet, where it qui- 
etly laj' down, while Trail was so badly fright- 
ened that he was also obliged to lie down. 
While he was thus resting, I caught the fawn 
and brought it to him. It was very beautiful, 
and appeared to have recovered entirely from 
its fright. After amusing ourselves with it for 
a few miuutes, we started on our way, and were 
surprised to see the fawn follow us like a dog, 
nor could we drive it back. I finally carried it 
back, placed it behind the log. and, by running, 
finally got away from it." 

The settlements through that region of 
country were from five to thirty miles apart, 
and, owing to the bad roads, traveling was a 
very slow and tedious business, and nuist have 
full3- tested the pluck of those 3'oung men, who 
had never had any experience of the kind Ije- 
fore. Notwithstanding all this, they pressed on, 
and, after a continuous walk of eighteen days, 
arrived at Warren, where the}' remained a few 
days, when they again started westward and 
came to Tallmadge, in Portage County. Thence 
to Canton, Stark Count}', thence westward 
again, through Wooster and Ashlanil, to Mans- 
field, where there was simply one log house. 
While on the way through Ashland County, 
a little incident occurred, which, in Mr. Hos- 
mer's own language, was as follows ; " While 
passing through a small prairie, about sunrise, 
we saw some object approaching us. but just 
what it was we could not determine, owing to 
the height of the vegetation. ^Making a halt, 
we soon saw a large bear rise up on his hind- 
legs, and, folded in his fore-legs, he was carry- 
ing a liog that he had evidently just killed. We 
raised a loud shout, whereupon he dropped his 



plunder and fled. The weight of the hog was 
certainly more than one hundred pounds." On 
the same day, another, as follows : " When near 
where New London now stands, we heard a hog 
squeal, not far from the trail in which we were 
traveling, and neara cabin. We frightened away 
the bear, and a 3'ouug man at the cabin, hear- 
ing our shouts, came out with his gun and shot 
it." Still continuing in a northerly' direction, 
they arrived at the place where Norwalk now 
stands, which place they passed, and stopped 
for the night at a house not far distant there- 
from. This was on the 3d daj- of July, and 
they there learned that the inhabitants of Ridge- 
ville and the surrouuiliug couutr}' had made 
preparations to celebrate the Fourth. 

Here was an opportunity afforded for a slight 
departure from the monotony of continuousl}' 
tramping through the woods, and, starting earlj- 
the next morning, thej' determined, if possible, 
to reach Ridgeville in time to participate in the 
dance that was to take place in the evening. 
In this, however, they failed entirely, as they 
did not reach the town until near time for 
breakfast on the following morning. The danc- 
ing party was still there, as the homes of many 
were several miles away, and traveling through 
the woods at night not at all pleasant, if possi- 
ble. After breakfast, when the party began 
making preparations to depart, the jouug 
■'down-easters" found themselves, more fully 
than ever before, facing some of the amusing 
realities of new-country life, as they beheld the 
various and novel modes of conve3'ance. Some 
of the ladies rode on horseback, while their 
escorts went on foot. lu several instances, a 
lady and gentleman rode together upon one 
horse, on saddle and pillion. There were sev- 
eral wagons, some of which were drawn by 
horses and others by oxen. The last load to 
depart was one upon a sled drawn b}' two yoke 
of oxen. Large bundles of straw placed upon 
the sled, afforded seats for the ladies, while the 
gentlemen all went on foot. This load was 






t±^ 



458 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



from Columbia, seven miles distant. This was, 
in cveiy sense of the word, a new-country 
party. No superfluous articles of dress adorned 
the ladies, and no rough language or unbecom- 
ing conduct was indulged in by the gentlemen. 
Mauj- of them had been reared and educated 
in the East, and found it just as easj' to be 
ladies and gentlemen in the woods, as in the 
midst of civilization in Mas.sachusetts and Con- 
necticut. On leaving Ridgeville, Messrs. Hos- 
mer and Trail proceeded to Cleveland, where 
they found the little vessel for which they had 
waited in Buffalo, and found that it had arrived 
but a few days in advance of them. This was 
long before the first steamboat had been 
launched upon the waters of Lake Erie. At 
Cleveland, those two young men, who had jour- 
neyed so many miles together through the woods, 
separated. Mr. Hosmer returned to Tallmadge, 
where he remained a few days, when he started 
through the woods and alone, for No. 1, or 
what is now (luilford, where he arrived on the 
13th day of July. Having arrived upon the 
grounds now occupied by the village of Seville, 
he stopped upon the north side of Hubbard 
Creek, a few rods from where the new iron 
bridge now is, and, as he says, •• Standing there 
in the midst of the primeval forest, which 
seemed to be rejoicing in the glory of midsum- 
mer, and gazing up and down the two streams 
whose waters went bubbling and rippling on 
their waj-, with none save the denizens of the 
forest to hear, and listening to the songs of 
wild birds, with which the forest seemed to be 
Hooded. I thought I had indeed found the para- 
dise for which I iiad longed, and of which T had 
dreamed.' Crossing to the south side of the 
Hubbard, he turned westward to tiie Chippewa, 
which he found too deep to be forded. He 
then walked down this stream a few rods, when 
he came to a large elm-tree that was lying en- 
tirely across it. Tpon this he passed over, and 
ascended the little hill upon the west sitle, and 
there, amid the line tin\l)er that covered it. he 



soon selected the site upon which his present 
residence now stands, and where he has resided 
for more than threescore years. Having thus 
found the spot upon which, as he says, ''he 
felt that he would be content to live and die," 
he returned to Tallmadge, where he remained 
until fall, visiting this place twice more during 
the summer. In October, he started on foot for 
New England, where he arrived in due time, 
when he made an estimate of the distance he 
had traveled, and found that he had taken a 
nice little walk of 2,000 miles. The following 
incident, as related Ijy him. illustrates ver3' 
fairly- the average ideas of Eastern people re- 
specting life in the "Far West." He says: 
'' When mj' mother gave me the parting hand 
and blessing, as I was leaving home for the 
first time, she also charged me to he very care- 
ful not to enter any house where the people 
had fever and ague, as I might take it. Con- 
trarj-, however, to mj- mother's injunction, as 
we were traveling through the woods one hot, 
sultry day toward the last of June, we stopped 
at a house for the purpose of resting, and, upon 
entering, to our astonishment, beheld a man 
sitting, or rather crouching, over a blazing fire, 
with a large blanket thrown over him, his whole 
frame shivering, his teeth chattering, and his 
general appearance indicating that he was very 
cold, while we were sutfering with the intense 
heat. ^Ve found, upon inquiry, that this man 
had fever and ague. 1 then recollected my 
mother's cautioning charge, but it was too late. 
I was exposed to the fe\er and ague. It was 
the first case of tiie kind we h;id ever seen." 
During the few months that he remained at 
home, tiiere was. doubtless, much talk in the 
family and neighborhood about this new Ohio 
countiy. of its natural beauty, line soil, excel- 
lent water, abundance of choice timber, etc., the 
result of which was the forming of a little band 
of young people who concluded to leave the 
comforts of civilization, and the "dear ones at 
home " and -follow the star of empire." 



■fv* 




^GE 88 YEARS. 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



461 



Accordingl}-, on the last daj- of Decemlier, 
1816, Heury Hosmer, Chester Hosmer and 
Jlar}- Y. Hosmer, brothers and sister, Shubael 
Porter and his sister, Abigail, Moses Noble and 
Lj-man Munson, started with a two-horse team 
for Ohio. It being in midwinter, traveling 
was very tedious, as a matter of course, and 
yet, under all of the discouraging circum- 
stances attending their enterprise, those brave 
boys and girls severed the ties that bound them 
to their friends and the scenes and associations 
of their earlier j'ears and faced the darkness 
and dangers of the wilderness toward which 
they were traveling. 

After having been upon the road about a 
month, they arrived at Wadsworth, within 
what is now Medina County, and stopped with 
Salmon "Warner, who had settled there in 1815. 
On the J:th of February, 1817, leaving the girls 
at Wadswoi'th, the J'oung men started to come 
to this place, but encampeil upon the center 
road near the Hubbard Creek. 

On the following morning, they came down 
the valley to whei'e Seville now is. An Indian 
village, consisting of about a dozen lodges, oc- 
cupied the south bank of the Hubbard, and one 
of these lodges they purchased, giving therefor 
two canisters of gunpowder. This lodge thej' 
fitted up for temporary use, and at once com- 
menced building a log cabin on the creek bank, 
a few rods east of the present railroad track. 
As their axes were about the onlj- tools they 
possessed, the building of their cabin progressed 
slowl}-, but, being finally completed, on the last 
da}' of Februar}- Chester Hosmer and Shubael 
Porter started for Wadsworth with the teams 
to bring over the girls and the household goods. 
On the morning of the 1st day of March, they 
accordinglv started for their cabin, and, as they 
were crossing the River Styx, the weather hav- 
ing become much warmer, the ice broke, precip- 
itating the horses into the water. Having suc- 
ceeded in getting them out. and not knowing 
just how to proceed; Porter started for the cabin 



for assistance, while Hosmer remained to 
guard the team and goods. The girls, be- 
coming impatient, started on foot for the cabin, 
thinking it but a short distance, while they had, 
in fact, about six miles to walk. 

On being informed by Porter of the sad state 
of affairs at the Styx. Henry Hosmer and Ly- 
man Munson huiTied away to Chester's assist- 
ance, and, when near the present center of Guil- 
ford, met the girls, tired, in tears and with their 
clothes loaded with snow and mud. After cheer- 
ing them on their waj-. the young men pressed 
on to the scene of the disaster, and, on arriving 
there, proceeded to fell a tree across the 
stream, upon which they carried their goods 
across. One end of a long rope was then tied 
around the neck of a horse, and the other end 
carried across the stream, when, by a united 
pull and push, they succeeded in getting the 
animal into the water and over upon the other 
side. The same process was repeated upon the 
other horse, the sled dragged through, the goods 
reloaded and another start made for the cabin, 
where thej- arrived at 10 o'clock in the evening, 
the girls having arrived a few hours in advance 
of them, weary and discouraged. 

Such was the arrival of those 3"oung people 
at the wilderness home of which thej- had talked 
and speculated in their New England homes. 
Not only was their arrival of a discouraging 
nature, for they soon found themselves in some- 
thing of a dilemma, as the breaking-up of the 
ice had destro}"ed all means of egi-ess from their 
settlement except on foot, and their provision 
chest needed replenishing, as they had brought 
but a small supply with them, intending, as 
soon as the}' were settled, to send to Canton 
for a fresh stock. Shubael Porter, having 
learned that some hunters had killed a bear 
some distance up Hubbard Creek, went up the 
valley, found the carcass, and carried a portion 
of it home, thus affording temporary relief 
Heury Hosmer and Moses Noble then went to 
Wadsworth and there learned that one David 



^^ 



^1 



*■ 



462 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Slanker was erecting a mill some distance south- 
west of that place, and tliat some other families 
had gone on still farther west. They started 
for the new mill, which was on the land now 
owned h\ Mr. Hershey. and. on arriving there, 
learned that one William Doyle had gone into 
Milton, and that he had bridged the Styx on a 
line due west from that jjoiut. Following on, 
the}- soon reached the bridge and crossed over, 
but as the onlj- visible trail led in a southerly 
direction, they started, without guide or com- 
pass, through the dense forest for home. Tak- 
ing a northerly course and marking the trees 
as thej- proceeded, they at last reached the pres- 
ent cemetery hill east of Seville, and were then 
soon at home. They having thus marked the 
trees, all hands turned out next da^- and cleared 
a road through to Doyle's bridge, after which 
they felt that they once more had communica- 
tion with the outside world. This road was 
very much used for several j-ears. as all new 
settlers came in that way to this place. West- 
field, etc., and all supplies were hauled over it. 
As soon as it was opened. Moses Noble started 
for Canton with the team for a supply of pro- 
visions. To make this triji, required about four 
days. As he was returning, he arrived at the 
Doyle bridge just as night came on, and, the 
darkness soon becoming so intense that he was 
unable to keep the road, he turned the horses 
loose, while he, wrapping himself in his blanket, 
crept under the wagon and composed himself 
for a night's rest. ' On the following morning, 
having found and harnessed the horses, which 
had strayed away some little distance, he took 
a new start and was soon at home, wiiere he 
arrived in time for breakfast, and was gi'eeted 
hy the entire colony, the great joy evidentlj' 
being occasioned both by his safc^ return and 
the sigiit of his precious load. 

At that time there were several Indian vil- 
lages in this vicinity, besides the one already 
referred to — there being one at Chippewa Lake, 
one on the land now owned b}' J. A. McCo}', 



one on the Little Chippewa and one on the 
Killbuck. These villages each consisted of 
al^out a dozen lodges of Wj-andots and Dela- 
wares. The Indians were all very friendly to 
the new settlers, and furnished them with all 
the meat thej* desired at a ver}' low price- 
Though visiting the cabins quite often, they 
were never in any way unci\il. They would 
not approach a house until they had apprised 
the occupants of their presence, when they 
would strike their tomahawks into trees and 
advance unarmed, thus indicating their friend- 
ship. Henrv and Chester Hosmer commenced 
chopping near where the business portion of 
Seville now stands, their clearings extending 
across the Hubbard and west to the Chippewa. 
Moses Noble commenced near where the lower 
mill now stands, and Shubael Porter a short 
distance therefrom in a southeasterly direction. 
As spring opened, the sun's warm rays fell un- 
obstructedly upon many a spot that had never 
been reached by them before. An opening had 
been made in the forest that indicated the pres- 
ence of the white man and the near approach 
of industry' and civilization. The Indians 
stood, lazily looking on. sad at heart, no doul>t. 
from seeing such havoc being made of the 
dear old woods where they had lived, fished 
and hunted, perhaps from their youth, and the 
wild animals, as they galloped over trails well 
known to them, stood upon the edge of the 
clearing, amazed at what they could not under- 
stand, and then, taking fright at the sound of 
the axes and falling timber, fled away to the 
depths of the still undisturbed wilderness. The 
fires were kindled in the brush and log-heaps, 
and fine oaks, poplars and black walnuts, that 
would now be of great value, were burned sim- 
ply to get them out of the way and otf of the 
land. The rubbish was cleared away, and of 
those flue trees, among whose branches the 
winils had played but a few weeks before, there 
remained notiiing but the stumps. .^lany of 
these were very large, and so thickly did they 



•X » 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



463 



stand, that, under different circumstances, it 
would liave seemed but of little use to cultivate 
the soil between them, but here the plow, har- 
row and hoe were introduced at once. Early 
in May, William H. Bell and Samuel Owen 
came to the settlement from the East. Mr. 
Owen remained but a few daj's, when he re- 
turned East. Shubael Porter did the first 
plowing, near the Chippewa Creek, south of the 
road leading to the lower mill. About fifteen 
acres in all were cleared and planted, and, when 
the warm days of June came on, the first corn, 
oats, potatoes, etc., that had ever shown signs 
of life in the Chippewa Valley, modestly peeped 
forth from tiie vii'gin soil. As soon as the 
planting was done, Henry Hosmor, Moses No- 
ble and Mr. Bell started for their old homes in 
the East, Noble and Bell going for their fami- 
lies, and Hosmcr for his father, William Hos- 
mer. and his family. After spending the sum- 
mer in the East, they started upon the return 
trip on the 22ddayof the following September, 
and arrived at the new home in Ohio, after 
liaving been upon the road forty-five days. 
Chester Hosmer erected a large log house north 
of Hubbard Creek, on the site of A. G. Bar- 
nard's present residence, and thither the elder 
Hosmer removed with his family. 

In October, 1816, two brothers, David and 
John Wilson, came from Bristol, Trumbull 
County, and located in the northeastern corner 
of Guilford, tiiey having there found a place 
where considerable timber had blown down, and 
upon the roots of which were large quantities 
of soil which was to them a sure indication of 
great fertility. About the same time. William 
Moore commenced a clearing about one mile 
east of the Chippewa, on what is now known 
as the Jesse Smith place, now owned Ijy Capt. 
Bates. 5Ir. Moore afterward settled in West- 
field, where he lived until his death, which oc- 
curred in 1865, The Wilsons purchased land 
where they first settled, paying therefor $4 per 
acre. They commenced work immediately, and 



witli their axes, their only tools, they erected a 
log cabin, ten feet long by six feet wide. Tiiey 
then cleared and logged about two acres of land, 
and hunted with the Indians for amusement. 
Having killed a great amount of game, they 
salted down quite a quantity of the meat in a 
trough made of a basswood log, and hung up 
the balance around the sides and roof of the 
cabin to dr3'. As winter was approaciiing and 
they were illy prepared to endure cold weather, 
they fastened up their cabin and returned to 
Bristol to await the opening of spring. During 
the succeeding winter, the wolves and bears 
were very trouljlesome, the former killing the 
sheep, and the latter the hogs and calves. 
Early in the spring of 1818, as Henr}' Hosmer 
went to the door of the cabin one morning, just 
after breakfast, he observed a deer in Hubbard 
Creek, not more than thirty feet distant from 
him. He says : " I had no gun, but had a very 
good dog. Upon seeing me, the deer immedi- 
ately started away in a northerlj' direction, fol- 
lowed by the dog. Arriving at the brush fence 
that laj' on the north side of the clearing, about 
where AVashington street now is, I saw that the 
deer had stopped, and soon discovered, at a 
little distance, a large wolf that was evidently 
waiting for its approach. I endeavored to set 
the dog upon the wolf, but he evidently had too 
much discretion to obey. The deer then started 
east, and the wolf followed. I also started on 
in the same direction shortl3' aft<^rward, and, 
after having gone up the creek about fifty rods, 
I found them at a short distance from me, and 
saw that the wolf had caught the deer, killed 
it, and was then engaged in sucking its blood. I 
thereupon frightened the wolf away, and secured 
the deer for myself The wolf had evidently 
been in pursuit of the deer for some time, and 
it had gone into the water to avoid its foe." 
The Wilson brothers returned from Trumbull 
County as spring opened, and brought witii 
them some provisions. Their Hour they left 
with Mrs. Warner, of Wadswf)rtii, who baked 



*^; 



±1 



t64 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



their bread for them, they going for it oaee 
a wei>k. But they were sorely disappointed 
when they found that in their absence the wild- 
cats had broken into their cabin and devoured 
all of their stock of meat except such pieces as 
were hung up beyond their reach. The woods 
were full of game, however, and bee-trees were 
numerous, and, as they were good marksmen, 
the}- soon had a su[)ply of fresh meat and honey. 

In May, the}' were cutting " shakes " with 
which to cover their house, and at noon, as they 
were going out to their work after dinner, in 
passing up through a rocky glen. David sud- 
denly discovered a huge rattlesnake just in 
front of him. Being unused to such reptiles, he 
paused and called to his brother John '■ to come 
over to him, as there was a big snake there." 
John started upon a run. but before he got 
there, David discovered another and yet another 
of the reptiles l3'ing about in the sun. Says Mr. 
Wilson : ■■ John came running down the steep 
descent, and. before he was aware of it, he landed 
with both feet square upon one of those squirm- 
ers, and. with a profane expletive, he bounded 
into the air and sped onward, down the hillside, 
the snake flopping and squirming over and 
over and around John's feet, he giving ft sev- 
eral unintentional kicks as thej- went. The}- 
finally landed at the bottom of the hill, both so 
thoroughly frightened that neither seemed dis- 
posed to hurt the other. In fact, we were both 
badly scared, but, after recovering from our 
fright, we killed, at that time, over thirty snakes, 
and, returning each day at about noon, when 
the reptiles were out sunning themselves, we 
killed, in all. over eighty rattlesnakes." 

They continued their clearing, and, during the 
summer, liuilt a new house, which was 22x18 
feet. They soon formed the ac(iuaintance of 
the young Eastern people who had located in 
the western part of the township, and often vis- 
ited them, Philo French came in and settled 
near the Wilsons, Timothy Phelps made an 
opening just north of William .Moore, and Will 



iam Walcott, where Nathaniel Gray now resides, 
Medina County was created, and, at the first 
meeting of the Commissioners, a petition was 
presented to them, asking for the opening of a 
road from Medina to the south line of the 
county. The petition was granted, and Chester 
Hosmer, William Walcott and James Cahow 
contracted to chop all trees along the line of 
the road that did not exceed six inches in diam- 
eter, clear away all fallen timber, build a bridge 
across each stream, and make more than one 
hundred rods of causeway, for $100, the amount 
appropriated by the Commissioners for that pur- 
pose. This they accomplished, building log 
bridges over both the Chippewa and Hubbard 
Creeks, near, if not in the same places, where 
the iron bridges now are. At that time, Henry 
and Chester Hosmer were the owners of a large 
sow that had a fine litter of pigs. They kept 
almost a constant watch upon her, and were 
careful not to allow her to wander far from the 
cabin. But, in their absence one day, she went 
down the creek about forty rods and made a 
nest for herself and pigs. Here she soon had 
an imwelcome visitor. A large bear presented 
himself killed the sow, carried her across the 
creek upon a large oak tree that had turned out 
of the bank by the roots, ascended the root, 
which was fully six feet high and about twelve 
feet from the bank, got the sow over and 
carried her about thirty rods, where he ate as 
much as he wished and then went away. 

It seems that the Wilson brothers found their 
new-made friends very interesting. Such, we 
may judge, at least, of David, as lie informed 
his brother John, one day, that '■ he had con- 
cluded to relieve him of the irksome duties of 
housekeeping," '■ Accordingly," says Mr, Wil- 
son, ''on the 18th day of December, 1818, Miss 
Abigail Porter and I were married. We were 
married at the house of Lyman Munson, who 
lived at Seville at that time. As Mrs, Munson, 
who was a sister of the prospective bride, was 
sick at the time, Alugail did the honors as 



i' 



IL. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



465 



liostess herself. Brunswick, Medina. Wads- 
worth, Mogadore and Seville wore fairlj- repre- 
sented by wedding guests. After dinner had 
been served and the house put in order, the 
bride made her toilet, almost unaided. Her 
little dressing-room was partitioned off from 
the rest of the house bj' quilts. She wore a 
steel-colored silk dress, her hair in finger-puffs, 
and she looked charming." Esquire ^Varner, of 
Wadsworth, was the officiating officer, and, on 
the da}' following the wedding, Mr. Wilson took 
his wife home with him, thej' both riding upon 
one horse. The}- were the first couple of white 
people that were ever married in Guilford Town- 
ship. Although Mr. Wilson had scarcely any- 
thing in the world, except some new land, his 
as and a horse, yet this brave girl united her 
destinies with his. well knowing that if ever they 
had a comfortable home of their own, l)y their 
united toil they must make it. And this they 
did. though many were their discouragements, 
and in that home they lived happily together 
for almost half a century. They raised a fam- 
ily of intelligent children, several of the sons 
being at the present time distinguished profes- 
sional men. Mrs. Wilson died in IStiii Mi-. 
Wilson still lives, though very feeble, being al- 
most ninety years of age. At one time, as Mrs. 
Wilson was alone in the house with her child, 
she heard the hogs coming at full speed from 
the woods, and, supposing that they were pur- 
sued, she seized a hoe and met them at a gap in 
the fence that surrounded the house. A large 
bear was close at their heels, and, as he came 
to the fence, she raised the hoe and struck upon 
the rails as hard as she could, and, at the same 
instant, screamed at the top of her voice. This 
halted Bruin, who stood and looked at her for 
a short time, when he turned and went away. 
Such a spirit of unflinching bravery as she there 
exhibited equals that of the Spartan mothers 
of old. When contemplating such events, the 
question is often asked, •• What would the girls 
of to-day do were they to lie placed in similar 



circumstances ? " and the question is usually 
answered by a significant smile. But he who 
searches the pages of history for recorded in- 
stances of the shrinking of American women 
from any duty, either in early or more recent 
times, even under the most perilous circum- 
stances, will surely search in vain. 

In 1819, Dr. John Smith settled near Wil- 
son's Corners, and was for some time the only 
physician in the township. William H. Bell, 
who had been here in 1817, now came with his 
family, and settled just north of Seville, where 
Moses Shaw now lives. John and James 
Crawford settled farther north, where their de- 
scendants now reside. Samuel Owen also re- 
turned, and Jonas Stiles settled west of Seville. 
A son was born to William Walcott. This child 
was named William, and lived to be five years 
old, when it died from the effects of a cancer 
in the eye. This was the first white child born 
in the township. Guilford Township was or- 
ganized this year and named, though reference 
has been made to it as such before, for con- 
venience. At the first township election, John 
Wilson, William H. Bell and Lyman Munson 
were elected Trustees, and Jonas Styles, Town- 
.ship Clerk. The following are the names of 
the voters at that election: John Smith, Will- 
iam H. Bell, Timothy Phelps, Samuel Owen, 
John Crawford, William Walcott, Jonas Stiles 
and John Wilson. Another wedding was cel- 
ebrated, the contracting parties being Miss 

I Jerusha Hosmer and Cyrus Chapman. This 
couple were married in Chester Hosmer's log 
house, north of Hubbard Creek. They settled 

I in Harrisville. Henry Hosmer built a two- 
story, hewed-log house on the brink of the hill 

I west of Chippewa Creejv. This was by odds 
the most imposing edifice in the township. He 
also erected a small frame barn on the flats 
south of Seville, which was the first frame 
building erected in the township. The incon- 
venience and danger experienced for the want 
of a resident [)hysician is well illustrated by 






4^ 



466 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY 



tlie following anecdote told by Henry Hosuier. 
lie says: -Being the owner of the only horse 
in the little settlement, I always had the privi- 
lege of going for the doctor, when he was re- 
qnired. and this seemed invariably to occur in 
the night. In the fall of 1819, at about 11 
o'cloek at night. I was aroused from my slum- 
bers by a loud rap at the door, and was in- 
formed that the doctor was wantcil, anil that I 
must make all ])ossible haste. I proceeded to 
arrange a torch, mounted my horse and started 
for Dr. Smith. The wolves soon began to 
howl around me. and my torch was rather dim. 
whicli made them still bolder. When I had 
gone some two- miles. I was obliged to renew 
my torch, and. while hunting around for a 
hickory tree from which to obtain bark, the 
light of my first torch went out, leaving me in 
almost total darkness. The wolves at once be- 
came perfecth' silent, but 1 could tell that they 
were tramping in a circle around me, as I could 
see the glare of their eyeballs and hear the 
snapping- of their leetli. Having found some 
bark. I raised a light and remounted. All was 
still for a moment, when they sent forth a tre- 
mendous howl, as if disappointed at being 
cheated out of their anticipated meat of hu- 
man and horse flesh. My horse was terribly 
frightened, and the same sensation came over 
me to an alarming extent. I made the trip in 
safety, however, and returned with the doctor 
at 3 o'clock in the morning. " 

In 1820, the following additions were made 
to the inhabitants already here: Jacob Muu- 
son. Jotham Curtis. John Bell, Nathan Scran- 
ton and Jonathan Nye. An election for a 
Justice of the Peace was held on the 2()th of 
Ma\-. at which time it was found, upon count- 
ing the ballots, that John Smith had received 
six votes. Timothy I'helps two voles, and John 
Crawford one vote, whereupon Smith was de- 
clared elected. Henry Hosnier and Lucy Hays 
were married at the residence of Dr. Hiram 
Williams, in .\von. Lorain Counlv. Mr. Hos- 



mer brought his bride home on horseback, 
after the new-country st^-le, but, on their return 
here, quite in the fashion of nowadays, thej- 
took a wedding trip East, where they remained 
through the winter. Jonas Stiles and Maria 
Owen were also married. A State road was 
laid out from Wooster to Cleveland, over nearlj- 
the same ground occupied b}- the county road 
previously mentioned. The State made liberal 
appropriations for improving it. and private 
individuals contributed freely for the same 
purpose. The new-comers in 1821 were 
James Bell, Kobert Wilson, Lewis Wilson, 
Moses Shaw, H. X. Pool, Jacob Van Vleet and 
Chauncey Barker. Moses Shaw is still living. 
Chauncej" Barker opened the first dry goods 
store, in a log building on the hill west of the 
Chippewa, and upon the site now occupied by 
Michael l)evcn's dwelling. The store was an 
addition upon the west end of the building, 
the main part being occupied by Barker as a 
dwelling. The enterprise soon proved a fail- 
ure, as the inhabitants at that time manu- 
factured their own clothes from wool and flax, 
made their sugar from the fine majjle groves 
that surrounded them. and. as money was very 
scarce and produce ver^" cheap, trade was so 
light that the venturesome merchant bade adieu 
to the woods and returuwl East. At Wilson's 
Corners. John ^\'ilson erected a grist-mill, his 
motive power for which was a yoke of oxen, 
placed upon a large horizontal wheel some fif- 
teen feet in diameter, and inclined .so as to con- 
stitute a tread-power. This was the first mill 
of an}- kind erected in the township, and with 
it he ground the grists for a large community 
for several years. A schoolhouse was also 
erected this year. iii)on the west side of the 
road, and near whore the flax-mill now stands. 
It was simply a log cabin, with a chimne}- of 
clay anil sticks at one end. a clapboard roof, 
thelioardsof which were held on by weight- 
poles; puncheon furniture and lloor. two small 
greased-paper windows, and a clapboard door 



^ 



i> "V ' 



Ml 



® 



!k^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



467 



that swung on huge wooden hinges. The first 
summer school was taught by Miss Adeline 
Derthick. and the first winter term 153- Mr. 
John 15«ll. Jacob and Jainus A. Bell, Josiah, 
William and James CrawConl, Levi Nye and 
Amer and Jacob Moore were among the pupils 
who improved the means there furnished them 
for obtaining an education. These boys all 
grew to manhood and occupied farms in Guil- 
ford Township. James A. Bell, for two con- 
secutive terms, represented Medina County in 
the State Legislature, and was for the same 
length of time State Senator from the district 
composed of Richland, ^Vshland, Lorain and 
Medina Counties. He now resides with his 
daughter at Anamosa, Iowa. Jacob Bell ad- 
vanced from the rude benches of the pioneer 
schoolhouse to college at Hudson, where he 
received a liberal education. He engaged in 
teaching and farming for several jears, and, at 
one time, was interested in a carriage manu- 
factory. He now resides in Missouri. A de- 
bating soeietj' was organized, and therein man}' 
questions were handled in a manner that would 
do credit to the young men of the present 
day. 

A little '■ hunt " was engaged in this 3'ear, 
also, as the following anecdote, related by Hen- 
ry Hosmer, will show. He sa3s : " In the fall 
of 1821, Mr. S. Barrett went out in a northerly 
direction from our little settlement, in quest of 
his cows ; when about half a mile out, his dogs 
treed two bears, a female and her cub. He 
well knew that, should he leave the tree, the 
bears would come down and escape ; he there- 
fore commenced hallooing at the top of his 
voice, which soon brougiit a Mr. Harnej- to his 
assistance. One then remained at the tree 
while the other went for help. A. Forbes, C. 
Hosmer and myself went willingly to the scene 
of action. When we arrived at the tree, it had 
gi'own so dark that we were unable to see the 
game. We then built large fires around the 
tree in hopes that we would be able to shoot 



them by fire-light. The bears, however, were 
too shrewd for that, as they kept constantly 
secreting themselves among the thick brandies ; 
so we were compelled to wait until daylight, 
wlien Forljts soon shot them ofl', and, upon 
looking a little farther into the tree-top, a large 
raccoon was discovered, and he was also 
brought down by Forbes. Guided by the re- 
port of our gun, a party of coon-hunters now 
came to us, who, like ourselves, had been out 
all night. They had three coons and a large 
wild-cat, so, altogether, we formed a triumphal 
procession and came into town with two bears, 
four coons and a wild-cat, a pretty good haul 
for one night." There also occurred, this j'ear, 
a sad death, that caused a gloom to rest upon 
the entire settlement. Mr. Elijah Porter started 
in the month of November, from the residence 
of his son, Shubael Porter, who lived a short 
distance south of Seville, to go to .^ledina on 
business connected with his pension, which he 
was then receiving from the United States 
Government, as a discharged Revolutionary 
soldier. He went on foot to AVilsou's Corners, 
where he obtained a horse from his son-in-law, 
David Wilson, and with it started tlirough the 
woods for Medina. Late at night the horse 
returned without a ridei', and some blood was 
upon the stirrup. Mr. Wilson and the neigh- 
bors at once set out in search of him. with lan- 
terns, and finally found him in what was called 
the " four miles woods," near the center of 
Montville, sitting at the foot of a beech-tree, 
so chilled that he could scarcely speak. He 
had taken off one of his boots, and it was nearly 
filled with blood. A deep wound was upon his 
leg, which had the appearance of having been 
caused by a snag or root. They placed him 
upon a horse to take him to Medina ; but, when 
they had proceeded but a short distance, he 
waved his hand as if for them to stop, and im- 
mediately expired. With heavy hearts, they 
then returned home. He was buried near Da- 
vid Wilson's residence, and was the first white 



>c 'S~ 



4 " - 



t\^ 



468 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COrXTY. 



man buried iu Guilford Townsiiip. A militia 
compauj was formed during tlie same year, 
it requiring all male persons of the required 
age, iu Harrisville, Westfield and Guilford 
Townships, to make up the requisite number of 
officers and privates. In 1822, the following 
new settlers came into Guilford : David Clute, 
Oliver Houghton, Ambrose Houghton, James 
Harkness, Judah Dodge, Asahel Parmenter, 
Miles McCabe and Drs. John and Chapin Har- 
ris. The one last named remained here but a 
short time, when he went to Baltimore. Dr. 
John Harris settled in Seville, and was the 
second practicing ph\-sician iu the township. 
Miles McCabe purchased land in the eastern 
part of the township. Ambrose Houghton 
settled south of Seville, on the State road. He 
died in December, 1880, at the age of nine- 
ty-one years. The wolves being more trouble- 
some this year than usual, the State oflered a 
bounty of S5 for each one killed. The county 
offered about the same, and individuals euough 
in addition, so that iu all a wolf's scalp was 
worth about $12. Mr. Alexander Forbes, an old 
hunter and trapper, commenced at once and 
soon captured about twenty. He used a large 
steel trap, to which he fastened a piece of wood 
about as large as a wolf could move. He dare 
not fasten the trap permanently, as the wolf, 
when caught, would proceed to amputate the 
confined foot and escape. He trapped one, at 
last, so large and strong that he deliberately 
walked away with both trap and log. There 
was a light suow upon the ground at the time, 
and the}' tracked him about two miles east, to 
the summit of Chestnut Ridge ; thence uorther- 
Iv nearly to the north line of Montville ; thence 
east half a mile, thence south nearly to the 
south line of Guilford, where thej- came up 
with him ; and, notwitlistanding they had sev- 
eral dogs and guns, thej' did not succeed in 
killing him until he became entangled in the 
top of a fellen tree, as he would fight otl" the 
dogs and keep out of range of the guns. This 



was pronounced to be much the largest wolf 
that had ever been seen by any of the party. 

During the same 3"ear, John Coolinan, who 
lived at that time about four miles southeast of 
Seville, on what is now known as the McDer- 
mott farm, prepared to build a large double log 
barn. When he had his timber upon the 
ground, he iuvited all hands from Milton. 
Wadsworth, Guilford and Westfield, as it re- 
quired all the men then in those townships to 
accomplish the task before them. Mr. Cool- 
man offered a gallon of whisky to those who 
should be first upon the grounds in the morn- 
ing. Judge Hem-j" Hosmer, in relating the an- 
ecdote, says : " We left home at about 1 o'clock 
in the morning with our axes and torch. Ar- 
riving at Coolman's at about 2 o'clock, we woke 
him up, got the promised whisky, took a drink 
all around, and lay down by the fire for a little 
sleep. Just before daylight. Jacob Knupp and 
others arrived from Milton, and called upon 
Coolman for the whisky. They were sorely 
disappointed when he infonned them that the 
Yankees had beaten them by several hours. 
So, to mend matters, we again took a drink all 
around, and commenced work immediately after 
breakfast. Coolman selected 3Iarshall, of West- 
field, and Knupp, of Miltou. for captains, and 
said he meant to determine who were the best 
men. the Dutch or the Yankees. Each part}- 
took an •■ end," as we termed it, and long before 
night we had the barn up and all left for home 
without the slightest accident or difficulty. I 
never saw men work as they did upon that oc- 
casion. It was a continued strife throughout 
the entire day. and the best of feeling pre- 
vailed.'' 

People were often lost in the woods, even the 
most experienced hunters occasionallj' losing 
their way. and being obliged to remain out in 
the woods overnight. Upon one occasion, 
Mr. William H. Bell, upon a stormj- evening, 
went into the woods as usual to find his cows. 
Not finding them readily, it became very dark, 






±>L 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



469 



and, becoming confused, he was unable to find 
his way home, and so he sat down by the side 
of a tree and remained there until morning. At 
another time. Mrs. Deborah Seranton, motlier 
of Luther Seranton, was lost in the woods, and 
was found at about midnight, by the neighbors 
who were searching for lier. As it was a cold, 
stormy night in November, she would probably 
have perished with cold before morning. When 
found, she had her dress pulled over her head 
to keep her ears warm, was sitting quietly upon 
a log, and, although the wolves were howling 
around her, she said " she had no fear, except 
that perhaps she might not be found." Wild 
hogs were numerous in the woods, and persons 
often went out with kettles and other fixtures 
for dressing them, and killed as many as thej' 
desired for their own use, and, oftentimes, some 
for market. In 1823, Apollos Dean, Noah 
Hatch, William Wilson and J. A. Johnson 
came in and settled, and, from that period, set- 
tlers came in rapidlj', and all new lands were 
soon taken up. During this year, Henry Hos- 
mer put up and burned a brick-kiln on tlie flats 
south of Seville. These were the first bricks 
manufactured in the township. Henry Hosmer 
was elected Justice of the Peace, and the log 
schoolhouse, previously described, was burned 
down, and with it were consumed nearl}" all of 
the school-books in the western portion of the 
township. During the same summer another, 
very similar in material and architectural de- 
sign, was erected upon the south side of Hub- 
bard Creek, on the ground now occupied by J. 
K. Caughey's dry goods store. Miss Emeline 
Forbes, who afterward became Mrs. Chester 
Hosmer, taught the first term of summer school 
in the new house, and Mr. Nathaniel Bell, the 
succeeding winter term. 

David Clute commenced keeping " tavern " 
in a log building that stood upon the hill west 
of Chippewa Creek, and a few rods east of the 
one where Barker had previously opened a store. 
This was the first hotel, and the onl}" one of 



which the people of Guilford could boast for 
the succeeding four years. Previous to this, 
the inhabitants had all kept hotel, so far that 
strangers and travelers were never turned away, 
but always received with cordialit}', and treated 
in the most hospitable manner possible under 
existing circumstances. Abel Lindsley settled 
at the center of G-uilford, and John Cannon on 
the Center road, upon the farm now owned by 
Hon. J. C. Johnson : Nehemiah Abbott, at Dor- 
sey's Corners, on lands now owned by L. W. 
Strong, Jr., and Henry Earle built a log house 
upon the farm now owned and occupied by Rev. 
Varnum Noyes. 

In 1824, several new settlers came into the 
southeast quarter, among whom were John 
Halliwell, George Coolman, Valentine Riggle- 
man, Samuel Wideman and Charles Hecka- 
thorne. David Halliwell and Rufus Thayer 
\ settled in the southwest quarter. Thomas 
Hayes erected a water-wheel and turning-lathe 
on Fall Creek where it crosses the north-and- 
south center road, near the residence of Jacob 
Smith. The dense forest surrounded him on 
all sides ; and, from the fine trees that then grew 
upon those hills, he selected the timber from 
which he turned wooden bowls, churns and 
truncheons, the latter being a kind of wooden 
bottles. These articles were all very useful to 
the inhabitants and met with a quick sale, as 
crockery was rather scarce and costl3'. 

A schoolhouse was built at Wilson's Corners, 
being the third one in the township. Maj. 
Aaron Leland came in from the State of New 
York, and settled south of Seville. 

The cemetery east of Seville was surveyed, 
and convej'ed b}- deed to the township for burial 
purposes. It is known at present as " Mound 
Hill Cemetery." The grounds ascend gradually 
from the road, north, to the mound from which 
the cemetery takes its name. When or by whom 
this mound was built, of course is not known ; 
but there it is, and a most beautiful spot, from 
the summit of which a fine view of the surround- 






■f^ 



J, 



^ 



470 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



iiig country and of the village below may be 
had. For many years it was only an ordinary 
country gravej'ard, with nothing about it to at- 
tract attention except its natural beauty. A 
few years since, however, the authorities of 
Seville added several acres to it by purchase, 
had the grounds regularly laid out into lots, 
walks and drives, the drives graded and tlie 
whole inclosed by a hedge, with appropriate 
gates. Two rows of evergreen hedge surnjunded 
the mound, whicli adds verv much to its ap- 
pearance. The citizens and others, whose 
friends are buried there, take great pains in 
grading and decorating their lots, and many fine 
and costly monuments have been erected there. 
Mrs. Harriet Wilson, wife of Robert Wilson, 
died on the 9th day of June, 1824, and was the 
first person buried there, and the first adult who 
died in the Seville settlement. Mrs. Margaret 
Wilson, wife of John Wilson, at Wilson's Cor- 
ners, died during the same year, and was buried 
near David Wilson's house, she being the sec- 
ond person interi-ed there. 

In 1825. a mail route was established between 
New Haven, in Huron County, and New Por- 
tage, in Portage County. The route lay through 
Seville, and William Hosmer was the first Post- 
master, having his office in Chester's log house, 
north of Hubbard Creek. I'ostage. at that 
time, was paid when the mail matter was deliv- 
ered, and the rates were as follows : For five 
hundred miles or over, the postage on a letter 
was 25 cents ; for three hundred miles. 18 cents ; 
and for any distance less than three hundred 
miles, 10 cents. The date of the first mail ar- 
rival of which there is a record, is January 1, 
182(5, when there was a letter for Henry Hos- 
mer, and two newspapers. The latter were un- 
doubtedly addressed to some person or per- 
sons, but for whom, the record does not state. 
A few of the succeeding entries in Mr. Hos- 
mer's record arc as follows : January 8. .Sunday 
— Continues cloudy and misty ; snow gone ; 
wind .south : mail arrived ; brought one letter 



to Nathaniel Bell, and three newspapers. Sun- 
da}-, January 1 5 — Wind southwest ; stormy, with 
snow ; mail arrived ; brought two newspapers ; 
sent away one letter to .\Ianchester. Hart- 
ford Co., Conn. Monday. ISth — Cold, south- 
west wind ; flying clouds ; Mr. Clute lost his 
watch Thursday. Monday. 23d— Chilly, south- 
west wind ; cloudy, sour weather ; a little snow. 
Sunda}-, February- Ul — Wind east; clear and 
pleasant ; Elder Freeman preaches ; mail ar- 
rived ; three letters, one newspaper. 22d. 
Wednesday — Henr3-'s calf lost : Hills caught a 
beaver. 23d — Southwest wind, hazy , Hills' 
wife sold the beaver skin to a peddler. Friday, 
June 9 — Bought of Mr. Gillett five and one- 
half yards of calico, at 41 cents per yard. 
Sunday, 11th — Mail arrived ; one letter and 
sixteen newspapers. Sunday. Julj- 26 — 3Iail 
arrived ; one letter and twelve newspapers ; 
Shubael Porter's fence is on fire ; sent S3 to 
pa}' for the Rdiyious Enquirer, to Hartford, 
Conn. Such entries as these appear, from the 
records, to have been made daily for several 
years. 

During the year 182G, David D. Dowd, E. W. 
Harris, Joseph Ross and Dr. L. Stewart came 
in from the East and settled here. As the wa- 
ter-power at Hayes' turning-lathe on Fall Creek 
seemed to invite some greater enterprise, Henry 
Hosmer and Nathaniel Bell purchased the site 
and erected a saw-mill thereon. This mill was 
owned and operated by dift'erent parties until 
1847, when it was torn down. A frame school- 
house stood for many years on the hill just 
north of ihis mill, and was remo\ed at about 
the same time. There is nothing left there now 
that would indicate the fact that either had ever 
been tliere. Some time previous to this a 
Methodist society had been organized at Wil- 
son's Corners, with David Wilson as Class-lea- 
der. During this year another was organized 
at Guilford Center, with Reuben Case as Class- 
leader. Circuit-riders preached there once in 
two weeks. William 11. Bell was elected Jus- 



(5 — 



^ 



-4^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



471 



tice of the Peace, and Sbubael Porter Constable. 
Mr. John Cook, who had but just come from 
the East, died and was buried in the new eeme- 
ter3-, being the first man that was Iniried there. 
In 1827, Henry Hosmer built a large frame 
barn. This was the most marked improvement 
in the matter of buildings that had ever been 
made in the settlement. The people apparentlj' 
became more patriotic this season than usual, 
and determined to celebrate the 4th of Jul}'. 
Accordingly, when the day arrived, the inhabit- 
ants of the town and vicinity gathered together 
in a grove, and Elder Rufus Freeman delivered 
an oration. Mr. David Clute prepared the 
dinner for the occasion, and around his rude 
table, upon that anniversary of the daj-of which 
all Americans are proud, this jolly company of 
hardy pioneers gathered to partake ol' such 
delicacies as their host had at his command. 
The Elder Freeman referred to was the father 
of Elder Rufus Freeman, who recently lived in 
Westfield, and grandfather of Joseph Freeman. 
Tiie " old Elder," as he is often termed, was a 
Revolutionary soldier. 

Prominent among the new-comers of this 
season was Dr. Nathaniel J}astman, who came 
from Wadsworth. where he had been staying for 
some time. On the 16th day of December of 
the same year, he erected a sign and opened a 
hotel in the large log house upon the west bank 
of the Chippewa, erected bj' Henry Hosmer in 
1819. Here he carried on. unitedly, the two 
callings of landlord and practicing physician 
until 1830, when he erected a hewed-log house 
of his own upon the north side of the road, 
nearly opposite from where he then was. This 
house he occupied for four years, when he 
erected the large frame building just east from 
it upon the west bank of the creek. Here he 
continued to ofler refreshment anil rest to the 
weary traveler for several years, when he took 
charge of the American House, and, after hold- 
ing forth there for a short time as ' mine host," 
he turned his whole attention to the practice of 



medicine. He was one of the most active of the 
early settlers, and was something of an invent- 
ive genius. During these earlj- years, he con- 
structed a steam wagon, somewhat similar in 
appearance to the present portable engines. 
Though much skill was displayed in its con- 
struction, it was found upon its completion that 
the proper application of the motive power had 
not been made, and failure crowned his first 
effort to make it move its own weight. Several 
yoke of oxeu were then attached to it, and it 
was hauled out upon the hill west of Chippewa 
Creek, where the little park now is, and there 
left. And for several years it stood there an 
object of wonderment to travelers and a play- 
thing for boys. The doctor was a regularly 
educated physician, was a surgeou in connection 
with Commodore I'erry's fleet, and at the noted 
battle upon Lake Erie on the 10th of September, 
1813. He was quite a public speaker, and fre- 
quently lectured upon the suljjects of temper- 
ance and medicine. When the civil war broke 
out in 1861, he often entertained closely listen- 
ing crowds with army narrations, and descrip- 
tions of soldier life, those being subjects in which 
all were interested in those days. He died 
August 15, 1861. Both of the houses erected 
by him on the west side of the creek are still 
standing, and are occupied as dwelling-houses. 
A post office was established at River Styx, 
with David Wilson as Postmaster. 

In 1828, a mail route was established from 
Cleveland to Columbus, over which the mail 
was caiTied on horseback for a short time, 
when Jar\'is, Pike & Co., of Columbus, estab- 
lished a line of stages over the entire route. 
The first stage-coach arrived in Seville from 
Columbus on the 5th day of April. The snow 
was about four inches deep upon the ground at 
the time, and, as the roads were quite bad, the 
new " enterprise ' came leisurely into town, 
where it was hailed by shouts from a large 
crowd of enthusiastic observers. James Craw- 
ford, Jr.. soon became a driver of one of these 









lii. 



473 



_Mh 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



coaches, and, as lie was driving from ^ledina to 

S- ■ '' 
Seville, near where Fritz's steam saw-mill now 

is. in June of this year, he was overtaken in 
the midst of the woods by a heavy shower of 
wind and rain which blew down a large tree 
near him, killing three of his horses. Sis pas- 
sengei's who were in the coach, the driver and 
one horse, escaped injury. James Elliott 
erected a frame house a short distance west of 
Judge Hosmer's. In this he opened a dry 
goods store ; but, failing in a short time, en- 
gaged in shoe-makins. This house is still 
standing just west of A. P. Beach's residence. 
Seville Village was laid out on land belonging 
to Henry Hosmer. and surveyed and platted by 
Nathaniel Bell, who was County Surveyor at 
that time. It was named Seville after a city in 
Spain. Although reference has previously 
been made to it in these pages by that name, it 
was known simply as the -Burgh " liefore this 
time. In 1820, Smith & Owen opened a dry 
goods store in a small Ijuilding on the south 
side of the road just west of the creek where 
J. C. Boice's residence now stands. As their 
business soon necessitated their having more 
room, this building was moved up on to the hill, 
where it now forms a part of A. P. Beach's 
residence, and a large one was erected on the 
site from which it was removed In' the same 
parties. This building was occupied as a dry 
goods store bv different parties until about 
1S55. when it was removed to the east side of 
the creek by Mr. John Harris, who sold goods 
in it until about ISiil. Louis Leon, now of 
Cle\eland. then occupied it for a year or two. 
when it was taken by J. C. Ilamsher. The 
firm of Hamsher. Hay A: Co.. was then formed, 
the old l)uilding rebuilt and made into a very 
nice room. Kuder Brotiicrs liought out this 
firm in 18(18. George 1). McCny now owns and 
occupies it for a grocery store. A frame school- 
house nas built on a lot donated for the pur- 
pose by Chester Hosmer. it being a part of the 
present vacant space west of the upper luill. 



Shortly after this, Henrj' Earle and Sylvanus 
Thayer started a blacksmith-shop in the old 
log schoolhouse on the corner, and there the in- 
habitants had their hor.ses shod, their chains. 
hoes, shovels, tongs, plows, harrows, etc., made 
and repaired for several years. A daily line of 
stages was now running and frequentlj- extras, 
as this route had become the thoroughfare to 
the South and West, and there was a vast 
amount of travel over the road for those da\'S. 

In 1830, Henry Hosmer, Chester Hosmer 
and Aaron Leland erected a saw-mill upon the 
north side of Hubbard Creek, in the village of 
Seville. A dam was l)uilt about half a mile up 
the stream, which flowed the water back toward 
the center road : from this pond, the water was 
conducted by a race to the mill below. Near 
the mill was quite a large basin, which, when 
filled with water and frozen over, formed a very 
fine place for skating, and, at almost any time 
when the ice was sutHcienth' strong, a score or 
more of boys and girls, and oftentimes many 
grown people, were to be seen there, with skates 
and sleds, enjoying the sport. At that time. 
Hubbard Creek afforded sufficient water with 
which to run the mills upon it about nine 
months in each year. 

During the fall of this year, the stage broke 
down, in coming from Medina to Seville, when 
near the' Cook farm, and the driver was obliged 
to leave it and take the mail-bags upon the 
horses. Soon after he had gone. Henry Hosmer 
and his wife, and Nathaniel. Margaret and Mar- 
tlia Bell, who had been to Medina in a lumber- 
wagon and were returning, found the stage 
standing where it had been left, and, for sport, 
took off the broken wheel, put one of their 
wagon-wheels on in its place, and transferred 
their horses from the wagon to the stage. The 
ladies then got inside the coach, and the men 
mounted the box. Hosmer did the driving, and 
Bell l)lew the horn. As thev drove into town, 
the continued tooting roused the people, who. 
having seen the ilriver pass through on horse- 



ll^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



473 



back, knew not what was coming. Thej' ac- 
cordinglj- turned out en masse, many without 
hats, headed by Dr. Eastman, who kept the 
stage tavern, and, when the point of the joke 
was discovered, and the strange occurrence un- 
derstood, a merry time ensued. 

The old .Methodist meeting-house that used 
to stand west of Seville, where Mi's Mary 
Cook's house now stands, was erected during 
this 3'ear. 

In 1831, John Martin, an Englishman, just 
over from England, came in and settled north 
of Seville. This was an event of some impor- 
tance at that time, as he was the first and only 
foreigner then in the settlement. 

The present Rebman House was built this 
year by Lovell Redway. It was erected simply 
for a dwelling-house, and was used as such un- 
til about the year 1860, when it was purchased 
by I. S. Towers, who rebuilt it and opened it up 
as a hotel. 

In 1832, David D. Dowd built the hou.se up- 
on the north side of Hubbard Creek, where 
George Porter now lives. Henry Hosmer 
erected the large frame house which he still 
occupies. J. S. Fisk built a large store build- 
ing just west of the present little park, and 
south of John Haj-es' present residence. It 
was the intention of the citizens at that time 
to have the business portion of the village up- 
on that hill, and this building was occupied as 
a store until the flats upon the other side of 
the creek became the business center, when it 
was abandoned, for that purpose, and was re- 
moved man}- years after, b}- James Sickner, to 
the south side of the road, and rebuilt for a 
dwelling-house. It is now owned and occupied 
by Jacob Scomp. During this .year, J. M. 
Cole started a rake factory about two miles 
southwest from Wilson's Corners. In 1833, 
Parsons and Butler erected the large building, 
a part of which is now occupied by John 
Hayes, as a dwelling-house, also west of the 
park, and started a cabinet-shop therein. This 



business also becoming unprofitable in that lo- 
cality, the building was made over and lias 
since been used as a dwelling. During this 
year, also, E. W. Harris built the large frame 
house north of Hubbard Creek, where Dr. 
Piatt E. Beach now lives, and Michael Devin 
opened a dry goods store in a log building that 
stood where his present residence now stands. 
The main part of the American House was 
built by James Elder and Elisha Young. The 
additions upon the east side of it were made 
b}- D. D. Dowd, about the year 1851. It is 
now owned and occupied as a hotel by Chris- 
tian Roth. No important improvements were 
made in Seville, during the jear 1834, except 
those made by Dr. Eastman, and previously 
noticed. At Wilson's Corners, Slutter & Over- 
holt built the frame building which is still 
standing upon the southeast corner, and occu- 
pied the same as a storeroom. It is now 
owned by Hon. A. D. Licey, who occupies one 
of the rooms as an office. Aaron Leland and 
Nathaniel Bell built a saw-mill on the Chippewa 
Creek, one mile south of the village of Seville. 
They continued in partnership for two years, 
when Leland purchased Bell's interest. John 
B. Leland succeeded his father in the ownership 
of the mill, and operated it until the spring of 
1850, when he went to California. It then 
changed hands several times within a few years, 
being owned liy H. H. Hay, Dailey & Graves, 
D. F. Sollday and James McElroy. Mr. Soli- 
day was killed there on the 3d day of May, 
1862. He had been hurt the day previous by a 
stick, which was thrown back by a buzz-saw, 
striking him in the stomach. He was troubled 
with dizziness through the succeeding night and 
during the next forenoon. On going out from 
dinner, he remarked to liis wife, that •' he ex- 
pected the mill would kill him some day," — a 
remark that would not have lieen rememliered 
but for what followed. His little boy, on going 
out to the mill a sliort time afterward, was un- 
able to find his fiither. and, on returning to the 



^^ 



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474 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



house, so informed his mother. A Miss Jones 
then went to the mill, which was still running, 
and, after searching for some time, (liscovered 
Mr. Solidaj- upon a horizontal shaft in the lower 
part of the mill. Not understanding how to 
stop the mill, she ran screaming toward tlie 
nearest neighbors. Her cries soon brought some 
men to her assistance, who stopped the mill, 
and. on going below, beheld a most sickening 
sight. The body of the unfortunate man, en- 
tirel}- naked, was hanging upon the shaft, his 
vest and overshirt having slipped up around 
his neck, were wound around the shaft in such 
a manner as to draw his throat tightly against 
it, which caused him to revolve with the shaft, 
which made, at least, twenty revolutions per 
minute. How long he had been upon the shaft, 
and whether he died suddenly or suffered long, 
of course will never lie known. He was [jroba- 
blj' engaged in placing a licit upon a pulkw 
when the accident happened, and. as his shirt- 
sleeve was the last thing to unwind from the 
shaft, it probably caught first. He was a strong, 
resolute man. and had passed through many 
hardships, having gone to California bj' the over- 
land route during the early days of the gold 
excitement there. After his death, the mill 
soon went to decay, and was finally purchased 
by C. W. Hay. of Seville, and by him torn down. 
At the time of its removal, the lower rim of a 
large cast-iron water-wheel was left deeply' im- 
bedded in the uiud. Some person may find 
this, ages hence, and wonder what machinerj' 
was ever operated there. A tannery was started 
near Dorsej''s Corners, by J. 1*. Smilii, about 
tiiis time. He was succeeded therein by Tliomas 
Hunt, and be by Charles \Vrighf. who died there 
a few years since. There was also a Ijlacksmith- 
sho|) upon the opposite corner in a very early 
daj', wiiicli was burned down about 1827. 

The only notal)l(! event that occurred in 
1835 was the construction of tiie locomotive, 
previously descrilied. by Dr. Eastman. Henry 
Lane and Stephen C. Smith. In ISIUi. Dr. 



Eastman took charge of the American House 
as landlord. Jeremiah Wilcox purchased Ches- 
ter Hosmer's farm, north of Hul)bard Creek, 
for $4,000. The village of Seville was platted, 
and t\u' lots numbered from 1 to 214. William 
Hosmer resigned the otliee of Postmaster in 
favor of Frederic Butler. Peter King com- 
menced to build a grist-mill on the site now 
occupied by the Lower Mill. In 1837. Mr. 
King finished his grist-mill, and relieved the 
inhabitants from taking the long journeys to 
mill which they had been accustomed to pre- 
vious to this time. This was the first grist-mill 
in Guilford, except the small one at River Styx, 
previously noticed. Mr. King's mill did the 
grinding for a community extending several 
miles in all directions. It was taken down 
about the year 1840 by Aaron Leland and C. 
W. Hay. which firm erected the present Lower 
Mill, now ownetl and operated b}- Peton & Col- 
betzer. 

In 1837, John (reisinger built a saw-mill 
about three miles northeast from Seville. He 
kept a loom in his mill. and. while the .saw wiis 
running through a log, he occupied the time in 
weaving clotli. He had no arrangement for 
gigging the carriage liack except to tread it 
back with his foot, which was both slow and 
tiresome, and j-et he operated this mill for 
many years and did a great amount of sawing 
with it. 

There was a vast amount of travel over the 
turnpike at this time, as all of the travelers 
wishing to go from the lakes southward passed 
through on this road. Each day. a heavily 
loaded four-horse coach passed each way. and 
many times one or two extras, besides numer- 
ous private traveling carriages. All goods 
going south to Jackson. Wooster and other 
towns farther on down the road, were carried 
in wagons, many of which were of the large 
Pennsylvania ijattern, and were drawn b}- four 
or six hor.scs. The coming-in of the stage 
then caused more excitement than the coin- 



--* s V 



J, 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



475 



iiig-in of a railroad train does now. And no 
railroad conductor, and scarcelj- any rail- 
road President, is half so proud, or is looked 
upon with half of the admiration that was 
bestowed upon the old-time stage-coach driver 
as he thundered into town, lilowinu his bugle 
and flourishing his whip over the prancing and 
foaming steeds which he handled with so much 
skill. And the average boy who beheld those 
things could think of but two tilings really to 
be desired in the future, and those were to be 
a militia Captain upon general training days 
and a stage-driver the balance of the year. 
About this time, E. W. Harris built a tannery 
on the same site that the present one stands 
upon, north of Hubbard Creek. He also erect- 
ed a shoeshop upon the same side of the creek, 
but farther west. This was afterward moved 
across the creek, and is now occupied by J. D. 
Edwards as a tinshop. William H. Alden 
built the corner block, now occupied by C. A. 
Stebbins, in 1836. In this he sold dry goods 
until he was elected Sheritt' of Jledina County, 
in 1840, when he removed to Medina, where he 
still resides. In 1839, William Hosmer died, 
at the advanced age of ninety-nine years. 

Lyman W. Strong came from Strongsville in 
1840, and engaged in the sale of dry goods in 
the large building previously described, upon 
the west bank of the Chippewa. He afterward 
occupied the present bakery room for the same 
purpose until 1850, when he built the corner 
block now owned and occupied as a store by 
John B. Leland. He was (juite extensively 
engaged in the mercantile business for several 
years. He also carried on an ashery for some 
time, and here the farmers for miles around 
found a market for their ashes, which they 
gladly sold for 10 cents per bushel, and took 
" store pay." Mr. Strong is still living, and 
he has always been one of the substantial 
citizens of Seville, and always prominently 
connected with all desirable improvements and 
reforms. The large frame house near the Up- 



per Mill was built by D. D. Dowd about the 
year 1842, and was occupied by him for sev- 
eral 3'ears as a •' Temi)erance Hotel," which 
was something of a novelty in those days, and 
an enterprise in which but few men would have 
risked very much capital. Mr. Dowd, however. 
by his pluck and energy made it a success- 
The second house north from that was built b\- 
Thomas Wilcox when the village was first laid 
out. The southwest corner building, now 
owned and occupied by J. K. Caughey as a 
dry goods store, was erected bj- Chauncey 
Spear, in 1843. He there engaged in the sale 
of dry goods for several years, and the build- 
ing has ever since been used for that purpose, 
when it has been occupied at all, which has 
been almost continually, although by several 
different parties. Mr. Spear is still living, and 
is one of the few of the early settlers yet 
remaining with us. He is now a Justice of 
the Peace, which office he has held for several 
successive terms. He has also been Mayor of 
Seville. The Masonic Block was erected in 
1844, by G. W. jMorgan, Dr. Witter and the 
Masonic Lodge. Mr. Morgan was Judge Hos- 
mer's son-in-law. He owned the lower or 
gi'ound story, Dr. Witter the second, and the 
Masons the upper story, which is still occupied 
b)- that order. The building now used as a 
planing-mill by Stoaks & Barnard was erected 
about the same time, and was used for many 
years as a carding and spinning woolen fac- 
tory by E. C. Benton. When, however, the 
people adopted the practice of selling their 
wool and buying their cloths, he found his 
"occupation gone," and soon engaged in other 
business. At Wilson's Corners, there having 
been several cases of grave-robbing, the citi- 
zens constructed quite a large receiving vault 
in their little cemetery a short distance south 
from the village. This vault is still in good 
condition, and is the only one of the kind in 
Guilford Township. At about the same time, 
Jacob Leatheram opened a hotel on the center 






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476 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



road, cast of tlie center, in the large house now 
standing across the road from Robert Xull's 
residence. Thomas Heath also started one 
upon the opposite side of the road and farther 
east, in the building afterward used for man}- 
_years b}' Jacob Bergey as a shoeshop. There 
was at that time a great amount of travel over 
that road. Numerous droves of stock were 
driven over it on their way East. A large 
steam saw-mill was erected north from there, at 
Steam Town. This mill was destroyed by fire 
in 1867. It was owned b}' Loehr & Fretz at 
that time. D. G. Yoder now owns and oper- 
ates a steam-mill upon the same site. 

In 1847, David Norton erected a tannery 
upon the north side of Hubbard Creek, north 
of the present Town Hall Block. Dr. Thomas 
Hunter's office stood a little to the east from it 
at that time, it being the building now owned 
and occupied by James High as a fancy store. 
In 1848. Joseph Halliwell built a log blacksmith- 
shop on the flats east of Fall Creek, and one 
and one-half miles southeast from Seville. One 
George Watkins worked there two years, when 
he was sent to the penitentiary for the term of 
one year on the charge of grand larceny ; he 
being the only person except one who has ever 
been sent to that institution from Guilford 
Township. The tanner}- belonging to David 
Norton was burned, and Mr. Norton died of 
erj-sipelas. of which disease many persons died 
in this community during that year. 

On the 13th day of March, 1850, John B. 
Leland, Andi-ew Gray, Elias Harris, Julius E. 
Harris, Frank Cook, William Higli, Medwin 
Porter, John Devin and others left Seville with 
four-horse teams and covered wagons for Cali- 
fornia. As that country was at that time almost 
an unknown region, and. as a great part of their 
journey thither lay over vast plains and through 
almost imi)assable mountains, a largeconcour.se 
of people gathered to see thein otf. and many 
speculations were indulged in as to whether 
they would be lost upon the plains, frozen in 



the mountains, or massacred by the hostile 
Indians that swarmed over a vast amount of 
the territory west of the Mississippi at that time. 
Notwithstanding the many difllculties that sur- 
rounded them continually, the\- overcame them 
all, and arrived safely at their destination in 
July, and all lived to return except John Devin 
and Jledwin Porter. The latter died near 
Shasta in May, 1851, and John Devin died at 
Stockton on the 18th day of October, 1852. 

In 1847. or thereabouts. John ^\'ilson started 
a match-factory and David McMulleua tauuerv 
at Wilson's Corners, both of which enterprises 
were in operation there for several years. The 
Upper Grist-mill in Seville was erected about 
1852, by E. W. Harris and D. W.Ressler. Both 
water and steam power were used. A large over- 
shot water-wheel was constructed imderneath 
it, and upon a Saturday night when the mill- 
wrights quit work, this wheel was left free to 
move. Upon the following day, several boys 
congregated there, and. finding that they could 
tu)-n it by treading upon one side of it. were 
engaged in so doing, when Delos Norton, a boy 
about twelve years of age, lost his balance and 
was forced through a small opening between the 
wheel and a piece of timber at its side, crush- 
ing him so badh' that he lived but a short time 
after being taken out. This mill is now owned 
and operated by Mr. Adam Long, of Orrville. 
Ohio. 

At about the same time, Benjamin Long 
opened a blacksmith-shop at the Corners east 
from the center, where Henry Workheiser now 
carries on a shop of the same kind. A short 
time previous to this William Colburn built a 
storeroom at Guilford Center, whore he engaged 
in the dr\' goods trade for a few years, when he 
was succeeded by-his brother Chester, who con- 
tinued the business a short time, when he went 
to Wilson's Corners, where he followed the same 
calling. The building at the Center was after- 
ward used for a schoolhouse until recently, 
when it was purchased by a neigiibor, moved 






?rr 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIKA COUNTY. 



479 



away, and is now used as a stable. About the 
j'ear 1855, an accident occurred on the ground 
now occupied by George Porter's building upon 
the bank of the Hubbard, being the present Se- 
ville Tiriies office. It was in the winter season, 
and the sleighing was good. The saw-mill be- 
fore referred to was then in operation near the 
grist-mill, and there was a road around this 
corner, over which persons drew saw logs to the 
mill. An Irishman who had been out in the 
country for a log for Mr. Arad Radway, for 
whom he was working, was just driving along 
on the bank of the creek, when the log, which 
was not fastened to the sled, rolled off and down 
into the creek, passingover the man, killing him 
instantly. 

The steam saw-mill east of Seville was moved 
there from Wa3-ne County in 1859, by J. B. and 
Samuel Coulter. It has changed hands several 
times since then, and is now owned and oper- 
ated by one of the members of the original firm, 
Mr. J. B. Coulter and Tompkins Kidd. 

In the fall of 1860, during the political cam- 
paign of that year, Aaron Walker, who lived 
about three miles east from Seville, made prep- 
arations to attend a mass meeting at Wooster. 
Having driven iiis team to the house, he was in 
the act of alighting from the wagon, when his 
team started, and, one of his feet becoming en- 
tangled in the wagon-wheel, he was thrown 
down and was unable to manage his team, 
which went tearing around the field, draggins; 
Mr. Walker b>- his leg. The team was flnallj- 
stopped, when it was found that the unfortunate 
man was dead. A few years later, in the fall 
of 18l!7, at Seville, as Mr. and Mrs. James Bo- 
land were leaving the Fair Grounds, and when 
in front of the Presbyterian Church, a team be- 
longing to one William Kindig came running 
down the street, and, turning in toward the 
church, ran over Mrs. Boland, injuring her so 
badly that she lived but a short time after the 
accident. Following on then but two years, 
the community was shocked by another acci- 



dent, as it was supposed. An old man was 
sleeping in the Harris Tannery, which stood 
where the present one stands, when a fire broke 
out in the buikliug, which soon enveloped it in 
flames. A crowd gathered, as is usual upon 
such occasions, but, being unable to accomplish 
anything, the old man was left to his fate. His 
charred remains were found when the fire was 
over, and buried. He was a stranger in the 
place ; was known but by few, and none now 
recollect his name. 

Another painful accident occurred on the 
16th da}' of May, 1877, when an engine boiler 
in the agricultural works of Critz & Son, in Se- 
ville, exploded, blowing the roof from the build- 
ing and fatally injuring Charles Critz, who was 
the junior member of the firm, and alone in the 
shop at the time of the accident. He was found 
in an insensible condition among the debris, 
and taken home. He recovered his senses in a 
measure, and lingered in great pain for six 
days, when he died, lamented by a large circle 
of friends. He was a first-class mechanic, so- 
ber and industrious. 

On the 1st day of November. 1880, John 
FuUerton was driving a spirited horse between 
the Chippewa bridge and the railroad, in Se- 
ville, when his horse took fright and threw him 
out of the wagon, inflicting severe injuries, 
from the effects of which he died on the 9th of 
the same month. He was an old citizen of Se- 
ville ; was in business in the western part of the 
State, and had come home for the purpose of 
voting at the Presidential election. 

Town Hall Block, in Seville, was erected in 
1872 — the east lower room l>y Stoaks, High & 
Bell, now owned and occupied as a hard- 
ware store by High & Bell ; the center 
room by C. W. Hay, now owned and oc- 
cupied by J. C. Boiee as a drug store ; 
the west room by C. M. Spitzer & Co., bankers, 
now owned and occupied by L. Wideman & 
Sons as a liank ; and the upper story by the 
village of Seville, for a town-hall and offices. 



480 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



The sceneiy therein was painted in the spring 
of 1873, by A. M. Willard. 

The Methodist Church at Seville was organ- 
ized in the year 1830, or thereabouts. Henr\- 
Wells, Ansell Briggs, Nathan Scranton, Ansell 
Brainard, Andrew Laird and Tunis Wells were 
among its first members. The present brick 
church edifice was erected in 1859. Tiie church 
is in a flourishing condition at this time, with 
Rev. S. R. Clark, as Pastor. On the 25th day 
of June, 1831, there was a meeting of the citi- 
zens at the Chippewa Schoolhouse, for the pur- 
pose of organizing a Presbyterian Church. 
Revs. Barnes, of ^Medina, and Faj-, of Wads- 
worth, were present. The following-named per- 
sons presented certificates of regular church 
memliership, and were organized into a Church 
of Christ : James Bell, Isabel Bell, Margaret 
Bell, Martha Bell, James P. Smith, Violet 
Smith, Sarah Case, Thomas Whiteside, Ann 
Whiteside, Abraham Whiteside, Jane Colburn, 
Sarah Collins and Loisa Cook. The first site 
selected for building a meeting-house, was upon 
the center road, one mile east from the pike. A 
part of the timber for building was hauled up- 
on the ground at that place, when another site 
was decided upon, it being the one where the ! 
large Ijrick house now stands, in tlie north part 
of the village. When the building was readj' to 
be raised, it was decided that no intoxicating 
liquors should be furnished for the occasion. 
As this was contrary to a long-established cus- 
tom, it naturally caused much talk, and many 
openly declared, that '■ the frame would rot 
upon the ground, before it would be raised un- 
der that arrangement." No such trouble was 
experienced, however, and the building was 
raised without a murmur or an accident, being 
the first piece of work of the kind ever com- 
pleted in the township, without the presence of 
liquor. This building was used as a house of 
worship until 1856, when the present church 
building was erected. On the 20th day of 
March, 1834, the following resolution was 



passed at a meeting of the church : '• That, in 
the opinion of this church, as a body, the man- 
ufacture, sale or use of ardent spirits, except for 
medicinal and mechanical purposes, is immoral, 
and ought to be abandoned by everj' professed 
Christian." Even at that early day, when, as 
we often hear asserted, " whisky was used as 
commonly- as milk, and that a drunken man 
was seldom seen," the members of this organi- 
zation took this advanced position in regard to 
the temperance reform. On the 10th of Decem- 
ber, 1834, the form of church government was 
changed to Presbyterian, and Thomas White- 
side and David D. Dowd were elected Elders, 
and E. W. Harris, Deacon. Rev. Varnum Noyes 
was the first minister employed by the church, 
and he continued his labors with them almost 
unbrokenly, until 1871. He is still living, and, in 
the absence of the pastor, or at the funeral ser- 
vices of some earlj' settler, still preaches a ser- 
mon. Three of his children are now in Canton, 
China, acting in the capacity of missionaries. 
Henry Noyes left Seville with that object in view 
on the 22d of January, 1 8fifi. His sister Harriet, 
on the 15th of October, 18G7, and Martha, 
another sister, in 1873. In 1876, Henry and 
Harriet came home, visiting Palestine on their 
way, and returned the following 3'ear. Rev. J. 
C. Elliott succeeded Mr. Noyes in the Pastor- 
ate of the church in Seville, whicli position he 
still occupies. The church is now composed of 
about one hundred members. 

On the 13th of April, 1838, the Congrega- 
tional Church of Guilford was organized, the fol- 
lowing persons being members thereof : Caleb 
West, Bathsheba West, Bathsheba Whitney, 
James Bell, Isabella Bell, James Ilarkness, 
Margaret Bell, Martha Owen, Jesse Harkness, 
James Gray, Eliza Rhoads, Betsey Dennis, 
Adelia L. Russell, Isaac Gray, Mrs. Submit 
Russell. Maria Hussell. Abraham (iray. Mar- 
garet Gray, Phcebe Rhoads, Eleanor Harkness, 
John C. Dix, Salmon Whitney, Marian Dix, 
Mary A. Harris, Nancy Bell, Sarah Russell. 



*7-> 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



481 



Katharine Russell and Blartba Gray. On the 
29th day of March, 1841, the Ohio Legislature 
passed an act of incorporation for this church. 
In 1844, a house of worship was erected upon 
Lots 64 and 65, this site having been donated 
by Henry Hosmer. The first minister was 
Rev. Moses Longley. In 1853, a new house 
of worship was erected upon the site before 
named, the old house having been moved away. 
The new church was dedicated in January, 
1854. Services were held regularly, most of 
the time, for several years. Rev. A. S. Siiaffer 
was called to the pastorate in July, 1867, which 
position he occupied until the spring of 1869, 
since which time the church has been in an 
unsettled condition. 

The Baptist church of Guilford was also or- 
ganized in 1838, on the 7th of July, with the 
following members : John S. Welch, Margaret 
Welch. Jonathan Cotton, P0II3' Cotton, Timothy 
Phelps, Huldah Phelps, Sidney Hastings, Claris- 
sa Hastings, Moses Greenwood, Sally Green- 
wood, Robert Suggett, Susan Suggett, B. H. 
Warren, Harrison Greenwood and Clarissa 
Greenwood. The first house of worship, being 
of brick, was erected in 1844, on Lots 66 and 
67, this site also having been donated by 
Henry Hosmer. The first death that occurred 
in this church, was that of Hannah Welch, on 
the 18th day of April, 1845. On the 7th of 
March. 1860, John Ross, an aged Englishman, 
donated $l,flO(f to this church, with which 
the present parsonage was built and the sur- 
rounding grounds purchased. In 1873, the 
old house of worship was taken down and the 
present one erected. Rev. J. W. Weatherby is 
the present pastor, and the church is in a pros- 
perous condition. 

The Evangelical Lutheran Church, which is 
situated in the eastern part of the township 
was organized in 1830, with .John F, Long, C. 
Clows, Jacob Westerman, Conrad Snyder, Sam- 
uel Miller, Adam Everhart, John Koppes, 
Jacob Kraver, Michael Fr^-e, Isaac Bartholomy 



and Jacob Wright, with their families, as mem- 
bers. Meetings were held in houses and barns 
until 1842, when this congregation, with the Ger- 
man Reformed Church, which was organized 
about the same time, built a log meeting-house, 
which was used until 1867, when the present 
one was erected. The present Lutheran minis- 
ter is Rev. J. H. Smith, and the present Ger- 
man Reformed Pastor, Rev. John Leiter. The 
present membership numbers over 200, and 
there is a prosperous Sunday school. 

The small Lutheran Church near the center of 
Guilford was built about the year 1870. Serv- 
ices are held once each month. The new Method- 
ist Church at Wilson's Corners was erected in 
1878 ; Rev. Mr. Wolf is the present Pastor. In 
a community where so many churches were 
supported, the subject of schools would natur- 
all3- receive attention. On the 20th of March, 
1851, the Legislature passed an act incorpor- 
ating the Seville Academy of Medina County. 
A sufficient amount of funds having been 
raised by subscription, with which to build and 
furnish a house, a meeting of the stockholders 
was held on the 7th of April of the same vear. 
James A. Bell was elected President, L. W. 
Strong, Treasurer, D. D. Dowd, Clerk and Hal- 
sey Hulburt, L. W. Strong, Henr}- Hosmer, ' 
James A. Bell, Cornelius Welch, E. A. Norton 
and E. W. Harris, Directors. Mr. A. Harper, of 
Oberlin, was the first teacher employed in this 
institution, he commencing his first term on 
the 1st day of October, 1851, in the old Con- 
gregational Church, as the Academy building 
was not then finished. The enterprise proved 
successful, and, for many years, large numbers 
of young people came, not only from our own 
community, but from adjoining townships, to 
avail themselves of the advantages here oft'ered 
for improvement. In 1868, the building was 
purchased by the Board of Education of Seville. 
This body proceeded to make the requisite ad- ; 
ditions to it to accommodate the village schools, 
which were organized at that time upon tlio 1 






^1 



ihL^ 



482 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



graded sciiool phm. Mr. D. A. Ilaylor is Prin- 
cipal of tlie sctiool al present, and John P. Dix. 
Miss La \'onne Weatlierby and Miss Sarali 
Warner are the teachers of the lower depart- 
ments. Elijaii Myers is Clerk of Guilford 
Township, ho having held that office continu. 
ously for twenty-five years. John Jlontgomery 
is Treasurer, which office he has held continu- 
ously since 184(5. when he was first elected. 
Chauncey Spear. John Coolinan and L. B. Wil- 
son are Justices of the Peace, and John G. 
Chambers, William A. Lee and P. C. Steiner, 
Trustees. The village of Seville was incorpor- 
ated in 1853 by the County Commissioners. 
under a general act of the Legislature confer- 
ring upon them the requisite power. Milton 
Stiles was the first Mayor, A. G. Ilawley the 
first Clerk, and Aaron Leland. L. W. Strong, I. 
H. Brown, A. K. Whiteside and W. H. Hatch, 
the first Councilmen. The first meeting of the 
Council was on the evening of the 4th day of 
October, A. D. 1853. The present officers are 
J. T. Graves, Mayor; W. E. Barnard, Clerk; 
John Montgomery, Treasurer, and Van Bell, 
John Eshbaugh. J. F. Martin, C. R. Leland, 
Frank P. Wideman and A. P. Beach, Council- 
men. The population of Seville is 588, and of 
the entire township. 1872, according to the cen- 
sus of 1880. River Styx is in the northeast 
corner of the township, is a pleasant village, 
and near it are the petrifying springs, quite a 
summer resort for pleasure-seekers. Steam 
Town is between River Styx and the center of 
Guilford, it being a little cluster of houses 
where Mr. Fred Beck has a blacksmith-shop 
and A. S. Hitter a wagon-shop. Of the little 



company who came into Guilford in the spring 
of 1817, Henry Hosmer and Chester Hosmer 
are still living. Mary V. Hosmer married Shu- 
bael Porter, had six children, and died on the 
19th day of February, 1862, aged sixty-four 
years. Lyman Munson died at Ri\er Styx in 
1863, aged eight^'-two years. His son Albert 
has represented Medina County in the State 
Legislature, and is at present Probate Judge of 
the county. Abigail Porter married David 
Wilson; died in 1866 at River Styx. Moses 
Noble died at Seville on the 15th day of Febru- 
ai-y, 1831, and Shubael Porter died on his farm 
near Seville, on the 14th day of March, 1870, 
aged seventh-two years. Henry Hosmer has 
held the offices of Justice of the Peace, County 
Commissioner, Coroner and Associate Judge of 
Medina County under the old constitution, and 
to him we wish to give credit for his assistance 
in gathering material for this history, also, to 
his daughter, Mrs. L. C. Cronise. Samuel Har- 
ris came from Saybrook, Conn., about 1820. 
Had three sons in the Mexican war, John S., 
now of La Crescent, Minn., William T. died in 
the United States Army, July 30, 1847, and 
Albert D., killed at the battle of Churubusco, 
August 20, 1847. Mr. Harris married Mabel 
Gibbs ; he died July 22, 1844 ; his wife is still 
living at Seville, aged eighty 3ears. Capt. M. 
V. Bates, the Kentucky giant, and his wife, 
Margaret Swan Bates, the Nova Scotia giantess, 
are residents of Guilford. They are the largest 
people in Ohio, if not the largest in America. 
The}- own a large farm east of Seville, upon 
which thev have erected a fine large residence. 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



483 



CHAPTER Xir.* 

HAKRISVILLE TOWNSHIP— A PIONEER EXPLOREK — THE HARRIS FAMILY — EAUI.V ADVENTURES 

—A PROSPEROUS SETTLEMENT— POLITICAL AND CIVIL DEVELOPMENT 

CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 



TN that bright cluster of towashlps which 
to-day forms the county of Medina, Harris- 
ville stands out pre-eminent as tlie one in which 
tlie first dawn of civihzation broke forth, and 
the one in which the first home of a white man 
was reared. This township is the richest in pio- 
neer lore, and in the interesting reminiscences 
of its earliest settlements. The treasures of 
memory that are culled from the first hardships, 
and the experiences antl vicissitudes of the 
brave men and women who first penetrated into 
this unl^roken wilderness, are to-day clothed 
with a sacred charm, upon which succeeding 
generations can scarcelj^ look with anything less 
than veneration. The deeds of personal heroism 
and the persistent toil accomplished by our 
forefathers, are indelibly impressed for all time 
to come upon the fruitful fields, the shady 
groves, the picturesque valleys, and the In-ight 
and happy homes that dot our land. 

Under the land company's survey, Harrisville 
was set apart as Township No. 1, Range 16. 
It is bounded on the north b}' Chatham, on the 
east by Westfield, on the west by Homer, and 
on the south by Wayne County. The land of 
Harrisville Township is somewhat rolling, and 
affords a variety of soil. In some parts, the 
land is clayey, and in others slightly sandy. 
Peat covers over 2,000 acres in this township. 
One-half of this territory has the deposit not 
over eighteen inches deep, the underlying being 
heavy, yet light colored. The average depth of 
the peat on 1,000 acres is about 5 feet. Most 
of the western and southern parts of this Har- 
risville swamp have been plowed. The bed- 

* Contributed liv Charles Noil, Meilina. 



rock is 12 to 18 feet below the surface of the 
marsh. The land can be shaken by jumping on 
it, although cattle go all over it. The digging 
of ditches has revealed quantities of shells, but 
no large fossils, as far as could be learned. 

Railroad levels were run in 1853, between 
Wooster and Grafton. The extreme elevation 
of the road, as it was surveyed through the 
marsh, was 340.3 above Lake Erie. The road 
was to have been run west of the village of 
Lodi, and the elevation there was 336 feet above 
Lake Erie. This would give the surface, at 
the town pump, an altitude of about 350 feet. 
Harrisville is one of the townships in which the 
water " divides " to the Ohio River and Lake 
Erie. The great marsh is drained in both di- 
rections, and is much lower than most of the 
land along the " divide.'' 

Quarrying has been carried on since 18-10 in 
numerous places along Whetstone Creek, a mile 
southeast of Lodi. The rock is chiefly an ar- 
gillaceous sandstone, most of the beds being 
only a few inches thick, and the thickest not 
twent}' inches. The exposures here are twentj-- 
five to thirty feet high. Large crevices run 
through all the rock, which is badly broken up. 

In the fall of 1810, a sturdy young farmer, 
of the clear-headed, gritty New England type, 
started out on a journey' Westward, after he 
had gathered the season's scanty crop of corn, 
wheat and potatoes. In his rude hut near Ran- 
dolph, in Portage County, he left his young- 
wife with her little babe, while he pushed on to 
prospect the land that lay further west, on which 
he might find a location more suitable to his 
ambitious desires, and rear thereon a new home. 



~e> V 



-^ 



484 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



The impulse that started him on ills journey 
was somewhat akin to that wliich impelled the 
famous Genoese navigator to plow the unknown 
seas and find a newer and richer land near the 
setting sun. What the needle of the compass 
and the starry points of the heavens had been 
to Columbus, the surveyor's '• blazes " on the 
trees were to the intrepid, coarsely-clad pioneer. 
Unarmed, save with an ax, and carrying a lim- 
ited supply of provisions, he took his course 
through the townships on the southern line of 
the Western Reserve. Coming to the stream 
in Westtield, now known as Campbell's Creek, 
and while crossing it on a. log which reached 
from bank to bank, he heard a bear chopping its 
jaws, in an unpleasant manner, to say the least. 
Retreat was impossible, and, putting on a bold 
front, he advanced upon the beast ! Fortu- 
nately, the bear did not wait to try conclusions, 
and incontinently broke for a place of safety. 
Scarcely pausing for this episode, he advanced, 
and before evening, when the sun was yet a 
half-hour high, he had reached the ridge which 
runs southward on the east of the valley in 
which the town of Lodi is now located. Before 
him, on a line with his eyes, was a waving mass 
of leaves — a forest of tall and majestic trees. 
The flickering light of the setting sun was 
dancing and glowing through the rustling 
leaves of the stately trees. With the awe-in- 
spiring impression of the grand sight before 
him, the resolution formed itself in the j^oung 
pioneer's mind that he would make this his fut- 
ure home. 

After he had seen the sun sink behind the 
thick foliage, he built a fire and camped out for 
tile night. The next morning he descended 
into the valley, and set about exploring the re- 
gion. The rich virgin soil was studded with 
clumps of large walnut and oak trees. A small 
rivulet, a tributary of Black lliver. came wind- 
ing through an open gorge from the north, and 
then bent westward, and, a mile further on, 
united with the waters of iilnck Hiver. Fur- 



ther on to the west, he found another swell in 
the ground, which is again broken, a half-mile 
further on, by the course of the Black River. 
From thence there is a level stretch west 
through the township, slightly undulating. To 
the north of Lodi a high ridge extends along 
the west side of the East Branch of Black River 
into the township of Chatham, sloping toward 
the northwest down to the banks of Black 
River. Toward the south, from this base of 
location, which is now the center of Lodi, the 
land rolled out flat, and he found a large area 
of marsh land, thickly matted with alders, bogs, 
cranberry bushes and underbrush. 

Young Harris set to work with his ax, after 
he had assured himself of the practicability 
of the undertaking and the natural resources 
and advantages for a settlement, selecting a 
site for a home. He placed his stake on a 
spot of ground which is now known as the 
Tuttle lot, a few rods south of the center of the 
village of Lodi. He kept at work for several 
weeks, and erected during this time by his own 
individual exertions, a small, rude log house, 
and cut down a small tract of timber. This ac- 
complished, he retraced his steps to the mother 
settlement, near Randolph, in Portage County, 
which at that time, included the territorj- in 
which he had just selected his new home. This 
pioneer was Joseph Harris, the first settler of 
Medina County, after whom the township of 
Harrisville has been named. 

The Connecticut Land Company had, in the 
year 1807, under the old charter, granted by 
King Charles II, of England, to the Colon}' of 
Connecticut, made a division of their lands 
west of the Cuyahoga River Township, and No. 
1, in Range 16, (Harrisville) had been drawn 
bj" sixteen incorporators, whose names are 
as follows : Nehemiah (iaylord, John and Jabes 
Gillett, Solomon Rockwell and brothers, llez- 
ekiah Huntington, William Battell, Russ 
Burr, Job Curtis' heirs, Thomas Huntington, 
Royal Tylee, ^Vright & Sutlitt'. Joseph liar- 



if 





C^.^)yLyub 



-i^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



485 



ris. Martin Kellogg, Burr & Loomls, Joseph 
Battell and Eliphalet Austin, which was 
known as tiie Torringford Land Company, 
together with 2,000 acres, in Township No. 
1, in Range 15, to compensate for swamp 
land in Harrisville Township. In the spring of 
1810, the township was surveyed by a party 
sent out liy the Connecticut Land Company, 
and subdivided into lots of 100 acre ; each. A 
road was also established during this same 
year, by the company of Portage County, 
tlirougli No. ] , from the Franklinton road, 
in Norton, west, through the center, to the 
east line in Huron County. The Legislature of 
the young State of Ohio, also during this 3'ear, 
appropriated $800, by a legislative act, to estab- 
lish a State road, to run from Mansfield to 
Cleveland, thi'ough this township. After the 
subdivision of the lands in this township had 
been made, Mr. Joseph Harris was delegated by 
the Torringford Company, with the power of an 
agent, to dispose of and effect sales of the land. 
The price of the land was fixed at $2 per acre, 
Mr. Harris being granted the privilege of 200 
acres as a pioneer settlement — location to be 
deducted from his undivided portion. 

After his return to Randolph, from his jour- 
ney into Harrisville Township, he set about 
making preparations to remove his farail}' to the 
new territory in the following spring. When 
February came, the young pioneer had all of his 
affairs in shape, had his household goods and 
personal effects, few as they were, gotten to- 
gether, and was now ready to move into the new 
settlement. On the morning of the 11th of Feb- 
ruary, 1811, the '-moving" party started out 
from the settlement near Randolph, for the new 
land, that was about forty miles to the west. 
The train consisted of four sleds, each drawn 
by a yoke of oxen. Three of these trains had 
been gratuitousl}' furnished by the neighbors 
of Mr. Harris, to help him to his new settlement. 
The ground was covered with about a foot of 
snow, and the progress of the pioneers was 



rather slow. Near the evening of the third day, 
they arrived in the lowlands south of Lake 
Chi[)pewa. A halt was made here for the night, 
on account of the exhausted condition of the 
cattle, which had found it a wearisome march 
through the snow that lay unl)roken in the road. 

Mr. Harris, with his wife and her two-year- 
old boy, mounted a horse and pushed forward 
the same day toward their new home, which 
was about eight miles distant. On the next 
morning, the 14th day of February', 1811, the 
ox-teams arrived in Harrisville, and Mr. Joseph 
Harris, his wife and child, together with a 
trusty, bright young lad, named James Red- 
field, who was about eleven years old at that 
time, settled permanently in the new township ; 
and it is from this day that the first settlement 
of Harrisville Township dates. 

The life of the settler in this new clearing, 
miles away from human habitation, was full of 
hardships and privations. Winter was still on 
hand with its benumbing coldness, and the 
ground and woods were alternately co\ered with 
snow and slush. The log hut was small, and the 
only opening in it, serving as a door, was covered 
bj' a blanket. The first days were spent in cut- 
ting down trees, and making new openings in 
the woods and laying out roads. A small ad- 
dition was made to the log hut, and its interior 
more comfortably arranged. Small brush sheds, 
for the shelter of the horse and two cattle were 
erected. With the opening of spring, new life 
sprang up in this little colony. New work be- 
gan ; the ground of the cleared tract was got 
read}', and seeding commenced. 

The nearest neighbors were, at that time, at 
Wooster. in Wayne County, a settlement seven- 
teen miles south, on the Killbuck River. Woos- 
ter was then one of the trading-posts in the 
northwest. An Indian trail leading from San- 
dusky to Wooster, and thence on to Pittsburg, 
ran through Harrisville Township, a few miles 
west of the center of Lodi. Hunters and trap- 
pers of the different Indian tribes which at that 



Lkt 



486 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



time roamed through Northern Ohio, passed 
often over this trail, taking tiicir hides and furs 
to market. The location selected b}- Mr. Har- 
ris, had also been, and was then, one of the 
lavorito hunting grounds of the Wyandot and 
Ottawa Indians, and many of their wigwams — 
still in a good state of preservation — were 
standing near the spot he selected for the site 
of his residence. Still, although the social re- 
lations that subsisted at this time between Mr. 
Harris and these denizens of the forest were of 
the most friendly and reciprocal character, j'et, 
true to their national characteristics, the}' pre- 
ferred retirement from the proximity of the pale- 
faces, abandoning their lodges, and building 
new ones from two to six miles distant. A few 
j-ears later, Capt. Wolf, of the Delawares, a sort 
of missionarj- among the tribes of Indians north 
of the Ohio, and a man tolerabl}- well educated, 
and who looked after the trapping interests at 
Chippewa Lake, quite frequently visited the 
Harrisville calon_y, and conversed and talked 
with the settlers. He had lieen under Gen. 
Harrison's command, and had been an eye-wit- 
ness to the battle of Lake Erie, fought by- Com- 
modore Perry on the 10th of September, 1812. 
He gave the Harrisville people a description of 
the battle as he witnessed it, and told them other 
adventures of his career, which was all very 
entertaining. Mr. Albert Harris, son of Joseph 
Harris, often went, when he was a lad ten or 
twelve years old, as a companion of Wolf's son 
— a young buck about the same age — with the 
Indian Captain to Lake Chippewa, to look over 
the trapping-ground. The old Indian would 
put the two boys in a bark canoe, and paddle 
them back and forth across the lake. The 
3-ounger Harris is still a resident of Harrisville 
Township, and has fresh in his memory the days 
of the early settlement in this township, when 
young papooses were the associates of his child- 
hood. 

With June of the same year there came an 
accession to the new colony. George Burr and 



his wife and his brother Russell, arrived that 
month from Litchfield County, Conn., and set- 
j tied on a lot adjoining Jlr. Harris. The month 
of September liroiight in two more settlers, Cal- 
vin and Lyman Corbiu, from the city of Bos- 
ton, Mass., who purchased and settled on the 
farm now owned by George Burr, a mile south 
of Lodi. That fall the first crop of corn and 
potatoes was gathered in the township. Au- 
tumn, with its blustering days, was on hand, 
and cold winter was fast approaching. The 
Harrisville colony now consisted of five men, 
two women and two boys. There were three 
log huts about one-half mile apart from each 
other, seven yoke of oxen and one horse and 
two dogs, with a lot of household furniture and 
farming tools and wagons. This was the in- 
ventory on the 1st day of October, 1811. 

About this time Mr. Joseph Harris contracted 
with one Daniel Cross, a carpenter living near 
Randolph, to put up a log barn in Harrisville. 
Cross with his son Avery (who was about 
eleven years old) came out from Randolph dur- 
ing the fall, with a y-oke of oxen, the boy to 
drive them and haul the logs together, while 
the old man cut them. The barn was finished 
in about a month's time. For this Job, Mr. 
Cross received, in payment, a yoke of oxen. 

With the declining year came long evenings, 
and with them the need and desire of sociability 
and an interchange of views upon topics of 
common interest to all. The prospects, the 
new land and the crops had to be talked about ; 
and, then, there was the old home in the East, 
with all its dear associations of childhood ; the 
political aflFairs of the young Republic. These 
sturdy pioneers often gathered, during these 
days, in one of the log cabins, and there sat by 
day and in the evenings, before the flickering 
fire of a log or stump burning on the hearth, 
and discussed, like true, sober-minded New 
Englanders, matters and events that were of 
interest to them. 

The first intimation the Harrisville people 






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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



487 



had of the serious hostilities which began in 
1812 was the arrival of a messenger from Ran- 
dolph, in Portage County, bringing a newspaper 
containing the declaration of war, also a letter 
warning the settlers of their danger, as it was 
not then known in whose interest the Indians 
would enlist, and urgeuth- soliciting them to 
return to the older settlements. A consulta- 
tion was then held in the evening at Mr. Har- 
ris' house, which resulted in the conclusion, 
that, under exi.sting circumstances, it would 
be safer to repair to the settlements until 
something more decisive could be learned in 
relation to the political affairs on the then 
exti-eme northwestern frontier. Accordingh', 
the next morning, Mr. Harris, Russell and 
George Burr, with the Corbins. loaded the 
most valuable of their household goods on 
wagons, and, with seven yoke of oxen, started 
for Randolph, George Burr's wife having gone 
there some weeks previous. Almost at the 
outset, one of the wagons was unfortunately 
overturned, throwing iMrs. Harris and the child 
from the wagon. But, quite undaunted, al- 
though badlj' bruised, she insisted on going 
forward, and, that the journey might be expe- 
dited, she was mounted with her cliild on the 
only horse in the settlement. Accompanied by 
her husband on foot, she reached their friends 
in Randolph the next morning, having been 
obliged to lie out overnight in the woods on 
account of having lost the trail when within a 
mile or two of the settlement. The settlers, in 
leaving their homes, of necessity had to aban- 
don their crops ; and, as the prosperity of the 
settlement depended on their being secured, 
Mr. Hai-ris, on the following Monday morning, 
mounted his horse, shouldered his trusty rifle, 
and, accompanied onlj- by his faithful dog, 
proceeded on his solitary way back to Harris- 
ville. As be approached the settlement, he 
discovered that some person had been in the 
vicinity during his absence. On examining 
the tracks, he discovered that some had been 



made with shoes and some with moccasins. 
Dismounting from his horse and muffling the 
bell (an appendage, by the way, which all early 
settlers were in the habit of attaching to their 
domestic animals), he cautiously proceeded to 
examine the Indian trail leading from Sandus- 
ky to Wooster, and, discovering no appearance 
of Indians having passed along it, he soon 
came to the conclusion that some white person 
must have been in the vicinity during his 
absence. 

On entering his cabin, appearances indicated 
that a number of persons had passed a night 
there, having used some of his iron ware for 
the purpose of cooking. It was afterward 
found out that the Commissioners appointed 
by the Legislature to establish a road from 
Mansfield to Cleveland passed a night at Mr. 
Harris' house, cooking their supper and break- 
fast there. Jlr. Han'is. finding that his wheat was 
not 3'et fit for harvesting, set about hoeing his 
corn and potatoes. After having been here 
about ten daj's, Russell Burr and Elisha Sears 
came out and harvested the crops belonging to 
the Burrs, which occupied about five days, and 
then returned to Randolph. 3Ir. Harris re- 
mained about five weeks, his dog being his sole 
companion during the whole time, except the 
five days that Burr and Sears were with him. 
His only bed was an old wagon-board, each 
end of which was so supported that it had a 
sort of spring motion, and furnished as much 
rest and comfort to his wear}' body after a 
daj-'s hard toil as the modern spring bed gives 
to the gentleman of leisure. 

On the return of Mr. Harris to Portage 
County, he first learned of the surrender of 
Hull, at Detroit, to the British, and, at a call 
from Gen. Wadsworth, the militia on the Re- 
serve turned out en masse, and Harris, with 
Burr and others, were out in the campaign 
some three weeks, in and about Cleveland. 
After a short service in the Western Reserve 
Militia during the month of September. Harris, 



^ 



? "V 



li 



488 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



with bis companions, returned to Raixlolph, 
and prepar;itions were then made to return 
forthwith to Harrisville. Tlie Corhins had .sold 
out their possessions in Harrisville al)ont this 
time, and Kussell Burr returned to his home in 
Connecticut. This left Joseph Harris and 
George Burr alone, with their families, of those 
who once made up the infant settlement. Har- 
ris and Burr, with their families, again reached 
Harrisville in the first week in October. 1812, 
tinding everything quiet and unmolested. Here 
was again a trying period before them. Winter 
was again close at hand, and. beingahnost entire- 
ly isolated from the world around them, and 
away from post roads and post offices, they 
could, of course, know little or nothing of what 
was transpiring outside of the settlement, and 
they necessarily lived in that uneasy state of 
uncertainty, which, to be realized, must be ex- 
perienced. Yet nothing occurred to disturb 
their quiet until some time in the latter part of 
November, when, in the earlj- part of the even- 
ing, was heard what was supposed to be the 
shrill whoop of an Indian, easily discerned to 
be in an easterlj- tlirection, and supposed to be 
about half a mile distant. Mr. Burr, whose 
house was nearer to the point from which the 
whoop seemed to come, hastily seized his rifle, 
and, taking his wife and child, instantly started 
for the Harris cabin, giving the old horse, 
which was quietlj' feeding in the woods, a sharp 
cut, to send him on a keen run toward Harris' 
house, rattling his bell and alarming his family, 
together with the old dog, which, liarking and 
bounding about, added considerable to tlie agi- 
tation. Mr. Harris was already on the (lai n'rc 
He was out on the trail, with iiis rille in his 
hand, after first taking the precaution to extin- 
guish the light in his cabin. After meeting 
with the Burr family, the women were barri- 
caded in tile house, and the men took positions 
outside to await developments. Soon footsteps 
were heard, and tlien a human form came in 
sight, nearing the house. Harris drew up his 



rifle and halted the man. It was then discov- 
ered that he was a settler from Randolph 
named Billy Thornington, who had come out on 
an exploration tramp to see the countrj', and, 
having lost his way, had given the yell. He 
remained with them for a short time, and then 
returnetl to tlie mother settlement in Portage 
County. 

With the beginning of the new year, 1813, 
snow commenced to fall and covered the ground 
several feet deep. The young settlers were 
almost completely snowed in, and it was nearly 
an impossil)ilit3- to visit one of the sister settle- 
ments. Then a biting cold frost set in and con- 
tinued until the latter part of February. After 
that the weather moderated. On the night of 
the (Jth of ^larch, a foot messenger arrived at 
the house of Mr. Harris and informed him that 
Henry Chittenden, in charge of five teams 
loaded with forty barrels of flour, being for- 
warded by Norton & Adams, contractors at 
Middlebury, to General Perkins' camp on the 
Huron River, were detained by the deep snow 
in the wilderness in the neighborhood of the 
Chippewa, and were entirely destitute of forage 
and provisions, having been five days out from 
Middlebury. The messenger had come to so- 
licit aid from Mr. Harris. He promptly respond- 
ed and proceeded at once to their camp, with a 
supply of provisions for the men and a bag of 
corn for the team. He left his house about 
midnight in company with the messenger, and 
arri\etl at the camp at 4 o'clock in the morn- 
ing. His reception by the half-starved men at 
the camp can better be imagined than described. 
The provision train was now only thirty-two 
miles from Middlebury, their starting-point, and 
forty-five miles had yet to be traveled through 
an unbroken wilderness, to reach the camp of 
the American army on the Huron River. Their 
teams were overloaded and underfed. Their 
only reliance for succor and help seemed to be 
.Mr. Harris, his place being the only settlement 
on the route. He came very m'nerously to tlieir 




5 ^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY, 



489 



relief. Furnishing the men with provisions 
such as his own scanty supply- affortled, and 
giving forage for the teams, he hitched up his 
own ox-team, and, thus lessening the load of 
others, he started next day with them for the 
camp at Huron. After a slow and laborious 
journey, the}' reached the camp on the eighth 
day out from Harrisville settlement. The 
return trip to this settlement onl}- consumed 
about four days. The commission firm from 
Middlebury referred to, continued thereafter to 
supply the American array under Perkins on 
the shores of Lake Erie. Their trips in for- 
warding these supplies were matle more expe- 
ditiously after a road had been cut through, but 
the provision trains always found it convenient 
to stop at the Harrisville settlement on their 
journeys back and forth. 

In the spring of this year, many of the 
militiamen in the Northwestern arm}', from the 
counties of Knox and Wayne, and from other 
counties in Southeastern Ohio, passed through 
the settlement, their terms of service having ex- 
pired. Mr. Harris often entertained companies 
of from ten to twenty of these returning sol- 
diers at a time, and always furnished them the 
best his scanty board afforded. During the 
winter of 1812, a detachment of troops from 
Pennsylvania was stationed at Wooster, Wayne 
County, under the command of Gen. Bell. 
Provisions fcjr soldiers, as well as for the horses 
emploj'ed in the service, were scarce, and 
commanded high prices. Tempted by the 
prospect of gain, Averj' Cross, of Randolph, 
in Portage County, set out the latter part of 
December, with a load of oats for the arm}-. 
He was accompanied by his son Samuel, a 
young man of about eighteen years. On ar- 
riving at Wooster, tliej' found teams were so 
scarce that the army had not the means of 
transportation, and, by the offer of high prices, 
Cross was induced to go with the army as far 
as Mansfield, and aid in transporting baggage 
and forage. At Mansfield, he was paid off, and 



started for home. On the road between Mans- 
field and Wooster, he purchased seventeen 
head of cattle, with wiiicli he arrived at Woos- 
ter on the last daj- of December. The next 
daj', he and his son started up the valley of 
the Killbuck, intending to reach the settlement 
of Joseph Harris, with whom they were well ac- 
quainted. Soon after the}- left Wooster, there 
came on a terrible snow-storm, which lasted 
three days. Nothing further was heard of 
Cross and his son, until the March following, 
when, his familj' becoming alarmed at his 
lengthened absence, sent another son in pursuit 
of them. Finding they had left Wooster on 
the 1st day of January for the north, the sou 
sent in pursuit of them took their trail up the 
Killbuck to Harris' settlement, where he ascer- 
tained the}' had not Ijeen there, and that sev- 
eral cattle had been taken up during the winter, 
for which no owner could be found. It was 
now evident that they had perished. The few 
settlers in that region turned out to find them. 
In the valley of the Killbuck, they found the 
trail of the cattle, but, instead of following it, 
which would have led them to Harris', it seems 
Cross got bewildered, and, when within a mile 
of the settlement, which lay northwest, he took 
another valley, which led them a southeast- 
wardly course into what is now Westfleld. 
Here, almost three miles from Lodi, they found 
the skull of Cross, and some of his bones, the 
flesh having been entirely eaten oft' by wolves. 
Near by, was found a jack-knife and a small 
pile of sticks, where he had tried to make a 
fire, but failed. Pieces of clothing, and his 
great-coat, were found near b}', showing the 
place where he and his son lay down to sleep 
after they had failed to make a fire. The 
bones of a yoke of oxen, still in the yoke, and 
chained to a tree, were lying near liy, and the 
bones of another yoke of oxen, still in the 
yoke, a little further off. From all of them, 
except the last yoke, the flesh had been en- 
tirely eaten. It was evident that one of them 



■^ 



'i* 



490 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



had not been dead long, as the flesh was but 
partly eaten, and tiie blood in a fluid state. 
The trail was very plain to be seen where this 
ox had drawn his mate around, after he was 
dead, while the living one was trjnng to get 
something on which to live. No remains of 
young Cross were ever found. The bones of 
the old man were gathered up, and buried in a 
field just south of the village of Lodi. An 
inscription ean-ed on a beech-tree, marks the 
place of the pioneer's death. Nothing but a 
natural mound, in which he was buried, marks 
his burial-place. 

Another incident in these earh" da\s. of less 
tragical outcome than the one just related, but 
giving a glimpse of the life of the pioneers, has 
been related by James Redlield. Their grain, 
at that time, had to I)e carried on horseback to 
a mill in Wooster. seventeen miles distant. At 
one time, when James Redfield was a boy about 
twelve years old. Mr. Harris had balanced two 
bags of gi-ain on his horse, and placed the boy 
on top. and started him for Wooster. The boy 
proceeded all right until about half-way to the 
mill, when the bags overbalanced, and slipped 
from the horse. The boy had not strength suf- 
ficient to replace the bags on the horse, though 
he labored desperately for an hour or more. 
Returning to the settlement for help, he found 
Mr. Harris had gone. So his wife mounted the 
horse behind the bo\-. and the two rode back 
where the bags had been left. Replacing them 
on the horse, she started tlie bov for Wooster. 
walking back through the woods to her home. 

In Feltruary. 1SI4. Russell and Justus Burr 
reached the settlement from Connecticut, and 
settled in the immediate vicinity of the two 
families already located. In March of the same 
3'ear. young James Redfield. a lad fourteen 
j'ears of age. who had remained in Randolph 
after the flight from Harrisville in 1S12. again 
made his advent in the new settlement, and took 
up ills abode witli tlie family of Mr. Harris- 
He was a hardy, phiclcy hoy. and the career of 



his life is insepai-ably connected with the de- 
velopment of Harrisville Township, and the his- 
tory of ."Medina County. It was in tiie veare 
closely following his return to the new settle- 
ment, when James was fast ripening into 
young manhood, that he became one of its nota- 
ble and interesting characters. He became noted 
for his prowess and dexterity in trapping and 
hunting wild game, in a large measure taking 
away from the Indians in this neighborhood 
their occupation. In the period of a ver}- few 
years, he caught 122 wolves, for which he re- 
ceived a bounty given by tlie State Government. 
He related to the writer, that, '• iiaving at one 
time caught one of those beasts by the end of 
the forefoot, and fearing that in its struggles it 
would get its foot out of the trap and escape, 
he pounced upon it. cuffed its ears, and put the 
foot into the trap, carrying it in this waj- into 
the settlement. This wolf, it would seem, was 
about as passive as old Put's, when he applied 
the twist to its nose, for it oflered no resistance, 
and seemed completeh- cowed." Another hunt- 
ing adventure told by him occuiTcd in the 
earlier days of the settlement. Finding his 
traps tampered with, of which he had out a 
large number, in a circuit of sevei-al miles from 
the settlement, and the game taken therefrom, 
he secreted himself with his ti-usty gun in the 
crotch of a tall sycamore on the Black River 
bottoms, where he remained overnight to await 
events in the morning. In the morning, he es- 
pied several redskins sneaking along the river 
banks, and killing and taking from his traps 
whatever animals were caught. He waited un- 
til one of the scoundrels came within easy range 
of his rifle, and then let iiim have it ; the Indian 
made a big jump in the air, and he and his 
companion beat a procijiitato retreat west of 
Black River. His traps were no more molested 
after that. In the spring of 1816, when James 
was a boy seventeen years old. he took a con- 
tract to chop out a road from the center of 
Harrisville to the center of Medina, for which 



rfv" 



>^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



491 



appropriations had been made by the State 
Legislature. It was a distance of ten miles, on 
which he made firty-seven rods of liridge and 
causeway-, priucipall}' bridge. He proceeded 
from da}- to day with his work, following the 
prescribed surve}', having a small supply of 
provisions with him. When night came, he 
would build a fire, eat his supper, and then peel 
off a large sheet of bark from an oak-tree, and 
roll himself up in it and go to sleep. He had 
the road cut out through to Medina in the 
fall. 

New families came into the settlement in the 
spring of 1814. The first were Timothy Mun- 
son, of Vermont, and Loammi Holcomb, from 
the State of Xew York, who with their families 
came in April and settled on the west bank of 
Black Kiver, about two miles from Mr. Harris' 
house. From that year on, the influx of set- 
tlers increased and permanent settlements were 
made in the close neighborhood. In the spring 
of 1815, there arrived Timothy Burr. Alvin 
Loomis, Collins Young and Job Davis, with 
their families, and to these were added in 
the year 1816, the families of Carolus Tuttle, 
Isaac Catlin, Xathan Marsh, Elisha Bishop, 
Perez and Nathaniel Rogers and James Rogers^ 
who came together in the spring. Later on in 
the same year, came Charles Lewis. David 
Birge, Josiah Perkins and William Welsh, all 
of whom located permanently in the township, 
at various points, from a (juarter of a mile to 
three miles distant from the original location, 
where Mr. Joseph Harris had placed his home- 
stead. 

More came in the spring of 181", whose 
names are Noah Kellog, Jason Spencer. Noah 
Holcomb, Thomas Russell, Isaac Rogers, Orange 
Stoddart, Daniel Delvin, Henry K. Joline, Cy- 
rus and Arvis Chapman, Jonathan Fitts, David 
Rogers, Cyrus Curtis, George Ilanna, and Dr. 
William Barnes, quite a genius in his way. He 
assumed the functions of preacher, doctor and 
miller in the colonj-, and soon after his advent 



became a man of considerable importance to 
the people of Harrisville. 

A notable event occurred in the settlement 
on the loth of April, 1815. It was the birth 
of a daughter to George and Mehitable Burr. 
There was great rejoicing over the arrival of 
this little messenger from heaven, among the 
pioneers. It was the first child born in the 
township. It lived but a few years, dying in 
Jul}', 1817. It was buried on its father's 
farm. The funeral sei-vices were simple but 
impressive ; all the settlers with their families 
attended. Dr. William Barnes conducted the 
services, and preached a seimon over the grave 
of the child. 

In the spring of 1818, there came nine more 
families, among them being Lomer Griffin and 
his wife and six sous and one daughter. Lomer 
Griffln was destined to become one of the most 
remarkable and most widel3'-knowu men of 
Harrisville Township and Medina County, on 
account of the unprecedented age he attained. 

There were now thirt^'-flve families in the 
settlement. Clearings were made on every 
side, and the area of soil on which the sun 
threw its beneficent rays and rewarded human 
labor with crops of grain, grew larger everj' 
daj'. Joys had also come to the sturdy pio- 
neers. One of these was a marriage feast, the 
contracting parties to which were Levi Hol- 
comb and Miss Laui-a Marsh, which occurred 
in November, 1816. There being no Justice 
of the Peace in the township at that time to 
solemnize the marriage contract, Mi: James 
Rogers volunteered his services to procure the 
needed official dignity. Setting out on foot, 
he started for Wadsworth. and there secured 
Esquire Warner, who readily assented to come 
out the next day and legalize the ceremony. 
Mr. Rogers stayed overnight to return with 
the official next day ; but Mr. Warner was 
taken severely ill during the night, and it was 
quite impossible for him to fulfill his engage- 
ment. Here was a dilemma. The wedding 






V 



^1 



492 



HISTOUV OF MEDINA COT^XTY. 



had been set for that verj- night, and no one on 
hand to perform the eeremon}- ; but Mr. Rogers, 
true to his purpose, pushed on east to Norton, 
to Esquire Van Heinans ; but this gentleman 
was out on a deer hunt, and did not return 
until night, when he informed Mr. Rogers that 
he could not go with him. This, to most men, 
would have been a settler ; not so to Mr. 
Rogers. These reverses and backsets onl}* stim- 
ulated his zeal the more, for, on learning that 
there was a Justice of the Peace in Coventiy, 
he forthwith went there and engaged the serv- 
ices of an Esquire Heathman, and the two 
together arrived at Harrisville the next da}- 
after the wedding should have been. However, 
the affair was closed up that evening. This was 
the first wedding in Medina County. Other 
festivities and excitement of a general kind, at 
this time, were wolf-hunts, for the purpose of 
destroying and driving out these troublesome 
beasts. 

There lived, during the years from 1830 to 
about 1839, an old and strange character near 
the Harrisville settlement. Nobody knew 
whither he had come ; and. when he. in the lat- 
ter }-ear, disappeared, it remained unknown 
where he had gone. He was known to the set- 
tlers as '• Old Cherryman," and was snpposed 
to be a half-breed, as traits of Caucasian and 
Indian blood mingled in his features. He in- 
habited one of the little cabins, back in the 
woods, that had been abandoned by its builder. 
He wore a pair of buckskin trousers, and 
a cloak made out of wolfskin ; on his head 
he wore a squirrel cap, and his feet were 
clothed in leather moccasins. His hair hung 
in long strings over his shoulders, and his sal- 
low, brown-coloi-ed. peaked face was covered 
with a grizzly beard. His sole companion in 
the woods, and at his lodgment were two rifles, 
which he invarial)ly carried about with him on 
his tramps. When he spotted anj- game, he 
would drop one of his guns. He was taciturn 
and uncommunicative, and would talk with no 



person more than the disposal of his slaugh- 
tered game, and the buying of ammunition, re- 
quired. One of his wa3-s to track the deer and 
bring them within reach of his rifle was to 
start with a burning hickory torch and liurn a 
line of the dr}' leaves and grass through the 
woods for a considerable distance. This some- 
times caused great anno3ance and trouble to 
the farmers, as, in manj' instances, the fire 
would extend, and, quite often, burn down tim- 
ber. The deer would approach the fire line, 
but would be afraid to cross it. and pass along 
its entire length, while the old hunter would 
post himself at some convenient spot, and kill 
the deer as they passed along. The farmers of 
the neighborhood finall}- made efforts to have 
him stop this practice, as they feared that great 
injur}- might be done to their propertj- by the 
fire. He stolidly listened to the remonstrances, 
and made no replv. He suddenly disappeared, 
and was never seen again in the locality. 

The first symptom of political organization 
manifested itself in 1816, when an '-P^ar-mark " 
and Estray Recorder was appointed, Alvin 
Loomis being the person who was endowed with 
this function. This was unquestionablj- the 
first office held by any person in Medina County. 
This is the direct antecedent of the much-ma- 
ligned •• pound-keeper '' of to-day. It was an 
outgrowth of necessitj' at that time. There 
were no fences, and the cattle ran at large. To 
distinguish the ownership of the cattle and 
sheep and iiogs, a distinct and separate ear- 
mark by ever}" owner of stock in the colon v. 
was required, and the mark properl}- rc- 
cordeil in a booli kept by the '' Kar-mark " 
Clerk. The first entry in the book reads as 
follows ; ■■ Harrisville Township. Portage 
County, State of Ohio, April 16, 1816.— Tiiis 
day Joseph Harris entered his ear-mark for his 
cattle, sheep and hogs, which is as follows : A 
half-penny on the under side of the let1: ear." 
Then follows Timothy Burr, whose mark is "a 
swallow tail in the end of the riffht ear." Rus- 






;f^ 



■^- 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



493 



sell Burr, " a square crop off the right ear." 
Five more were recorded in this year ; two in 
1817 ; one in 1818. Then follow records everj' 
year up to the j-ear 1865. A complete political 
organization of the township was effected in 
April, 1817, and the new township then included 
all the territory which now belongs to the town- 
ships of Harrisville, Westfield, La Fayette, 
Chatham, Spencer, Huntington, Rochester, Troy, 
Sullivan and Homer. Twenty-nine votes were 
cast at the election held for township officers on 
October 6, 1877, at the little schoolhouse erected 
in the spring of that year. The poll sheet of 
this election has been lost, but the following 
were elected as township officers for the ensu- 
ing year : Joseph Harris, Loammi Holcomb 
and Isaac Catlin, Trustees ; Isaac Catlin, Jus- 
tice of the Peace ; and Timothy Burr, Town- 
ship Clerk. The first is a list of the taxable 
property of Harrisville Township, made out by 
Willey Hamilton in the spring of 1819. There 
are eighty-one names listed, and their personal 
property comprises 49 horses and 211 neat cat- 
tle. This iucluded territory north, east and 
west, other than what constitutes Harrisville 
Tovvuship to-day, although at that time it all 
came within its political boundaries. The next 
election occurred in Harrisville on the 12th 
day of October, 1819, at which time, State, 
count}- and township officers were voted for by 
the Harrisville people. Thirty-nine votes were 
cast at this election. At one of the township 
elections in the early 3-ears, forty-seven candi- 
dates were voted for, though there were but 
thirty -one votes cast. This included all the 
different township offices, such as Road Super- 
visor, Overseer of the Poor, Fence Overseer 
and " Ear-mark " Recorder. Some of the can- 
didates had the honor of receiving ballots for 
four and five different offices. From this, it may 
be inferred that there was as much strife for 
office among our forefathers as there is among 
the politicians of to-day. This is again well 
illustrated at a special election held on July 3 



following, to elect two Justices of the Peace. 
Twenty-nine votes were deposited, and they 
were divided among eleven candidates, as fol- 
lows : Waynewright De Witt, 23 : Leonard 
Chapman, 24 ; Elijah De Witt, 2 ; James Rog- 
ers, 2 ; William Burr, 1 ; Amos Witter, 1 ; Jo- 
seph Harris, 1 ; Jonathan Fitts, 1 ; Lomer 
Griffin. 1 ; Carolus Tuttle, 1 ; and Ebenezer 
Harris, 1. The natnes of the voters at this 
election, the first Presidential held in Harris- 
ville Township, were Aaron Loomis, Reuben 
Chapman, Arvis S. Chapman, Joseph Harris 
James Rogers, Seeva Chapman, Cyrus Chap- 
man, Loammi Holcomb, Carolus Tuttle, Timo- 
thy Burr and Levi Chapman. At the next 
spring election, forty-seven votes were polled. 
This increased, at the election on April 7, 1828, 
to fiftj^-six. During the fall of that year, the 
people of Harrisville were thoroughly aroused 
in the Presidential canvass that was being 
waged between Andrew Jackson (Democrat) 
and John Q. Adams (National Republican). 
Sixty-five citizens came out that day for the 
Adams Electors, and one solitary vote had been 
cast for Andrew Jackson. Then indignation 
arose. Who could have been the traitor in 
their midst, who had presumed to vote for An- 
drew Jackson and the Democratic ticket ? 
When it was suggested b\- Waynewright De 
Witt that the man who had presumed to vote 
the Democratic ticket should be rewarded bj- a 
free ride on a rail, and the scorn of the entire 
colon}', Josiah Perkins arose and defiantlj- de- 
clared that he had been the man. and intimated 
to the suggestor of the free ride that he was 
ready, right then and there, to sustain the vir- 
tue of a free ballot with a little more forcible 
argument than mere words. But it did not go 
further than words, and the political excitement 
soon subsided, and pleasant good feeling was 
restored. At the Presidential election held on 
November 2, 1832, 86 votes were cast. The 
Heiuy Clay Electors (Whig) received 45 votes, 
and the Andrew Jackson Electors (Democrat) 



4_f 



i±. 



494 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



41. Four jears later, the vote ran up to 171 
votes, the William H. Harrison Electors receiv- 
ing 100 votes, and the Martin Van Buren Elect- 
ors 71. On November 3. 184(1. the total vote 
in Harrisville Township amounted to 240, 
the Whig candidate receiving 138, and the Dem- 
ocrat 102. The most intense excitement known 
in the election annals of Harrisville Town- 
ship was created at the Presidential election 
held in 1844. The anti-slavery sentiment of 
the North was asserting itself all over the coun- 
try, and it had come to the surface in the new 
settlement. Five of the citizens of Harrisville, 
whose names are Timothy Burr, Milo Loomis, 
Ebenezer Munson, L. M. Grant and John Grant, 
voted the " Free-Soil " or -^ Third-Party " ticket 
at this election. 

In connection with the growth and develop- 
ment of the township, stand the men and women 
whose names will ever be associated with its his- 
tory. First and foremost stands the founder and 
pioneer settler of the township, Judge Joseph 
Harris. His life's career has been told in the 
foregoing pages. He helped and sustained all 
laudable and beneficent enterprises, social, re- 
ligious, political and industrial, that were ad- 
vanced and consummateil. until the day when 
his ej'es were closed in death. He died on the 
2d of October, 1863, at the age of eighty-one 
years, at the home which he built in the town 
of Lodi. As prominent by his side is the life 
of his wife. Kachel. who followed him to the 
gi'ave about ten years later. She came with 
him to the settlement, and endured all the hard- 
ships, struggles and privations of the pioneer 
life, and with him enjoyed the sweet reward of 
their energy and industry l)y his side. She died 
on the 5th of October, 1874, at the home of her 
daughter, Mrs. Henry Ainsw^rth. 

Another life, graven in the tow^nship's history, 
is that of James Rogers, one of its first pio- 
neers. His public labors will go down with it 
to coming posterity. He died November 20, 
1877. 



Quite as brilliantly in this gallery of histor- 
ical characters, stands James Starr lledfield. 
His life is told in the history of the township. 
Another personage, perhaps the widest known 
the w'orld over, is Lomer Gritfin. A few years 
ago. the world knew him as one of the most re- 
markable men of the day. He attained an age 
that no man with well-authenticated record of 
birth and age had ever reached before. A few 
years ago, at the time of Mr. Griffin's death, 
the writer prepared the following obituary, 
which was published in the leading journals of 
America and England : " The last mortal re- 
jnains of Lomer Griffin, the man whose life 
covers a century, and who has exceeded the 
Scriptural allotment of j'ears given to man by 
nearly, two scores, have been borne to their 
final resting-place. There are but few mortals 
to whom such a rich harvest of years are given. 
He was coteinporary with times and events 
that have gone into history generations ago. 
When he first saw the light of day, this Repub- 
lic, whose existence now covers a period of over 
a hundred years, was unborn, and was yet but 
the dream of a few l)rave men. The grand 
struggle for freedom, on this side of the Atlan- 
tic, had not yet commenced. He was yet a boy 
when those burning lines that gave birth and 
liberty to a great nation were indited and pro- 
claimed to mankind, and, as a boy. he shared in 
the triumphs and glory of the Revolutionary 
host. The vast domain west of the Allegha- 
nies was yet one unbroken wilderness, and the 
numberless treasures hidden within them wx're 
undreamed of by man. 

■• The old man is dead now. and he rests well 
in his gra\e. His last breath passed from him 
on Monday evening, and he died peacefully. 
Life ebbed slowly away. It was an easy, nat- 
ural death. He clung to life as long as there 
was a spark of vitality left in him. and it was 
some days after parts of his body had turned 
cold that he fell intt) the never-ending slumber. 

••Just seven weeks ago to-day. Mr. Griflin 



"Tp 




RACH EL HARRIS. 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



497 



walked out in his back 3'ard on a rainy morn- 
ing to split some kindling wood, and do a few 
chores, as was his wont. He was found pros- 
trate on the ground shortl\- after, having met 
with a fall. He was carried in the house and 
placed in a bed, from which he never rose 
again. He lingered along bravelj', but, within 
a week or so, it became apparent that he could 
live no longer. The machinery of life was 
worn out, and, on Monday evening, the news 
passed out that Lomer Griffin, the oldest man 
in America, was gone forever. The funeral 
took place in the Congi-egational Church in 
Lodi on Thursday afternoon, September 19, 
1878, and was conducted by the Rev. William 
Moody, of La Fayette, assisted by the Rev. Jlr. 
Whitman, of Chatham. After the sei-vices, the 
corpse was placed in a convenient spot in the 
open air, to give the large crowd of mourners 
who had gathered, a parting look of the re- 
mains. After the viewing of the bodj", it was 
convej'ed to the village cemeterj', followed by a 
large procession. The following gentlemen, all 
advanced in years, and old settlers of this 
county, acted as pall-bearers : Albert Harris, 
Dyer Sti-ong, John Holmes, B. F. Criswell, Al- 
bert Braiuard and Henry Obei's. The body 
was placed by the side of his first wife, who 
died in 1830, and lies buried in these grounds. 
" The precise age of the deceased, which 
has long been under dispute, has, at last, 
been conclusivelj- settled, and he was, be- 
yond a doubt, now, one hundred and six years 
six months and twentj'-five days, on the 
da}- of his death. Mr. Griffin was born 
in Granby (formerly Simsbury), Litchfield Co., 
Conn. We have been furnished with a copy of 
the family record of the Griffin family, as re- 
corded in tiie Archives at Granby, and we give 
that part of the record pertaining to the birth 
of Lomer Griffin : • Chedorlaomer Griffin, the 
son of Nathaniel Griffin, b}- Abigail, his wife, 
was born in Simsbury the 22d of April, A. D. 
1772.' 



'' The reason that this record of the birth was 
not sooner discovered and all disputes about 
his age at once settled, was that he had been 
given such a singular name, ' Chedorlaomer,' 
which was abbreviated and corrupted into the 
short ' Lomer,' and investigators were led to 
error in the difference of these names. We 
have been furnished some very interesting in- 
formation in regard to the ancestry of this re- 
markable man, and find that the famih' is wide- 
spread, and, in many instances, some of its 
descendants have held high social rank. John 
Griffin came from England about the year 164:0, 
and first settled with a party of emigrants in 
Dorchester, Conn., and afterward moved to 
Windsor, in the same State. He stopped some 
time in Windsor ; but, hearing that there was 
plenty of pine timljer over the mountains west, 
he started on an excursion in that direction, 
passing through the gorge at LoupviUe, and 
settled down on the north bank of Tunxus 
River, in a region which the Indians called 
Massawa, where he established a manufactory 
of pitch, tar and turpentine. The Indians 
burnt up his works, and, to settle with him, 
gave him a deed of the land in that region. He 
gave away several tracts of land to settlers from 
Windsor, but reserved for himself a tract three 
miles square, which was for manj' years known 
as 'Griffin's Lordship.' In the 3'ear 1647, 
John Griffin married Anna Bancroft, and by 
her had six daughters and four sons. The 
names of the sons were John, Thomas, Ephra- 
im and Nathaniel. The last, Nathaniel, was 
the youngest, and was born May 31, 1693. 
This Nathaniel had a .son Nathaniel, who was 
the father of Chedorlaomer, the subject of this 
sketch. This finishes the genealogical tale of 
the first ancestors of Lomer Griffin from the 
time thej- left England. 

'' As already stated, Lomer was born in that 
part of the village of Simsburj' which is now 
known as Granby, Conn., on the 22d of April. 
1772. No surprising events marked his boy- 



"fv: 



^1 



498 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



hood days. His father was a sort of farmer, 
and t!ie boy's life passed along as farmers' 
boys' lives usually do. The first event in the 
life of Lomer Griffin, of which we have any in- 
formation and record, is his marriage to Miss 
Charity Moore, which occurred April 15. 1797. 
from which union there were seven children, 
namely. Parley, Willis, Kalzimond. Andrew, 
Thomas, Lj-dia and Harlow, of whom three, j 
settled in Harrisville Township, are still alive. 
Another event which has lately been brought 
prominenth- before the public, as, in some re- 
spects, proving his age. was his eulistmout in 
the Connecticut militia compan\' commanded 
by one Capt. Moses Heyden, in August, 1813, 
and serving until October of the same year. On 
the strength of this enlistment, he, in the }-ear 
1850, made an application to the Government for j 
bounty land, which stands recorded in the Pen- 
sion Office at Washington, and was reeentlj" 
brought to light bj- another application made 
by ^Ir. Griffin last spring for the same service 
in the militia company, under an act of Con- j 
gi'ess passed last winter, giving a pension to ; 
soldiers of 1812. Mr. Griffin's application was 
at once made special, on account of the extreme 
age of the applicant, and his claim was granted. 
He has been drawing a pension since last spring, 
and was the oldest pensioner on the list in the 
Government offices. -In the beginning of the i 
3'ear 1818, early in the month of January. Lo- 
mer Griffin, who had bv that time become the 
proud and happy father of five children, col- 
lected his family treasures about him, loaded a 
large box on bob-sled runners, drawn by a pair 
of oxen, and moved out West. During the 
latter [)art of March, he arrived in Harrisville 
Township, and at once went to work and put 
up a rude log cabin on a part of the Harris 
farm, two miles north of Lodi. which is now 
known as the Hoag farm. The rest of this 
man's life is given in the iiistor}- of the town- 
ship in which he lived to the day of his death, 
taking a liveiv interest in its afl'airs. During 



the last five years of his life, he became a 
celebrity, talked about the world over as the 
American Centenarian. " 

Jeremiah Higbee, for a number of years a 
resident in Lodi, during the earlier existence of 
the Harrisville Settlement, exerted a command- 
ing and wide-felt influence in its business and 
civil aflfairs. He was a man deeply interested 
in the social and religious movements that were 
propagated during his life in Lodi. He removed 
to Cleveland in 1858, and there became the 
founder of one of the most prosperous business 
establishments in that city. He died in the 
fall of 1878. 

An active part was played by several of the 
Harrisville people in the anti-slavery move- 
ments in the North, during the two decades pre- 
ceding the war of the Rebellion. Quite promi- 
nent in this matter, stood Uncle Timothy Burr, 
who then lived in the large brick building west 
of the village of Lodi, and now occupied by Mr. 
E. W. Minns. He, with a number of his neigh- 
bors, was in accord with the sentiments of 

; the Abolition partj- that was manifesting it- 
self throughout the North ; and the}' together 
made their best endeavors to help the cause. 
The Burr House, near Lodi, became a famous 
station on the ' underground railroad," on 
which the fugitive slaves who had escaped 

1 their masters in the South, were transported 
during the night to places of safety in the North- 
ern States and Canada. Numbers of the col- 
ored people, who had left their shackles of bond- 
age iu the South, came to the Burr House and 
thei'e found shelter, protection and food. Often- 
times there were ten and fifteen negroes secreted 
in the house, and some of them remained for 
days. Most of thcni traveled from there on to 
Obcrlin and other points of safety. Laura, the 
wife of Mr. Burr, and Rachel Norton, a \'oung 

j girl who then lived with them, and is now the 
wife of E. W. Minns, nobly assisted in giving 
succor to the fleeing slaves. 

The industrial and commercial life of Harris- 



i^i. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



499 



ville Township commenced with its first colo- 
nization. As a stripling boy of sixteen or 
eighteen j-ears, James Redfiold opened up a 
traffic in wolf hides, and, by his shrewd energ}' 
and industry, earned a good man}' dollars 
through the reward given bj' the State of Ohio 
for woh'es killed. It is said that in a period of 
several years, he killed as many as 125 of these 
beasts. He captured and killed them in a sys- 
tematic, business-like manner. At one time, he 
traveled to a settlement some twenty miles dis- 
tant, in Wayne C!)unty, and Iwught an old, de- 
crepit horse of which he had heard, for 82. He 
brought the horse back to Harrisville and led it 
out into the thick woods and shot it. He set 
his traps on the dead carcass, and, in a short 
time, captured as many as fifteen wolves. 
Aside from the capturing and killing of wolves, 
the young pioneer earlj* devoted his attention 
to other industrial pursuits. Among the first 
was the establishment of an ashery for the pro- 
duction of "black salts." This he carried to 
Elyria and exchanged for merchandise, which 
he disposed of to advantage in the home settle- 
ment. He was soon joined in the enterprise b}' 
Eeuben Chapman, forming, in 1826. a partner- 
ship, and opening up a small village store. 

Another store, with an assortment of general 
merchandise, was opened in the j'ear 1828 in 
the center of the village, b}' Barker & Siza. A 
few 3'ears later, another country store was added 
to the business world of the Harrisville settle- 
ment, by Archibald Miles and Chai'les R. Dem- 
ing. This made three stores, and the country' 
trade naturally drifted into the settlement. The 
store buildings were small, and the stock of 
goods rather limited, 3'et sufficiently large for 
the immediate wants of the early settlers. 

The immediate interests of the people of the 
township are agricultural. The desire of the 
American farmer is to excel. This is mani- 
fested in agricultural fairs held all over this 
broad land. Harrisville had its fair at an early 
day. The first exhibition of farm products and 



stock was quite limited, and conducted in an 
informal way. A few head of farm animals 
were shown on the green, and products were 
exhibited in the village tavern. This occurred 
for two or three seasons, and some years after 
an agricultural society entitled th(^ Harrisville 
Agricultural Society, was organized in the sum- 
mer of 1859. The following were chosen a board 
of officers, at the first meeting of the society, 
held on the 15th of September of the same year : 
E. H. Sibley, President ; H. Selders, Treasurer ; 
N. Harris, Secretarj- ; and Lyman ]Mihills, Dyer 
Strong, T. Gr, Loomis, H, Selders and Isaac 
Rogers as Board of Trustees, The first fair 
was held on the Redfield farm one-half mile 
east of Lodi, on October 25 and 26, of 1 859, It 
was a grand success for the first exhibition. 
Two more fairs were held in the following years, 
— the last being a complete failure on account 
of the inclcmencj- of the weather. The society 
then died out, and the leading farmers of the 
township have joined the County Agricultural 
Society of Medina, 

Harrisville was established as a post office 
in 1834. The first mail line was run by James 
Redfield, who had a Government contract to 
carry the United States mails from Wooster to 
Elyria, by way of Harrisville, Spencer, Penn- 
field and Turner's Mills. The mail was carried 
twice a week. There is no authentic record 
to show when and at whose suggestion the 
name of the post office was changed to Lodi. 
There is now a tri-weekly mail passing from 
Burbank, on the N. ¥., P. & O. R. R,, to Bel- 
den, on the C, T,, V, & W, R. R. 

The population statistics of the township 
since its earliest settlement, are slightly' sug- 
gestive of the difilerent changes that have 
passed over it since its civil existence. Li 
1818, at an enumeration taken by the State of 
Ohio, the population numbered 231. This 
number rapidlj- augmented, until, by 1850, the 
United States census returns exhibited a total 
population of 1,477 persons. In I860, this 






~l'y 



A^ 



500 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



number had decreased to 1,226, and. in 1870, 
there were onlj- 1,182 persons living in the 
township. The United States census returns 
for 1880, show that there are 1,382 persons, 
and 197 farms in the township. 

Lodi is an unincorporated village of 439 in- 
habitants. The town is located just one-half 
mile east of the geographical center of the town- 
ship, at the northern extremitj- of the Harri.s- 
ville swamp. The East Branch River skirts 
the town on the north, while gently rising 
slopes extend to the east and north. The first 
settlement of the township was made right 
near the center of the village, and from that 
day it has formed the nucleus of the township. 
The first stores were built at this center. A 
tavern was erected there at a very early day by 
Orrin Chapman. In the spring of 1818, 
William Barnes came from the East, after hav- 
ing stopped in Cleveland and in Portage 
County for a short time, into the little settle- 
ment in Harrisville Township, and located at 
Lodi. With his coming, the industrial interests 
of the colony commenced. He had his proj- 
ects ripe and ready for execution soon after 
his arrival. The first was the construction of 
a dam up the "gully," on the East Branch 
River, and then, running a race-course for 
water-power down into the settlement. A 
grist-mill was put up. to which, a few 3-ears 
after, a distillery was added, and. later, a card- 
ing-mill. A number of other additions were 
made to this building, and, in the course of 
time, it has been used for various purposes. 
From 1870 to 1873, it served as a cheese- 
factory. Mr. Jeremiah Iligbee built a large 
store-building, and opened up a local mercan- 
tile business in Lodi in the year 1835, on an 
extensive scale. The structure is to-day intact 
and serving the purpose for which it was orig- 
inally erected. The spacious and conimodiiius 
room caused the people to wonder at the time 
it was erected, antl they all looked with aston- 
ishment upon the advancement that was being- 



made in the commercial affairs of the town. This 
soon became the great village store, and, when 
Harrisville was set apart as a post office, in the 
j-ear 1835, the office was located in this build- 
ing, with Mr. Higbee as Postmaster. This 
store was for many j-ears the center of home 
trade in the country about. Another business 
structure, somewhat on the style of Mr. Hig- 
bee's, was erected in the " forties," on the site 
where now stands the large brick block owned 
by H. Ainsworth. Aside from a storeroom, it 
contained several shops for trades-people. Bus- 
iness was carried on here bv the Ainsworth 
Brothers. This opened up a health}- competition, 
and made business lively in Lodi. This build- 
ing, with all its contents, was destroyed by fire 
in the spring of 1858. The conflagration 
caused a great commotion among the people. 
It was on a Sunday morning, when nearly all 
of the inhabitants of the village were attend- 
ing divine service, that the fire broke out. It 
had its origin from a defective flue. The en- 
tire building, with storeroom and stock, har- 
ness, tailor and shoe shops, and an adjacent 
dwelling, were consumed. 

In 1859. the Harrisville Masonic Lodge, in 
connection with a Masonic Hall, built a large 
store building on the south side of the public 
square in Lodi. The room was occupied bj' 
J. H. Warren as a hardware store for several 
years. In May, 1870, it burned down, with all 
of its contents, caused by the explosion of a 
lamp. 

James llichey came up from Wooster in 
1834. and built a woolen factory and carding- 
raill on the Little Killbuck lliver, two miles 
south of Lodi. This was, at a later date, 
owned and useil !)y James Moore for a numl)er 
of years, initil the progress of the country left 
no demand for this business, when the small 
factory buildings became dilapidated, and all 
traces of it have since entirely disajjpeared. 
An iron foundry, for the making of agricultural 
im|)lements. was established a few years before 



3^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



501 



the late war, b}' Mr. Joseph Wairen. It has re- 
mained in successful operation, though it has 
undergone a number of changes in the proprie- 
torship. The most notable factory in Harris- 
ville Township to-day, is the wood-turning 
establishment owned and controlled by A. B. 
Taylor. A considerable force of hands is em- 
ploj-ed, and various articles of manufacture ai'e 
turned out. In 1868, a large grist and saw 
mill was removed from Penfleld, Ohio, and 
erected south of the center of the village. The 
Snow Flake Flouring Mill was built in 1875, 
adjacent to the old cheese-factory, and where, 
fiftj- years ago, the first flouring-mill in Medina 
County had been put up. 

Tiie Crawford Cheese Factory, built two 
miles west of Lodi, bj- Christ Albert, was put 
in operation in the year 1S7(J, under control of 
the Crawford Cheese Company, embracing the 
well-knowu cheese firm of Horr, Warner & Co., 
of Wellington, Joseph Crawford and Christ 
Albert, each one of whom owns a third share in 
the CQmpanj-. 

Tiie most prominent business building in 
Lodi now is the brick block built and owned 
by Mr. Henrj- Ainsworth. It contains several 
large salerooms, warerooms, private offices, pub- 
lic halls, etc. It was completed in 1 8G6. 

The new Masonic Block also claims attention 
by the elegance and spaciousness of interior, 
and its adaptability for mercantile business. 
An unusual prominence was given to the com- 
mercial alTairs of Lodi. when, in 1863. the or- 
ganization of a National Bank was eflected. 
The organization took place on the 7th of 
August, 1863, and tlie original stockholders 
were Joseph Harris, W. W. Prentice. H. Ains- 
worth, John Taylor, William Walcott, H. Seld- 
ers, Asa Farnum, Leonard Tattle, J. Higbee, J. 
N. Holmes, Josiah Nafzker and L. A. Shepard. 
The first officers were W. W. Prentice, Presi- 
dent, and H. Ainsworth, Cashier. The former 
died some 3-ears after the organization, and 
John Taylor was chosen in his place. The 



bank was known as " The First National Bank " 
of Lodi. On the 11th of January, 1876, the 
company went into voluntarj- liquidation, and 
its affairs were closed up. A private banking 
business has since been carried on bj' H. Ains- 
worth, in Lodi. 

Various and persistent efforts have been 
made by the people of Lodi, to have a line of 
railway pass through the town. So far. the 
attempts have been futile in the completion of 
an iron highway. Numerous surveys have been 
run through the township from east to west 
and north to south. The first railroad agita- 
tion in Lodi commenced when projects were 
set afoot by capitalists of Northern and Cen- 
tral Ohio, to have a railroad built between 
Cleveland and Columbus. A line of survey 
was run through Harrisville, passing one-half 
mile west of Lodi. Considerable stock was 
subscribed by the citizens of the township for 
this project, and Jeremiah Higbee was ap- 
pointed and acted as one of the directors of 
the projected road. Thi'ough the efforts of 
Alfred Kelley, a wealthy quarrj- man at Berea, 
the road was finallj- built and finished in 1851 
through Berea, on to its southern terminus, 
passing about twenty miles west of Harrisville. 
There was no more railroad talk in the settle- 
ment until the year 1871, when it again com- 
menced in earnest. The Black Biver road, run- 
ning north and south, was the first project 
which was incorporated under the name of the 
Wooster & Muskingum A'allej- Railroad. Har- 
risville subscribed $30,000 for the building of 
this road. Nothing has ever come of this road, 
except the establishment of lines of surveys. 
The next railroad project was the Wheeling & 
Lake Erie line, and intended to run from 
Wheeling, AV. Va., to Toledo, in the northwest 
corner of the State. Harrisville subscribed 
$48,000 to this line. Henrj- Ainsworth was 
made one of the directors. Work commenced 
on this road, in the township, in the fall of 
1874, and three or four miles were graded, and 



\ 



Vv 



503 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



then, from several causes, work was abandoned 
until 1877, when another spurt was made, 
and a few moi'e miles graded, the effort then 
being to construct it as a narrow-gauge rail- 
road. This also failed. Then work again com- 
menced in the fall of 1880, Harrisville sub- 
scribing $5,000 of additional stock. The grad- 
ing in the township for this road is now 
completed, and the prospects are of the decided 
indication that the road will be completed in the 
near future. The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, 
from Pittsburgh to Chicago, has a Hue of sur- 
vey established through the township, and 
strong hopes are entertained by its people that 
connection will be made on this line with the 
branches of this great railroad enterprise. 

The commercial and financial convulsions of 
1837 and 1857 passed through the country 
without any visible material effect upon the 
interest of the people of Harrisville. The 
panic of 1873 was quite different. The village 
just then, in the years following the war. had 
reached the heyday of its prosperity. With 
the collapse of the banking house of Jav Cook 
& Co.. and the failure of the Northern Pacific, 
$200,000, the money invested by citizens of 
Harrisville, was swept away. Business and 
manufacture commenced to stagnate ; other 
business failures in Ashland. Akron and Woos- 
ter followed, and a numlier of thousands of 
dollars that had been invested by Harrisville 
people, were lost. 

The darkest days in the annals of the town 
are those in 1864. when the small-pox broke 
out in Lodi. in the spring of that year, and 
made the fair town look desolate and forsaken 
for a number of months. The disease was 
brought into town b}- two tramp soldiers, who 
had stopped for a night's lodging at the village 
hotel, then kept by S. L. Stringham. In a few 
days the infectious contagion broke out and 
laid the inmates of tlu' hotel prostrate. The 
hotel became, by necessity, a pest-house, and 
was isolated from the rest of the villa;j;e. and 



held under quarantine. The disease died out 
after several months' ravages, and after exact- 
ing a number of victims. 

The wave of patriotism that electrified the 
North in the spring of 18(51. struck the Harris- 
ville settlement in the month of April of the 
same year. The news of the firing on Fort 
Sumter had aroused the people, and it had ar- 
rived in Lodi. The call of President Lincoln 
for troops to suppress the rebellion had been 
issueil ; it caused intense excitement in Har- 
risville ; a war meeting was held in the Con- 
gregational Church at Lodi ; the house was 
densely packed with anxious people ; stirring 
and patriotic addresses were made by a num- 
ber present. A few daj-s later, half a dozen of 
the joung men of the town started to enlist in 
the war ; they enlisted in the Eighth Ohio Vol- 
unteer Infantry, which was then in course of 
formation in Cleveland. In September of the 
same year, a contingent of fifteen more left 
tiieir homes to fight for the Union. Harris- 
ville furnished about 100 men to the armies of 
the North. F. K. Loomis, J. C. Bacon, W. M. 
Bacon, S. W. DeWitt, C. C. Eldred, W. F. Ford 
and J. H. Green, were the boys who answered 
to the first call to arms. 

The Harrisville Lodge of Free and Accepted 
Masons, No. 137, was organized as a lodge on 
the 23d of Octolier, 1846. For several years 
previous the (piestion of formation had been 
agitated by tiie leading citizens of Harrisville, 
and meetings under a charter of dispensation 
had lieen held. It was on this day that a char- 
ter was granted them. It reads as follows : 

To WUOM IT MAY Co.scekn: 

We, the Grand Lodge of the Most Ancient and Hon- 
orable Society of Free and Accepted Masons of the 
State of Ohio, convened in the city of Dayton ; where- 
as, a petition has been presented to us from Joseph 
Ilildreth, James S. Kedtield and Benjamin Kidder, all 
Free and Accepted Master Masons, stating that they 
have heretofore assembled tou;ether under a warrant of 
dispensation from the Most Worshipful Grand Master; 
iliey therefore pray for a charier extending and con- 



•C i 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



503 



firming unto them the rights and privileges of a regu- 
larly constituted lodge of Master Masons ; and where- 
as, the aforesaid petitioners having passed a proper 
term of probation and exhibiteil to this Grand Lodge 
satisfactory evidence that they have conducted bus- 
iness of Masonry agreeably to the original design ; 

Now. Iher-fure, be it knoivn. That we, the Grand 
Lodge aforesaid, reposing special trust and confidence 
in the integrity and well-known attachment of the 
aforesaid petitioners to the sublime principles of Ma- 
sonry as originally taught, and earnestly believing 
that the true interests of the institution will be pro- 
moted by granting the prayer of said petitionei's, have 
constituted and appointed, and do by these presents 
constitute and appoint them, the said Joseph Hildreth, 
James S. Redfield, AL Hoag, and their associates, a 
regular and constitutional Lodge of Master Masons, by 
the name, style or title of Harrisville Lodge, No. 137, 
and we do hereby appoint Brother Joseph Hildreth 
First Master; Brother Calvin Holt, First (Senior War- 
den, and Brother Hamner Palmer, First Junior War- 
den ; hereby giving and granting unto them and their 
successors full power and authority to assemble to- 
gether on all proper and lawful occasions as a legal 
lodge within the town of Lodi and State aforesaid ; to 
initiate good men and true who may apply to be made 
acquainted with the sublime principles of the several 
degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master 
Mason, etc., etc. 

And furthermore. We do hereby declare the prece- 
dence of the Harrisville Lodge in the Grand Lodge, 
constitutional brethren to attend their Grand Lodge, 
etc., etc. 

And furthermore. We do hereby enjoin it upon them 
to conform in all their doings to the constitution, law 
and edicts of the Grand Lodge, and, in failure there- 
of, this charter and these powers herein granted are to 
cease and be of no further validity. 

In testimony whereof, and by virtue of the high 
power and authority in us vested, have hereunto set 
our hands and caused the seal of the Grand Lodge to 
be affixed, at Dayton, the 23d day of October, 1846, 
era of Masonry .3846. 

William B. Thrall, M. W. G. M. 

John L. Vatties, R. W. D. G. M. 

M. Z. Kreider, R. W. S. G. W. 

J. N. Burr, R. W. J. G. W. 

B. F. Smith. R. W. G. Sec'y. 

The first regular meeting iintlcr the new char- 
ter, was held on November '11, 1846, and the 



following officers chosen for the ensuing year : 
Benjamin Kidder, W. M. ; Calvin Holt, S. W. ; 
James Redfield, J. W. ; James B. Eiehards, 
Secretary ; J. Yocum, S. D. ; P. Holt, J. D., and 
W. S. Moore, Tiler. The installation of these 
officers took place a month later. In a few 
years, the lodge, through wise and judicious 
management, had sufficient funds at its dis- 
posal to erect a building, and apartments in it 
were furnished for a Masonic hall. Lodge- 
meetings were held in it until the spring of 
1871, when it was destroyed by fire. The lodge 
then transferred its quarters into the large busi- 
ness block that had been erected by Mr. Ains- 
wortb, and held its business sessions there for 
a number of years. A new Masonic hall was 
erected on the old site in the summer of 1878, 
and was finished for occupancy in April, 1379. 
The apartments used by the Masonic lodge in 
the upper story are elegantly furnished, and are 
probably the best lodge-rooms in the county. 
This is the only secret organization that has 
ever existed in Harrisville Township. It has 
steadily grown in affluence, and is now one of 
the wealthiest lodges in the State. It numbers 
among its members the best citizens of Harris- 
ville Township, and holds the foremost position 
as a fraternal organization in Medina County. 
The difl'erent officers of the lodge for the year 
1880 were Allan Pomeroy, Worshipful Master; 
John Warren, Senior Warden ; A. A. Joline, 
Junior AVarden ; J. C. Ya.n Orman, Secretary ; 
N. Harris, Treasurer; J. H. Warren, Senior 
Deacon ; A. H. Vanderhoof, Junior Deacon ; 
S. L. Sti-ingham, Tiler. Its regular monthly 
meetings are held on the Friday before the full 
moon. 

Pawnee is a post office, situated in Harris- 
ville Township, three miles west of Lodi, in the 
western part, on the line of Homer Township- 
It was formerly known as Esselburus Corners. 
There are about a dozen houses clustered to- 
gether, and the inhabitants are all mostl\- Ger- 
mans. In 1872, Louis Esselburn erected a 



1^. 



^1 



^k 



50-t 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



large store building — the largest in Medina 
County — at this point, and carried on an ex- 
tensive trade. The property is now owned by 
D. B. Dudley. The hamlet was set apart as 
a post office in 1870, and is supplied with a 
triweekly mail from West Salem. 

Crawford's Corners forms a small settlement 
in the southwestern part of the township. It 
is located about three miles from Lodi, and 
contains about seventy-five inhabitants. The 
first settlement was made in this vicinity by 
Josiah Perkins, in 1819. Several years later, 
Joseph Crawford moved with his familj" from 
Wayne Countj-. and settled in this locality. 
He opened up a store, and also erected a tavern. 
People traveling from Clevelaud to Columbus 
frequently stopped at his place. After him 
the settlement was named. 

In the fall of 181 15, the Rev. Mr. Bigelow, a 
circuit rider of the Jlethodist Church, whose 
station was in Kentucky, came into the Harris- 
ville settlement while on his waj- from Cleve- 
land to Columbus, and preached a sermon to 
the pioneers. He was accompanied by Mr. 
Harris as far as Wooster, on his way to the 
State Capital. The Rev. Royce Searl, Rector 
of St. Peter's Church, in Plymouth, Conn., 
preached a sermon in April, 1817, in the httle 
log schoolhouse that had been put up that spring 
near the center of the town, on Timothy Burr's 
farm. Other ministers of different denomina- 
tions came into the settlement about this time ; 
among them, the Rev. Mr. Jones, a Baptist 
Minister, who was stationed at Wooster, and 
who held meetings at the different cabins in the 
settlement. This was the first religious life of 
the little colony. 

The origin of church societies in Harrisville 
Township, dates l)ack to the fall of 1817. Re- 
ligious worship and devotional exercises had 
been held during and (jrevious to that time in 
the little colony. It was on the oth of October, 
1817, that the first Christian Church was organ- 
ized in Medina County in the log schoolhouse 



in Harrisville Township. It was formed on the 
Cougi-egational model of the Pilgrim Fathers. 
During the summer previous, there had been a 
revival among the settlers in the township, and 
all those who felt the need of salvation must be 
gathered into a church for their own safety, and 
that they might save others. On the 3d of 
October, all persons having a desire to form 
themselves into a church, met at the school- 
house, and gave the reason of their hope, and 
their views in uniting together as a church. 
The Rev. Luther Humphrey, .settled in Geauga 
County, and Rev. Amasa Loomis, a home mis- 
sionary from Connecticut, were the ministers on 
the occasion. The examination was completed 
on the 4th, and on the 5th twelve persons came 
forward and formed a church. Their names 
were Isaac Catlin. Eunice Catlin. Loararai Hol- 
comb, Hannah Holcomb, Nathan Hall, Pemibri 
Hall, George Burr, Mehitable Burr, Cyrus Cur- 
tis, Russell Burr and Carohis Tuttle. On the 
6th of October, 1817, the church voted to enter 
into connection with the Grand River Presby- 
tery, according to their rules of practice, and, 
on the third of the following February, their 
delegate appeared in Presbytery at their meet- 
ing in Tallmadge. 

There is nothing left on record to show what 
the confession of faith and covenant of the 
church was in these early days. No doubt, 
they were the same or similar to the other Con- 
gregational Churches on the Reserve, which 
were connected with Presbytery on the " accom- 
modation plan." This plan was formed by the 
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church 
in the United States in 1801, and was approved 
by most of the New England ministers. Its 
aim was to relieve the new settlements, com- 
posed of mixed populations drawn partly from 
New England and partly from other States, and 
so partly Presbyterian and partly Congrega- 
tional. By uniting these elements for a time 
upon a fixed plan, they hoped to strengthen the 
weak church. It was conceived in a Christian 



lLl 



HISTOllY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



505 



spirit, and no doubt for some years accomplislied 
good. It was abrogated bj- the old-school 
branch of the Presbyterian Church in 1837, 
and. ou the 31st of Jul}*, 1841, this church 
voted to withdraw their connection from Pres- 
bytery. The\- some time after joined with 
other Congregational Churches in conference, 
and now belong to the Medina County Confer- 
ence. 

In the early dajs of the township, an occa- 
sional sermon or a sacramental Sabbath service 
was obtained from a missionary traveling, or 
from some minister principally occupied in 
another settlement. At other times, meetings 
were held without preaching. In this way Revs. 
Treats, Simeon Woodruff, Caleb Pitkin, Joel 
Talrot. John Seward, Varnum Xoyes, William 
Hanford, 3Ir. Fay and Alvan Coe assisted the 
infant chui'ch. Rev. T. H. Breck was the first 
stated minister of the church, but it does not 
appear how long he continued in charge. The 
Rev. Joseph Edwards was the next stated min- 
ister — he served but one year. This was in 
1831. There is no record to show the names 
of the ministers who were stationed here dur- 
ing the time intervening from the first organiza- 
tion up to this date. In 1832, the Rev. J. 
McCrea commenced preaching, and continued 
the whole or part of two 3'ears. Rev. Joel 
Goodell preached in 1834, who was followed 
for several years by the Rev. Asaph Boutelle. 
The Rev. B. W. Higbee preached for seven 
months in 1839. The Rev. Alvan Ingersol 
commenced a three 3'ears' service in 1840. Rev. 
J. H. Baldwin then served the church for a year. 
In 1844, November 30, A. N. McConoughey 
came, and left in 1847. He was succeeded bj* 
Rev. Moses Longley, who was Pastor for the 
year. Then came A. J. Drake, who preached 
about four j'ears from 1850. From 1855 to 
1865, the pulpit of the church was filled for 
different periods b}- T. H. Delamater, Q. M. 
Bosworth, William Russell and Rev. J. N. 
Whipple, who died in Lodi on the 29th of De- 



cember, 1865. He was followed by the Rev. 
James Gray, who continued for a year, and 
was then succeeded l>y the Rev. S. F. Porter. 
After the resignation of Mr. Porter, the Rev. A. 
H. Robbins became Pastor of the church, and 
remained such for six j'ears, when he was suc- 
ceeded bj- the Rev. L. Donaldson. 

The first Clerk of the church, Nathan Hall, 
was appointed October 6, 1817. Isaac Catlin, 
was appointed Aug. 29, 1822 , James Rogers, 
May 10, 1836 ; Milo Loomis, March 30, 1839 ; 
Uriel T. Burr, April 29, 1841 ; R. Hunter, De- 
cember 25, 1852 ; and H. S. Chapman, the pres- 
ent incumbent, March 25, 1864. The church 
was incorporated on Februarj- 14, 1840. The 
act of incorporation reads as follows : 

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Asseni^Uy of 
th St He of Ohio, That George Burr, Isaac Catlin, Justus 
Burr, James Rogers, .■\ugustus I'helps, Milo Loomis, 
William Converseand their associates and successors be, 
and they are hereby created a body corporate and 
politic, by the name of the First Congregational So- 
ciety of Harrisville, in Medina County, and as such 
shall be entitled to all rights, privileges and immunities 
granted by, and shall be subject to all the restrictions of 
an act entitled, " An act in relation to incorporated 
religious societies," passed on the ')th of March, I806. 
Sec. 2. That said society shall give ten days' notice, 
by posting up advertisements in three of the most public 
places in the township of Harrisville, in said county, of 
their first meeting under this act. 

Tno.M.\.s J. Buchanan, 

Speaker H. of R. 
William McLaitghmn, 

Speaker of the Senate. 

The meetings of the church were continued 
in the log sclioolhouse, where it had been 
formed, until the same was destroyed bj- fire a 
few years later. The burnt school house was 
replaced hy a hewed-log town and school house, 
where meetings of this society were also held. 
Sometime in 1828, the congregation built for 
themselves a log meeting house, 24x30 feet, one 
storj' high. It was altogether primitive, both 
in structure and the furniture within — slab, 
benches, rough board pulpit, etc. The building 






A± 



liL, 



506 



HISTORY OF MEDINA (OTXTY. 



at present used by the society was erected in 
1843. It was an enterprise not undertaken by 
the church, but by Mr. Milo Loomis, assisted 
hy Mr. Jeremiah Higbee. After finishing the 
house, the}- sold the pews as best they could for 
paj-ment. A semi-centennial was held in the 
church on October 7, 1867. One remarkable 
fact in connection with this church is. that it 
has not missed a single Sabbath service during 
its existence. 

The record and origin of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church in Harrisville is not well known. 
Religious observances of the Saljbath Day were 
held by the Methodist ministers as early as 
1818, but no organization was formed until 
several years later, and no record has been kept 
to show the date. At different times, services 
were held in the Cotrell Schoolhouse, located a 
mile and a half northwest of Lodi. In 1825, 
the Wesleyans and Methodists joined with other 
denominations, and helped liuild, witli the 
township, the two-story town and school house 
on the site of the first log schoolhouse. which 
had burned down, and there, in the upper story, 
thej- continued union worship for a number of 
years. 

During 184G, the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church organization was formed in Harris- 
ville. In 1 847. the church list had a membership 
of seventy-five, and the Revs. Warner, Dodge, 
Hitchcock and others were the ministers in the 
following years. The present Methodist Epis- 
copal Church edifice was erected and fin- 
ished during the years from 1867 to 1869. and 
was dedicated by Bishop Clark, of Cincinnati, 
in August of that year. The church was in 
charge of the Rev. G. A. Reeder during this 
year. He was followed by the Revs. Mr. Pope. 
E. 0. Mclntyre, B. D. Jones, V. P. Lawrence and 
G. W. Huddleston. At a revival lield in the 
church in the winter of 1878. tliere were sev- 
enty-two conversions, and there was consider- 
able interest attending the revival meetings. It 
was the largest reliiirious movement ever known 



in Harrisville Township. The membership of 
the church now numbers 172. 

Another religious element which asserted 
itself in the earlier days of the settlement, and 
for several years maintained an organization, is 
the Uuiversalist Church. For several years 
preceding the war of the rebellion, the Rev. 
Heur}- Gifford came at regular intervals and ad- 
dressed the small congi'egations at the town 
hall, and at private residences. An effort was 
made in the fall of 1871, for a permanent or- 
ganization of a Uuiversalist Societj". It was 
successful, and remained intact for several years. 
Meetings were held regularly every alternate 
Sabbath Daj- for religious worship, in the town 
hall. Tlie incorporators, at this time, of the 
Lodi Uuiversalist Society, were II. Ainsworth, 
Joseph Reynolds. A. Pomeroy, Mrs John War- 
ren. N. E. Shaw, E. 0. White and Calvin Holt. 
The Rev. N. Stacey Sage was the resident minis- 
ter, and preached for three j-ears, when he re- 
moved to theWest. The regular Sabbath services 
were then discontinued, and the society gradu- 
allj- died out, only a few meetings having since 
been held by the society in Lodi. The Rev. H. 
F. Miller and Rev. Mrs. Danforth have both 
preached several sermons. 

In the year 1840, a Presliyteriau Society- was 
formed in the western part of the township. 
Tlie incorporators were John Douglas, William 
Finley. William Jeffreys, James Stevenson, 
Joseph Faulk and Skene Lowe. Thej' held re- 
ligious worship at the little log schoolhouse, 
near the corner, with the Rev. ^'arnum Noyes 
as minister for five years, and then disbanded 
and joined the Presbyterian Society at West 
Salem. 

The first public instruction given in the 
township of Harrisville was in the spring of 
1817. in a small log schoolhouse erected on the 
farm of Timothy Burr, now belonging to E. W. 
Minns, one-lialf mile west of the town of Lodi. 
Miss Diadenia Ciuirchill taught school during 
the sunnner of that vear. In the winter follow- 



yVr. 



V 




y^-yi 



^^yn-^fz^r^Z—t^yY^f^^^^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



507 



ing, and for several years after that, Mr. Tim- 
otL}' dealt instruction in the rudimentary 
branches of learning to the few children, num- 
bering from four to eight at a time. 

A few years later than this, another school- 
house was put up b}- the few settlers in the 
western part of the township, on the site 
where now one of the churches at Cherry Cor- 
ners stands. Miss Harriet Hosford taught 
there a few terms, and also a Mr. George Mc- 
Quay. A division of the township in school 
districts was made on the 10th of October, 
1827, with the following boundaries, as given 
in the original ordinance made by the Township 
Trustees : 

Commencing on the south line of the township, at the 
southeast corner of Lot No. I'M, running from thence 
north on lot line, to the north corner of Lot 96; from 
thence west, on the line of the lots, to the West Branch 
of Black River; from thence northwardly, following 
said stream, to the outer road running east and west; 
from thence west, to the west line of the township. 
All that said part of said Township west and south of 
that line, shall constitute District No. 2. District No. 3, 
Ijouuded by District No. 2 on the west, and a line run- 
ning from the northeast corner of Lot 96, running east 
to the south, to the southeast corner of Lot 87 ; from 
thence north, to the northeast corner of Lot 68 ; from 
thence east, to the east line of said township ; said dis- 
trict shall include all that part of the Township south 
and east of the said line not included in District No. 2. 
District No. 1 to contain all that pari of the Township 
not included in the other two districts. The following 
.are the names of all the householders in District No. 1 : 
Seth Lewis, Michael Loomis, Alvin Loomis, Justus 
Burr, Carolus Tuttle, John Jason, Jr., Nedebiah Cass, 
John B. Utter, Charles Lewis, Lomer GrifBn, Willis 
Griffin, Anson Loomis, James Rogers, Amos Kinney, 
Timothy Burr, Joseph Harris, Thomas Dunbar, Eli 
Utter, Michael .Simcox, Cyrus Chapman, Henry K. Jo- 
line, .\sher Loomis, Ira Kingsby, Elijah De Witt, Isaac 
Catlin. Diodema Birge, John Jason, Moses Parsons, 
Ralzemond Griffin, Parley F. Griflan, Richard West and 
Perrin Chapman. District No. 2 — Loammi Holcomb, 
Reuben Harrington, Daniel Delevan, Timothy Munson, 
Josiah Perkins, John Munson, Nathaniel Rogers, Leon- 
ard Chapman, Samuel R. Munson, David Sausman, Roger 
Phelps, William Rogers, Perez Rogers, Anson Marsh, 



Jonathan Fitts and Thomas Holcomb. District No. 3 — 
Thiinias Russell, Russell Burr, Webster Holcomb, Jere- 
miah Hill, Elijah Bishop, Levi Cliapman, Warren John- 
son, Sceva Chapman, Orange Stoddart, Reuben Chap- 
man, Isaae Rogers, Ebenezer Harris, William Burr, 
George Burr and Celina Young. 

We, the undersigned. Trustees of Harrisville Town- 
sliip, certify the above to be a true description of school 
districts in said township, as laid off by us, and also 
a correct list of householders in each district. 

James Rooebs. 

Attested: Jonathan Fitts, 

Anson LoO.mis, Clerk. Trustees. 

An enumeration taken on the 4th of Janu- 
ary, 1830, of the householders in the different 
school districts in the township showed eighty- 
one householders aud one hundred and thir- 
teen children between the ages of four and 
eighteen. Another subdivision of school dis- 
tricts was made on the IGth of May, 1835, add- 
ing two more and making five school districts. 
Two more districts were created b3' the town- 
ship trustees, on the 15th of May, 1837, and on 
the 9th of October in the same j-ear, Alvin 
Loomis, Joseph W. Rockwell and 0. S. Kinney 
were appointed Directors of School District No. 
IT An enumeration of the youth between the 
ages of four and twentj% in the several school 
districts in the township, taken on the 20th 
of October, 1838, showed 253 males, 253 fe- 
males and a total of 506. This number had in- 
creased in 1840 to a total of 538, and in 1845 
to 638. In 1855, the number of youth hael de- 
creased to a total of 484, and in 1860 there 
were only 447 children between the ages of four 
and twenty' years in Harrisville Township. 
Twent}' years later, in the fall of 1880, the total 
number of school children between the ages of 
six and twenty -one, in the entire township, in- 
cluding the special school district of Lodi, was 
482, being, strange as it may seem, just 156 
less than were enumerated in 1845. 

By virtue of an act passed by the Ohio Leg- 
islature on April 0, 1867, a special school dis- 
trict was created in the winter of 1868, embrac- 



^ 



608 



HISTOPiY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



ing the territor}- within the limits of the towu of 
Lodi. At the first election, held in April fol- 
lowing, H. Ainsworth. H. Solders and N. Harris 
were chosen a Board of Education for said dis- 
trict. Township District No. 8, on petition of 
the householders of said district, was merged 
into the special district of Lodi in April, 1872, 
and is now an incorporate part of the same. A 
few years previous to the separation of a 
special school district, the question of the es- 
tablishment of a higher grade of school than 
that of a common district school had been ex- 
tensivel}' agitated among the people of Lodi, 
and consultation and private meetings had 
been held by its citizens, at various times, to en- 
courage a movement of this kind. In the fall 
of 18G7, the following call was issued and 
placarded on the streets of the town ; 

Let Us Build The Hoise! 

The advocates and Patrons of Education, witliin and 
adjacent to Harrisville Township, .are hereby notified 
that a meeting will be held at Lodi, on Saturday even- 
ing, February 16, 1867, at 6 P. M., to devise measures 
for the erection of an academy in said town. All are 
respectfully iuvited to convene on that evening at the 
Congregational Church. 

Friend? of Edi'c.4Tion'. 

The people of the neighborhood at once re- 
sponded to this call, and there was a large at- 
tendance and a great deal of enthusiasm mani- 
fested on the subject. Dr. 'M. Hoag was called 
to the chair, and spirited addresses and appeals 
were made bj^ H. Ainsworth. Rev. Samuel F. 
Porter. T. G. Loomis. John Taylor. 3L Hoag 
and others for the cause of education, and the 
erection of an academy building. A pream- 
ble and subscription list was otlered by Mr. 
Ainsworth. and $8,.")00 was put down at this 
meeting. Committees were appointed and an 
adjournment iiad for a week, when an (organi- 
zation was elfecteil. II. Solders. S. C. Muiisou, 
H. Ainswortii. T. (i. Loomis and NV. W. Pren- 
tice were elected a l)oard of trustees, with tlie 
folIowiuK board of otlicers : President. W. W. 



Prentice ; Vice President, John Taylor ; Secre- 
tary-, F. R. Loomis ; Treasurer, Henry Ains- 
worth. The total stock had been placed at 
200 shares of .SI 00 each, all of which were taken 
in less than a month's time ; there were sixt}'- 
three original stockholders. The project had 
so far advanced by the first of May that the se- 
lection of a site was made, and the proposals 
for a building given out. On the 5th of June, 
1865, the first assessment of 10 per cent 
was made, and the ground was broken in 
the ■■ Orchard " lot, within the town, for a 
large academy building, which was completed 
in the spring of 1871. The first academy 
school year opened the next fiill with Prof J. 
X. Haskins as Principal. There was a very 
large attendance of scholars, which increased 
during the next year, and the school bid fair to 
become a prosperous and successful institution. 
A Boarding Hall, large enough to accommo- 
date 120 student boarders, was erected south 
of the Academy during the first year. At the 
fourth annual meeting of the stockholders, held 
on April 5, 1873, the following proposition was 
submitted to the voters : " Shall the trustees 
create an indebtedness sutHcient to complete 
the building, and inclose grounds? " which was 
adopted bj- a vote of 118 for, to 12 against. 
The success of the school continued for a few 
years, and the people of Lodi felt gratified and 
encouraged. Then came the panic of 1873, 
with it assessments on the capital stock of the 
acadeni}' association to meet contingent ex- 
penses. Prof Haskins resigned on account of 
failing health, and the attendance of the school 
grew less. Prof H. N. Miller, a Universalist 
minister, took charge of the school and con- 
ducted it in a very able manner for three years. 
After that the Rev. Mr. Mclntyre and Prof. W. 
R. Grannis took control of the school until 
the spring of 1878, when the school was closed 
for an indefinite time. One or two private se- 
lect schools were held in the building after 
that. In April, 1879, the tinestion of purchas- 



f 



-7; 



J^i 



-^- 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUXTY. 



509 



ing the academ}- building and using it for a 
union scLool was submitted to the voters of j 
Lodi Special School District, and carried with , 
an overwhelming raajoritj-. John Warren, T. I 
G. Loomis and E. W. Minns were elected 



The building, which had originallj- cost $25,000, 
was bought for $5,000. It is one of the finest 
structures for school purposes in Ohio. The 
public schools opened in it on the 2d of Sep- 
tember, 1879, with S. Thomas as Superintend- 



Directors of the district at the same election, ent. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

YORK TOWNSHIP— DESCRIPTIVE— COMING OF SETTLERS— PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENTS— UNDER- 
GROUND RAILROAD — MANNERS AND MORALS. 



IT often occurs within the experience of the 
historical writer, that, when any section of 
couutrj- was first settled, some portions were 
cleared and inhabited a quarter of a century be- 
fore other portions removed but a few miles dis- 
tant. Owing to some natural feature which un- 
fitted the land for occupanc}- in early years, no 
improvements were made ; and some of the finest 
farms in the county have been cleared and 
subjected to cultivation within comparatively 
late years. Following the natural instincts of 
human life, the pioneer complacently selected 
what, in his judgment, was the finest land 
within the reach of his limited purse, for what- 
ever object he had in view, whether agriculture, 
horticulture, stock-rearing, milling or mechanics. 
Its proximity to mills, stores, schoolhouses, 
churches, good water, quarries, etc., was an im- 
portant item to be considered. If an}* or all 
of these were yet lacking, the settler chose a 
home where the configuration of the land and 
the natural surroundings gave promise that the 
farm would be favorably situated when the 
country became well settled. Sometimes, as 
was quite often the case, the settler arrived in 
the wilderness with more children than dollars, 
trusting that with the aid of those two valuable 
assistants — help and self-denial — he might at 
last secure a home where he could pass the re- 
mainder of his days in security and peace. " It 
is natural for man to indulge in the illusions of 



hope," and what a rest it is from the dreary 
prospects that hang like the shadow of some 
impending calamitj- over the future. How 
precious to our happiness are the castles that 
we build ! How sweet it is to let the imagina- 
tion wander oS into pleasing representations of 
future stages of life ; and how universal and 
cherished is this phase of human character. It 
opens boundless fields of enjoyment as vivid as 
reality, and crowns desolate and desponding 
lives with the bright flowers of approaching 
happiness. When all the blessings from Pan- 
dora's box are fled, hope alone remains, a sol- 
ace in the darkest hour of human life, to irradi- 
ate the future with the smiles of Divine 
promise and love, and to save man from de- 
spair at the approach of death. The pioneer, 
removed from the influences of human society, 
no doubt thought as did Alexander Selkirk : 

" Solitude ! where are the charms 
That sages have seen in thy face? 
Better Jwell in the midst of .alarms. 
Than reign in this horrible place. 

" I'm out of humanity's reach; 

I sh.all finish my journey alone ; 
Never heir the sweet music of speech ; 
I start at the sound of my own.' 

His only prospect for relief from anxieties 
and toil lay in his sturdy nature, and in his 
hope that " something better would turn up." 
The total avoidance of human society is a 






3) ^» 



^ 



510 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



cross that weighs heavilj' upon the heart as 
the years advance. In the seclusion of non- 
intercourse with tcllow-men. the tendency of 
huuian nature is to revert from the standard of 
society in its present artificial character, and 
to renew tiie cast-off instincts and habits of 
barbarous man. Evolutionists insist that soci- 
ety is an organic growth or relation, and that 
it is neither the natural nor primitive condition 
of man. They assert, that, if the usages of so- 
ciety be partially relaxed or wholly a\'oided, 
the infallible result is a fatal retrogression to 
primitive conditions. This would place man 
back almost to the higlun- plane of brute capa- 
bilities. However, the pioneer had nothing of 
this nature to fear, as his isolation from social 
contact with his fellows was but temporarv, 
from the obvious fact that thousands of settlers 
would locate near him in the course of a com- 
paratively short time. This pliilosophical ques- 
tion was not the one which most perplexed the 
settler. His prolilcm was something like this : 
" How in the world am I to feed and clothe 
this ■ raft ' of children ? " That same question 
has staggered many a man not recognized in 
histories as a pioneer ; and it may be added 
that many a husband and father never suc- 
ceeded in reaching a correct solution. He 
could not look in a book as the school-boy does, 
and write the answer in its proper position on 
the slate. That esteemed privilege was denied 
him. The case must bo met with honest and 
incessant toil, and no legerdemain could de- 
ceive the great Teacher looking down from 
above. Otiiors in the school of life could solve 
the problem at a glance, and the prosperous 
condition of their children, the presence of a 
broad scholarship, and a lofty refinement in 
thought and act, attest the accurac}- and prac- 
tical value of their solution of the problem of 
social life. Pioneers belong to that division 
of humanity known as benefactoi-s. Through 
countless denials and self-imposed hardships, 
through almost a lifetime of unceasing priva- 



tions and perplexities, thej- founded the bright 
and happy homes of to-day-, where education, 
religion, refinement, and all the luxuries of 
wealth, abound. 

York Township remained as long unsettle! 
as any other in the county. This was not be- 
cause of a dearth or absence of natural attrac- 
tions. The soil was as rich for agricultural 
purposes as that of any other ; and the open- 
ing for settlers was promising, and gave assur- 
ance of future opulence to those who were sav- 
ing and industrious. Settlers, like migratory 
birds, seek a common resort. They move in 
flocks (to continue the figure), and. at the end 
of a long journev, alight in the same neighbor- 
hood. It seems that no flock saw proper to 
alight in York until many years after several 
of the other townships had been visited. Ad- 
venturous birds, however, left the neighboring 
coveys, and attempted to build their nests and 
rear their young abroad. It thus came to pass 
that, prior to the appearance of the fii-st 
permanent white settler in 1830, the township 
was the home of several wandering hunters 
and trappers, who served as an advance-guard 
to the advancing army of settlers. It is quite 
certain, that, soon after the war of 1812, one or 
more professional hunters resided in a small 
bark shanty, in the northeastern part, near the 
present site of Abbeyville. The dwelling was 
little better than a wigwam, and was permitted 
to fall into decay after one or two seasons of 
occupancy. This brings the reader down to 
the time when the first permanent settler located 
in the township : and. before entering upon the 
description of the first settlement, it will be 
proper to notice the physical features of this 
portion of the county. 

York Townshi)) is five miles square, and is 
bounded north by Liverpool, east by Medina, 
south by La Fayette, and west by Litchfield. 
Like the remainder of the county, its surface 
is irregular, and is characterized by peculiarly 
shaped prominences, which, at a distance, ap- 



=^r^ 



:i>: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



511 



pear to be the works of Mound-Builders, but 
which, upon closer inspection, prove to have 
been deposited by glacial action in times which 
antedate, b}- long periods of years, all recorded 
history. These prominences or hills, are usu- 
ally composed of a coarse bowlder clay, and 
large (luantities of gravel of crystalline rock, 
granite, quartz, e\'idently of a foreign nature. 
The lower and more level portions, though com- 
prising a large percentage of cla}\ are still 
thoroughl}- intermingled with a rich semi-sandy 
and semi-alluvial soil, giving great strength 
and permanence to its productiveness. The 
composite nature of the soil, and the pro- 
portion in which the composing elements are 
blended, assure a fertility that is unknown in 
sections of the State or county where a pure 
soil abounds. Such lands are fitted for a 
greater variety of crops, as each vegetable 
production can select from the soil that which 
is adapted to its permanent and most rapid 
growth and strength, while a pure soil, lacking 
as it does the elements necessarj- to the life of 
some plants, can support the growth of but 
few. The soil also has great strength, as is 
shown b}- the fact that the same crop can be 
raised year after year on the same piece of 
land, without decrease in qualit3- or quantitj" 
produced. The land is good for grazing pur- 
poses, and for meadows of luxuriant grass. 
Considerable sand is displayed near Abbey- 
ville, not only in small inland and isolated 
banks, but in strata along the abrupt banks of 
Rocky River. Excellent hard water is ob- 
tained in abundance, at deptiis varying from 
ten to forty feet. A few perpetual springs are 
found, and, if their location is near a public 
highway, troughs are prepared where horses 
ma\' quench tlieir thirst. 

The township is well drained by numerous 
streams which How in a northerly direction, 
and the waters of each finally reach Rocky 
River. The principal stream is Mallet Creek, 
named thus for the first white settler who lived 



on its banks. Tt enters the township on the 
southern line, al)out a mile west of the center, 
and Mows a little west of north until near the 
center, when it takes a course a little east of 
north, and finally leaves the township at very 
nearly the geographical center of the northern 
boundar}-. It is fed throughout its course by 
numerous affluents, which join it from either 
side. This whole system of drainage has suf- 
ficient fall to insure the contiguous bottom 
land from ever becoming marshy, and unfitted 
for the use of the husbandman. The stream 
and its branches have worn their way, in some 
places, many feet below the surrounding valley 
level, owing, no doubt, to the character of the soil. 
The northeastern corner is crossed by Rocky 
River, a stream which has worn its way deep 
into the underljing rock. Near the bridge at 
Abbeyville. perpendicular embankments of 
sandstone may be seen, rising abruptly from 
the water's edge, in some cases to the height 
of seventy feet. From the worn character of 
the perpendicular surface thus exposed, it 
seems reasonable to infer that the lied of the 
stream was once at the top of the enbankment, 
and that through a long period of years it grad- 
ually descended to its present position. Mal- 
let Creek and its branches drain almost or 
quite one-half of the township. The north- 
eastern third is drained bj' three or more small 
"runs," which flow directly into Rocky River, 
near Abbeyville. There are no swamps of any 
note, although in earl}' years the northern part 
was quite wet, and was covered with an almost 
impenetrable thicket, wherein wild animals 
sought refuge from pursuing hounds or hunt- 
ers. In common with other portions of tiie 
county and State, York, in early years, was 
destitute of I'onvenient roads, and it was only 
after the lapse of time that tlie incidental 
sticking in the mud, which attended each jour- 
ney, could be avoided. The first road i)rop- 
erly surve3"ed in the township was the Nor- 
walk road, extending diagonally to York Cen- 



*^. 



•V 



.-)12 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



ter from Medina, thence direetlj' westward. It 
was surveyed in ISSO, and was laid out only to 
be a\()ided, as the passage of a few wagons so 
cut up llie clay soil that drivers preferred to 
select their route through the woods near by. 
This procedure was onlj- altered when the road 
had been suHiciently graded to turn oft" the 
water, instead of allowing it to remain in the 
ruts made b}" the wagons. 

We come now to the time when the first set- 
tlers appeared in York. It being premised, 
that, inasmuch as portions of the county, con- 
tiguous to the township, had been first settled a 
score or more years earlier than 1830, and that 
the townships of Liverpool, Medina, La Fayette, 
were at that date quite thickl}' populated — it 
may appear strange that no settler had \et 
concluded to locate in York. One reason for 
this state of affairs was that the township was 
owned by speculators in the East, who charged 
so much for their lautl that it was practically 
thrown out of market. The land was owned 
in six tracts — five of them each a mile wide, 
and extending from the eastern boundary to 
within a mile of the western line, and the sixth, 
comprising a strip one mile wide, extending 
north and south across the western side. The 
tracts number from the south to the north, the 
one on the west being the sixth. No. 1 was 
owned by a man named Chapman. It must 
not be understood that the price of the land 
was far abo\'e that in neighboring townships. 
The price asked varied from 25 cents to $1 
above the current rates, and, in the estimation 
of a man with liut little money, this was an 
iniiiortant consideration, and eftectuall}' pre- 
vented the sale of the land. In the year 1820, 
the following persons paid taxes on 14,187 
acres of the land: Fanny ('h;n)uian, Elijah 
Hubbard, .lanu^s Mallier, Samuel .Mather's 
heirs, Tiiouias Mather, Thomas Sill and Will- 
iam N. Sill. The land was valued at $20,936, 
and the tax i)aid was $295. 02. 

In the niontli of June, lS3(t, (leorge Wilson, 



of Monroe County, X. Y., came to the town- 
ship, purchased a small tract of land on the 
branch road where Eli Hubbard now lives, 
erected a small dwelling, and immediately 
moved his family from Medina, where thej' had 
stopped until Jlr. Wilson could build a house. 
This man was the first permanent settler. He 
was immediatelj- followed by Levi Branch, 
Lawson Branch, Harvey Bruce, E. M linger, 
John Dunsbee, Reuben Stickney, and Solomon 
Hubbard. These men came with their fami- 
lies to Medina in the month of October, 1830, 
and, while the families remained in the village, 
the men went to York, found their land which 
had been previouslj- bought or traded for, 
erected their rough log houses, and returned 
to Medina for their families. Le>i Branch was 
looked upon with envy by his fellow-settlers, 
as he had taken the trouble to bring from York 
State a small sto\e. This was properh- ad- 
justed in his cabin, and was looked upon by all 
visiting neighbors as a curiosity, and was 
spoken of so often throughout the neighbor- 
hood, tiiat " Branch's stove " became almost a 
by-word. The cabin in which this "curiosity" 
was placed, and in which the famil3- moved, 
was onl}- half-finished, as but half of the 
roof was on, and the doors were j'et to be man- 
ufactured. Blankets were hung up to serve 
the purpose of doors, temporarily, and Mr. 
Branch continued busily engaged in riving 
clapboard shingles to be placed on the half- 
finished roof A rough floor had been hastily 
fitted in. designed to do duty until leisure mo- 
ments would give Mr, Branch opportunity to 
construct a better one. The fact that settlers 
in the surrounding neighborhoods had attained 
a comparative degree of comfort, did not miti- 
gate in the least the hardships and sutfcrings 
of the York settlers. They were compelled to 
pass through the same liitter school of expe- 
rience. The size of the tracts of land pur- 
chased depended upon the means at the com- 
mand of the settlers. Levi Branch boui^ht 



r 



I 




\ * 




/Puj^^^^^y^ r^-v 



^^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



515 



567 acres, but his farm was larger than 
that of auy of the other early settlers. All 
were located south or southeast of the center ; 
and, within a few years, this portion of the 
township put ou the outer garb of pioneer civ- 
ilization. Cabins of various designs rested 
near the center of small clearings ; the ring and 
echo of ax and rifle awoke reverberations on 
the distant hills and in the heavy forest ; the 
"ding-dong" of cow-bells told where the herds 
were feeding ; the barking dog betrayed the 
fact that a coon had been treed ; and all the 
attendant features appeared which give to 
clearings in the forest the name "settlement." 

For the next five jears after the appearance 
of the settlers alread}- mentioned, as many as 
thirty others located in the township and be- 
gan clearing their land and cultivating the soil. 
The first thing to be secured was a garden, 
where potatoes and kindred vegetables could 
be raised. After this came the fields of wheat, 
dotted with hundreds of stumps, to avoid 
which, the reaper must use care. While the 
crop was growing, the settler was busily en- 
gaged in deadening the trees, and leveling them 
with the ground. At this point of the clearing 
process, a great deal of useless labor could be 
avoided b>' judicious management, guided by 
the light of experience. In some cases, all the 
timber on a certain piece of land was to be 
destroyed by fire. On such occasions, the chop- 
per would select some central point, around 
which, for 300 or 400 feet, all the trees would 
be felled toward the center selected. They 
would lodge on the central tree, and remain 
standing until the latter was cut down, when 
all came thundering to the earth together. 
Here they would remain until drj- and dead, 
when thej' were almost totally consumed by 
fire. At other times, a line, perhaps eighty 
rods or more in length, was laid out across a 
tract of land, and all the trees within 300 or 
400 feet were felled toward this line, thus form- 
ing an enormous windrow. At the proper dis- 



tance away, another line was established, and 
the process was repeated. In this manner, 
whole sections were often chopped in windrows, 
and, as soon as the trees were thoroughly dead 
and dr^', fires were lighted over the entire area 
of fallen timber, and the men devoted their 
time and attention in preventing the fire from 
dying out, and in seeing that all the fallen ma- 
terial was destroyed. In the night-time, the 
fii'es thus lighted over half a farm, compared 
favorably with the prairie fires so well known 
in the West. In early years, a great deal of 
farm labor was done through the medium of 
" bees." Whole neighborhoods would assemble 
and accomplish in a short time what would 
perplex one man for mouths. A large share of 
the clearing done in York was accomplished in 
this manner, and all was the result of an inter- 
change of labor. The men of a neighborhood 
would assemble and clear up the farms in rota- 
tion, and it is true, that a vast saving of time 
and labor resulted from these " bees," and it is 
often the case, from the peculiar nature of the 
work to be performed, that twentj- men can 
accomplish in one day what one man cannot 
accomplish in twenty days. If the butt-cuts of 
trees were to be saved, the windrow process of 
clearing was often adopted, as in that case, the 
tops were crushed together, while the butts 
were free from troublesome branches. When 
one or more cuts were to be preserved on each 
tree, it was customary, also, to adopt the cen- 
tral process of clearing, and the center selected 
was usually the summit of some prominence, 
as in that case the logs could be rolled more 
easil}' out .of the reach of the fire. 

It is impossible to name all the settlers who 
came to York prior to 1835. Previous to their 
coming, they were notified, upon inquiry, that 
the excellent and well-traveled Norwalk Turn- 
pike extended through the center of the town- 
ship, and aflorded an unparalleU'<l outlet to 
market and mill. They were also informed that 
the township was crossed by the beautiful JVIal- 



'^ ®" 



r^ 



jvf 



A 



516 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



lot Creek, iu whose clear waters thousands of 
speckled trout abounded. Tiius, the most san- 
guine anticipations of the settlers were aroused, 
and all were anxious to view the bright land 
which destiny had selected for their home. 
Alas for the delusions of fancy ! It was dis- 
covered that the informant had meant speckled 
frogs, instead of speckled trout, and the well- 
traveled turnpike proved to be a snare and a 
myth. It is related that R. M. Lampson, Sr., 
went with his wagon to Medina for a few bricks, 
and. on his return, though he had but 125, his 
wagon sank to the hub in the soil of the •' cel- 
ebrated Norwalk Ttu-npike." This enraged Mr. 
Lampson. whereupon he uttered some startling 
truths, in a peculiarly emphatic manner, re- 
specting the famous turnpike and the meander- 
ing JIallet Creek. He and many others were 
for a long time singularly tender on the sub- 
jects of speckled trout and turnpikes. Like a 
celebrated lad}-, they refused to be comforted, 
because they were not — as their hopes had de- 
picted. Time, at length, healed the wounds. 

The township was organized and named in 
1832. The name '■ York " was bestowed upon 
it, owing to the fact that nearly all the settlers 
came from York State, and, at their suggestion, 
the authorities created the township under that 
title, and ordered an election held at the resi- 
idence of Levi Branch, on the 2d of April, 
1832, for the purpose of electing the necessary 
officers and of completing the organization. 
On that day, twenty settlers (all then living in 
the township, with the exception of about five) 
assembled, and polled their first votes as citi- 
zens of York Township. It will thus be seen, 
that, from June, 1830, to the following April, 
about twenty -five settlers located in the town- 
ship. This first election was held iu Mr. 
Branch's barn, and, after a due amount of 
" wire-pulling " and •' electioneering," the fol- 
lowing officers were elected : Alexander Forbes. 
Justice of the Peace and (probably) Clerk ; 
Philo Fenn. Treasurer ; Levi Branch, Thomas 



Brintnall and Sylvanus Thunn, Trustees. It 
was no uncommon occurrence, in pioneer times, 
to hold town meetings in barns and dwellings. 
This was rendered necessary from a lack of 
schoolhouses and town halls. It required but 
about six years from the time of the first set- 
tlement before the township was almost as 
densely populated as it is at present. It was 
during this period that the township sprang, 
like Minerva from the head of Jove, into vig- 
orous and mature life. Industries of various 
kinds began to arise as abruptly, if not as 
grandly, as Aladdin's palace, and soon the wild 
farms of the forest were transformed into those 
of civilization. Hundreds of acres of fine tim- 
ber were given to the tiames. and the peaceful 
hum of busy human life was heard, where erst 
the howl of the wolf and the whoop of the sav- 
age resounded. The paths of the forest were 
opened to the light and heat of the sun ; the 
ponds- and marshes slowh' disappeared ; wav- 
ing seas of wheat and corn appeared ; roads 
were established and graded : stumps were up- 
rooted and removed ; fields became encircled 
with strong rail fences ; domestic animals fre- 
quented the paths and feeding-grounds of wild 
ones ; schoolhouses appeared, with their disci- 
pline and instruction ; happy homes were cre- 
ated by the industry and genius of man ; relig- 
ious institutions, with their attendant bles,~- 
ings. ai'ose ; the pleasing and complex relations 
of social life took tlie place of savage councils 
and pow-wows ; natural features, with artificial 
adornments, improved the wild figures of liie 
forest ; and the vast energy of a progressive 
and enlightened people transformed tiie wil- 
derness into quiet hamlets and peaceful country 
homes. 

When the township was first settled, deer, 
wolves and other wikl animals had not wholly 
disappeared. These and olliers were yet seen 
at their favorite haunts, and were pursued and 
shot by those whose inclinations had a sporting 
tendency, and whose wants could be supplied 



Ml 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



517 



from the spoils of the chase. Alexander Forbes 
was perhaps the most skillful and successful 
hunter ever a resident of the township. He 
built his cabin on the diagonal road running 
from Medina to York Center, in the fall of 1830. 
He was a tall, powerfully built man. and, it is 
said, would kill an average of one hundred deer 
each season. Extravagant stories are told con- 
cerning his ability to bring in large quantities 
of game, and his superior marksmanship. He 
often went into the forest in the morning, and 
returned at night with forty or fifty squirrels, 
each having been killed by a bullet through its 
brain. It is related that on one occasion of 
about three weeks, he killed eight deer, on an 
average, per day. On another occasion, he 
started a herd of seven deer earl}- in the morn- 
ing, and continued following the same herd all 
day, occasionally shooting one, and at night all 
had fallen before his unerring rifle. These 
stories are not impossible, and the^- bear the 
evidences of truth. It is no wonder that such 
rapid destruction of game soon loft the forest 
deserted. Wolves were a continual annoyance 
for many years, and it seemed almost a necessary 
result, that, when a valuable flock of sheep had 
been reared with no little attendant trouble, 
those blood-thirsty creatures must steal into 
the fold, and slaughter the whoki flock. It is 
not probable that the owner, in viewing the 
field of death the next morning, passed many 
complimentary remarks on the act. or. went 
about his daily task in an enviable frame of 
mind. It thus came to pass that the County 
Commissioners offered a bounty of several dol- 
lars for wolf-scalps, and so great was the push 
after the reward that the wolves found it best 
to depart for other localities. Since the disap- 
pearance of deer and wolves, coons and squirrels 
have been the principal " game." 

Levi Branch owned the only team in the 
township during the winter of I80O-0I, and 
passed the greater portion of his time in travel- 
ing to Wooster, Akron and other distant places 



to procure supplies. He was a kind, benevolent 
Christian, and oddly built his cabin on that 
portion of his farm fartiiest removed from Me- 
dina. Wlien asked whj- he did this, he replied, 
that it was done in order that, as he had the 
only team, he could have the pleasure of con- 
veying all his neighbors living on the diagonal 
road, to churcli in Medina everj' Sunday morn- 
ing. He was one of the most intelligent and 
prominent of the early settlers, and has many 
descendants living in the township. 

In the spring of 1835, Alonzo Forbes and An- 
son Bellamj' built a saw-mill on Mallet Creek, 
on the farm now owned by John B. Knapp. 
The mill was a sort of a shantj-, constructed of 
lumber sawed before the building was erected. 
The saw was operated by water-power, and the 
mill was at first located on the bank of the 
stream ; but it was found impossible to allow 
the building to remain there, as freshets were 
sure to damage the machinery, and, very likely, 
sweep away portions of the mill. It remained 
there, however, for several years of irregular 
operation, and prepared for the neighborhood a 
limited quantity' of rough lumber. It changed 
owners several times, and was finally purchased 
by a Mr. Wordcn, who altered the arrangements 
materially. He built a dam Ijack a quarter of 
a mile above the mill, and then, b\' means of a 
long, narrow race, ol)tained excellent water- 
power, without the danger of having his mill 
swept away by everj- freshet. The mill was 
enabled to operate some six months of the j^ear, 
and turned out, in its time, quite a large quau- 
tit}' of lumber. It finally became unprofitable, 
was permitted to run down, and was not after- 
ward re-continued. Mr. Zimri Cook says that 
the first saw-mill in tiie township was built in 
November, 1832, and located on iMallet Creek, 
on the farm now owned by Mrs. Yorks. It was 
built and operated some tiiree or four years b\- 
Squire Dra3-ton, who, at the expiration of that 
time, removed the machinery and permitted tlie 
mill-building to fall into ruin. fr<mi a lack of 



^P 



518 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



[latronage. A rude dam was constructed, and 
llicu, by means of a short I'ace, a fair water- 
power was obtained. This mill, like most of 
the other early ones, was in danger of being 
swept away at ever}' heavy rain, as it was inse- 
curely built, and was erected below the limit of 
high-water mark. It was soon removed, hut 
the machinery was put in running operation in 
another part of the State. 

It was the custom, even after saw-mills were 
in active and profital)le operation in the town- 
ship, for the settlers to erect log houses instead 
of frame ones, from lumber obtained at the 
mills. This was done, as less time and expense 
were required, and the buildings thus erected, 
though homelier, were warmer, more substan- 
tial, and would last longer. 

It seems proper, in this connection, to give a 
description of the method of erecting log houses, 
"not," says an old settler, -for the enlighten- 
ment of the present generation, but from a de 
sire to hand down to posterity the primitive 
structures of pioneer times, as this mode of 
building will soon become obsolete and un- 
known."* Proceeding with the description, 
he says : '• If a cabin was to be built from the 
forest, a leader was chosen, who was always a 
man of experience, and dubbed ■ captain,' 
The officer thus commissioned would classify' 
the assembled settlers, and assign to each his 
respective duties, aljout as follows : 

"1, He would select four of the most expert 
axmen as corner-men, whose duty it was to 
first clear off the site, square it, and place a 
bowlder at each corner, to build upon, after be- 
ing dulj- leveled, then saddle and notch down 
the logs in good workmanlike order, 

" 2. He would assign a sullicieut number of 
suitable men, to select, as near the site as pos- 
sible, the best large-grown, straight-grained 
white-oak tree, for clap-boards, whose furtiier 
duty was to fell it and crosscut it into suitable 
lengths, split the cuts into square bolts, and 

♦Judge Patrick, of Urbiina, in .Antrim's Histury. 



rive them with a frow. Another set of men were 
required to prepare puncheons for floors, doors, 
window-casings, and chimnej'-corner jambs, out 
of such timljer as was best adapted for tiie pur- 
pose, such as oak, chestnut or ash, which, when 
properly selected, could be made of sufficient 
lengtii and width U) make good building lum- 
ber. The puncheons for the floor were placed 
upon sills, and supported in the middle by 
Joists, after which the upper surface was care- 
fully dressed by a skillful adzman, who could 
make it almost as smooth as though it had been 
sawed and planed, 

'■ 3. He would select and detail such a num- 
ber as seemed necessary, to cull out, as near the 
site as possible, straight, suitably sized, stand- 
ing trees, and fell them, and chop them into re- 
quisite lengths, for the proposed structure, with 
teamsters to haul them in as thej- were pre- 
pared. To this force were added other team- 
sters, provided with rough wooden sleds, to 
haul in the clapboards, puncheons and other 
lumber of a similar nature. All the above hav- 
ing been carried into efl'ect, the leader would 
take his station and direct men from his force, 
to prepare smooth skids, the necessarj- number 
of strong forks, with grai)e-vine or hickory 
withes around the prongs, to render them se- 
cure, and with two or three cross-sticks inserted 
through holes bored in the lower ends, to pre- 
vent the hands from slipping, and also to pro- 
vide a sufficient number of handspikes of tough 
liickor\", dog-wood or iron-wooti, some four feet 
long, with ends shaved flat and smooth, to be 
used in rolling the logs to their position or u|)- 
on the skids. All were under command of the 
leatler, who was always selected because of his 
experience, skill and ability to secure the com- 
pletion of the work in the shortest space of 
time. Stationed upon a prominent position, 
where all the stages of the work passed in re- 
view before his eye, he could direct his forces as 
systematically as a General does his troops on 
the lield of battle. As the logs were hauled to 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



519 



the site and unloaded, the necessary number of 
men would be directed, eitlicr to roll the logs to 
the skids, or to piciv thera up on hand-spiiies, 
and carry them there. Four corner-men were 
selected, who, from their experience and skill, 
could perform the best work, and one of these 
was assigned to each corner to notch and fit 
the logs as the walls of the house arose. The 
logs were shoved on the slcids to their destined 
position, and here the expert corner-men would 
chamfer or bevel off the ends at a suitable an- 
gle, the work being done on each side of the log, 
so that the two beveled sides would meet in a 
point, upon which a notch in the transverse log 
destined to be placed above it, could rest. This 
operation was called saddling the logs, and re- 
quired considerable skill to secure a close fit. 
The two end logs were placed in their positions 
first, and then the sills were selected and 
notched deeper than the other logs, in order 
that the floor, which was to rest upon them, 
might not be too far above the ground. It will 
thus be obsen'ed that the lower end of each log 
was deeply notched, and that the upper side of 
the same end, was chamfered into a ridge, 
upon which the transverse log next above it 
could rest. The coi-ner-men, at the same log, 
would work together, as each would notch or 
chamfer at the same time as the other. 

" After the four foundation logs had lieen 
properly notched and saddled, and placed in a 
firm position in the shape of a square, the^ext 
thing was to cut in the sills the slots to receive 
the sleepers, though this was often postponed 
until after the building was erected. These 
sleepers were selected with the view of their 
being intended to support the floor, and, after 
being hewed off to the proper shape and size at 
the end, were placed in their positions in the 
slots or gains. 

" This being done, the rapid erection of the 
walls continued, the corner-men using their 
loosely-held axes to insure the perpendicularity 
of the corners. When the walls became quite 



high, the skids, with one end resting on the 
ground and the other on the top of the walls, 
were used as a rude tramway, upon which the 
logs could be moved to their positions. The 
logs would be slid up the skids as far as possi- 
ble with the hand-spikes, after which strong 
men, with the above-described forks, would take 
the logs, and, with the end well down toward 
the ground, would raise the latter to their posi- 
tion on the wall. It sometimes happened that 
the forks were not sufficiently strong to support 
the logs, in which case they split, thus allow- 
ing the logs to slide down the skids upon the 
men. Occasional deaths were caused bv not 
taking the proper precaution to have the prongs 
strong enough. Thus the building progressed 
until the required height was reached — all be- 
ing done with precise uniformity and celerity. 
At last the eave-bearers would be raised upon 
the two ends of the building. These projected 
some twentj' inches beyond the wall, and would 
be notched down and saddled back far enough 
to receive the timbers hereafter described. 
Then the butting-pole for the back of the cabin 
would be shoved up to the front corner-men 
and rolled to the back cave, and notched down 
upon the saddles, being allowed to project some 
fifteen inches beyond the outer sui-f'ace of the 
wall. The first rib would be sent up in the same 
manner, and rolled back to a proper distance in- 
side of the butting-pole, and notched down so 
as to give the pitch of the roof from the center 
of the pole to the top surface of said rib. In 
this manner, the corresponding timbers for the 
front of the cabin were placed. The first two 
gable-logs would l)c placed in notches cut into 
the ribs, and chamfered at the ends to suit the 
pitch of the roof The remaining ribs and 
gable-logs being placed, the roof was then 
readj' for the clapboards, which are laid down 
upon the ribs with the lower ends resting 
against the butting-poles, with small spaces be- 
tween, which are top-covered so as to break 
joints. Knees of proper length are prepared at 



•^ s 



6-iO 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY 



each end. and are placetl endwise against tlie 
butting-poles to liold the weigLit-poles in place, 
the latter being laid upon the roof-coursers as 
nearly over the ribs as possible. In like man- 
ner, another course of clapboards is laid down 
with the lower ends resting against the weight- 
pole of the next lower course. In this manner 
the roof is completed.' 

This is the manner in which log iiDUses were 
erected. It was usually the custom, however, 
for the owner to haul all the necessary logs and 
timbers before the worivUKMi arrived, and even 
to cut and place in position upon the bowlders j 
the four logs for the fouiKlatidU, He also often 
rived out the clapboards with .-i frow, and pre- 
pared timbers for the floor antl roof. 

It was not long before scIiodHiouscs and 
churches were erected in different i)arts of the 
township. Enterprises of various kinds were 
undertaken, and soon the citizens of York could 
boast of as fine schoolhouses, mills, etc., as any 
other portion of the county. The citizens were 
persevering in industry and stanch in integritj' 
and moral worth, and the rising generation felt 
the impact of these influences, and grew into 
intelligent and moral people. During the days j 
when .Vbolitionists arose all over the North to 
denounce, with ceaseless tongue, the wrongs of 
slavery, and especially what they deeuu'd the 
infamous measures of the Fugitive Slave Law, 
the citizens of York were not wholly silent or 
inactive. They became satislied tliat the meas- ; 
ures of the law were totally wrong in the sight 
of man and God, and set themselves industri- 
ously to work to render the law [iractically in- 
operative by a constant evasion. As staled by 
Ephraini liindley, of IJrunswick, they were dis- 
satislied with being made slave-catchers with- 
out their consent, and resolved to abrogate the 
measures of the law so far as lay in their power. 
Wesley Hulet, then residing near Abbeyville, 
was one of the most active men in the town- 
ship to assist runaway slaves to Oanada. An 
underground railroad, with man\' branches, ex- 



tended north and south across Ohio, and, while 
the main line lay near some well-traveled high- 
way, and was traveled bj- those runaways who 
did not fear pursuit nor court concealment, the 
brunches were much more secret, and were 
traversed by trembling men, women and chil- 
dren, upon whose heads a high reward was set, 
and whose safety from a punishment worse than 
death lay in their secret passage to the domin- 
ion of the British cjueen. One of the.se branches 
extended through York, and was, perhaps, trav- 
eled far more extensively than many of the 
main lines. It is stated on the authoritj- of 
IMr. liindley, who was one of the most active 
slave concealers and assistants in the county, 
and whose cabin was the next station north of 
that of Mr. Hulet, that the latter helped more 
than a score of runaways on their way North. 
Ansel Boweu, of York, was connected with the 
road, as were also Jonathan Hulet, of Bruns- 
wick ; W. P. Stevens, also of Brunswick ; Will- 
iam Castle, of Abbeyville, and Samuel Hale. 
It is stated by Mr. Liudley, that, on one occa- 
sion, Wesley" Hulet, driving a wagon containing 
nine runaway slaves, stopped at the cabin of 
the former, and, after Mr. Lindley had fed the 
black people and furnished them with various 
articles of clothing. .Mr. Hulet conveyed them 
on to the next station north, which was, per- 
ha[>s, the cabbi of W. P. Stevens. A huge 
negro, clothe(l in tatters and covered with 
scratches and wcnuids, presented himself one 
night at Lindlcy's cabin, and begged food, and 
the privilege of remaining there until morning. 
The recpiest was willingly granted ; but the 
negro, who had doubtless been pursued, and, 
in consequence, vras distrustful of everybody, 
seemed to entertain misgivings as to the good 
faith of Mr. Lindley, and, when conducted to 
his l)cd for the night, asked the privilege of 
having the door locked, and of having posses- 
sion of tlu^ key during the night. Whether he 
slept well or not, is not known ; l)ut, when he 
opened the door and came out to breakfast the 



^^ 



.k. 



IIISTOHY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



521 



next morniag, he told the family that he had 
had a dream, wherein it appeared that he was 
caught, at which point he awoke and was over- 
joyed to lind that he was yet free and likely to 
reach Canada. It was afterward ascertained 
that he was closely pursued by his owner, but 
at last succeeded in eluding his pursuers and 
effecting his safe arrival across the lake. The 
point on the lake shore where the runaways 
were instructed to go, was at the mouth of 
Grand River. Here they were told to remain 
concealed until a certain hour on one or more 
days of the week, when a small steamer, com- 
ing from the Canada side, would approach the 
landing, whereupon the runaways were to hurrj' 
on board without ceremony or delay, and the 
vessel would convey them across the lake. It 
is said that men tiiroughout the State furnished 
the money which paid the owner of the steamer 
for his trouble. This quiet place of boarding 
was selected because all the principal landings, 
such as at Cleveland, were thronged with dis- 
guised, watchful and irate owners, looking for 
their "cattle," and preparing to conduct them 
back to a condition worse than Egyptian bond- 
age. It may be .said that York Township did 
her share of violating the Fugitive Slave Law, 
and of assisting the weary runawajs to gain 
their freedom. 

In the year 1831. Levi Janes purchased tiOO 
acres of land in the northeast part of the town- 
ship, and, during the following autumn, erected 
his cabin, which was the first in the village of 
Abbey ville. In the winter of 1831-32. he em- 
ployed Wesley Hulet, an experienced millwright, 
to built two mills on Rocky River, near the 
present site of the village, one for sawing lum- 
ber and the other for grinding gi'ain. The 
country was quite new, and it was obvious that 
the combined enterprises were likely to meet 
with many discouragements and disasters ; but 
the energy and foresight of Mr. Janes, often 
tested in the practical field of experience, soon 
placed the mills on a firm financial foundation. 



and ere manj' years they afforded a satisfactory 
revenue to the owner. From some sources, and 
perhaps the most reliable ones, the report comes 
that the grist-mill was nolerected until the sum- 
mer of 1833. If the precise date of its erection 
is known, the writer has been unable to ascer- 
tain it, and its recovery from the gloom sur- 
rounding the past must be left to the succeed- 
ing township historian. At any rate, it was 
running in 1833, with a fair patronage for those 
days, but which, at present, would consign the 
mill to desertion and decay. The mills were 
about ten rods apart, and both were operated 
by means of a dam and race, through the me- 
dium of which a strong water-power was ob- 
tained. The dam was constructed a few rods 
above the upper mill, the composing elements 
being stone, timber, brush, etc., making a strong 
and substantial structure. The race was short 
and easily constructed, partly because of the 
presence of substantial material within a few 
rods, and partlj' because of the advantage taken 
of naturally favorable conditions. The saw was 
one of the up-and-down pattern, and was set in 
operation in a small frame building. Here for 
a number of j'ears no small quantity of native 
lumber was turned out, As was almost uni- 
versally the case in the rapidly improving State 
of Ohio, sawing was done either by the hundred, 
or a shai-e of the logs was retained by the saw- 
yer. The mill changed owners several times, 
and underwent a variety of alternating ups and 
downs for many years. Wesley Hulet was, for 
a number of years, the partner of Mr. Janes, 
with a half-interest in at least one of the mills. 
Janes had come from Montreal, Canada, and 
was well situated financially. The grist-mill, 
under his supervision, received a fair local pat- 
ronage, and was a great accommodation to the 
surrounding neighborhood. His cabin was the 
first dwelling in the village, and his improve- 
ments, mills, store, etc., soon attracted others 
to the same neighborhood. It was through his 
influence and upon his land that the village was 



"C 

"^^ 



•) 'V 



523 



HISTORY OF ifEDIXA COUNTY. 






finall}' laid out, and upon it was bestowed the 
given name of his wife — Abbe}' — with the 
French termination viUc. meaning a small col- 
lection of houses. Mr. Flulet built the second 
cabin in the village a few weeks after the erec- 
tion of that of Mr. Janes. He was the first 
millwTight in the township. His connection 
with the underground railroad was pre\iously 
mentioned. The third house was built bj- a 
blacksmith named Webster, soon after the 
erection of the other buildings. This man was 
not onh' the first blacksmith in the village, but 
the first in the township. It is stated, that, at 
the time of the coming of Mr. Webster to the 
village, he was almost hopelessly addicted to 
the use of liquor ; but that, through the in- 
fluence of 3Ir. Janes, he was restored to his 
normal condition. In the fall of 1832, Mr. 
Janes placed in one room of his house a few 
hundred dollars' worth of goods, and thus 
opened the first store in the township. He 
afterward increased the stock, and for a num- 
ber of years did a thriving business selling dry 
goods, groceries, hardware, etc. It was through 
the influence of Mr. Janes that a post office was 
secured at the village, in about the year 1835. 
Mr. Batchelder, a carpenter, Ijecame the fourth 
resident of the village. Several industries 
sprang up in earlj- years, among them being an 
ashery conducted by Messrs. Castle & Holeomb. 
The enterprise was established iu 1834. and a 
considerable quantity of potash was manu- 
factured, and conveM'd to Cleveland and other 
large places. Abbeyville had an earlier start 
than the Center, though the latter has attained 
greater fame among the catalogue of villages. 
Man}- important fiicts connected with the 
early history of York Center seem both unreli- 
able and unattainable. There is a certainty, 
however, in a few things : The village had a 
start soon after Abbeyville: it gi-adually got 
the better of its elder rival ; its future was 
firmly estal)lisiied when a station was located 
there. It is also true that it grew and pros- 



pered through the years. Various enterprises 
have sprung up from time to time as the busi- 
ness energy of the place has increased. Perhaps 
the most extensive pursuit ever in the village, 
is the one conducted at present by J. R. Hol- 
eomb & Co. A brief description of the charac- 
ter and scope of the work in which these gen- 
tlemen are engaged will be found in the 
biographical department of this volume. Mr. 
Holeomb is the proprietor of an educational 
journal, which is highlj- regarded as a teacher's 
assistant, as is shown b}' its flattering circula- 
tion, not only in Ohio, but in neighboring, and 
even in distant. States, York Center compares 
ver}- favorably with other township centers in 
the county. 

No other portion of the county has better 
schools than York. Good average wages are 
paid teachers, and the impulse given to educa- 
tional topics and interests bj' the presence of a 
live school journal, is shown in the substantial 
schoolhouses filled with bright scholars. It is 
alwa3-s more or less difficult to ascertain the 
circumstances connected with the first school 
taught in a township, or rather, it is difficult to 
satisfy everybody that the correct facts have 
been discovered and given. However, the eflfort 
will now be made. The first school taught in 
the township was held during the winter of 
1831. in one room of the residence of Levi 
Branch, the teacher being Theodore Branch, 
son of Levi. One room of the house, or a por- 
tion of one room, was furnished with a few rude 
seats and desks, and in this rustic place the ed- 
ucational history of York may be said to have 
begun. The teacher was a young man, and tlie 
school was his first, or among his first, efforts ; 
l)ut the ordeal was safelj' passed, with mutual 
benefit to teacher and scholars. The former 
received his pa}- by subscription, but the rates 
seem to have been forgotten. The fii-st school- 
house was a log structure, erected during the 
fall of 1 832, on the farm now owned by Frank 
Burt. It was built by every man's turning out 







\9 . 



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liL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



523 



on a given day and assisting until the work 
was finished. Theodore Branch was employed to 
teach the first term held in this house, and was 
paid b}' the month ; but how much he received, or 
how the monej' was raised, are unmentioned or 
forgotten items. It is stated, upon the au- 
thority of Mr. Levi Gardner, that the fli'st frame 
schoolhouse in the township was built at Abbey- 
ville. Mr. Janes was the prime mover in its 
erection, although all in tliat neighborhood 
assisted. Miss Martha Branch was the first 
teacher in this house. In 1887 or thereabouts, 
Abbej'ville " had reached the highest point in 
all its greatness." The village gave great prom- 
ise at that day, as much so. perhaps, as any 
other village in the county, five years after its 
origin. It was in the last-mentioned year that 
an effort was made, mainly- through the influ- 
ence of Solomon F. Holcomb, to institute at 
Abbeyville either a branch of Oberlin College 
or an educational enterprise of a similar char- 
acter. Prof Amos Dresser, of Oberlin, came 
to Abbeyville for the purpose of taking the 
initiator}^ steps looking to the founding of a 
college. Quite a large class was obtained, and 
for a number of months the future of the little 
village was cloudless and serene. The principal 
object, or one of them, upon which the institu- 
tion was founded, was a scheme to promote 
manual labor. The education to be furnished 
was industrial in its nature, a scheme, which, 
since that day, has developed the Industrial 
Universities and Agricultural Colleges scattered 
throughout the United States. But alas for 
Abbeyville ! the attempt proved abortive, and 
the good-looking professor took his departure. 
It is probable that in 1840 every school district 
was supplied with a schoolhouse of some kind. 

The following facts regarding the organiza- 
tion of the Methodist Church have been kind- 
Ij' handed us : 

" As regards the organization of the Method- 
ist Protestant Church at York Center, both 
the exact time of the formation of the society 



and the name of the minister by whom the 
class was organized are not certainly known. 
A class was organized under the discipline of 
the Methodist Protestants in an old log school- 
house which stood somewhere near the resi- 
dence of Reuben Gardner. It is believed that 
the officiating minister was Rev. Samuel Claw- 
son, and that the society was organized about 
the year 1841. During a part of the time that 
elapsed from 1841 to 1844, the society held 
prayer-meetings in a private house which is 
now the proj)erty of Mary Ford, and is located 
northwest from the center of the town. The 
society needing a house of worship, Richard 
Lampson. one of the charter members, donat- 
ed a plot of ground ; and the deed specified 
that, when the ground ceased to be used for 
the purposes of the Methodist Protestant 
Church, it should revert to the Lampson heirs. 
This plot of ground was located on the south- 
west corner of the center square. The deed 
was given in the year 1844. and a frame house 
was erected and dedicated to the worship of 
God about the same date. The following is a 
list of some who were what we may denomi- 
nate " the first members " of this church (we 
have not sufficient knowledge to be able to 
distinguish the original or charter members 
from those who were not such) ; Richard and 
Sarah Lampson, Rufus and Anna Oliver, 
Samuel and Electa Smith, John A. and Marga- 
ret Hood, John and .Vlbert Thomas, Amasa 
Taylor and wife, John Dunshee and wife, and 
Catharine Salmon. In the year 1877. the 
house of worship was regarded uncomfortable, 
and, as the class had increased in membership 
and wealth, an etfort was made to erect a new 
house of worship. As the result of this suc- 
cessful effort, the present brick edifice was 
erected, at a cost of S5.000. The principal 
donor was Mary Ford, and, in her honor, there 
is placed above the entrance the name by 
which the church is known — Mary's Chapel. 
The amount which this lady gave was .?3,000, 



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524 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



without which the house couhl not liave been 
built at that time. The followiiiii persons 
entered into a partnership in ISlio for tlie 
purpose of buying a house and lot for a par- 
sonage : Samuel Hale, Ansel Holcomb, Alvin 
Ford, C. C. Burt, L. R. Chamberlain and J. B. 
Knapp. These men paid $1,000 for a house 
and lot located in the village. Alvin Ford 
finallj' became sole owner of this parsonage, 
and, after his death, the property was donated 
to the church. The class pa^-s its Pastor $500 
per annum. The present membership is about 
seventy. The old house of worship is now 
used as a dwelling-house in the village. The 
following is a list of itinerant ministers and 
the date of their serving : John Barnet. 1 S55 ; 
without a pastor, 1856 ; G. W. McCuen, 1857- 
58 ; G. W. Bowman, 1859-00 ; James Will- 
iams, 1861-62 ; John McFarland, D. D., 1863- 
64 ; G. W. Hissey, lS65-6(; ; James Williams, 
1867-68 ; J. M. Langley, 1868-69-70 ; T. H. 
Scott, 1871-72 : Joseph Hastings, 1873 ; J. D. 
Downej', 1874; Walter Moore, 1875-76-77; 
Mrs. E. S. Oliver, 1878; J. M. Woodward, 
1879 ; William H. Guy, present Pastor." 

On Saturday, the 27th of April, 1833, the 
Congregatioualists met at the residence of R. 
M. Lampson, in Yoi'k Center, for the purpose 
of organizing a church society. Twenty-six 
persons presented their names for membership, 
as follows : Ezra Brown, Esther Landers, Ben- 
jamin Landers, Lucy J. Landers, A. Stone, 
Levi Stone, Lucinda Bruce, Sarepta Hubbard, 
Polly Branch, Theodore Brancii, Eunice Rowe, 
L, M. Janes. A. Landers, senior and junior. 
Esther M. Landers, Elizabeth Stone, William 
B. Stone, Amelia Stone. Keziah (iarilner. Levi 
Branch, Cordelia Brancii, Abial G. Rowe, .Mary 
B, Landers and Abbey P. Janes. The minis- 
ters in charge of the occasion were Revs. 



Barnes, of Medina, and Xoj'es, of Seville. On 
the 12th of Fel)ruar}', 1839, arrangements were 
made to build a church. The funds were raised 
by subscription, one-iialf to be paid on or before 
the 1st of November, 1839, and the balance bj' 
si.\ months later. The Trustees were authorized 
to begin the church as soon as .tiSOO was raised. 
The building was soon completed, and lasted 
many years. In April, 1834, at the first annual 
meeting of the societ}-, the following church 
officers were elected : Levi Branch, E. D. Brown 
and Thomas Brintnall, Trustees ; Hiram Lamp- 
son, Treasurer. By special act of tiie Ohio 
Legislature, the society" was incorporated as 
follows : 

'• Be it enacfc-d by the General Assenibli/ of 
the ,'^tate of Ohio. That Thomas E. .Millard, 
Levi Branch. Aseph Landers, together with 
such as are, or may hereafter be, associateil with 
them, be, and the same are hereby, created a 
body corporate and politic bj" the name of the 
First Congregational Societ}- of York Township, 
Medina County, Ohio," The first church has 
been replaced by another and a better one. 
These are the onlj- church societies in York 
Township, and it seems better thus to have 
fewer, and consequently larger, societies, than 
to have the church-going people parceled off, 
as it were, into classes that are too small to be 
self-sustaining, or. what is even worse, to struggle 
on against financial disasters through a sickly 
and uncomfortable life. As it is, the two 
churches are strong, well attended, not only by 
meml)ers, but by outsiders, who are called out 
by the zeal displayed and the interest surround- 
ing the occasiou. And then, again, people pre- 
fer joining a society that does not appear to l)e 
ready to die. if the term may be indulged in; 
but which seems to possess all tlie vigor of 
earlv years. 



rv 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



525 



k. 



CHAPTER XI v.* 

LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP— HOLMES' LAND— FIRST SETTLEMENT— A FOl'IlTH oF .M'LV CELEliiiATlON 
—A PUBLIC PARK— CHURCH ORGANIZATION— THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, 



THE first settlement on certain small por- 
tions of land in this township, was made 
by an Eastern land speculator, Judge Holmes, 
of Litchfield, Conn., in the years that immedi- 
ately followed the war of 1812. Mr. Holmes 
was the sole owner of Litchfield Township at 
that time. Shortly after he had come into pos- 
session of this Western property, the owner 
had a survey taken of it, and divided it into 
lots. He caused an " opening " to be made in 
the southwest part of the township, on lots that 
were adjoining the •• Smith road,'' a niilitar\- 
highway that had been cut through here by the 
forces of Gen. Smith in the spring of 1812, and 
extends from Akron to Maumee City. Among 
the few different improvements that were started 
here by the Connecticut land-owner, was a little 
small log cabin, and an acre or so of cleared 
ground, set out with fruit-trees. No perma- 
nent settlement was made here, however, at that 
time. The anxieties throughout the country, 
caused b3- the war then in progress between 
the United States and p]ngland, and some In- 
dian tribes in the West, kept people from ac- 
cepting the inducements that were made by 
Judge Holmes to settlers to locate on his lands 
in Litchfield Township. The few acres of 
cleared lands remained tenantless for the time 
being, and no further progress in the opening- 
up and cultivation of lands in this localitj- was 
made. A few j-ears after the survey and the 
first improvements of the Litchfield lands, 
which were, during this time, quite generally 
known as Holmestowu, they again came into pos- 
session of the State of Connecticut. Under the 
supervision of a Mr. Beers, the land was thrown 

* Contributed byCbailes Neil. 



into the market. It is not definitely known 
that any purchases of these lands were made for 
a number of year's. Exchanges of tracts in the 
township may have been made between Eastern 
land speculators, at various times, but no settle- 
ment occurred in the territory until in the win- 
ter of 1830 ; and, from that date, the real prog- 
ress of Litchfield Township makes its beginning. 

Under the Land Company's survey, the terri- 
torj- now comprised in Litchfield Township was 
set apart as No. 3, Range 1 6. The geograph- 
ical boundaries are marked on the north and 
west by Lorain County, on the south by Chat- 
ham, and on the east )jy York, The physical 
features of the township are not notable for any 
striking characteristics. The ground is gener- 
ally level, and but a slight ridge runs northeast 
and southwest through the township, crossing 
the center road two miles east of the village of 
Litchfield. On this ridge are flowing wells, 
which afford large supplies of water through- 
out the yeai'. The soil is a tough clay, and 
very much like that of Lorain County, which 
lies immediatel}" west. There is a thickness of 
eight feet of clay above the Cuyahoga shale at 
the '■ Center." 

A gas well of some note, originally bored for 
oil, is situated one mile and a half north, and 
one mile west of the Center. Oil was brought 
up by pumping, but not in any great amount. 
During the drilling, gas escaped with a clear, 
whistling sound, and when set on fire it blazed 
up from twenty to thirty feet, the outlet being 
eight inches wide. 

A little stream, known as Center Creek, rises 
one and one-half miles southeast of the village, 
on the farm of Mr. Valentine Shank, and from 



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£. 



526 



HISTORY OF MEDINA ('OUXTY. 



there, winding its waj- northward to the center 
of tlie town, it takes its course west and flows 
into Lorain County, where it enters Blaelc River. 
During the summer season, this rivulet is gener- 
allj- dry. 

Among the legendary tales of the aborigines 
of North America, which have been told by 
hunters, trappers and the earliest frontiersmen 
in Northern Ohio, some of them relate to a 
part of the Wyandot tribe of Indians, who fre- 
quently located in Litchfield territory and there- 
about, and had made tbis a part of their 
favorite hunting-grounds. Some of their wig- 
wams were seen along Center Creek as late as 
1822. For several years previous to that date, 
the Harrisville settlement on the south, and 
Liverpool on the north, had extended in num- 
bers and size. Witli the coming of the white 
man, the wild game, which alone is the only 
wealth the Indian possesses, and which alone 
affords him a means of earthly sustenance, for- 
sook the localities, and gradualh' diminished. 
The intrusion of the white settler and the ab- 
sence of game caused the copper-colored sons 
of freedom to desert their lodges in this neigh- 
borhood and seek for a means of livelihood 
elsewhei'e. No traces of Indians were found by 
the first settlers of Litchfield Township. 

We now come to the time when the first real 
advance in the settlement of tiie township was 
made. In the month of February. ls;]0. Cyrus 
Cook, with his wife and one child, arrived from 
Connecticut, and squatted on a tract of land in 
tlie north part of the township. He encoun- 
tered tiie same difficulties that meet the settler 
of a new count i-y. His first laliors were the 
construction of a place of habitation. It was 
at first nothing more than a Itrusli lint ; the 
space between four small trees cli^ared out, 
with the trunks of small saplings placed hori- 
zontally in a fork from tree to tree, and a cov- 
ering made of sticks and brush. The fireplace 
was by the side of the hut. in the open air ; a 
tool chest, perchance, and a few short log 



' pieces, a few quilts and blankets, comprised the 
household furniture. This was the luxurious 
dwelling which the pioneer called his home. 
Mr. Cook did not remain alone ver}- long in the 
new country. In the May following, there ar- 
rived quite a company of settlers from the little 

; Nutmeg State along the " Sound." They were 
all Connecticut farmers, who had purchased 
and traded for tracts of land in Litchfield 
Township before they had left their homes in 
the East. These settlers were Jonathan Rich- 
ards, with his wife and three children, Charles, 
Abigail and Julia ; Thomas Wilcox and wife ; 
Ceorge Wilcox and wife, with two children, 
Lucretia and Abigail ; Eliphalet Howd and 
wife ; Asahel Howd, with three children, Henr\-, 
Elizabeth and Caroline ; and Judah Howd and 
(ieorge Olcott. A few weeks after the arrival 
of these people, Henry Howd. with his wife and 
three sons — Albert, John and James — from 
Sheftield, Mass., came into the settlement and 
located permanenth'. The Howd families set- 
tled together on a tract of several hundred 
acres of land, on the west side of the north- 
and-south center road, which had been estab- 
lished some years prior to the coming of these 
people, while Jonathan Richards located, with 
his family, on the opposite side of the road. 
These settlements were about one mile north of 
the center of the township. George Olcott set- 
tli'd near the center, and (reorge and Thomas 
Wilcox, with their families, about one mile 
south. 

In one respect, the first settlers of Litchfield 
were somewhat more fortunate than had been 
the pioneers of other sections of Medina County. 
There were already three roads estaljlished in 
the township, when the first settlers took pos- 
session of their lands, and commenced its cul- 
tivation. The '• Smith Road," which has here- 
tofore been referred to, was established in 1812, 
and runs through the southern part of the 
township from cast to west. The '• north-and- 
south" road, running from Elyria to Wooster, 



■rr 



^1 



!£: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



527 



had been cut out several years previous to the 
first settlements, and intersected at the town- 
ship center with the " east and west," or Me- 
dina aud Norwalk, which had been established 
several years before. This, as the appended 
abstract, taken from the Medina County road 
record, will show. It reads as follows : 

FEBRnARY 8, 1820. 
Frederick Hamleu had this day presented a peti- 
tion, signed by himself and others, praying that a com- 
mittee be granted to explore the ground beginning at 
the west line of the county of Medina, where a road 
laid from the county seat in Huron County intersects 
said line, thence southerly til! it shall intersect the 
east-and-west center line of Township No. '■'>, Range 16, 
thence easterly, as near as the ground will admit, to 
the west line of Medina Township, or, if the committee 
think proper, from the center of Township No. 3, Range 
15, in a southerly direction to the seat of justice of 
Medina County. The Commissioners, being satisfied 
that legal notice has been given, proceeded to appoint 
Isaac Barnes, Frederick Hamlen and .lames Moore a 
committee, and James Moore a surveyor. The third 
Monday in March, 1820, is fixed for commencing the 
duty of appointment. 

The committee appointed for the purpose of 
building the described road, made a report to 
the Board of Commissioners of Medina County, 
on March 27, 1827, immediately after the estab- 
lishment and completion of the road. 

These roads were of great value to the set- 
tlers in Litchfield. It left them at once in 
easilj- accessible intercourse with the settle- 
ments at Medina, Harrisville and Grafton, on 
the north, and removed many difficulties that 
would otherwise have been their lot. 

The pioneers were not idle during the first 
summer of their stay in the new township. Sev- 
eral veiy good-sized clearings were made, and 
even a small crop of potatoes and corn was 
harvested b}' several of the farmers. In the fall 
of this same year, 1830, three more families 
came into the settlement, and located. These 
were D. Nickerson. Jacob Road and Z. Staf- 
ford. 

The winter of 1831. was exceedinglv mild. 



and the Litchfield people sufl'ered but little in 
convenience from the weather this season. With 
the coming of Maj , when the trees were again 
decked in green, came an addition of settlers for 
the new colon3', from the far East. The first two 
families to arrive were those of Asa Strait aud 
Lewis Finlej-. They were soon followed by J. L. 
j Hinman, D. Pickett, 0. Nickerson and W. Cole, 
j with their families. J. L. Hinman, one of the 
j new-comers, moved his familj' in with one of 
the older settlers, for the time being, aud con- 
structed a substantial frame dwelling on the 
tract that he had bought, and which he com- 
menced to clear. On the 13th of June, 1831, 
an event occurred which cast a shadow of sad- 
ness over the whole colony, for the time being. 
This was the death of little Jane, the daughter 
of Asa Strait. This was the first death that 
took place in the township, and the funeral 
services were the first open religious services 
ever held in the colony. On the Sunday follow- 
ing the death, her father, who had been an 
Elder in a Baptist society in Connecticut, de- 
livered a religious tliscourse to the people in 
one of the little log cabins. About twenty-five 
people, young and old, had congregated to 
listen to the sermon. Religious meetings were 
continued in this way, being held at the difler- 
eut private houses, until a few years later, when 
church societies were organized, and these met 
for a number of years in the union meeting- 
house, that had been erected at the Center, for 
public worship. 

The political organization of the township 
was eflected ou the 30th of June. 1831, and 
the township was admitted into the County of 
Medina, under the name of Litchfield — under 
which name the territory was already known, 
having been given it bj- Mr. Beers when he 
first gained control of it as agent of the origi- 
nal proprietor. At tlie first township election, 
held in Julj", there were nine votes cast. E. 
Howd, J. Vandventer and Oeorge Olcott, were 
chosen as the first Board of Trustees : Thomas 



_ U 



J^l 



528 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COFXTY. 



Wilcox, Clerk ; Asahel Howd, Ti-easurer, and 
Jonathan Richards as Justice of the Peace. 
A commendable spirit of emulation now be- 
came manifest among the citizens of the town- 
ship, to place it on an equal footing, in everj- 
respect, with some of its older sister townships 
in the county. In the fall of the same \-ear, 
the voters of Litclifield convened and cast a 
voice in the State election, which toolc place on 
the 13th of October. The tfwnship records, 
which had been kept intact, were consumed by 
a fire in 1S79, and no exact or definite data 
can now be given of these early political events, 
and much valuable and interesting information 
of tlie politics of the township is lost. 

During the spring months of 1832, a host of 
emigrants came into the settlement of Litch- 
field. In one day in ]\Iay of that year, no less 
than forty-one persons moved in. and all had 
come to sta}-, with the purpose of making this 
locality their future liome. Such large addi- 
tions to the number of inhabitants gave a zest 
to the life of the colony. That public interest 
was alive is well illustrated by the manner in 
which the great national birthday of the Amer- 
ican Union was celebrated in the colouv on its 
anniversary day in the year of 1832. Special 
invitations and word had t)een |)assed around 
among the settlers, far and near, anil, when the 
sun rose on the morning of tiie glorious Fourth, 
the farmers came trooijiiig in fnjm every direc- 
tion, with their wives and daughters and sweet- 
hearts. Nearly all came in ox-sleds — the onh- 
kind of conveyance in use among them at that 
time — and a few walked '' cross lots " through 
the woods. They all congregated in the center 
of the township, where now is located tlie pub- 
lic park in the village of Litchfield. Tlie oxen 
— about thirtv or forty teams in all - were 
chained to tlie trees. There was tlien but a 
small space of open ground in this neighbor- 
hood. The woods echoed with merry sounds 
of song and laughter, and the greetings among 
these peoplf as they came in one after another. 



were profuse and heartfelt. It was surely an 
old-fashioned Fourth of Jul}- celebration. After 
the compliments of the day had been ex- 
changed, the men in a body set to work, under 
the directions of one or two older men, and 
"cleared" away the timber from a space of 
ground on the northeast corner of the Center, 
where now is located the dwelling of A. S. 
Jenne. Then a number of logs were rougid\- 
hewn, notches cut in at the ends, and in a very 
short time four wooden walls arose. Befon; 
the hour of uoon had arrived, the building had 
been completed, logs had been dragged in for 
seats, and the • union meeting-house " had been 
completed, all within six hours. Baskets of 
provisions had been brought 1)}- the farmers' 
wives, and. when the work liad been done, they 
all congregated together in the woods and had 
a Fourth of July picnic dinner. The formal 
exercises of celebrating the day and dedicating 
the new house took place in the afternoon. A 
few national airs were sung by the whole as- 
sembly. Uncle Jonatlian Riciiards read the 
Declaration of Independence, while Elder Asa 
Strait delivered the oration, closing up with a 
proper reference to tiie work that had been done 
by them that day, and giving the new Iniilding 
over to the people of Litchfield for all public 
and laudal)le uses. The exercises of the day 
closed with the formation of a temperance and 
moral reform society, wliicli continued in exist- 
ence for a number of years. 

One of the features of the day was the gun 
squad, consisting of Daniel Olcott and Moses 
Olds, which played a very prominent part in 
the celebration, intentional and accidental. Tlie 
gun used by these two patriotic cannoneer.-^, 
simply consisted of a chunk of a log. with, a 
hole in one ol' its eiiils, in which the powder 
was plugged, and then touched off by a fuse 
hole. They fired the gun for several times 
with rather startling effect, when, while young 
Olcott was pouring in the wooden gun-hole 
another charge of powder, it suddenly explodi-d. 






HISTOUY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



539 



caused by sparks that had been retained in the 
wood. The wooden bowl in which the powder 
was kept, was torn to pieces, part of it striking 
Moses Olds on tlie forehead, and felling; him to 
the gronnd. He bled profuselj-. but soon re- 
covered. The clothes of Daniel Olcott were 
set on fire by the flash of powder, in the con- 
fusion that took place among the people present 
to assist hiui and put out the flames, and every 
stitch of clothing was torn from liis body. He 
was singed considerabl}-, but not ver^' danger- 
ously. He was wrapped in a bed-quilt and 
conveyed home. The festivities continued 
without further firing. 

For several j-ears following, an annual cele- 
bration of the national daj- recurred regularly 
in the colouj% and was considered as a most 
eventful day to the inhabitants of Litchfield 
Township, and their neighbors in adjacent 
townships north and south. 

A social event of great importance occurred 
in the Litchfield settlement in the summer of 
1834. This was the dual marriage of Charles 
Richards and Lj-man Cole, to the sisters Chloe 
and Julia Peek. The ceremon\- took place at 
the house of the brides' parents, one mile north- 
east of the center, the Rev. Asa Strait ofliciating 
as clergyman. The two young couple at once 
set out for themselves, after they had secured 
each a helpmate. Young Cole secured a tract 
of land adjacent to his father's possessions, and 
continued the occupation of a farmer ; while 
Charles Richards, who had quite a mechanical 
turn of mind, devoted his attention to industrial 
pursuits. A little dwelling was erected for him 
in proximit}' to his father's home, one mile north 
of the center, and this served him as a home for 
himself and young wife, and as a workshop. 
While living with his parents at their home in 
Massachusetts, he had, as a boy, worked in a 
silversmith factory, and had acquired the trade, 
so that he was quite an adept in this branch of 
workmanship. He had brought with liim a few 
tools necessarv to work at the handicraft, and. 



for the first few years in the new settlement, he 
had spent a large portion of his time in experi- 
menting and perfecting himself in the art. After 
marrying, he adopted it as a profession, and 
opened up, as already stated, a little silversmith 
shop in Litchfield. He built a small smelting- 
furnace, secured crucibles and other apparatus 
at Cleveland to conduct his work. The young 
silversmith soon established a brisk trade, and 
at various times employed workmen in his shop. 
The demand for his goods among his brother- 
settlers was easily supplied, and he, therefore, 
sought a market elsewhere. He met with suc- 
cess wherever he endeavored to sell. For a 
number of years, he supplied the retail stores 
at Elyria with domestic silverware. 

The charm of life is in the incidents and 
variations that often crowd upon us. It was 
these scraps of history that made old Uncle 
Jonathan Richards so generally known. He. 
at diflbrent times, conducted a singing-class in 
the log schoolhouse at the Center. In his course 
of instruction in the art of harmony, he availed 
himself of a short slip of wood placed between 
the compressed palms of his two hands, and 
then, putting the base of the thumbs against his 
mouth, he blew into tiie open space between the 
joints of the thumbs, and thus produced a sound. 
In this wise he found his scale-notes, very much 
for the same purpose as the singing master of 
to-day uses his tuning-fork. One of the boys 
in the colon}-, named Erastus Diekerson. had 
acquired this art of blowing a scale upon his 
hands in imitation of the worthy singing master, 
and he even excelled the latter in blowing out 
full, strong sounds. So, upon a banter from his 
comrades, the lad, who was about seventeen or 
eighteen years old, arose one day in tlie crowded 
meeting-house, while the venerable teacher was 
holding forth in eloquent terms on the divinity 
and grandeur of music, and soundt^d the '• sol, 
sil, sal." of the teacher, as well as his strong 
lungs would permit. Tlie eflfect was startling. 
The whole assemblage broke out in a shout of 



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530 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



laughter. This irritated and infuriated the sing- 
ing master be^-ond all measure. He had the 
boj' arrested for riot and disturbance of the 
peace on a State's warrant, as soon as time would 
allow it. A trial was had before a Justice of 
the Peace, within a practicable time, and it be- 
came the all-engi'ossing topic among the people 
for the hour. The deepest interest in the case 
was evinced on everj- side. Though man3' of 
the older people thought that the boy deser\ed 
punishment lor the offense, still the manifest 
sympathy of the community seemed to be en- 
tirely ou his side. Lawyers were called in from 
Medina to work the case in all its bearings. 
The proceedings took place in the little tavern 
at the center. The end of it was, that the boy 
was fined SIO bv his Honor the Justice of the 
Peace. As a fitting close to the little legal 
farce, the witnesses — there having been about 
fifteen sulipceuaed — signed their fees over to the 
prisoner before the bar. He collected it. paid 
his flue, and then had $8.75 left. 

A source of pleasure and income alike to 
man}' of the Litchfield farmers, was the hunt- 
ing of wild game which abounded in the terri- 
torj- in plentiful number.s in the early daj-s of 
the settlement. It was au occupation that was 
industriously followed by many of the young 
farmer lads, and the older ones, too, during the 
winter months. It is related liy Mr. A. Can- 
field, that at one time they had as many as 
thirty-two deer carcasses hung up on the trees 
around their house. Many of the farmers 
killed from 1 00 to 20(1 deer during the season, 
and venison was the regular fare with them for 
more than half the year. That which was not 
used for home consumption, was transported 
by wagon to Cleveland, and a good share of it 
from there transported to Eastern markets. 

One of the atliictions that brought about con- 
siderable loss to the families of Litchfield, was 
tiie ■• bloody " or dry murrain, which at dili'er- 
ent periods for several years affected the cattle 
of the colonv. and caused them to die in num- 



bers. The owners of cattle were worried and 
perplexed with the epidemic, and tried, bj- all 
means within their power, to stop its progress 
and continuance. The cattle, in these days, had 
no other feeding-gi'ound than the woods, and 
were given but little other nourishment than 
the wild grass that they could find. From this, 
probabl}', more than anything else, the disease 
took its origin among the Litchfield cattle. 
Many and persistent efforts were made to stop 
the disease and its spread, but for several years 
it proved of no avail to check the inroads made 
by it upon the lives of the cattle. Not until 
meadows and pastures had beep established, 
and the ruminants could feed on succulent and 
fresh grass, did the epidemic disappear. 

A localit\- about one and one-half miles west 
of the village of Litchfield, along the banks of 
Center Creek, became notorious at an earlj- day 
in the history of the township as a place called 
'• Bogus Hollow," which name clings to it at the 
present time. In the latter half of the thirties, 
one Rufus Moses, who had become a settler in 
that region, established a small tannery, and 
pursued the occupation pertaining thereto. He 
carried on a remunerative business in this line, 
as he was quite au ingenious fellow, and au 
adept at the trade. After a few years, he added 
a small foundry, supplying the farming commu- 
nitv with agricultural and domestic ironware. 
He enlarged his industries further by adding a 
carding-mill, and also a saw and grist mill. 
The necessary power for his mills was gained 
In" the accumulated waters in the stream pass- 
ing through a short race-course that had been 
constructed. There was a busy hum in this 
region while these factories stayed in motion : 
and the enterprise of tanning hides, molding 
ironware, and making woolen goods, continued 
for a nnml)er of years. The place was of high 
repute among the people far and near, for the 
manifest enterprise that was displayed and the 
business airs that it assumed, and it was not 
until tile certain discovery was made that spu- 



P \ 






4% 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



533 



rious coin was manufactured here, that odium 
was cast upon it. The dies for the molding of 
counterfeit money were found liidden in the 
vicinit}', hj' special detectives, who had been 
sent from Columbus. No positive evidence was 
ever established to fasten the guilt of making 
spurious coin upon anj' one in particular, and 
there is no proof to show now how much of the 
monej' made here ever got into circulation. It 
is told that a few of the residents of this local- 
ity departed about this time in rather a surrep- 
titious manner. 

The place was then given the appellation of 
"Bogus Hollow." It soon fell into decay, and 
in later years the building was destroyed by 
fire and but little in the line of industries has 
been done there since. 

Several saw and grist mills were established 
in the township as early as 1834. It was in 
that year that David Hinman built a mill for 
the sawiug of lumber north of the Center. 
This was destroyed by fire in 1838. Several 
other saw and grist mills were erected about 
this time in the township, but they have gone 
out of use, and no definite information could 
be gained of the names of the persons who 
undertook these various enterprises. In con- 
nection with the industrial affairs of the col- 
ony, are its cheese-making interests, which 
to-day form one of the main factors in the 
agricultural pursuits of the Litchfield farmers. 
From several reasons, it forms a chapter .of 
great interest in the history of the township. 
The first cheese-factory was established in the 
spring of 1866. by A. C. Benedict and Martin 
Brooker. The latter soon sold out to his part- 
ner, who then extended his interests in this 
line still further by building and conducting 
factories in the adjoining townships of York, 
Penfield and Grafton. He carried on his busi- 
ness on a very extensive scale, and became one 
of the most prominent cheese manufacturers in 
the Reserve. With the panic of 1873, he was 
forced to make an assignment of his posses- 



sions. The eflfect upon the people of the town- 
ship is well described by a report written by 
Mr. H. A. Leach at this time, from which we 
partial!}- condense. It is dated November 19, 
1873 : " A great excitement has just broken 
out in financial circles in Litchfield over the 
failure. The news broke upon the public to- 
day, and is a great surprise to many. There is 
no man in town whose failure would have af- 
fected so many, and done so much injury to the 
township. The panic cloud has spread darkly 
over the township of Litchfield. Though 
gi'eatlj' limited in proportion to the affair on 
Wall street, its effect will be as severely felt by 
the citizens here. The loss to the people of 
Litchfield is between .§12,000 and «1 5,000— 
a very heavy loss to be borne bj- a farming 
township, and at a time when it was the only 
dependence of many. The manner in which 
the people of Litclifield have resolved to meet 
the panic looks encouraging. Creditors are 
willing to give more time to their debtors. 
Some are trying to sell stock, and some will be 
obliged to sell their farms, but all have re- 
solved to work it out." In the lapse of years 
that have followed these financial disasters, 
the depression that was caused bj- them has 
disappeared, and there is again a buoj'ant stir 
and a well-gi'ounded confidence evident among 
the farmers of Litchfield Township. 

The little hamlet at the center of the town- 
ship is an unincorporated village ot 269 inhab- 
itants, according to the census of 1880, and 
takes its name of Litchfield after the township. 
In 1832. there was only one house at the Cen- 
ter, which was built and owned by George 
Olcott. The following 3'ear, five more build- 
ings were put up in the immediate vicinity. 
About the fall of 1835, Asahel Howd estab- 
lished a small countr}- store ; while, about the 
same time. William Converse located as a 
practicing physician. Mr. Rufus Moses opened 
up a shoe-shop at the Center in connection with 
his tannery, which was located about a mile 



<^ <s- 



qV 



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534 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



west. Ill the succeeding 3-ears, William Hor- 
ton, Smith Hinman, F. R. Ilamblin, Mark Kil- 
burn and Douglas Bradle}- opened places of 
local commerce. Within recent j-ears, frecjuent 
changes have been made in the owner.ship of 
these different stores. In the spring of 1879, 
the northwest corner of the village was swept 
awaj- by fire, causing a considerable loss. It 
has now been partiallj- rebuilt. Among the 
different structures — churches, dwellings, stores, 
taverns, etc. — that compose the village town- 
hall, a solid brick Iniilding. stands out most 
prominent. It is of a plain style of architect- 
ure, two stories high, and one of the handsom- 
est public buildings in Meilina County. It 
was finished in the fall of 1871. and, after the 
proper dedicatory services, was given over to 
public use. A memorial tablet to the volun- 
teer soldiers of Litchfield Township adorns 
the end wall in the reai' of the rostrum in the 
upper hall. It is a large marble slab, 4x6 feet, 
and bears the following inscription : 

■'A MEMORIAL TABLKT TO THE LITCHFIELD 
VOLUNTEERS." 

Beneath this are given the names of the en- 
listed soldiers of the township, seventy-five in 
number, of whom eight re-enlisted after the 
expiration of their first term of service, eight 
were wounded, six died, and four were killed 
on the field of action. Under this, at the bot- 
tom of the tablet, is written : •' Litchfield 
Township paid S14. 162.45 for war purposes 
during the rebellion." Building Committee: 
John Sears, George R. Brooker. James Booth, 
E. H. Richards, C. A. Stranahan. 

A special feature of attractiveness and Ijeauty 
is the public park, located in the center of the 
village. The following en.aclment. providing 
for the construction of a park, was passed by 
the General Asserablj- of Ohio, through the 
instrumentality of Mr. F. U. Loomis. Repre- 
sentative for the county of .Medina, on the 30th 
of .^larch, 1875. It reads ; 



Section 1. Be it enacted by the Oeneral Attembly of 
the Stale of Ohio, That the Trustees of the township of 
Litchfield. MeJina Co., Ohio, are hereby aulhoriied to 
vacate and discontinue the public roads now passing 
through the square ,at the center of the town, and to 
lay out and fence off a park in the center of said square, 
and to lay out public roads around the outside of said 
park. 

.Sec. 2. Said pirk above provided for, shall be un'ler 
the control of the Township Trustees. 

After the passage of this act, the necessary 
special tax levy was made by the Trustees for 
the la3'ing-out of the park. It was properly 
leveled and sodded, and an inclosure placed 
around it. Young maple-trees were set out 
and the walks graveled. The cost for this 
work aggregated a little over S300. The park 
is of octagon shape, and forms, to-daj', one of 
the prettiest adornments to the village. A 
post office was established at Litchfield in the 
3'ear 1845. Mr. George Oleott was the first 
Postmaster. In the first j-ears of its exist<!nce 

1 as a postal station, it received a bi-weekly mail 
by waj- of Medina and Norwalk. Walker Cole 
was the first mail-carrier, taking it afoot be- 
tween the two mentioned points. .Vt present, 
the town is a station on the Burbank and Bel- 
den mail line. 

A survej' of railrotid, on what is known us 
the Clinton Air Line F^xtension, was made 
through the town in 1854, passing directlv 
through the center of the village. Several 
miles of grading was done in the township, but 
the project was shortly afterward abandoned, 

, and the railroad embankment can yet be seen 
in its incomplete state. 

The supposition has been quite prevalent ' 

j among the Litchfield people, that the veins of 

I the Grafton oil fields on the north, extended 
into the townships. Various atlcmpls at drill- 

, ing have been made in different localities of the 
township, to find a productive \'ield of the oil. 
In 1855, the Oil Boring Company, consisting 
of Elisha Rice. John Matlison, G. F. Peckham 
and J. B. Strait, was organized, and they bored 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



535 



for oil in the west part of the town. Thoy 
sank their shaft over 400 feet, but found but 
little oil, and finally gave up the undertaking. 

The second attempt was made by J. V. Si raight 
and E. Rice, in the spring of 18G0, north of the 
town. After going a depth of 225 feet, they 
abandoned the undertaking, as no oil in suffi- 
cient and paj'ing quantities was found. In 
1876, Dr. E. R. McKenzy, W. D. Orr, Norman 
Nicholls, Philaster Starr, A. J. McQueen and 
Alexander Brooker, known as the Litchfield Oil 
Company, made a similar attempt at Crow's 
Corner, located about a mile northwest of the 
center, to strike an oil vein in the ground. This 
also proved futile, and no further efforts have 
been made. 

An event of a great deal of interest, and 
which aroused a spirit of strife and emulation 
among the peoj^le of the township, and which 
deserves to be admitted to the pages of the 
township historj', is the great rat-hunt which 
took place in the fall of 1875. Two sides were 
chosen, each consisting of twenty men. Mr. Val- 
entine Shank was appointed Captain on one side, 
and G. R. Brooker Captain of the other. The 
hunt continued for three daj's, when the sides 
brought in their returns. Shank's squad re- 
turned 5,000 rat tails, and Brooker's 9,000. 
The defeated side paid their defeat b}- an oyster 
supper at the village tavern. 

An organization of considerable social dis- 
tinction is the Litchfield Lodge, Xo. 381, of 
Free and Accepted Masons. Its charter was 
granted bj- the Grand Lodge of Oliio at Cin- 
cinnati, on the 14th of October, 1867. Its first 
officers were J. A. Rettig, W. M. ; G. W. Noble, 
S. W. ; J. F. Hutchins, J. W. ; Ephraim AVol- 
cott. Treasurer ; D. B. Alcott, Secretary ; E. H. 
Richards, S. D. ; and Lyman Wolcott, J. D. 
The lodge meets once each month on the Mon- 
day preceding the full moon. The services ai-e 
held in the town hall. The present officers of 
the lodge are E. H. Richards, AV. M. ; A. C. 
Hurd, S. W. ; C. A. Newton, J. W. ; W. S. Ber- 



dan. Treasurer ; H. K. Canfield, Secretary ; A. 
D. 'U'illis, S. D. ; R. S. Church and ^X. A. Ris- 
ing. Stewards ; H. L. Rising, Tiler. 

The first Congressional Church of Litchfield 
was organized in the year 1833, with twenty- 
two members. The Rev. William Shaler, of 
Shalersville. Geauga County, was the first min- 
ister of the society. The meetings were at first 
held at the union meeting and town hall, erected 
at the Center on a 4fh of July. During the 
years from 1835 to 1837, Rev. Asa Smith was 
the presiding Pastor of the church. He was 
followed by the Rev. Erastus Coles. A 
separate church edifice was constructed by 
the society in 1850, on a lot donated bj- Ben- 
oni Alcott. This burned down a few years 
later, and another was constructed in 1853. 
The societ}- now numbers nearly a hundred 
members, and is the most influential church or- 
ganization in Litchfield Township, 

The Methodists organized a church society in 
the southwest part of the township in the 
spiing of 1833, with thirteen members. The 
Rev. Mr. Billings was the first officiating cler- 
gyman. The members met at the "South" 
Sehoolhouse, at the Center, for worship. Mr. 
Daniel White was the first Class-leader, and 
acted in that capacity for a number of 3-ears. 
In 1843, a building was erected bj- the society 
on a lot donated by Russell Brooker. It was 
afterward refitted and enlarged. Several other 
Jlethodist classes had been organized in diflTerent 
parts of the township, and it was after a meeting- 
house had been constructed near the Center, that 
they coalesced, and now form one church organ- 
ization. It is now a churcli society of prom- 
inence and influence, and has a membership of 
over a hundred. 

In the early church history of the township, 
the Baptists claim a very prominent share. The 
first organization of a society of this creed was 
made in 1833, through the ettbrts of Elder Asa 
Strait, There were thirteen original members. 
The society grew in infiucuce and numbers in a 



^l 



1^ 



536 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTr. 



very short time. In 1835, a separate meeting- 
house was constructed by tliem about a mile 
from the center. It was removed to that point 
in 1844, and was considerably enlarged. It 
burned down two years after its removal, and in 
1 847. another edifice was Iniilt, which now stands 
in the center of the village, and is used as a 
house of worship. 

The school affairs of the township form a 
very notable feature in its history. Instruction 
in the rudimentary branches of learning had 
been given at private houses, by difierent per- 
sons, from the very first years of the coloniza- 
tion of the township. Miss Almira Nickerson 
taught the 30ung children in the northern part, 
while Miss Julia Peek taught in the southwest 



part. After the organization of the township, 
a regular district school was started at the cen- 
ter of the town, and the school sessions were held 
in the Union Meeting House. Delia Beckwith 
was the teacher of the district school from the 
time it was organized, and she continued in that 
capacitj- for several years. A subdivision of 
the township was made in 1843. It was divided 
into five districts. In later }'ears. a re-apportion- 
ment has been made, and there are now seven 
disti'icts in the township. The j-outh. of proper 
school age, enumerated in 1879. number 205. 
A special and select school is now taught dur- 
ing the winter months of the year in the lower 
apartment of the large and commodious town 
hall. 



),IVi:i!lM)OI. TliWNSHSr- 



CHAPTER XV. 

rHVSICM, KE.VriRES. GKOUKIY. ITC— Fl KST SETTLEliS — S.\1,T MAXi 
-Oil. WEI.l,.'^— -S.VW-MILLS, (JRISl-MILLS A.\U OI.SIILLKKIES 
—VILLAGES. CIILKCHE.S AND SCHOOLS. 



AFTER a long and eventful life has fur- 
nished abundant experience and wisdom, 
it is pleasant to look back in memorj- over the 
silent years, and trace the visions that have ani- 
mated the hopes of the human race. Ever}- life 
is filled with mistakes, and the wisdom of age 
is shown by the frank avowal of former error, and 
an earnest desire to shield youth from hopeless 
waj-wardness and the bitter pangs of remorse. 
Old people love to recall events which trans- 
pired when savages and wild animals roamed 
the forest, because they were participants, and 
young people discover a deliglitful fascination 
and romance in the story of pioneer life. Tales 
and traditions of early years are eagerly sought 
by the historian and the novelist, and are woven 
into beautiful fabrics of fiction by the latter, 
and into stern fact, whicii is stranger tlian fiction, 
by the former. Tiie familiar faces of old asso- 
ciates and friends rise up from bj-gone years. 



and pass in review in the visions of the mind. 
Utensils and ornaments, soiled and worn with 
age and use, are preserved through many gen- 
erations as precious mementoes of the dear old 
grandparents, who long ago were laid to rest in 
the gi"ass\- churchyard. The story of pioneer 
life will live in future songs of prose and poetry, 
after the nation in its strides of advancement 
attains a Grecian glory or a Roman gi-andeur. 
The second permanent settlement in the 
county was made in Liverpool Township, and 
at that time the county was a wilderness filled 
with wild beasts. The phj-sical features of the 
township are striking. The land is rolling, and, 
in some places, abrupt and precipitous, atfbrding 
streams an excellent opportunity in times of 
freshets to wear away the hills into steep promi- 
nences, and carry the debris into the valleys. 
The township is bounded north and west by 
Lorain County, east by Brunswick, and south 



w 



rt* 



M 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUiS'TY. 



537 



b^- York, and comprises twenty-five sections. 
It was first formed some time before the war of 
1812, but for many j-ears was known only bj' 
number and rauge, and was afterward surveyed 
into sections l)j- Edward Heatli, a native of 
Connecticut, who came to the township in 1817. 
All the streams in the township have worn deep 
valleys, many of them being in some places a 
hundred feet below the hills along their banks. 
The soil is largely clay, with occasional beds of 
saud. The surface outcroppings reveal the 
Waverly group of rocks, llocky River, the i 
principal stream and the onl}' one of any promi- 
nence, enters the township on Section 25, thence 
flowing a little west of north across Sections 
24, 17, 18, 13, 8, 3, and entering Lorain Count}-. , 
The river is extremely winding, and has long 
since worn thi-ough the surface and blue clays, 
down into the sti'atum of thin sandstone that un- 
derlies the township. The water is clear, and, 
in earl\' j-ears, wheu the streams were choked 
with fallen timber and Ijrush. the ri\er often 1 
arose above its banks covering the valley, 
which in some places is half a mile wide, and ! 
reaching a depth of thirtj^ or forty feet. Since | 
the rapid flow of water in it and its tributaries 
has become obstructed, but little fear of de- 
structive floods is felt. Cossett Creek, named i 
for the tirst settler on its banks, rises in the 
eastern part and flows southwest, entering the 
river in tlie northern part of Section 18. Mal- 
let Creek, another stream named for the first 
settler on its banks, flows from York Town- 
ship, passing across Sections 23 and 24, and 
emptying into the river. The northeast quar- 
ter is drained by several small sti-eams, which ; 
flow west into the river. Much of the western 
portion is drained b}- Plum Creek, a small 
stream which enters from the west, flowing 
across Sections 20. 19. 12. 9, 10, 1, 2. and en- 
tering Rocky River in Lorain Count}-. The 
southwest corner is comparative!}- level, though 
even here the land is rolling. Granite bowl- 
ders are scattered at intervals over the town- 



ship. Numerous casts of pre-glaeial marine 
animals are found in the rocks and quarries and 
exposures on the river, among which are trilo- 
bites and brachiopods. Xo quarries have been 
opened and worked in the township, for the 
reason that an abundance of rock such as it is, 
is found exposed in numerous places, but is of 
little value from its brittle, shaly nature. Solid 
bauks of rock rise perpendicularly from the bed 
of the river, in some places forty or fifty feet. 

A number of years before the war of 1812, 
Liverpool Township became the property of 
Daniel Coit, a native of Connecticut, who ad- 
vertised the land for sale. Inducements were 
held temptingly before poor men in the East 
by the owners of large tracts of land in the 
West, and many, yielding to the force of neces- 
sity, sold out and left the land of their birth to 
seek homes in the wilderness of Ohio. In the 
winter of 1810-11, Justus Warner and a Mr. 
Warden, having seen the advertisements of Dan- 
iel Coit, came out to look at the land in Town- 
ship 4, Range 15, of the Western Reserve, or, as 
it was then called by many, New Connecticut. 
Mr. Warner was pleased with the country, and 
soon afterward purchased aliout a section of 
tiie land in what is now Li\erpool Township 
Then, early in the year 1811, Mr. Warner, ac- 
companied by his sou Alpheus and wife, and 
three young meu in quest of adventure, started 
for the land he had purchased. The township 
was reached after many hardships, a large, rude 
log cabin was erected, and. vThile Alpheus War- 
ner and wife remained its occupants. Justus 
Warner returned to Connecticut for his family. 
Moses Demming hqd come out with them, and. 
after securing a tract of land adjoining that of 
Mr. Warner, he returned to the Nutmeg State 
for his famil}-. After making all necessary ar- 
raugements, he started with his family late in 
April. 1811. for Ohio, driving an ox team, with 
a horse on the lead. Mr. Deraming owned 
eleven head of }oung cattle, and he determined 
to take them with liim. This was done with 



^1 



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>>. 



538 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



an infinite amount of toil and trouble. They 
traveled through the woods at the rate of six- 
teen miles a day, selling to the people along 
the route a snllicient number of wheel-heads 
whieli had been brought with theiu. to pay their 
expenses. To the great relief of the weary 
travelers, Liverpool Township was reached 
on the ISth of May, 1811, after a tiresome 
journey of twenty dajs. Justus Warner and 
his son Alpheus had come out with two two- 
iiorse teams, carrying with them fifty long- 
corded, wooden Watcrbury clocks to sell or 
trade along the route, or after I heir arrival. 
With them came the three young men, Ely L. 
Seck\v. David Scoville, and an Irishman named 
Clark. All went to work to clear a i)iece of 
land for grain, and the next fall Justus and the 
three young men returned to Connecticut. On 
the 28th of February. 1812. Justus accompa- 
nied by his family, came to Liverpool Township, 
when they were soon made as comfortable as 
the situation permitted. During the summer 
of 1811, a large clearing had been made on the 
Warner farm. Indians were encamped near 
the little settlement, and one day they informed 
Mr. Warner that they knew of a large, very 
salty spring on his farm, anil otl'ered to reveal 
its location for a few pieces of coin. The 
amount was paid, tiie whereabouts of the spring 
was disclosed, and the water, to the great satis- 
faction of Mr, Warner, was found so extremely 
salty as to make it ap[)arent that salt could be 
easily manulactured from it. thus opening a 
splendid source of n-venue to the owner, since 
the scarcity of salt in the wilderness, and the 
expense of transportation to Cleveland had 
raised it-s value from .•?.") to .-^l.'). depending on 
tiio location. Mr. Warner immediately dug a 
broad well of considerable deiilh at the spring, 
and erected a long shauty of clapboards, in 
which were placed about a dozen iron kettles 
obtained at Canton. The kettles were hung on 
poles in suitable positions, and tlie boiling was 
begun on an extensive scale. The water was 



evaporated until the brine had reached the 
consistency of sirup, when the liquid was al- 
lowed to cool, and from this the salt formed in 
large! crystals. After the crystallization was 
completed, the dirty liquor was turned off, re- 
vealing quite a quantity of coarse salt at the 
bottom and on the sides of each kettle. The 
number of kettles was afterward increased to 
more than fifty, and the salt works became 
known for scores of miles around, and received 
a splendid patronage. The salt was wet and 
coarse, yet it sold readily sometimes as high as 
$20 a barrel, and was looked upon as a God- 
send, as it saved long journejs through bot- 
tomless roads to Cleveland and other dis- 
tant places. The salt works were visited by 
settlers living south forty or fifty miles, who 
often came on foot with a bag on their l)acks, 
in which to carr}' home a half-bushel of the 
wet salt. One day a man from Wooster, Oiiio, 
arrived, having traveled the distance on foot. 
His food, which was tied up in a dressed fawn 
skin, consisted of a coon that had been stuffed 
and baked, and a loaf of corn-cake that had 
been baked in the ashes. After resting and 
refreshing himself with what is now vulgarly 
called a -square meal,' he shouldered his half- 
bushel of salt and started through the wilder- 
ness toward home, Mr, Warner soon discov- 
ered that more money could be made in the 
manufacture and sale of salt than on the farm ; 
so he devoted his time and attention to that 
occupation, and hired men to clear and improve 
his farm. He succeeded in making more than 
a barrel of salt a day, and found a ready sale 
for all he made, the salt often being sold en- 
tirely out, .\fter the settlers had arri\cil in 
consitlerable numbers, other salt springs along 
the river were iliscovered and worked, but not 
so extensively as that of Jlr, Warner. The 
latter continued the manufacture until the 
opening of the Frie Canal, when the cost 
of the transportation to Cleveland from New 
York having Ijcen greatly lowered, so re- 



r 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



539 



duced the cost of salt that Mr. Warner found 
the business no longer profitable, and discon- 
tinued it. The industry- at that early day was 
one of the most useful and important ever in 
the county. The spring was located on the 
west bank of Rock}- River, a short distance 
above Marysville, where it maj' j-et be seen. 

During the summer of 1811, while the j'oung 
men were clearing in the woods, about half a 
mile from the cabin, Oliver Terrill, by a miss 
stroke, cut a terrible gash in iiis foot. The 
blood was stanched, and, although Terrill 
weighed 192 pounds, he was carried to the cabin 
on the back of Ely Seeley. On the 1st day of 
June, 1812, a daughter was born to Alpheus 
and Minerva Warner. The child was named 
Sally Urania, and was the first white child bom 
in Liverpool Township, and, so far as known, the 
first in the county. On the 26th of July, 1812, 
Ruth (Warner) Demming, daughter of Justus 
Wattier, and wife of Moses Demming, died, her 
death being the first in the township. The first 
frame building was a barn erected by Mr. 
Demming in 1812. 

In June, 1812, war with Great Biitain was 
declared, and a short time afterward, Justus 
Warner, who had been to Columbia, brought 
news one dark night that Detroit had surren- 
dered, that the British were landing at Huron, 
and that the people at Columbia were making 
hastj- preparations to start for the older settle- 
ments. The settlers of Liverpool hastily packed 
their handiest and most valuable goods on 
wagons and started for Columbia, and. about 
1 o'clock the next night, they were met b}' Levi 
Bronson, who informed them that tliere was no 
immediate danger, whereupon the settlers re- 
solved to return to Columbia and build a block 
house, which was accordingly done. Capt. 
Headley was made Commander, and, while one- 
half of the men were detained at the fort on 
duty, the other half were allowed to go home 
and take care of their stock and homes. Sev- 
eral of the settlers came to Liverpool every 



morning to feed the hogs, milk the cows, and 
see that none of the animals went astra}'. In 
the spring of 1813, all the settlers returned to 
Liverpool, and several new ones came with them. 
Salt Spring Town, as it was then called, became 
well known, and the presence there of salt was 
an inducement to settlers seeking homes. All 
were apprehensive, during the war, of attacks 
from the Indians, and a constant watch was 
kept, that, in case of a visit, the settlers might 
not be wholly surprised. The men at the salt 
works labored all night, keeping watch in the 
meantime, while the wives, with more or less 
anxiety, guarded their little broods at the cabins. 
As long as the songs and \'oices of the men at 
the works could be heard, all was known to be 
well. The Indian scare soon passed awaj-. and 
new settlers began to appear. H. H. Coit. the 
son and agent of Daniel Coit, the proprietor of 
Liverpool Township, came out and built a cabin 
on the land now owned by Sir. Purdy. He en- 
tered into some sort of partnership with Justus 
Warner at the salt works, and the capacity of 
the works was greatly enlarged. Advertise- 
ments were printed in the Bast as to the ad- 
vantages of locating at Salt Spring Town, and 
soon the settlers began to appear, with their 
heavy wagons covered with thick waterproof 
cloth and drawn by oxen, or horses, or oftener 
still, by both combined in an oddl}- consorted 
team. John Cossett came in 1814. and locat- 
ed on what afterward was called Cossett Creek. 
William. Noah. Erastus and Eliada Warner, 
relatives of Justus and Alpheus, appeared in 
1815, and, in 1817, Scth and Zary Warden and 
Edward Heath came. The latter was a man 
of fine education, was called Capt. Heath, and 
was the one employed to survey the township 
into sections, the work being carefully and ac- 
curatelj- done. After 1817, and until 1822, 
the settlers poured in rapidh". but, for a few 
3'ears after the latter date, the influx of settlers 
was almost at a standstill. Among those who 
came, prior to 1822. were Henry Mallet and his 






^1 



fe^ 



540 



HlSTOKiT OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



sons, Daniel. John and Henry, Jr., who settled 
in the southern part, on Mallet Creek ; Barney 
Spooner, Timothy Woodbridge, Daniel Buffam, 
John B. Tyler ; Cornelius Thomas, who settled 
on the State road ; Elisha Rouse, Asa Robin- 
son, Paul Ford, Robert Carr, Ebenezer Wilmot, 
Julius Knowltou, and many others, who settled 
along Rock}- River, mostly on the east side. 
The heavy forests went down rapidly, and soon 
the shouts of har\'esters were heard, where erst 
the war- whoop resounded. Industries began to 
arise, schools and churches were organized, and 
Liverpool assumed the appearajice of a thriv- 
ing settlement. Almost all the settlers were 
located on the east bank of the river. Tempo- 
rary- camps of Indians were estalilislied along 
the river during the hunting season, and the 
savages were looked upon by the settlers as in- 
truders, as thej- killed large numbers of deer 
and other animals of value to the settlers. 

In 1822, a camp of about eight families was 
located on Mallet Creek during the " bleating 
season," and they began to destroy the fawns 
in such numbers that the settlers resolved to 
stop the slaughter. Daniel Ford and six or 
seven other men started from the Center to 
warn them off. Two of the men, concluding it 
was safer to i-eturn, did so, but tlie others went 
on. When they arrived at the encampment, 
the wigwams were deserted ; but. from the con- 
dition of things, the settlers knew the Indians 
were concealed in some neighboring thicket. 
A large tree was stripped of its bark on one 
side, the figure of an Indian was drawn with 
charcoal on the white wood, and then the set- 
tlers, retiring a short distance, shot their rifles 
into the image, and then returned to the Center. 
The Indians understood the hint and imme- 
diately started for some other locality. A few 
sheep were brouglit to Liverpool prior to 1S20, 
but the wolves were so fierce and bold that 
they were soon destroj-ed. Cattle were attacked 
and devoured, and so great became the fear of 
these marauders that a grand circular hunt was- 



resolved upon, to take in portions of Liverpool 
and Brunswick, and a portion of Lorain County, 
the center to be near the northeast corner of 
Liverpool, in Lorain County. The hunt took 
place in the summer of 1819, and began early 
in the morning. About three hundred men 
surrounded a large section of countr}-, the cen- 
ter being as above stated. The center was a 
portion of land about a quarter of a mile square, 
and was indicated by blazed trees. When this 
square was reached, the firing was to cease, and 
the men were to stop marching. The words, 
•' all ready," were passed around the ring, and 
then the march toward the center begau, with 
horns and shouts and frequent reports of the 
rifle. On the march toward the central square, 
the men were instructed to shoot every animal 
that appeared. As thej- were neariug the cen- 
ter, when every man was excited, as large num- 
bers of deer and other animals could be seen 
bounding from side to side of the circle, a man 
named Warner, following a running deer with 
his rifle, fired, and shot another man named 
Pritchard, through the heart, killing him in- 
stantlj-. The report swept around the circle 
that a man was shot, and scores left the ring 
to see if their father or brother was the one 
killed. This caused the circle to break, and 
the excited animals broke through and bounded 
ofl^' through the woods. It was estimated that 
between two hundred and three hundred deer 
escaped, besides several bears, foxes and wolves. 
The unfortunate death of Mr. Pritchard cast a 
gloom on the occasion, and the men returned 
to their homes. It was looked upon as an acci- 
dent that might have been avoided, with proper 
care, Warner and Pritchard were cousins and 
good friends, and no implication of intentional 
shooting was ever added to the distress of Jlr 
Warner. 

Liverpool Township was created, organized 
and named in 1816, and at that time comprised 
the following boundaries : All the territory 
west of the 12th Range to the fire-lands, and 



f 



r 



;> 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



541 



all south of Township 5 to the south line of the 
Reserve. How the township came to be called 
Liverpool is unknown, unless it was named for 
a city of the same name in England, where 
there were extensive salt works. This is said 
to have been the origin of the name. Among 
the first officers elected were Moses Demming 
and H. H. Coit, Justices of the Peace. It was 
the custom of Mr. Demming, so far as possible, 
to adjust the cases that came before him by a 
compromise — a procedure well worth}* of imi- 
tation, though but little followed at the present 
day. One day, a man with a battered face 
came to him and asked for law on the subject 
of assault and battery. Mr. Demming saw 
" fire in the man's eye,' so he handed a well- 
worn copy of the Bible to the stranger, who, 
after turning it around for some time, fiaallj' 
announced that he could not read. The Justice 
took the book and read, " He that smiteth thee 
on the one cheek, turn to him the other also." 
The stranger first looked at the book, then at 
the reader, slowly put his hat on his head, and, 
as he walked out of the door, said, " That law 
is too devilish poor to do me anj' good." Jus- 
tus Warner was one of the first Justices, and 
was noted for his eccentric though satisfac- 
tory ways of settling disputes. One daj', Asa 
Marsh was boiling at the salt works. Mrs. 
Townsend called to him to get his gun and 
shoot an otter which she saw in the river. This 
was done, and Marsh carried the auimal to the 
salt works, intending to preserve the skin, 
which was quite valuable. Mr. Townsend, who 
thought he was entitled to the animal, came and 
conveyed it to his cabin, whereupon Marsh fol- 
lowed him and brought it back. Townsend 
again appeared, and, after cutting the animal 
into two equal portions, caiTied one-half to his 
house. He was summoned to appear before 
Justice Warner to answer for his conduct. 
After the evidence was all in, and the defend- 
ant had made his statement, the " Court," who 
had grown considerably excited, and whose eyes 



sparkled, passed judgment in this wise : •' Mrs. 
Townsend found it. she did, and Mar-sh shot it, 
he did. and each man has what belongs to him, 
and the case is dismissed, it is." Tradition 
says that the costs were taxed to the Consta- 
ble, but that is undoubtedly a slander on the 
" Court." Justus Warner lived to the remark- 
able age of one hundred years and tweutj-two 
days. A short time before his death, he was 
asked to lie down, but he answered : " If I do, 
I shall never get up again." He began lying 
down, and, in a few days, his kind old heart 
ceased to beat. His wonderful will, energy and 
vitality were all that kept him alive so long. 
He was very eccentric in his manner, and af- 
forded constant amusement to those about him 
by the singular freaks of his character. One 
day, in a canoe, he attempted to cross the 
Rocky River, which had risen far above its 
banks and had a very swift current. After 
struggling with the waters for some time, and 
making no headway, he suddenly ceased row- 
ing, ejaculated '• Ah ! " threw his oars into the 
water, and, seizing a rope tied to the bow, he 
began tugging at it with all his power, as if he 
expected to pull himself ashore by that means. 
He floated down the river about a quarter of a 
mile, and landed, finally, on the same side from 
which he started. On another occasion, he dug 
a well, and, while working around it one day, 
Minerva, his daughter-in-law, told him to be 
careful and not fall in. He made no reply, and, 
soon afterward, disappeared. Minerva, think- 
ing that perhaps he might have fallen in the 
well, ran and looked down, and there he was, 
sure enough, up to his arm-pits in water, shiv- 
ering with cold. He was drawn up, and, after 
he had changed his clothing and become warm, 
Minerva enjoyed the satisfaction of telling him, 
" I told you so." But the old man was not 
cornered, for he tartlj* replied : ■■ Ah ! I didn't 
fall into the well, I didn't ; I slipped in, I did ; 
and I suppose, now, you'll never forget getting 
your say, you won't. " He did a gi-eat deal. 



^IV* 



5i-i 



inSTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



during his long :iud eventful life, to build up j 
the township, and people it with industrious 
and intelligent citizens. When Minerva, the 
wife of Alpheiis Warner, left Connecticut, she 
tied up a small package of apple-seeds, design- 
ing to plant them in their new home in Ohio. 
After about ten acres had been cleared, she 
went out one day in 1812, and. with a ca.se- 
knife, made small trenches aud sowed therein 
the apple-seed. Many of the trees thus ob- 
tained are standing ou the old farm, and the 
grandchildren are enjoying the fruit to-day. 
This was undoubtedly the first orchard in Me- 
dina County. 

When the first settlers came into the town- 
ship, and ;br many years thereafter, the woods 
were filled with deer and other wild animals. 
So plentiful were they that, at any season of 
the year, a hunter could go into the woods aud 
return in a short time having killed one_ 
Daniel Ford in one year killed a hundred, aud, 
ere they had entirely disappeared, he killed over 
a thousand. Often the skin and the most valu- 
able portions of the flesh were all that were 
taken, the remainder being left to the wolves 
and buzzards. One day 3Ir. Ford was out 
hunting deer in the uorthern part of York 
Township, when he heard his dog barking fu- 
riously some distance in advance. He hurried 
forward and discoxered that his dog had treed 
a large bear, which quietly sat on a large limb 
above, surveying the angr^- movements of the 
dog below. A shot from the unerring rifle 
brought the huge animal to the ground, dead. 
When deer could be driven into the windfall in 
the southern part of the township, they were 
easily secured, but the animals instinctivelv 
avoided those places, and sought tiie more open 
portions of the forest. A tornado must have 
swept across the township a few years before 
the settlers appeared, as a strip of timber in the 
southern part was almost wholh- leveled with 
the ground. The windfsiU and the deep woods 
adjoining it became a great resort for countless 



thousands of pigeons that alighted there in 
the spring of the year. Thousands of dozens 
were taken and shipped to Cleveland and other 
cities. rientlemcn of sporting proclivities 
from Cleveland visited the grounds on hunting 
expeditions, and slaughtered a great many. It 
was extremely dangerous to carry a torch or 
lantern among the pigeons, as they would in- 
stantly dart for the light and dash it to the 
ground, and endanger the eyes aud face of the 
reckless hunter. After many years, when that 
portion of the township was cleared up. guano 
was found upon the ground to the depth of six 
inches. Albert Heath shot the largest deer 
ever killed in the county. The animal was 
known to all the hunters as the ■• big buck," 
and many a tiresome chase after him had re- 
sulted iu failure. One day, when on his track 
following him. Albert, then but a boy, heard 
the distant report of a rifle, and, stopping 
short, he soon saw the big buck running like 
the wind directly toward him. When close 
enough, the young hunter fired, and the animal 
fell dead upon the ground. When dressed, it 
was found to weigh 254 pounds. Portions of 
its antlers were worked into knife handles, and 
may yet be seen at the residence of Mr. Heath. 
Al)out a mile southeast of Liverpool Center, there 
were in early yeai'S. several acres of crab-apple 
trees, which every year hung ftdl of the sour 
fruit. Justus Warner devised a rude cider- 
press, and began manul'acturing cider of suf- 
ficient sourness to satisfy the taste of the most 
inveterate toper in the neighborhood. The ap- 
jjles were made into sauce, also, and afl'orded a 
desirable addition to the homely fare of the 
cabin. Large quantities of wild plums were 
found near the cral)-ai)ple marsh, and were used 
in the culinary department by the backwoods- 
women. One day. \')n and Heli. two small 
sons of Ali)heus Warner, were out in the 
woods with an ax. when they heard their dog 
barking off at some distance, and r.-in to dis- 
cover the cause. The dog had driven some 



"V" 



'-^ 



HISTOllY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



543 



animal into a large, hollow log, and the bo3-s 
immediately resolved to dislodge and kill it if 
possible. Heli crept in several feet at the open 
end of the log to prevent the egress of the ani- 
mal, while Eri began chopping vigorouslj- at 
the other extremitj-, designing to make an 
opening where the animal could be driven out. 
Tlie lirst blows of the ax brought the beast to 
within a few feet of Heli, who, lying at full 
length in the end of the log, saw its eyes glow- 
ing like two balls of fire. " Here he is, here 
he is ; I see him," shouted Heli, and the ani- 
mal drew back. An opening was soon made 
at the other end, and, suddenly, the head of a 
large fox appeared, but the ax was brought 
down upon it with great force, strotcliing the 
animal lifeless on the ground. The courageous 
boys proudlj- conveyed the dead fox to their 
home, and their exploit soon became the talk 
of the ueighborliood. and the boys were lion- 
ized by the neighbors. 

As soon as the settlers had arrived in suffi- 
cient numliers to render the outlook auspicious, 
various industries arose to supply articles that 
could be obtained otherwise onlj' by long jour- 
neys to neigliboring mills or villages. The roads 
were not then as they are at present, when fiftj- 
or sixt}' miles can be made in a day. Twentj- 
miles was a long, hard day's journey, and usually 
fifteen miles of travel through the muddy roads 
completel3' exhausted the liest teams. This led 
to a demand for luml)er, Hour and household 
supplies at some point nearer home. A man 
named Darling ei'ected a combined saw and 
grist mill on the river, in the soutliern part as 
early as 1818. The building was a long, low 
one, with two apartments, in one of which was 
placed the apparatus for sawing logs, and in the 
other, a small set of " nigger-head " buhrs for 
grinding grain. Good water power was obtained 
by means of a race and a dam, and tlie mills 
were enabled to run eight or ten montiis of the 
year. Almost all the earlj' houses and barns 
were built of lumber obtained at this mill. Saw- 



ing was done either on shares, half being taken 
by the sawyer, or at the rate of about $3.50 per 
thousand. Rinaldo Cossett, a boj- of about 
foui'teen, was one day fishing at tlie mill-pond, 
when, by some means unknown, he was drowned. 
It was whispered that foul play had been done 
him, and man}' entertain that view of the mat- 
ter at present; the truth will probably never be 
known. The grist-mill furnished a fair article 
of flour, and was well patronized. After Ijeing 
in operation about ten years, the mill was 
abandoned. After this, for a number of years, 
the settlers were compelled to go to Middleburj' 
for their flour and meal, or, if thej' were satis- 
fied with an inferior article, as man\' of them 
were, it could lie obtained at a small grist-mill 
operated by a Mr. Jackson, who had erected it 
about the year 1826. Combined with the 
grist-mill (if such it can be properly denomi- 
nated) was a saw-mill that did splendid work, 
and commanded an extensive patronage. Fine 
lumber was prepared here at prices within the 
reach of all. The grist-mill furnished excellent 
meal, but the flour was coarse, and but little bet- 
ter than " cracked wheat." The bolters were 
small and defective, and much of the bran was 
left with the flour. It was wholesome, but con- 
siderable difficulty was experienced in getting it 
to rise properl}' when bread was being made. 
The mills were operatcil bj- water-power, and 
were continued for about fifteen years, when the 
machinerj- was removed to some more favored 
locality. 

In 1823, Daniel Ford began manufacturing 
wooden bowls from cucumber- wood and white- 
wood. A small shanty-shop was erected, and 
the machinery consisted of a hand-lathe. The 
business was continued a few years, but, not 
proving profitable, was discontinued. In 1820, 
Abner Martin built a small distillery a short 
distance south of the center. The building was 
a frame structure, built of lumber obtained at 
the Darling saw-mill. A copper still, having a 
capacity of about twenty-five gallons, was used, 



ii \, 



544 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA OOrNTY. 



and the grain was ground, or rather chopped, bv 
a small set of stones, operated b3- horse-power. 
It is said that an excellent article of whisky 
was manufactured at this distiller}-. Old settlers 
in the townshi[) who rememl)er di'lnking it, speak 
regretfully of the difference between the whisky 
furnished by the Martin distillery and the adul- 
terated article found in commerce at the present 
time. The whisky was so superior, or so small 
in quantity, or both, that it was drank as fast as 
it was made. It is even asserted that thirsty 
settlers were often seen with cups in their hands 
standing around the warm-tiih waiting anxious- 
ly for the liquor to cool. Stories are also told 
of bacchanalian revelry at the old distillery, car- 
ried on late at night, or, rather, early the next 
morning. At any rate, the liquor disappearetl 
so rapidlj' that none was left to be carried to 
other localities and sold. After some fifteen 
years, the distillery was abandoned. On the 
east bank of Rocky River, opposite Liverpool 
Center, William Wilson erected a small distillery. 
and began the manufacture of whisk}- as carin- 
as 1825. His liquor was pronounced a fair ar- 
ticle by the topers of Liverpool, and he receixed 
a sufficient patronage to render the business 
profitable for about eight years, at which date 
the still was removed and the building devoted 
to other uses. 

In 1830, John (4roll Imill a <listillerv ojie 
mile and a half southwest of Liverpool. The 
building was frame and was constructed of 
home-made lumber, much of it being while- 
wood and walnut. His still had a capacity of 
some fifteen gallons. Attached to the ma- 
chinery was a set of clioppiug-stones. where 
grain was prepared for fermentation, the mill- 
ing ajjparatus being operated by horse-powei'. 
The building is yet standing, a monument to 
the early enterprise of Mr. (Troll. He ran the 
distillery six years, and manufactured consid- 
erable whisky. It is said that lie had a small 
receipt book giving the composing elements of 
almost a hundred kinds of mixed drinks, man}- 



of which he manufactured for his customers. 
Salt was added to give pungency, stryciniiue 
I to give flavor and a staggering sensation, and 
, other drugs and poisons to produce the sensa- 
tions so well known to the dram-drinkers of 
the present da}-. In 1840, a man named Gow 
engaged in the same pursuit, in a small frame 
building a short distance northwest of Marys- 
ville. He made a limited quantity of good 
whisky, and continued the occupation nearly 
six years. The early distilleries were of great 
value to the settlers, in that they furnished a 
market for r}e and corn at home, and furnished 
what was then known as one of the necessities 
of life — liquor. The laws of supply and de- 
mand lowered the price of grain, and increased 
that of household and fiirm implements, utensils 
and supplies. The price of corn, aud, in fact, 
all the cereals, was rendered so low by the cost 
of transportation to the consumer, that but little 
profit could be made in their cultivation, be- 
sides the unavoidable loss of time and expense 
incident to their conveyance to market. But, 
when several distilleries were in comparatively 
extensive operation, a stead}- market, somewhat 
limited in extent, was provided. Corn and r}e 
were given in exchange for whisky or mixed 
drinks, which never left the mantel-piece of the 
cabin of the backwoodsman. Whisky was 
looked upon by many as a panacea for all ills 
to which mankind are subject. It was used 
both as a cooling beverage aud a warming one. 
It was prescribed b}- pioneer physicians for 
both digestion and indigestion. It was taken 
in sickness and in health with a prodigality 
tliat seems startUng in this day of temperance 
activities. Traditions are afloat which point to 
dark deeds at some of the early distilleries in 
Liverpool, A band of counterfeiters had a 
rendezvous on Mallet Creek, and some of the 
settlers were detected while passing spurious 
dollar and half dollar coins. Pewter coins 
minted in Liverpool, at an early day, may be i 
I seen at tiie residence of .Mr, Ford, where they 



r 



.^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



5)5 



are preserved as curiosities. One of tlie set- 
tlers was tried aud convicted of having an in- 
terest in the unlawful business, and was sen- 
tenced to the penitentiarj', where, according to 
rrports, he afterward died. Another was tried, 
but was acquitted for lack of evidence of guilt. 
It is probable that the distillery-men were in 
no way connected with the band, otherwise 
than as furnishing them with liquor of various 
kinds. 

Messrs. Warner and Coit were not the only 
ones engaged at an earlj' daj* in the manufact- 
uring of salt. Demming, Cogswell, Wilmot and 
others dug wells, procured suitable kettles, over 
which were erected rough shanties to protect 
them from the weather, and began a more or 
less extensive manufacture. All the salt man- 
ufactured prior to the opening of the Erie 
canal, sold readily for an advanced price. 
Some of the men while prospecting for salt at 
an early day, made the discover}- of the pres- 
ence of oil in the township. Attempts were 
made to utilize the oil for lighting and lubricat- 
ing purposes, aud prosecuted in a quiet way. 
After wells had been dug and water had set- 
tled therein, a dark, pungent oil was found to 
issue from the water and foriu upon the surface 
at the rate, in some instances, of about a bar- 
rel a week. A small quantity was taken to 
Connecticut by Alpheus Warner, where it was 
analyzed and tested by experienced chemists, 
who pronounced it valuable in cases of throat 
disease, and as a lubricant. Attempts were 
made to use it as a remedy for sore throat, but 
its disagreeable taste and smell, coupled with 
the fact that its properties as a remedy were 
largely unknown or undetermined, were suffi- 
cient reasons for avoiding its use. Some of 
the oil was bottled and circulated in commerce 
and used in the Western States. It was found 
that an agitation of the water in the wells, in- 
creased the yield of oil to half a dozen times 
its former quantity. In about IS.'iO. when the 
oil excitement in Pennsvlvania aroused the 



people of the country to the fact that they 
were destined to have better lights in their 
houses, the citizens of Liverpool and capital- 
ists from abroad began prcjspecting along 
Rocky River, a short distance above Liverpool 
Center. The strength of the well was thor- 
oughly tested, and the quantitj' of oil obtained 
gave flattering promises to capital seeking in- 
vestment. Land along the stream upon which 
oil was discovered, arose considerably in value, 
and the owners began selling stock in their 
wells. A large percentage of the citizens, with 
the hope of securing fortunes like those read 
about in Pennsylvania, invested what they could 
spare in purchasing stock, aud, for a time, the out- 
look was flattering. At different times, eleven 
wells were dug. and arrangements were made 
for skimming the black-looking oil from the 
surface of the water. The wells were dug down 
to the rock, the distance varjing from twenty 
to sevent}- feet, after which, drills were used to 
increase the depth, in one case to 1,450 feet. 
But, although the flow of oil did not wholly 
cease, it was found to be so small in quantity 
as to render the working profitless. Every 
effort was made to increase the flow, l>ut with- 
out avail. Mr. Parmelee, at the center, owned 
$500 worth of stock, and at one time, was 
offered $2,500 for it, but he refused, and soon 
afterward the stock was worthless. ^lanj- 
others experienced a similar fortune, or mis- 
fortune. Several wisel}" sold their laud, secur- 
ing the increase in value, while others, who 
possibl}' had a colossal fortune like that of 
Astor or Stewart in view, waited a little longer, 
and failed to realize any gain from the excite- 
ment. The proprietors of the wells, and those 
who sold out, were the only ones benefited. 
The former were not benefited, however, by 
the sale of oil. but by the sale of stock. The 
oil, when first obtained, is black, with a reddish 
cast, and is found to be of unusual excellence 
as a lubricant, as it never gums up the machin- 
ery. It has never lieen rectified, except in 



7^ 



'-^ 



546 



IILSTOliY OF MKDIXA COUNTY. 



small quantities. One hundred and fift}' bar- 
rels of the oil were obtained at one well, and 
several of the others yielded a score or more. 
It is yet obtained in small quantities, and is 
used to the exclusion of other oil on ;dl kinds 
of machinery, and is also used to some extent 
for lighting purposes. 

The first settler who came into tlie north- 
eastern corner, was Abram Beebe, who arri\'ed 
in 18!i4. He came in a covered wagon, drawn 
by two yoke of oxen, and drove with him ten 
head of sheep and one cow. His land -fifty 
acres— was purchased of Daniel Coit. The fol- 
lowing year, HoUis Newton settled near him, 
and soon afterward Salathiel Bennett, Roder- 
ick and Benjamin Beebe arrived in 1828, and 
immediately afterward several came, among 
whom was Obadiah Newton. The Beebes were 
mtelligent and energetic people, and did much 
to advance the cause of education and religion. 
The neighborhood became Icnown as Beebe- 
town, a name it j'et retains. The northwestern 
and southwestern portions of the township 
were not settled as early as other portions. 
The land was not so open, and there were not 
thost; inducements to locate there as there were 
along the turbid Rocky River, where the coun- 
try was comparatively open. In addition to 
this, there were more marshy tracts on those 
portions. However, in about ISSO, several 
large emigrations of (iermans estaljlished them- 
selves there, and these portions of the town- 
ship are almost wholly (lerman at present. 

In 1837, the village ol' Marysville, or Hard- 
scrabble, as it is more popularly known, was 
surveyed and platted by Nathan Hell. The land 
was owned by the heirs of Daniel Coit, one of 
whom was his son. H. H. Coit, who acted as 
agent for tlie otliers. Thirty-three lots were 
laid off and t)flcred for sale. H. H. Coit (or per- 
haps Justus Warner), gave sullicieiit land for a 
public S(|uare, or park, and ar()nn<l this were 
grouped the lots. ^Ir, Warner gave two ortinee 
acres on a commanding prominence near the 



village, for a burying-ground, and the village 
began to grow. Six or eight houses went up, 
and the villagers were clamorous for a store and 
a postollice. The name ■' Marysville " was be- 
stowed upon the village, in honor of Mary, the 
wife of H. H. Coit. Some time afterward, be- 
cause of the herculean eff'orts made by some, to 
attain an extra amount of property and popu- 
ularity, and because of the great rush and 
xcnilihlc thus made, the euphonious title "Hard- 
scrabble," a peculiarly appropriate name at tliat 
time, was bestowed upon the village. So well 
suited was the name to the condition, or occa- 
sion, that it was immediately adopted by every- 
one, to almost the total exclusion of the other 
and correct one. If you were to speak of Ma- 
rysville to some of the citizens to-day, you 
would be regarded with surprise, and would 
probably be asked what you meant. The vil- 
lage is almost universally known as " Scrabble.' 
A year or two after it was laid out, 3Ir. Coit 
erected a building designed for a storeroom, 
into which Edwin Powell placed $1,000 worth 
of a general assortment of goods. This was. so 
fer as now known, the first stock offered for 
sale in tlie township. Through the energy and 
influence of H. H. Coit, Justus Warner and 
others, the establisiimenl of a post office at tlie 
village was secured, and Mr. Powell received 
the appointment of first IVstmaster. For a 
number of years prior to this, the township 
mail was obtained at Abbeyville. Prior to 1825. 
the citizens were obliged to go to Cleveland, 
and a portion of the time they were required to 
pay 25 events postage on each letter. Twenty- 
live cents then was eciuivalent to a dollar now. 
and the letters were read repeatedly, possibly 
to get the money's wortli. Jlr. Powell con- 
ducted the business with fair profits for about 
five years, when he died, and his stock was 
closed out at auction. He was succeeded by 
Francis Smallmau, who began with some $(!00 
worth of goods, including liquors. Mr. Small- 
man was intcnq)erate. :md, it is said, drank iiim- 



— "^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



547 



self to death : at least, he died three or four 
years after opening his store, and his goods 
were closed out like those of Powell, who, ac- 
cording to the reports, also died from extreme 
intemperance in drinking the liquor he kept in 
his store. A short time after Mr. ^mailman's 
death, Archibald Miles appeared at the village 
and announced his intention of engaging in the 
mercantile pursuit, if a suitable partner could 
be found. Alpheus Warner at length concluded 
to sell his farm and enter into partnership with 
Mr. Jliles. The farm was accordingly sold and 
much of the mouej' realized was inxx'Sted in a 
large stock of goods, probably worth $6,000. 
Ever3'thing went off smoothlj" for a time, and 
the ledger indicated that handsome profits 
were being realized. Mr. Warner ditl not scru- 
tinize the accounts, nor the management of the 
business ver}- closely ; but, by degrees, he dis- 
covered that his partner had cheated him out of 
several thousand dollars, whereupon the part- 
nership was dissolved, and the goods disposed 
of This was the extent of the mercantile pur- 
suit of " Scrabble." Dr. Palmer located in the 
village at an early day, and for man3' j'ears, 
prescribed for the ills of the neighborhood. He 
was an intelligent man, and a good physician. 
After a number of years, he was succeeded by 
Dr. Parker, who. in time, became one of the most 
skillful practitioners ever in the township. In 
earl}' years, a malady known among the settlers 
as •' Cuyahoga fever," but which was probably 
typhoid fever, swept otf man}' of the pioneers, 
and defied the skill and experience of physi- 
cians. Dr. Parker was among the few who 
could, in a measure, control the disease. He ac- 
quired an extensive practice, and received the 
confidence and patronage of his own and adjoin- 
ing neighborhoods. He is j-et practicing in the 
township. Blacksmiths, carpenter.s and other 
mechanics have flourished in the village at dif- 
ferent times. Business slowly declined, mechan- 
ics, one b}' oue took their departure, and many 
of the lots were thrown out into the adjacent 



farms. The village is now almost wholly de- 
serted. 

The village of Liverpool Center has had a 
different experience. It was laid out and plat- 
ted in 1845 by Abraham Freese, survej'or, and 
Ashael, Edmund and William H. Parmelee were 
the proprietors. Twenty -five lots were origi- 
nally laid out, to which an increase, to the extent 
of fiftj^-seven lots, was made in 1852 and 1854. 
The first building in the village was erected on 
the west bank of the river, a short distance 
above the bridge, by Thomas Warden, in 1820. 
The structure was a small frame, established 
amidst the marshes and bogs of the river bot- 
tom. Soon after the family came there to live, 
the deadly ■ Cu3-ahoga fever " visited them, and 
shortljf afterward both husband and wife were 
consigned to the grave. 

The second building was a saw-mill, erectetl 
near the site of the present mill, by Seth War- 
den, in 1821. Shortly after this, Edward Heath, 
Enoch Carter, Homer Edsou aud one or two 
others, erected log dwellings in different por- 
tions of the village. In 1824, Mr. Edsou sold 
ous to Titus Sutliff. Garry, the sou of Mr. 
Sutliff, also erected a dwelling soon afterward. 
Justus Warden, a brother of Seth. built a large 
dwelling, but, in about 1830, sold out to Dr. 
Parker, the first physician to locate in the vil- 
lage. In 1832, Charles Sabin built the house 
now occupied by the family of Mr. Maley. Six 
or eight years later, Merritt Sabin came, and 
occupied a dwelling, built by himself, in the 
western part. In 1838, Eri Warner built the 
house at present owned by Eliada Warner. 
The structure was a frame aud quite large, aud 
three years later Mr. Warner fitted it up and 
began entertaining the public. By this time, 
the people became impressed with the thought 
that their village should be properl}' laid 
out and recorded. This was accordingly done, 
as above stated, and gave a new impetus to its 
growth. Eight or ten houses went up within 
the next three or four years, aud mechanics and 









548 



HISTORY OF ifEDIXA COUNTY. 



artisans appeared and began plj'ing their pe- 
culiar trades. A Mr. Tillotson. a blacksmith, 
located in the village as earl\- as 1839. In 1837, 
there were some eight buildings in town, and 
within the next five years, there were almost 
twenty. Francis Smallmaa l^rought about $1.- 
500 worth of goods, including liquor, and. in 
1840. placed them in a storeroom that had been 
built by Samuel Arnold, on the site of the pres- 
ent Lutheran Church. Soon afterward. Mr. 
Smallman erected the combined store and dwell- 
ing now owned and occupied Ijy Mr. Carr. and 
removed his stock of goods therein, but, after 
conducting the business with varying success for 
some six years, he transferred his stock to Marys- 
ville, where he afterward died. A Mr. Merry- 
man succeeded him, but he. likewise, left at the 
expiration of a few years. In 1843, Wilmot & 
Brush fitted up the old saw-mill, and placed 
therein a stock of goods valued at 82.000, and 
began with quite an extensive and flattering 
patronage. They erected an ashery near the 
store, and began manufacturing black and white 
salts and pearl-ash, at the rate of nearly twelve 
tons per annum. These men were shrewd 
financiers, and. at the end of four years, having 
" feathered their nest " well, at the expense of 
theii- fellow-citizens, they departed for '-other 
pastures." Miles & Lawrence came in 1845 
with $4,000 worth of goods, which they offered 
for sale in the Warner building. Becoming 
dissatisfied in about four years with the profits 
realized, they removed their stock of goods. 

Brush Brothers came soon afterward with 
quite a large stock. Tiiey built an ashery and 
made considerable money at the combined pur- 
suits. From 3 to G cents per l)usliel was paid 
for ashes, depending on their quality and con- 
dition. Fresh ashes from oak wood were con- 
sidered the most \aluable, except those from 
hickor}' ; but the supply of the latter was 
small, there l)eing but little hickory timlier in 
the township. .Vfter continuing in the village 
a few vears. tlie brothers removed to some 



neighboring village, where the outlook was 
more promising. Teachout & Tousley engaged 
in the mercantile pursuit soon afterward. 
Thej- likewise conducted an asherj- in connec- 
tion with their store, and manufactured as high 
as fifteen tons of potash per year. Tiiey fol- 
lowed the common practice in early years of 
giving goods from their store in exchange for 
ashes. Those who burned large log heaps were 
careful to preserve the ashes, as several dollars 
could be realized in the sale. This firm did a 
good business, and continued several j'ears. 
They were followed by Ruprecht, Langerbacker. 
Steeple, Greenlech. Rosenfelter, Carr and Gun- 
kleman. the most of whom were pi'osperous, 
having a fair trade with reasonable profits. 

Liquor has been sold in the village since it 
was laid out, Smallman being the first at the 
business. A man named Pfeifer opened the 
first real saloon, in 1855. in what is known as 
the Zacharias building, a brick structure erected 
a few years before. 

One of the most important industries ever in 
the town was a foundr}-, established the year the 
village was platted. The building was a two- 
story frame structure, and was erected by 
Charles Pritchard. who manufactured various 
articles and implements, such as plows, road- 
scrapers, andirons, flat-irons, engines, etc.. for 
a period of fifteen years. Employment was 
given to eight or ten workmen, and the utensils 
manufactured were sold throughout Northern 
Ohio. The enterprise was a decided success, 
though the owner was at first discouraged by 
doubts of ever securing a lucrative patronage. 
A short time before the beginning of the last 
war. Mr. Pritchard sold out to Noble & John- 
son, who enlarged the scope of the business 
somewhat, and altered it in a few respects. , 
They conducted the enterprise (or a number of 
years, but .Johnson finally sold out to Noble. ' 
The foundry is yet in operation, under the own- 
ership and management of (I. W. Noble. 

The saw-mill erected bv Seth Warden was 



•T <s 









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in 



m 
p 



-nmrw 



V 






niL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



551 



purchased by Sabin, who operated it until 1838, 
when A. S. Parmelee, having located in the vil- 
lage, bought the mill and a tract of land adjoin- 
ing the village. Under Mr. Sabin's manage- 
ment, the building was enlarged, and, in one 
apartment, a set of " nigger-head " buhrs were 
placed for gi-inding grain. jNIr. Parmelee has 
owned and operated the grist-mill since 1838. 
In 1849, both were burned to the ground, but 
were immediatelj" rebuilt, and greatly increased 
in size and capacity. Two sets of excellent 
buhrs were added, making three in all, and the 
mill became generally patronized. The saw-mill 
became a double one, with two saws, and was, 
perhaps, the most complete mill ever in Liver- 
pool Township. The mills were located at a 
point where a natural race from Rockj- River 
furnished excellent water-power. But the mo- 
tor thus obtained was inadequate to supply sat- 
isfactorj- power, and an engine was placed so as 
to operate both mills. When there was abun- 
dance of water, the engine was not used ; but, 
in times of drought the engine was set in opera- 
tion, thus making possible the running of the 
mills during the entire year. After a few j'ears, 
the saw-mill was sold to Samuel C. Arnold, who 
operated it until about 1866, when David Good- 
rich became the owner. It is jet in operation, 
and has been under the management of other 
owners. 

Immediately after coming to the village, Mr. 
Parmelee, who was a professional clothier, 
placed in a small building erected for the pur- 
pose a complete set of wool-carding and cloth- 
dressing apparatus. Soon afterward, spinners 
and weavers were employed, and the capacity 
greatly increased by the addition of improved 
machinery" and the use of steam as a motor. 
All three mills were operated by the same -ma- 
chinery, to which belts connected the special 
machinery of each. The lights used in the mills 
and the oil employed in running the machinery 
were from the crude petroleum obtained at a 
well near the mills. Jlr. Parmelee began manu- 



facturing cassimeres, satinets, flannels, etc., on 
quite an extensive scale. The machinery was 
destroyed by fire in 1849 ; but, when the grist- 
mill was re-built, several important improve- 
ments were made, and the carding and weaving 
apparatus was placed in the second story, where 
it yet remains. As high as 10,000 yards of 
cloth have been woven in one year, but the 
average is far below that number. Of late 
years, the looms have been idle, owing to the 
inability of Mr. Parmelee to compete with 
larger establishments, where a poorer grade of 
cloth has been manufactured. The cloth has 
been mostly sold at home, and as high as 500 
j'ards have been retailed in one day. 

In about 1867, Aaron Carr established a 
planing-mill in the village, and began to manu- 
facture washing-machines, pumps, spring bot- 
toms for beds, etc. The industry was an im- 
portant one, and constant emploj-ment was given 
to several assistants. Large numbers of pumps 
and washing-machines were manufactured and 
sold throughout the neighborhood. After fol- 
lowing the combined pursuits for a number of 
years, Mr. Carr sold out and commenced manu- 
facturing cheese. It is estimated that he used 
the milk of 400 cows, for, during the short period 
while engaged in the business, he made from ten 
to twentj- cheeses per day. Mr. Carr is at pres- 
ent in the mercantile business in the village. 
Mr. Sabin also owned a factory and made wash- 
ing-machines, beginning a year or two before 
Jlr. Carr. Odell & Pritchard also engaged in 
the same occupation, and had an extensive pat- 
ronage for a number of years. Man}- years be- 
fore, perhaps soon after the village was platted, 
Luther Weltou erected a small shop and com- 
menced making " Windsor " chairs. Large 
numbers were prepared and sold in the neigh- 
borhood. In man\- a dwelling may be found 
to-daj- chairs manufactured by Mr. Welton. 
Pierce & Curtis are at present engaged in the 
manufacture of pumps. Mr. Parmelee con- 
ducted a wagon-shop for a short time, and was 



•tHs" 



^^ 



4 



552 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



also engaged in mercantile pursuits ; but a few 
months at the latter occupation were abun- 
dantly sufHcient to satisfy him of the wisdom of 
retiring while his capital was j^et under his own 
control. A tannery with six or eight vats was 
started a number of years ago, and is yet doing 
a thriving business. Hammer and as handles 
are manufactured in the village. A jewelry 
store and a photograph gallery have honored 
the town with their presence. Tin-shops and 
gun-shops have also appeared, there being 
manufactured at the latter fire-arms of various 
designs, including excellent shot-guns. Brick 
and pottery have been prepared at kilns near 
the village. Some three or four men ha\e been 
engaged at different times in the important oc- 
cupation of manufacturing cheese, a considera- 
ble quantity of which has been shipped to dis- 
tant points. Other important industries have 
been conducted in times past. As was pre- 
viously stated. Dr. Parker was the first physi- 
cian to locate in tlie village. He was followed 
at different times by Drs. Smith, Stock and 
Chamberlin, and later by Jones, Hobson and 
Gamble. Of these, Parker, Gamble, Hobson 
and Jones were skillful practitioners, and re- 
ceived the confidence and support of the citi- 
zens. The village has a present jjopuhition of 
200. It is said that at one time in its history 
more manufacturing was done there than at 
Medina, the county seat. This is probably 
true, as the large buildings seem to imply. No 
other village in the county of its size has done 
equal business, proving that the township is 
populated with an intelligent and enterprising 
people. 

Schools were organized in the township as 
early as 1816. In an old log building intended 
for a dwelling, which had been occupied as 
such two or three years, and which was located 
at Marysville, a term of school was taught in 
about 18U), but t!ie first teacher's name is un- 
recorded antl long since forgotten. The school 
was a three-months term, and the teacher was 



paid by subscription at the rate of -rl a 
scholar for the term, the teacher boarding 
around, and the boj's by turns building the 
fires in a large fire-place, with which was asso- 
ciated a large chimney, built of flat stones 
gathered along the river. It is likely that the 
building was used some eight years, or until 
the erection of a schoolhouse proper near the 
present site of the village, as no other school 
building is remembered to have been used 
during the interval. The one built in 18:^4 
was of round logs, and was about twent}- feet 
square, and had the indispensable fire-place and 
chimney, without which the pretensions of the 
pioneer schoolhouses to gracefulness and dig- 
nitj' were regarded with amusement. This 
building served the purposes of education at 
" Hardscrabble " for a period of eighteen or 
twenty years, when a frame structure of mod- 
erate size took its place. Some fifteen years 
ago, the present one was constructed. About 
the time of the first school at Marysville, a log 
schoolhouse was built on the east bank of the 
river, near the Center, the ground where it 
stood being afterward washed away. Tlie 
name of the first teacher is not remembered. 
It is quite likely, however, that one of the 
Warners taught the school. A few years later, 
a new house was Ijuilt, and Justus Warner pur- 
chased the old one, which was afterward used 
as a church. The new house was used some 
twelve 3'ears, when a frame took its place, the 
latter being supplanted after many years by 
the present one, a large building with sufficient 
capacity to accommodate all children likely to 
attend. In 1820, school was taught by a Miss 
Xisbett in a cabin owned by Mr. Rouse, anil 
located in the eastern part. The school was 
taught during the suuiuier months, the teaeiier 
boarding around, and receiving her pay by 
subscription, lleli Warner, then a small boy. 
attended tlie school. That is, he had started ; 
but, becoming dissatisfied in a boyish way 
with what he regarded as tlie assumed author- 



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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



553 



ity of the teacher, he started for home, possiblj- 
intending to call a council of the family to 
review the situation, and perhaps secure the 
discharge of the teacher. He was plodding 
along the road, ruminating in his mind some 
infantile problem, when, upon reaching a log 
bridge over a small stream, a large bear ran 
out from under the liridge and shambled off 
through the woods. The boy did not know it 
was ^Ir. Bruin, and the latter, not waiting for 
an introduction, left Heli unaware of its being 
a bear until told so upon his arrival at home. 
The school continued in session, notwithstand- 
ing the absence of the boj", and was regarded 
with so much approbation b}- the patrons that 
the second term was held the following winter 
in the same building. Afterward, a school- 
house was built across the line, in Brunswick. 
A school building in the southeastern part was 
built in 1821 or 1822. Like the other early 
ones, it was constructed of logs, and was used 
until the demands of the neighborhood re- 
quired a larger and better one. Three others 
near the site of the old one have been erected 
and used. A log sehoolhouse was built in 
about 1828. at '•■ Beebetown," near the north- 
east corner of the township, Willis Beebe be- 
ing the first teacher. He was paid $12 or $13 
per month. He taught a numl)er of term^ 
there, as did also Warren Beebe. In 1837, 
another house was constructed of hewed logs, 
and located back from the line some distance 
in Liverpool, l^ut the thii'd and the fourth 
houses were built at the corner, in Lorain 
County. The district comprises portions of 
Liverpool and Brunswick Townships and Lo- 
rain County. The other schoolhouses in the 
township were probablj- not built until after 
the creation of school districts. The one in 
the northwestern corner was not built until 
about 1830. The schools are generall}- well 
attended. 

Some time before the year 1810. several con- 
gregations of P]piscopalians in Connecticut 



sent a prominent minister, one of uncommon 
force of character and intelligence, to the West- 
ern Reserve, for the purpose of organizing so- 
cieties of their denomination. This gentleman, 
the Rev, Roger Searles, appeared in Liverpool 
Township during the above year, and began a 
series of meetings having in view the extension 
of the membership of the church to which he 
belonged. Meetings were held in the old loa: 
sehoolhouse at Liverpool Center, and all the 
settlers turned out to hear the eloquent dis- 
courses of the minister from Connecticut. A 
societ}' was iramediatelj' established, and almost 
all the settlers became members. Services were 
held in private cabins, and several of the old 
settlers recollect sitting on rude stools, or on 
the side of pioneer beds, while listening to the 
word of God. The labors of Mr. Searles in 
other fields called him awaj- for months at a 
time, and the members were compelled to do as 
best the}" could without his presence and ad- 
vice. Some member was called upon to I'ead a 
sermon, wherein the doctrines of the Episco- 
palian Church were expounded ; others to lead 
in singing and in prayer. After a time, Mr. 
Searles ceased to preach for them, being called 
upon to labor in other places, and the societ}- 
was then visited by Rev. Jacob Ward, an elo- 
quent minister of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, then residing in Liverpool Township. 
This gentleman preached often for the settlers, 
and, b}- the force of his genius, finally suc- 
ceeded in changing their faith and belief from 
Episcopac}- to Methodism, Among the dust}' 
records of the church in Connecticut, to which 
Mr. Searles belonged, is found his report on the 
work done in Liverpool Township, and con- 
tained therein are the following words relative 
to the society he had established : '• The flock 
has gone to feed in strange pastures.'' The 
members — Methodists — held meetings in the 
old log sehoolhouse, which, after being pur- 
chased b}' Justus Warner, was used exclusi\el}- 
as a church. In 1827, a small frame church 



554 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



was built near town. This building, provided 
witli rude furniture and altar, was used until 
about 1841, when the present church was con- 
structed. Rev. Lorenzo Warner was among 
the first ministers, as was also Hugh Parish. A 
short time after the organization of the Meth- 
odist societj' at the Center, another of the same 
denomination was instituted near the eastern 
boundarj- of the township, and, a few jears 
later, a small church was erected. The society 
was small, and, after about twenty years of 
labor, quietl}' disbanded, and the members 
joined other societies near them. A society of 
Close Communion Baptists was organized at 
Bcebetown in 1828, and, for four or five j'ears, 
continued to assemble in the old log school- 
house. In about 1832, a small hewed-log 
church was built, and, when dedicated, con- 
tained no floor other than the ground, and but 
few rude clapboard seats. The Rev. Mr. 
Hudson was the first minister. The present 
church took the place of the old one, in about 
1845. The society slowly grew in strength, 
but, finally, under the light of religious ad- 
vancement, the church ritual was discarded, 
and the members eftected a re-organization as 
Free- Will Baptists. The church at present is 
in a thi'iving condition. Two Lutheran churches 
have been built in the township, and the socie- 
ties were organized in comparatively late j'ears. 
The advent of large numbers of German immi- 
grants, beginning about 1830, soon prepared 



the way for these societies, which have become 
strong and prosperous since. The Lutheran so- 
ciet}', in the southeastern part, is second in the 
township in point of membership. It was fir^t 
organized about 1835, and, four years later, 
their present church, a large frame structure, 
was erected. The one in Liverpool Center was 
created about the same time, and their present 
church, a large, fine brick building, was erected 
in 1868. About this time, the Rev. Mr. Grunert 
was the officiating minister. About the time of 
the last war, the Catholics had become so strong 
as to make it advisable to build a church, 
which was accordingly done a short distance 
west of the Center. An imperfect Catholic or- 
ganization had been eflfected many }-ears before, 
and had finally taken shape a number of j-ears 
prior to the erection of the church. The build- 
ing is a large structure, with costly furnishings 
and beautiful stained-glass windows. Though 
among the youngest religious organizations in 
Liverpool, the society has, by many odds, the 
largest membership, and is \et growing. A 
German Methodist societ3' was instituted manj- 
}-ears ago, a short distance east of Marysville. 
It grew slowl}-. and, finally, a small frame 
church was erected. The members are few, 
yet they are earnest in their labors, and their 
influence on the morals of the neighborhood is 
felt. The township is well supplied with re- 
ligious privileges. 



yC^^T'^^ 






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HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



555 



SPENCER TOWNSIUP- 



CHAPTER XVI.* 

-PHYSICAL FEATrRES— OIUGINAL SETTLEMENT— EARLY CUSTOMS- 
INDUSTRIES— CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 



PIONEER 



IT is natural for a civilized people to inquire 
into the adventures and exploits of their 
ancestors ; to note those causes which shape 
the ends and destinies of great nations, as well 
as the smallest systems of civilized govern- 
ment ; to mai'k the varied scenes in the life of 
the pioneer, his customs, the mode of his 
operations, and the numerous incidents which 
brighten the lonely life of the hardy few who 
sought and broke the solitude of the mighty 
forests with ax and rifle. 

The history of a township embraces those 
minor details and events incident to the settle- 
ment of a new country, rendered charming bj^ 
the peculiar character and customs of those 
men who, by sturdy industry-, lifted like a vail 
the great forests from the face of our country-, 
substituting grain-fields, blooming gardens and 
bright firesides, for a primeval and howling 
wilderness. 

Spencer is bounded on the north by Peufield, 
on the west by Huntington, on the south by 
Homer, and on the east by Chatham. 

The East Branch of Black River and its num- 
erous branches afford sufficient drainage and 
irrigation. This East Branch enters the east 
side of the township, and follows a very tortuous 
course north and west across the corner of the 
township. Near the present course of the river 
is to be seen the remains of a large beaver dam, 
on the farm of Henrj- Snyder. Along the 
course of this winding river were beautiful 
springs of water which came from so deep un- 
der the hills, as to be cold as ice in summer 
and warm in winter. The principal branch of 
Black River was situated in the south part of 

♦Contributed l>y C. J. -\ldrich. 



the township, and became known as the South 
Creek. This stream was situated in a naiTow 
defile and when swollen by freshets rushed down 
the stony ravine with great velocit}', at every 
sharp curve, throwing logs, ice, or whatever 
debris it bore, high on land. The Ijottoms of 
the river were covered with large groves of 
papaw, and butternut trees, shaded by huge 
sj'camore and black walnut, and, to add to 
these wild beauties, festoons of wild grapes 
hung from their twining vines in luxuriant 
abundance. And these bottom-forests, extend- 
ing up the hills, blended into dense forests of 
beech, hickory, gi-aceful elms and gigantic 
oaks. These forests were cut by man^' a wind- 
ing path, trod alone bj' wild beasts and the 
soft moccasin of the wil^* Indian, 

Salt springs were numerous in the west half 
of the township, and, silent as the shades of 
darkness, the cautious red man with a coal of 
fire, stole down and hid himself near these 
" licks," waiting the approach of the graceful 
deer. 

Amid this wild grandeur and savage beaut}', 
the white man came. Little thought the red 
man that this solitary one was the forerunner 
of a mightj- host that would level their forests, 
drive the game from their hunting-grounds, 
and tear the sod from the gi-aves of their fore- 
fathers. 

This first white man and family came in 1823, 
and settled on the banks of Black River, near 
where John Stroup now lives. His name was 
John P. Marsh. He bought the land of Sam- 
uel Parkman, of Vermont, who was the origi- 
nal proprietor of the township, for S3 per acre. 
His nearest neighbor was in Harris ville Town- 



^|.- 






556 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUKTY. 



ship, five miles tlistant. Mr. Marsh was born 
in Vermont. His wife, Chirissa. rode from 
Harrisvillo on horseback, carrying one chikl in 
her arms, while another rode behind her on the 
same horse. INIrs. iMarsh, iki Clarissa Kodgers, 
was born in Connecticut. The house which 
they occupied was about eighteen feet square, 
made of notched logs, shake roof, puncheon 
floors, and stone and stick chimney. The door, 
which was the only way of egress and ingress, 
was very hea^v, and at times was fastened by 
a long pole reaching from the door to the oppo- 
site side of the house. Aery few were the com- 
forts and luxuries of such a homo. The table 
was a large hewn plank with four legs. Their 
chairs were rude slabs, and their beds were 
made as follows : Two holes were bored in the 
floor, and on a line parallel with the wall, far 
apart enough for the length of the bed, and far 
enough from the wall for the width, which was 
frequently wide enough for tliree or four per- 
sons. Two upright posts were fitted into these 
holes. These posts were arranged so as to put 
pieces of timber from them into holes bored 
the proper height in the wall. Then a piece of 
timber was fitted into holes in the posts, so as to 
form the front rail, and tlu' bedstead was com- 
plete. Now all that remained was to weave a 
bark or splint bottom, place a few skins or a 
mattress of leaves, grass, or. perhaps, feathers, 
on the frame, and there was the l^ed on which 
our forefathers slept the sleep of the just. 

The log cabins generally had a loft or cham- 
ber above. This loft was used as a storeroom 
and sleeping quarters, and was generally 
reached by a ladder. Although Mr. Marsh 
was the first settler in the township, a man by 
the name of Rising, from Huntington, built the 
first cabin. This cabin was on tiie river road 
near where Jacob Mantze's house is now situ- 
ated. Rising made uo purchase of land, and, 
though building the cabin, did not come to live 
in it. In the lall of 1823, Phinoas Davis and 
family came, and occupied tlie unused house of 



Rising. Soon after this came other families, 
among which were the Bizzard, Bissett, Space 
and Falconer fiimilies. 

The settlers naturally congregated at one 
point, which was on the river road where the 
north-aud-south road, which is one mile east 
of the parallel center road, crosses. This is 
now known as the River Corners, or Spencer's 
Mills. 

Township No. 2. Range IT. belonged origi- 
nally to Medina County, and was then attached 
to Penfield Township, which was also a part of 
Medina County, along with Huntington and 
Sullivan. It was afterward, with the forenamed 
townships, set over into Lorain County. 

It was generall^^ supposed that this transfer 
was made to build or help to build the court 
house at Elyria. In 1839, the township of 
Spencer was re-instated in the county of Me- 
dina, but the other townships were left to con- 
stitute a part of Lorain. The first record 
found on the duplicate of Medina Count}-, alter 
the first transfer, is in 1840. 

The township of Spencer was named and 
organized in 1832, the ISth da}' of February, 
when twenty-one votes were cast. The circum- 
stance of naming, as given by the early set- 
tlers, is somewhat contradictory. The most 
authentic history of the event is as follows ; 
The settlers wishing to have their township 
known by a name, proposed to call it Jlarsh- 
field or Marshtown, in honor of the first settler, 
John P. Marsh. But Mr. Marsh told them, 
though he appreciated the honor done him, he 
knew as well as the}' that the name of Marsh- 
field or Marshtown was not suitable for a town- 
ship so rolling, and far from what the name 
implied. So matters stood until Calvin Spen- 
cer, who owned the Spencer Mills, proposed to 
give $50 in lumber to build schoolhouses if 
the}' would give his name to the township. To 
this the people agreed, and met. as before 
stated, to organize and name the township and 
elect officers, whose term should run until the 



7~ 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



557 



following 2d of April. The officers were as 
follows : Abel Wood, Clerk ; Henry W. Wood, 
Treasurer ; Gershum Bissett. Fence Viewers ; 
Philip Bizzard, John F. Marsh. Ezekiel Bis- 
sett, Trustees ; Linzey Bennett, Overseer of 
the Poor ; Henrj- Wood, Supervisor ; Samuel 
Falconer, Constable. 

No Justice was elected. These officers were 
all qualified, and served until the 2d day of 
April, 1832, when the voters of Spencer Town- 
ship and Homer met in the former place and 
elected the following officers to act as the reg- 
ular township officials for the two townships : 
Abel Wood, Clerk ; H. W. Wood. Treasurer ; 
Samuel Falconer, Constable ; Philip Bizzard, 
John Marsh and John Park. Trustees ; Ger- 
shum Bissett and Liuzey Bennett. Fence 
Viewers ; Linzey Bennett and Philip Bizzard, 
Overseers of the Poor ; Henry Wood, Batche- 
lor Wing and Richard West, Supervisors. This 
was the first regular township election held in 
the township. John Park, one of the Trustees, 
lived iu Homer, as did Batchelor Wing, one of 
the Supervisors. The first election in Spencer 
was an organizing election, and Homer had 
no part in it, cousequentl}-," the officers served 
oul}' a short time, when the tvi'O townships held 
the joint election before mentioned. These 
elections were held iu the old log schoolhouse 
at Spencer Mills. 

For nearly four years after the first settlers 
came to Spencer, there were no meetings, relig- 
ious or otherwise. So, in order to pass the 
Sabbath more pleasanth', the j'oung people 
would congregate, generallj- at Mr. Marsh's 
place. Here they would read the Bible for a 
time, then some of the boys would get an as 
and all would go down on the river for a romp 
and good time. Some would take the ax and 
cut a grapevine and make a swing. Some 
would gather wild flowers and weave garlands 
and nosegays, or gather bright pebbles and 
shells, while others searched for birds' nests, 
chatted of the occurrences of the week, or .some 



of the rosy maids slyly flirted with their gal- 
lants. 

Chopping-bees were generalh' held through 
the afternoon. The choppers were plentifuUj- 
supplied with whisk}-. In fact, it was a breach 
of manners not to ofl'er whisk}- to the guests. 
Then, late in the afternoon, the dance would 
commence, and the merry revelers forget the 
flight of time as their light feet kept time to 
the music. Even when the ladies had a quilt- 
ing, the sweetened whisky was passed around, 
and the ministers of the Gospel thought a lit- 
tle "rj'e" made the tongue glib, and showed 
more manifestation of the spirit. 

In the early daj-s, the mischievous youths 
were ever contriving some new sensation. " The 
Chriskingle." a monster improvised from a sheet 
with red patches sewn on it to represent mouth, 
nostrils and eyes, and well calculated to inspire 
the timid with terror, was gotten-up for Christ- 
mas Eve. The '' Chriskingle " was put upon 
the head of one of the boys, who went from 
house to house opening the doors, and scaring 
the inmates with the monster. The New En- 
gland people did not understand the custom of 
the journey of the Chriskingle ; but, when they 
went among the Dutch, the Chriskingle was 
caught, and marched back in triumph, to be 
treated to cakes, cider and apples. W. E. Sooy 
once put on the Chriskingle, and went to the 
window of a wagon-maker at the center of 
Spencer, who happened to be sitting facing the 
window, where the terrible head appeared. S003- 
scratched on the side of the house to attract the 
attention of Hayes, the wagon-maker, who, on 
looking up, saw the red mouth, the glaring eyes, 
the distended nostrils, and twisting and twirling 
horns. The sight was too much for the poor 
man, who, with a long-drawn " Oh — God, and 
must I go '?" fainted dead in his chair ! Sooy 
took to his heels as badly scared as the wagou- 
maker himself, thinking he had scared the poor 
fellow to death, and. until he heard that the 
wagon-maker was alive, he was rather unoasv. 



;:^ 



^1 






558 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



It was generally conceded by the j'oung folks 
that a newly married couple could not do well 
unless they went through the ordeal of a " horn- 
ing " or " belling." The full paraphernalia of a 
belling expedition was aliout ten long tin dinner 
horns ; eight or ten " horse fiddles ;" any num- 
ber of cow and dinner bells ; from twenty- 
five to forty strong male voices, and two gal- 
lons of whisk3-. If the preceding receipt is 
well filled, we have a crowd that will make 
considerable noise. The demands of such a 
crowd was generally a sight of the bride and 
groom ; an invitation to the house, and a treat 
to the wedding goodies. One autumn, a j'oung 
swain from Chatham Township came to the 
river mills for his bride. After they were 
married, fearing a belling, they left the home 
of the bride, thinking to elude their tormentors, 
and fled to the house of Orson Marsh. Eight 
o'clock came and went, and all was still, save 
the occasional blare of a tin-bugle in the dis- 
tance. Nine came, and thej' liegan to congratu- 
late themselves on their seemiug successful 
strategy. But where, all this time, was the 
regiment from Chatham and Spencer, which 
was expected ? Forming, silent as shadows in 
line to march around the house — as they, with 
help of rye and wind, conferred the hymeneal 
blessing. The signal Ijlast was blown, and 
nearly fort}- men made night hideous with their 
howls, as the}- swept in solid phalanx about the 
house which domiciled the startled bride and 
groom. 

One of the participants in this affair said 
that it sounded as if the hounds of hell were let 
loose. This horrible din was kept up for a 
long time, but no bride or gi-oom appeared. 
At last, one of the boldest ran up to a window, 
and, dashing his long tin-horn through one of 
the lights, blew a terrific blast, and was awarded 
by a dipper-full of l)uttermilk thrown into his 
face by the plucky bride. Near the house was 
a large pile of great yellow pumpkins, to which 
the crowd resorted. Pumpkin after pumpkin 



was handed up to waiting hands on the roof, 
which deposited them into the top of the great 
chimney, where they never stopped until the}' 
struck the broad hearth below, and rolled to 
the feet of the startled inmates. It is needless 
to state that tiie door was opened, and the 
' bellers " bidden to enter. At another time, a 
large party of young fellows had been at a 
" kraut cutting ;" but, not having their spree 
out, they determined to have some fun with a 
young fellow who had recently been married. 
Coming near his cabin, they .sent a delegation 
to call him up and nab him, if possible, but he 
suspected something, and they could not arouse 
him. But they laid their heads together, and 
decided to get him by strategy. Accordingly, 
two went around near the cabin and talked, loud 
enough for him to hear, about stealing his chick- 
ens. Then two more were stationed near the 
door to catch him should he appear. The crowd 
then went around to the hen-roost, and made a 
great fuss with the poultry. Soon, the fellow 
cautiously opened the door, and peered out into 
the night, just as the two on guard caught him, 
and carried him out into the frosty night with 
loud yells of delight. The poor wretch was 
nearly frightened out of his senses, and piteously 
begged his tormentors to let him go. But they 
howled with delight to hear him beg, and see 
him run up and down the road between two 
stout fellows, his only dress, a shirt, fluttering 
in the cool air. After keeping him out in the 
cold till he was nearly frozen, they allowed him 
to return to his waiting spouse. There was a 
custom in early days, which only exists now in 
memory. The young people would collect on 
Christmas Eve, and go from house to house 
firing guns and bidding the inmates " Merry 
Christmas ;" they were then asked in, and treated 
to cakes, apples and sometimes to cider. Christ- 
mas Day was spent in feasting, or, at the border 
shooting-match, where all the difficult tests were 
used to find who was the best '' shot. " Through 
the long winter evenings, the good-natured jest 



IV 



^ 



OiL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



559 



was passed around, as they cracked nuts by the 
side of the blazing fire-place ; and the hum of 
the spinning-wheel, or the bang of the loom, 
was heard in the cabins, as the busj^ housewives 
prepared wearing apparel for their families. 
One industrious 3'oung woman prepared her 
wedding outfit b}' the light of the fire, to which 
was frequentl}- added a pork-rind to make it 
burn brighter. Her people required her serv- 
ices during the day, and were too poor to afltord 
her candles. But she was too plucky to de- 
spair. 

The stock of the settlers roamed at will over 
tlie woods. Each man had his particular mark, 
which was recorded thus : May 4, 1832, 
Phineas Davis made returns of his ear-mark 
for cattle, hogs and sheep (viz.), a crop on the 
left ear and a sJit in the right. All stock re- 
quired to be marked before thej- were six 
months old. as all stock found running at large, 
without marks, which was past that age, could 
be confiscated by the finder, or he could place 
his mark on it and call it his own. In winter, 
when feed was scarce, the men went out and 
felled trees for the stock to browse the small 
twigs. Though cattle got thin on this kind of 
feed, the settlers managed to keep them through 
the winter. In the spring, the ground was cov- 
ered with leeks, which the cattle ate, causing 
the milk and butter to smell so strong as to 
compel people to eat onions before attempting 
to use either. Mosquitoes were so thick, that, 
before milking, a large smudge must be built 
to keep them oflT the cows. Each man had a 
bell on his stock ; the tones he knew so well as 
to pick it out from the multitude of bells 
sounding on every side. So accustomed to the 
tones of the bell were some as to tell nearly 
the spot where the stock were feeding. When 
a settler wished to raise a crop of wheat, he 
would cut down the small trees, pile the brush 
around the large ones, and burn it. The wheat 
was sown among the trees and stumps, and 
dragged in with oxen. 



Many of the people believed in witches, and 
relate incidents which are laughaljle in the ex- 
treme. One family was visited every day by a 
rabbit, which would plaj- around the yard, and, 
when shot at with lead bullets, would merelj' 
scamper away. All the bad luck in the family 
was laid to the presence of the witch in the 
guise of a rabbit. So a piece of silver was 
'• chawed " into a bullet and shot at the witch. 
Though the witch was proof against a leaden 
bullet, the silver one found a vulnerable part, 
and the rabbit limped oft' with a broken leg. 
And, as the story goes, a certain woman near 
b}' had a broken arm. The persecuted or be- 
witched familj- were freed from their persecutor. 
Some kept a horseshoe to heat and burn the 
witch out of the cream when the butter would 
not come. 

The first white child born in the township 
was Samuel, a son of John P. Marsh, March 
25, 1826. Samuel Marsh is now a resident of 
California. 

The 2d of March, 1824, while crossing Black 
River on a log, Katy Davis fell into the river 
and was drowned. Miss Davis was a beautiful 
girl of sixteen summers, and loved by all. 
This was the first death in the township. She 
was buried in Harrisville. Stephen Harrington 
was the first person buried in the township. 
He was buried on a piece of land belonging to 
Linzey Bennett. This piece of land became a 
regular burial-gi-ound. and was the first in the 
township. This first bui'ial was in 1826. The 
cotBn was made of some boards which John P. 
Marsh brought to the township in 1823. The 
first couple married in the township was Sam- 
uel Falconer to Margaret Bissett, by Ben Mer- 
win. Justice of the Peace of Peufleld in 1830. 

Spencer seemed to be the common hunting- 
ground of the Wyandot and Sauduskj^ tribes. 
Each fall, ten or more families pitched their 
wigwams along the streams of the township, 
and hunted until cold weather came, and then, 
like Arabs, ' folded their tents and silentlv 



— a> 






'A 



4a 



560 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COI'XTY. 



stole away." These Indians were always hon- 
est and peaceable, often exchanging skins or 
furs for salt and flour. The settlers, in early 
days, procured their salt in Wooster or Elyria. 

Having no fences, the cattle of the settlers 
used to wander oft', at times, ten or twelve miles, 
and often several days elapsed before they 
could be found. At one time, the cattle of Mr. 
3Iarsh wandered off. He sent his son Orson, 
who, after three days' search, found them in 
the township of York. While gone, it stormed, 
and the river rose to full banks, and Orson l.ie- 
gan to think how he would cross. But. when 
he came to the place where the cattle generally 
forded the stream, they did not hesitate, but 
dasaed into the water and swam across, except 
a large black ox which was behind. Orson, not 
knowing how else to cross, seized the black ox 
by the tail as he took to water, and was landed 
on the other bank in safety. 

In the spring of 1833, great flocks of pigeons 
began to settle in the township and build their 
nests. Soon the south half of the township was 
completely filled with them. In the morning, 
until nearl3- 9 o'clock, the sun was obscured by 
them as they rose and flew in a northern direc- 
tion. They came back at night, as they went, 
obscuring the sun, and bearing small white roots, 
which they fed to their young. When the young 
became old enough to fly, people came in wagons 
from all over the country, and carried the squabs 
away in bagfuls. It is supposed they flew over 
into Canada to feed in the morning, and flew 
back at night, bearing feed for the hens and 
young. 

In this section of the country the wolves were 
very numerous, and sometimes attacked people 
in the woods. One afternoon, Mr. Marsh took 
his gun and started for Harrisville. When he 
had got part way, tiie sky became darkened with 
clouds, and tiie dense forests were dark as night. 
But he journeyed on until he saw he was lost ; 
then he began to search for the path from which 
he had strayed. With the startling conscious- 



ness of Iseing lost in the woods, and the howls 
of the wolves echoing in his ears, he became 
more and moi'e confused, and wandered through 
the woods for some time, when, through the gath- 
ering gloom, he beheld a leaning tree, which he 
scrambled up to avoid tlie wolves, which were 
gathering around him thick and fast, Dischai'g- 
ing his gun at the row of shining eyes, he had the 
satisfaction of hearing one yelp with pain. He 
began to shout for help. After being in the tree 
over an hour, some people heard his shouts and 
came to his rescue. The wolves stayed about 
the tree until the light of the torches was shed 
upon them. On another occasion. Phineas Davis 
and his daughter were coming through the 
forests on horseback ; he shot a deer, and hung 
it up, taking considerable time, which belated 
him. It grew very dark, and they Ijecame lost. 
Giving the horse the rein, and trusting to his 
sagacity, they listened to the howl of the gath- 
ering wolves. Soon they could hear their light 
footfalls, and hear them snarl and snap their 
teeth all around them, but too small in number 
and cowardly in disposition to attack the horse 
and his burden. " Hold on tight, Rox}-," said 
the father, " I know where we are," and, giving 
the horse a cut with a switch, they were soon out 
in the clearing, thankful for their escape. 

In the early historj-, we find an interesting 
incident, detailing the particulars of the falling 
of pioneer justice upon a man for beating his 
wife. A large party, dressed in women's gar- 
ments, with blackened faces, called on the wife- 
beater and took him from bed and applied a coat 
of tar and feathers. Then the miserable wretch 
was put astride of a rail and ridden in solemn 
procession to a place in the woods, where, by 
the pale light of the moon, he saw preparations 
made to hang him. He promised and faithfully 
swore, never to beat his wife if they would let 
him go. Seeing liow badly scared the poor 
wretch was, and believing he would do as he 
said, these lilack angels of justice let their vic- 
tim depart for home, wearing tiie insignia of his 



^' 



;^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



561 



rank. He held to his promise. Among the 
ones who helped do the deed, was a very large, 
portlj- man. And the wife-beater, being asked 
if he knew any of them, said. " No, but there 
was one of the biggest nigger wenches I ever 
saw." 

Although there are many salt springs and 
wells in the township, there have been no at- 
tempts at making salt. There seem to be some 
other minerals besides salt in some of these 
wells. There are several gas-wells in the north 
half of the township, but it has never been 
utilized. On the farm of Addison Luce is a 
well 109 feet deep, where the gas came up so 
plentifullj- as to bum several daj-s at an impro- 
vised burner. Two or three wells on the farm 
of Solomon Dimock threw up considerable 
gas. 

Phineas Davis kept an accommodation for 
travelers, not exactly a tavern, at the River 
Corners, at an earlj- date. Shubael Smith built 
and kept the first regular public house in the 
township. This stood on the square at the 
center. The first saw-mill was built at the 
River Corners, on Black River, by Calvin Spen- 
cer, in 1833. It was a water-power. The dam 
was built about six months before the mill, and 
Mr. Speucer began to get out lumber to build 
a grist-mill soon after. 

Phineas Davis built the first grist-mill in 
Spencer iu 1825. It was a log mill, run bj- 
water-power, and the bolter was run by hand. 
The mill-stones were made from hard bowlders, 
the building being logs, and two stories high, 
and, when grinding, it shook as though it had 
the palsy. The water-power of this mill was 
destroj'ed when Speucer built his dam, which 
was a few hundred rods below. The people 
came a long way to this mill to get their grind- 
ing done. Sometimes they could not get it 
done the da\- they came, so they would stay 
and go home the next. The next grist-mill 
was built by Calvin Spencer. Although begun 
in 1831, and not entirely finished until 1836, 



^ 'g 
^-^ 



Spencer concluded to set up a saw-mill and saw 
out his own lumber. The grist-mill was raised 
in 1834. One of the men stood up on the 
ridge-pole and swung the bottle of whisky over 
his head, and proposed the following toast : 
"Slow and easy, sure to come;. 
Three years at it aiul just begun." 

The toast is too suggestive to need any com- 
ment. This mill burned in 1879. It was a 
good mill. The building was a stanch framed 
one. These two mills gave the name " Spencer 
Mills" to that part of Spencer. One Buck 
built a distillery near the Spencer Mills. This 
was the onl}' distiller}- in the township. Buck 
sold out to Sprague, who distilled peas, beans, 
pumpkins and pumpkin seeds, in fact anj-thing 
that would foment, into whisky. This distillery 
changed hands several times, and was then con- 
verted into a tanner}-. 

A number of '• asheries " were built in early 
days to manufacture potash and pearl-ash from 
the great amount of ashes left in the piles 
where thej' burned the log-heaps. These ashes 
were taken care of, raked and piled together, 
and sold by the bushel to the manufacturers. 

There were no very well known Indian trails 
in the township of Spencer. The earliest road 
iu the township was the Smith road, which is 
the north boundary of Spencer. This road 
runs east and west, and was cut out in about 
1812, by Capt. Smith, who passed through with 
a force of men and artiller}-. Smith cut only 
enough trees to pass his guns and supplj- 
wagons. When the first settlers came to Spen- 
cer, the brush was thick ou this road, and, 
where it crossed the Black River, was seen the 
remains of a log bridge, and evidences of their 
camping there one night, or longer. When the 
first settler, John P. iMarsh, came to Spencer, 
he came on a blazed road, and was obliged to 
cut the underbrush before his wagon could pass 
through. This was called the Elyria road, and 
was the first passable road after the township 
was settled. This road is now called the river 

—Si 5- 



663 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



road, because it follows the course of Black 
River. The Wooster and Elyria plank road 
was built in 1851 or 1852, by a large company 
in Elyria, who thought to secure the grain trade 
of Wayne County. Each town along the route 
subscribed money and received shares as in a 
joint-stock company. The road was built of 
oak and elm plank, laid on oak stringers. It 
was twelve feet wide, with a pike on the west 
side. Toll-gates were placed five miles apart. 
This road cut the township into halves, running 
along the main north-and-south road. There 
was an immense amount of travel on this road, 
and, as expected, gi-eat quantities of wheat were 
brought from Wayne Countj- to P]lyria. Besides 
the pike running alongside of the plank, there 
■were no piked roads in the township. At an 
early date, a mail route was established which 
ran from Wooster to Elyria. It was afterward 
stopped at Lagi-ange. and then changed, several 
j-ears ago, to run from Wooster to Wellington, 
hy the way of Penfield. 

There have been several surveys, at different 
times, for railways through the township, but 
until the fall of 1880, there was but little 
work done on any of them. The line for the 
Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad was surve^'ed 
through Spencer in 1874 for the first line, and 
work began shortly- after. The road was then 
abandoned for want of funds, after much grad- 
ing had been done on the southern end of the 
line. Along in the summer of 1880, a new 
company having been chartered, the present 
contractor, C. R. Griggs, W. A. Malk, Presi- 
dent, and several other men connected with the 
road, came to Spencer and soon placed the in- 
terest of the road on its old footing. The re- 
quired subscription was raised by the town- 
ship before any other place on the line. The 
whole subscription of Spencer was $15,000, in 
shares of S50 eacli. The work on the road was 
begun in the fall, and was energetically prose- 
cuted until cold weather caused them to desist. 
A contract was taken bv C. W. Aldrich and W. 



D. Orr, both of Spencer, to remove all timber, 
logs and brush from the line from Wellington 
to Lodi. This is the onlj' contract taken by 
any of the citizens of Spencer. 

The first bridge built in the township was 
by Capt. Smith. This bridged Black River 
where the Smith road crosses that stream. 
The first bridge Iniilt in the township after it 
was settled, was framed by C. Tuttle, of Har- 
risville. This structure bridged the South 
Creek, where this stream crosses the River 
road. There were but five men to raise the 
bents, and, as the\' were raising one of the 
heavy ones, it got the advantage of the men. 
and threatened to come down and crush them 
under it ; but there were two women standing 
near, who, at this critical moment, dropped the 
babes which they were holding and assisted 
the meu to raise it to position. The men after- 
ward declared, that, but for the timely assist- 
ance of the pluck}' women, the bent would 
have come down and probably crushed some 
one of their number. The streams of Spencer 
are now bridged b}' elegant iron and wooden 
structures. 

The collection of inhabited houses, generally 
known as the River Corners, though often 
spoken of as the River Mills, the Spencer Mills. 
or Blue Mills, was the first approach to a vil- 
lage in the township. Here the early town- 
ship Iiusiness was transacted. The first school- 
house was built here, and the first burying- 
ground laid out. John V. Marsh and Linzey 
Bennett were the owners of the land about the 
Corners. They purchased it of Samuel Park- 
man, of "S'ermont. the original proprietor of the 
township. There is not much of a story con- 
nected with its birth, more than it was com- 
posed of a few settlers, who desired neighborly 
intercourse, and was once tlie largest collection 
of dwellings which the township attbrded. The 
superior advantages of the good water in any 
quantity, and the power derived from the river 
was what attracted the miller and sawyer. 




Ml 



5 v^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



563 



whose mills named the place and built it. But 
later, the settlers gravitated toward the center 
of the township, and Centerville was formed. 
Abel Wood and Henry Wood, brothers, owned 
the land around the "Center." Abel Wood 
built the first cabin in 1832 or 1833, a little 
north of town. Centerville, although the name 
of the village and post office, is scarcely ever 
used by the citizens ; they invariable say Spen- 
cer. Soon after the township was organized, 
the Center was rapidly populated. A school- 
house was built southwest of the square ; this 
was a frame building. A log church followed, 
and Elijah Banning opened the first store here. 
This was the first store in the township. The 
first post office was kept by Dr. Emoiy, on the 
River road, west of the River Corners, about 
three-fourths of a mile. Emory was the first 
practicing physician in the township. At an 
early date the settlers were obliged to go to 
Penfield for their mail. Emorj' kept the post 
office for some time, when it was moved to the 
center of Spencer, where it has since remained. 
Charles Daugherty was the Postmaster, after 
its removal, for a number of years. 

The business interests of Spencer were great- 
ly increased by the Wooster & Elyria Plank 
Road. J. W. Moore occupies a building south 
of the square, with the post office and a dry 
goods and grocery store. John Murray, on 
the corner, also keeps a drj- goods and grocery- 
store. A. T. Vanvalkenburg, opposite Murray, 
keeps a drug store ; in connection he has a 
large trade in hardware and groceries, etc. All 
of these merchants occupy good buildings. F. 
Griessinger has lately built a neat and commo- 
dious building, in which he carries on an exten- 
sive business as tinner and hardware dealer. 
The town hall is a neat and roomj- building of 
two stories high. 

The Granger organization in Spencer has 
been strong and lasting. Their purposes are 
related to econom}- and agriculture. Their 
meetings are held in their storerooms on the 



second floor of a fine building, owned by Dr. 
A. G. Willey. 

The cemetery at the center of Spencer, was 
originally a private institution, owned by sev- 
eral men about Spencer, but at last was thrown 
open to the public. The sexton of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Church, Samuel Fogle, has be- 
stowed much care and taste in laying out and 
ornamenting this city of the dead. The Trustees 
have purchased lately the old school lot, and 
inclosed it as an addition to the cemetery. 

The first religious organization in the town- 
ship was a class of Methodists in 1827. The 
Rev. H. 0. Sheldon was the organizer of this 
class, which consisted of seven members : Ruth 
Bizzard, Z. Harrington. Elizabeth Space, John 
Space, Phebe Goodwin and Mrs. John P. Marsh ; 
William Goodwin was the first Class-leader. 
This class held their meetings at the houses of 
the rhembers until the log schoolhouse was 
built, where thej* assembled to hear the Gospel. 
Thej' had preaching every fourth Sabbath. This 
class organized and held their meetings at the 
River Corners. The Methodist organization 
was always a flourishing society. In 1839, they 
met to consider and consult in regard to build- 
ing a church at the center of Spencer. After 
a great amount of consideration and delibera- 
tion, which occupied the committee until the 
27th of August, 18-12, they decided to build a 
church, 35x45 feet, with galleries on two sides 
and across one end. In 1844 or 1845, the 
church was built. The dimensions were as de- 
cided upon two jears before. 

This church was large and roomy, costing at 
least $1,500. 

In 1876, the society became strong, and, de- 
siring a more cornel}- and commodious place of 
worship, decided to build a new church. Ac- 
cordingly, a committee was appointed to go and 
see diflferent contractors, and decide upon the 
kind of structure and cost to build. They de- 
cided to build a brick church with two towers. 
This was in 1877. The buildinsf committee 



564 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



contracted with David M}'ers,of Wayne County, 
to build a cliurch upon a foundation whicli they 
would provide, for wliich he was to receive 
$3,000. The church was built according to 
specifications, and dedicated in the spring of 
1878. The church is brick, with large Gothic 
windows, suppoi'ted on each side by sandstone- 
capped buttresses, which reach to the slate-cov- 
ered roof. The windows are stained glass, of 
tasteful coloring. There are two towers, one on 
each front corner of the church. These towers 
are square, and present three sides; The other 
side is entered, at an acute angle, by the corner 
of the church proper. The tower to the east 
is the tallest, about one hundred feet in height, 
and contains a large bell. The ceiling and 
walls are tastefully frescoed. Two large chan- 
deliers hang from the arched ceiling. The seat- 
ing is in three parts, two side slips and double 
body slips. The seats and wainscoting are pol- 
ished ash, trimmed with English walnut. 

The Ladies' Church .Society furnisiied the 
church very tastefully. Rev. Andrew 3IcCul- 
lough was the Pastor, who was in charge of the 
circuit. This new church is situated' on the 
same site as the old one, a short distance east 
of the square. The entire cost of the church 
was over S-i.OOO. 

The first sermon preached in Spencer Town- 
ship was on T^niversalism. by a minister of that 
denomination, in the house of John P. Marsh. 
The first hymn at this meeting ran as follows : 
*' Hear the royal prot-lainatiou. 

The glad tidings of salvation," e!c. 

It is said by some that Rev. Tillisou, of 
Huntington, was the minister spoken of. 

The first Sabbath school in the township was 
kept bj' Miss Sophia Tubbs, now the wife of 
the Rev. Abel Wood. Miss Tubbs was keeping 
school at the River Corners, in the old school- 
house in about 1831. and, there being no Sabbath 
school in the township, she opened a Sabbath 
school at the schoolhouse. Miss Tubbs dis- 
tributed temperance tracts. A Mr. JlcCormick, 



from Medina, lectured in the old log church on 
temperance. As he was speaking, bad eggs 
were thrown at him ; " Throw them up if ye 
will, but I will not stop ! " Though the ill- 
mannered roughs abused the heroic man, they 
could not hush his eloquent warning to those 
treading the paths of drunkenness. 

The anti-slaver\- sentiment was very strong 
in Spencer. Several times were negroes fleeing 
from bondage fed and secreted b}' the people. 
Rev. 0. E. Aldrich, a Free-Will Baptist minis- 
ter, was ever bitter against the holding of chat- 
telized humanity, and often from his pulpit 
were heard eloquent declamations against it. 

Rev. Benjamin Taggert and Charles Bol- 
linger, his assistant, are the Pastors now in 
charge of the Methodist Episcopal Church at 
Spencer. 

The second church organization of the town- 
ship was the Baptist Christian Church. 

August 24, 1837, a number of people met at 
Elder Frederick Freeman's house, " to consider 
the propriety of uniting together as a church." 
This meeting adjourned to meet at ths same 
place on September 21. They met as decided 
upon, and agreed to unite and fellowship as a 
church. After framing a constitution, setting 
forth their sentiments in a series of articles, it 
was signed l)y twentj'-oue persons, who con- 
stituted the original members of the church. 
But one of the original members of this church 
is now living iu Spencer. Their first regular 
meeting was held December 9, 1S37. The 
church was addressed by Elder F. Freeman, at 
this first meeting, from Peter, ii, 17, 18, Thi'sc 
meetings were lield at the residences of tlie 
members until the fiill of 1843, when they de- 
termined to build ;i church. This church was 
built of hewn logs. It was situated on the main 
street, south of the square. The first meeting 
in the new house was held December 23, 1843. 
The seats were rude benches at first, and it was 
not plastered until some time in 1844, The 
records of this church are extant, and show 



r 



^1 



?Ul 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



565 



great care ia keeping. They also show how 
strict and orthodox were the members. Their 
constitution, while terse and orthodox, was a 
practical wording of a sound doctrine. The 
hymns were sung by the congregation, and, 
when the hymn was not verj- well known, the^" 
''lined it.' Though once a strong and vig- 
orous organization, it became weak in 1850, 
and in 1852, it broke up and never again or- 
ganized in Spencer. The remaining members 
joined with the church in Huntington. 

The Free-Will Baptist Church was organized 
May 31, 1838. Rev. Cyrus Coulrain was the 
first Pastor. When this church was first organ- 
ized, there were five members : John Inman, 
Stephen Inman, Sophrona Inman, Amanda In- 
man and Lois Parent. This organization grew 
in strength very rapidly, under the pastorship 
of Elders Knight and 0. E. Aldrich. Their 
meetings were held at the houses of the mem- 
bers, until 1844, when the}- built a church. 
This church building is the same one in use 
now. It is a good, substantial frame building, 
and was raised on Christmas Day, in 1843, but 
was not completed until the fall of 1844, when 
the first Covenant meeting was held September 
21. The organization is now existing, though 
not ver^- strong. The only original members 
of this church living are Stephen Inman and 
Sophrona, his wife, who are regular attendants 
to the church, which is now under the charge 
of their second son. Rev. C. C. Inman. The 
Free-Will Baptist Church cost about S700, but 
has been remodeled several times since it was 
built. It is now a neat and comfortable place 
of worship. The interior is much more invit- 
ing than the exterior suggests. 

In the early settlement of the township, we 
find the school histor}- intimately connected 
with the general mass of incidents which make 
up the early historj' of the township. As the 
land along the river road became occupied, the 
" Corners ' became a sort of center, and the 
people hired William Bishop, for $12 per month. 



to keep a term of school. The money was 
raised to pay Bishop by assessing the scholars 
pro rata. This school was kept in a log cabin 
belonging to John P. Marsh. Elizabeth Bissett, 
Phineas Davis, Philip Bizzard, John Space, 
Orson JIarsh and Sally A. Marsh composed his 
school. After this school broke up, Clarissa, 
wife of John P. INIarsh. told the eager scholars, 
if they would keep quiet and orderly, she 
would pronounce words and set copies for them 
each evening. The interested scholars came 
each evening, and all thought their time well 
spent. Shortly after this, the settlers leased a 
lot of Linzey Bennett, for ninetj-uine years, or 
as long as used for school purposes, and built 
a log schoolhouse. This house was built of 
notched logs with a door and two windows. 
The windows were spaces made by leaving out 
logs. Some sticks were placed across the open- 
ing, and paper pasted to them ; this paper was 
then ampl)' greased with hog"s-lard. The door 
was a large blanket hung OA'er the only way of 
egress and ingress. The first school kept in 
this house was by Phoebe Goodwin. In 1833, 
the schoolhouse was burned. It was supposed 
to have been the work of an inceudiaiT. Some 
rather I'ough fellows made a disturbance at a 
spelling-school one evening, and. when the 
Directors dispersed them, the^' made threats 
against the house. Hence, it is supposed, that 
some of them fired the building. But the most 
unfortunate feature of this cowardl}- incendi- 
arism was the burning of the books, which were 
so hai-d to procure. When the house was burned, 
the term of school was not finished, so John P. 
Marsh made a journey to Elyria and got books, 
and the term re-opened in his house, and kept 
there for six weeks. 

Soon after the burning of the old log house, 
the people claimed the lumber promised by 
Calvin Spencer to build a new frame building. 
This building was to stand where the old one 
stood. It was completed some time in 1834. 
Charles Daughertj- and .\liel Wood went with 



If^ 



566 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 






ail ox-cart to Eh'ria after the trimmings, and 
were gone three days. It was of frequent occur- 
rence that the small children were sent home, 
the benches taken up, the violin brought in, and 
the spelling-school changed into a dance. For 
nearly one winter, the spelling went on until 
nearly midnight, and then the spellers gayly 
danced to the sound of the '• fiddle " till the wee 
hours of the morning. 

The first schoolhouse built at the center of 
Spencer was a framed building. This building 
was situated on a back street, near where Mrs. 
David Dickson now lives. This building burned 
down. It was thought to have been the work 
of an incendiary. The schools kept at the Cen- 
ter were generally large. Soon after the burn- 
ing of the old house, another was built on the 
same site. 

The second time it burned to the ground, it 
was supposed that it took fire from some ashes 
which were left near the building. The next 
schoolhouse was built just east of the cemeteiy. 
This house was long used, and has been moved 
away, and converted into a shop. 

The Trustees of the township purchased the 
lot which it stood on. and made it a part of the 
cemetery. 

The next .schoolhouse built was south of the 
town a short distance. This is the one in use 
to-da}-. 

The district school system has been one pro- 
ductive of great good in the township. 

There are six districts now in the township, 
and nearly all of these have a good attendance. 
Most of these houses are neat, painted and 
new, with improved furniture. About 1849, 
Rev. 0. E. Aldrich opened a select school in 
the old log church. There was a good attend- 
ance. Aft(>r .\lilrieh. were several other schools 
kept by Pierce, Grej' and others. This Mr. 
Gre^- was a student of medicine, and he was so 
absorlsed in the study that he taught the schol- 
ars in a sort of auloiimtic way — never behind 
time, never too fast, but always just the same. 



When he entered the schoolroom with his 
books in his hand, he walked stiffly up the 
aisle, looking neither to the right nor to the 
left. The scholars, becoming curious to know 
if the thing was alive that walked up the aisle 
and took its place behind the desk so regular- 
ly, pulled the primitive chandelier just low 
enough for the cup of sand which balanced 
it to hit Grey in the head as he stalked up 
the aisle. The old clock behind the desk was 
wound and set so as to strike twelve at 1 
o'clock, just after school called. Grej* came in 
as usual, and received a bump from the cup of 
sand, amid the tittering scholars. School was 
called, and he took his book and began his 
study, when the old clock solemn!}- tolled the 
hour of 12. Althougli he took the ke^' awaj% 
a jack-knife took its place, and the next day 
the old clock chimed forth as on the day be- 
fore. After a few such days, Augustus D. 
Grey left town ; and, when the scholars came 
to school in the morning, they were as glad 
that he had gone as he w^as to get away. 

There was a district school teacher kept 
school at an early date who lisped ; and, one 
da}-, he was pronouncing words to be spelled, 
when he came to the word seam, which he pro- 
nounced theme, so the scholars spelled theme. 
" Not theme, but stheme — trowthers leg," he 
excitedly lisped, rubbing his hand on his thigh 
amid the uncontrollable laughter of the schol- 
ars. 

William Wallace Ross had a very large 
select school at the Center, of about one hun- 
dred and thirty scholars. These scholars came 
from long distances to attend the Spencer 
schools, which gained a high reputation. The 
schools of Spencer have degenerated, but Ross 
is now one of the most noted educators of the 
State. 

The first literaiy society was organized at 
the river mills. They came according to ap- 
pointment to the schoolhouse. but forgot to 
bring candles, and adjourned to the house of 



V 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



569 






Phineas Davis, where they debated the follow- 
ing question, " Resolved that man is more 
happy in a married state than in a single con- 
dition." The affirmative won their side (so the 



judges said) by setting forth the advantages a 
married man had in coming home drunk to 
have some one to take care of him. 



CHAPTER XVII.* 

CHATHAM TOWN.SHir — A PILGRIM (WLONY— PIONEER REMINISCENCES — A FLOURISHING TOWN- 
SHIP—A (il.OKIOUS WAR RECORD— ITS CHURCH AND SCHOOL HISTORV. 



''T""HE light of freedom and civilization which 
* landed with the Pilgrim Fathers at Plym- 
outh Rock, and thence spread over New 
England, has passed into the broad and vast 
domain we.st of the Alleghanies, and now sheds 
its luster far and wide, over country, town and 
cit}'. Everj- church bell tolls forth the onward 
march of the spirit of that Pilgrim band. Cot- 
tages and hamlets now dot the broad, green 
land of our country, and happiness and com- 
fort reign within them. Little do we of to- 
da}' know of the hardships, struggles and 
privations that has made this possible. The 
trials and sufferings that were experienced by 
the Pilgrim fathers after their landing on the 
rocky New England coast, haxe been met again 
and again in the unbroken wilds of the West. 
Many of the first settlers of Chatham Town- 
ship, tracing their ancestry back to families 
which came over in the Mayflower, cherish 
their memorj- as a priceless heritage. Like 
their venerable forefathers, these settlers found 
tlieir lot in many respects similar to that of 
their Pilgrim ancestors, and how weU they 
accomplished their task, is attested in the pic- 
turescjiie farm lands and the thrifty homes that 
are sprinkled over the township. 

Chatham Township was set apart under the 
Connecticut Land Survey, as Township No. 2, 
of Range IG. Part of the township lauds 
near its southern limit, was given under 
the provision of the Connecticut Land Com- 

^'Contributed by Charles Neil. 



pany to the settlers of Harrisville Township 
adjoining on the south, to compensate for the 
swamp lands that are contained in the latter 
township. The geographical borders of Chat- 
ham Township, extend to Litchfield on the 
north. Spencer on the west, Harrisville on the 
south, and La Fayette on the east. Its area 
corresponds with that of the other townships 
of IMedina County. The general level of the 
township is much below that of the three 
which lie east of it. There is a rapid fall from 
the center road to the west, amounting to 
nearly 200 feet in the three miles to the east 
branch of Black River. The Cuyahoga shale 
is exposed on Graj-'s Creek, which flows along 
the western border of the township, and emp- 
ties into Black River near the east-and-west 
center road in Spencer. The upper stratum 
is a very hard, shaly sandstone, quarried for 
foundations. The gray, soft shale is much like 
that on Rock}- River, below Abbeyville. in 
York Township, and contains similar lenticular 
concretions of iron, but the limestone concre- 
tions are here very few. The fossils are not 
well enough preserved in this shale to be of 
value as cabinet specimens. The under surface 
of the thin layers of shalj- sandstone, which 
occur every few inches in these beds, show 
abundant tracings of fossil forms, but none of 
them are distinctly marked. A bowlder esti- 
mated to weigh eleven or twelve tons, can be 
seen in the bed of Gray's Creek, two miles west 
of the center of the township. 



^ITr. 



570 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



The first settlement on land which now be- 
longs to Chatham Township, was made by 
Moses Parsons in the year 181S. He bought 
a tract of several hundred acres of land, lo- 
cated about three miles north of Harrisville 
Center, and which had gone under the control 
of Samuel Hinckley, of Massachusetts, and was 
then known as the Hinkley tract. It was in 
the month of April. 1818, that ^Moses Parsons, 
with his wife and four children — three sous and 
one daughter — arrived from the East in the 
Harrisville settlement. Originally from Mas- 
sachusetts, having been born in the town of 
Palmer, of that State, he had. shortly after his 
marriage to Elizabeth Craft, also a native of 
the Bay State, removed to New York State. 
His wife was the daughter of Maj. Edward 
Craft, a soldier in the Revolutionarj- army, and 
for a time doing service on the staff of Gen. 
Washington. 

In the month of February. 1818. i\Ir. Par- 
sons started with his family from his home 
near the town of Middlesex, which is now Yates, 
in (3ntario Count}-, X. Y.. with two yoke of 
oxen and one span of horses, westward. Their 
scanty supply of household furniture and neces- 
sar\- provisions, with a small lot of farming im- 
plements and tools, was carried on sleds, about 
the onlj' kind of conveyance in vogue at that 
time among the emigrant movers. It is par- 
tially from this reason that these emigrants se- 
lected the winter months, when the ground was 
covered with snow, for their journejs into new 
lands. Thej' traversed, after having left New 
York State, the northern part of Pennsylvania, 
and entered Ohio on its northeastern border. 
In the course of seven weeks from the time 
they had left Middlesex, and after the many 
tedious and laborious advances from day to 
day, they finally, in the middle of .Vpril. reached 
their destination in the Harrisville settlement, 
in Medina County. The settlement in which 
.^Ir. Parsons wilii his family landed. w;is al- 
ready- quite extensively populated, and was then 



fast growing into a large colony. A civil or- 
ganization had already been effected b}' its in- 
habitants. A purchase of the land already 
described was made by the new-comer, of the 
resident land agent. Mr. Joseph Harris ; and, 
leaving his wife and two children with the fam- 
ily of Mr. Bishop, a resident settler in Harris- 
ville, Mr. Parsons started with two of his boys, 
a yoke of oxen and a span of horses, for the 
tract of land he had bought, to make a clearing 
and erect a place of habitation. They ascended 
the bluff on the east side of the East Branch of 
Black River, from the village of Lodi, and cut 
their way through the woods northward. The}- 
kept along the river bank as well as the surface 
' of the ground would permit, and, when their 
I point of destination had been reached, they se- 
lected a spot on an eminence close to the little 
stream, on which they placed their stakes for a 
new home. A clearing was commenced, trees 
chopped down, logs were rolled together, and 
the building of a little log cabin was at once 
put under progi-ess. Industriously they kept 
at work, and, within four weeks the primitive 
structure was completed. The logs had been 
put together in quadrangular shape, the crev- 
ices had been patched up with sticks and mud, 
and a covering of heavy sticks and branches 
had been put overhead, an opening in one of 
its sides, overhung by a blanket, scr\ed as a 
door to aflTord ingress to the space within. 
After this work had been completed, Mr. Par- 
sons with his two boys cut a winding roadway 
through the woods down to the Harrisville set- 
tlement, and then removed his entire famil}- 
with all of his eflTects into the new locality. 
Small patches of laud were cleared b\- the new 
settlers with all the diligence at their command, 
and put under immediate cultivation by put- 
ting in corn, oats and potatoes. By the on- 
coming fall, they were then enabled to gather a 
small crop of grain and potatoes for their own 
sustenance. For .several years they lived here 
alone, almost entirely isolated in their habita- 



~^ 



=k 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



571 



tion. The Harrisville people wore their nearest 
neighbors. The}' liept up communication with 
their neighbors on the south, and on different 
occasions journeyed thitherward to do a little 
shopping, get a supplj* of powder, nails, cloth 
and such necessities as they stood in need of in 
their agricultural life, to exchange greetings, 
and talk over the common affairs of life. 
Wolves and bears at that time roamed through 
the woods, and they were both a terror and an 
annoyance to the settlers. 

It is related by Mr. DeForest Parsons, a son 
of the first settler, now a retired minister of the 
Gospel living in Harrisville, that at one time, 
when he was a lad thirteen or fourteen j'ears 
old, while walking from the Harrisville settle- 
ment, to which he had been sent b}' his father, 
he encountered a pack of wolves in the woods. 
He was then nearly a mile from home, and be- 
came terribly- frightened. But it seems the 
beasts were as much taken with fear as the pio- 
neer lad, for they disappeared quieklj- at sight 
of him in one direction, while he with equal 
dispatch widened the space between himself 
and his carnivorous friends in the other. A 
great event occurred in the Parsons family in 
the summer of 1820. It was the birth of a male 
child. It was named Holden by the family, 
and the father, after the name of this new-born 
child, the first in the colony, baptized the new 
settlement Holden. By that name it was known 
until after the political organization of the town- 
ship, when it was called Chatham, after the 
town of that name near London, in England. 

Considerable advances had now been made 
by the settlers in the clearing and cultivation 
of their lands. From ten to fifteen acres were 
j-early put into crops, and their harvests in- 
creased in quantitj'. The raccoons, ground-hogs 
and other small wild animals that abounded in 
the entire region of the countr3% were a great 
deal of trouble to them in the wa\- of destro}'- 
ing their crops. The injury done by these ani- 
mals was the more vexatious to the farmers, as 



they could not invent or avail themselves of 
an\" means to stop the rapacity of these pilfer- 
ing beasts. The farmers stood in far more dread 
of these animals than thej'didof the bears and 
wolves which prowled about. It was not diffi- 
cult to the settler to administer a dose of well- 
meant and direct advice to these, in the shape 
of powder and lead, to remain in the distance, 
and this admonition was quite generally well 
observed by these larger animals. 

In the fall of the year 1820, Nathan Hall, 
afterward known in the settlement as Deacon 
Hall, removed his family from Connecticut out 
West, and settled on the Hinckley tract, in Chat- 
ham, one and one-half miles west of the Parsons 
place. It had been but a few months prior to 
this that a young fellow named Henr}- K. 
Joliue, from New York .'^tate. had made his ad- 
vent at the Parsons homo. His mission to the 
new countrj- soon became apparent. He had 
not boon in the settlement a month when the 
announcement of his impending marriage to 
Eleanor A., eldest daughter of Moses Parsons, 
was made known. It was the result of a tender 
affection that had sprung up between the two 
3-oung people during their residence in New 
York State. The young lover had followed the 
choice of his heart to her new home in Ohio, 
and had asked for her hand in marriage from 
her parents. Their consent was readily given, 
and the two were made one. 

Out of this little romance grew the first mar- 
riage in Chatham Township. The wedding 
ceremonies took place at the Parsons home on a 
Jnh' day. P]rastns Parsons, a brother of the 
bride, was dispatched to the Sullivan settle- 
ment, in Huron County, fourteen miles distant, 
to secure the services of Esquire Close, of that 
locality, to tie the legal bonds of the marriage 
iniion. The messenger piloted the magistrate 
through the woods to the Harrisville settle- 
ment, both going afoot, and thence they made 
their way to the Parsons home. The cere- 
monies were conducted in ver^' simple style ; 



'TU 



'i 



a) 'y 



jJs_ 



572 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



it^ 



there were but a few guests from Harrisville 
aside from the ditferent members of the famil}', 
and there were no cards. The two j'oung peo- 
ple stood up in the middle of the narrow little 
cabin, arrayed in their best homespun apparel, 
anil joined hands together, while the legal func- 
tionary pronounced the usual wedding formula. 
Congratulations, plain and simple and heartfelt, 
were extended to the newly united couple. A 
frugal wedding feast had been prepared, and 
was then partaken of bj- all present, amidst the 
happiest and best of good feeling all around. 
The day's festivities closed with a bridal tour 
down to the Harrisville settlement. Two choice 
pair of oxen were yoked to a sled, which had 
been filled with clean straw, over which had 
been spread bed-quilts to prevent the straw from 
sticking to the bride's wedding dress of flannel 
and the groom's linen trousers. Two of the 
brothers of the bride guided the horned team, 
while the young couple, in company with the se- 
date Squire occupied the sled in comfortable glee. 
Their arri\'al in the Harrisville colony created 
quite a commotion among the people there for 
the time being. Toward evening, the young 
couple returned to tlie home of the old folks. 
Squire Close remained with the people in Har- 
I'isville overnight, and, on the next day, re- 
turned as he had come, afoot, to his home in 
Sullivan. Henry Joline, with his young wife, 
took up his abode for a short time in the cabin 
of the old folks, while a new one for their own 
use, on a tract of land a little to the northwest, 
which the J'oung husband had bought, was put 
in course of construction. Tlie little cabin was 
completed, with the assistance of Mr. Parsons 
and his sons, in a very few weeks, and the 
young couple then moved into their new home, 
and made things as comfortable for themselves 
as tliey possibly could under the circum- 
j stances. 

By persistent and industrious application, 
Mr. I'arsons had, with the assistance of his 
sons, by this time, placed a large share of 



his farm under an advanced state of cultiva- 
tion. He had planted an acre or so of ground 
with young apple-trees, which, in the course of 
six or eight years, began to bear fruit. His 
gi-ain fields grew in size from year to j-ear. and 
it was not many years after he had made his 
settlement that he had turned a considerable 
patch into a growing meadow-field. 

In the year 1821, Amos Utter, with his fam- 
il}", settled in the neighborhood. They located 
on a tract of land about a mile west of Jlr. 
Parsons' farm. A few j-ears later, that part of 
Chatham Township in its northwest corner, 
which was for some time known as " New Co- 
lumbus," was colonized b}- Virginia settlers. 
Among them were Phineas and Truman Davis, 
Isaac Vaudeventer, ^^'illiam Foltz and Orrin 
Parmeter. These people settled on the low 
lands near Black River, in the northwest cor- 
ner, and they held but little or no communica- 
tion with their neighbors, four miles southeast. 
They formed a colony among themselves. 
Their culture was of a manner distinctly ditt'er- 
ent These people lived in a '■ happy-go-easy " 
style, varied with a touch of indolence that is 
chai'acteristic of all classes in the South. They 
erected shanties for their families, but made no 
particular nor very great productive progi'ess 
in the clearing and cultivation of the lands. 
Within the first few 3-ears of their pi'esence in 
this new country, one of its members, Phineas 
Davis, put up a little ■' pocket ' grist-mill, to 
which he shortly added a small distillery. 
Most of these people removed from this section 
in the course of time, casting their fortunes in 
other localities, and there is to-day no trace of 
these people left in the township, except what 
can be recalled from memor}- by the older in- 
liabitants. In the meantime, another addition 
liad been made to the number of iniiabitants in 
another part of the township — in the southwest. 
Several families had come from Massachusetts, 
among (hem being Nebediah Cass, William 
Goodwin and Pleasant Feazle. They all settled 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



573 



in the immediate neighborhood of the Parsons 
settlement. There were now by this time, 
about in the year 1826, ten families perma- 
nent!}' located on the Hinckley tract, which 
comprised the entire southern half of Chatham 
Township. The entire northern half was under 
control of Wadsworth Brothers, of Massachu- 
setts, and was known as the Wadsworth tract. 
In the month of November, 1832, Ebenezer 
Shaw, with his wife and family of three chil- 
dren, arrived in the settlement- and took pos- 
session of several hundred acres of laud on the 
Hinckley tract, for which he had traded his 
farm near Cummington, in Massachusetts. Mr. 
Shaw was a class-mate of William Cullen Bry- 
ant iu the public schools of their native town 
of Cummington, Mass. Young Shaw was also, 
like his chum, Willie Brj'ant, quite a hand at 
verse-making, during their school da3's. He 
has, in after years, always fostered a love for 
the metric art. In their early school years, he 
had become even more distinguished among 
his friends and school-mates for his talent 
in making verses than his friend Bryant. 
Young Bryant removed to Williams College, 
from thence to New York and into the temple 
of fame ; his friend, Ebenezer Shaw, married 
and settled and cultivated a farm, and joined 
the pioneer band that transformed tlie unbroken 
forests of the West into bright and glowing 
fields. In compan}' with Shaw and his family, 
came Barney Daniels, with wife and five chil- 
dren, and Joel Lj-on and wife and three children, 
all of whom came from the town of Plainfiekl, 
only a short distance from Cummington, both 
towns being located iu the county of Hamp- 
shire. The three families together journeyed 
by wagon to Troy, N. Y., and from there 
took passage on a canal-boat on the Erie Canal 
to Buffalo, and thence sailed on a little lake 
craft to Cleveland. Their journey from that 
point to Medina was made in wagons, an-iving 
at the latter point within two days after they 
had left the lake port. This was on a Friday' 



afternoon. Remaining overnight at the little 
tavern that was then serving the public, they 
proceeded the next morning for the Harrisville 
settlement, going by the way of Chippewa Lake 
and Morse's Corners, reaching Lodi on a Sun- 
day afternoon. They were received with open 
hospitality by the Harrisville people. On the 

I next morning (Monday) thej- moved into the 
new settlement. These people had to encounter 
all the difBculties that attend a pioneer location. 
The first thought was a place of shelter for man 
and beast. In manj' instances, the settler merely 
erected for the time being a ■■ brush hut," erect- 
ing four corner-posts, and with cut poles and 
brush covering the top. ' This would generall}' 
serve them until a more substantial structure, 
with inclosed sides and a fire-place, could be 
erected. Winter was close at hand when these 
three Massachusetts families arrived in the Chat- 
ham settlement, and the}" experienced severe 
discomfiture in locating, on account of the blus- 
tering storms of the season. Ebenezer Shaw 
located with his familj- in a log cabin that had 

j been erected by iMoses Parsons, several j-ears 
previous to the arrival of the new-comers. The 

; first experiences of these families in the ap- 
proaching winter days were, therefore, of a less 
trying nature than that of their companions, 
who were entirely left to their own resources to 
provide themselves with a place of habitation. 
The arrival of these several families was fol- 
lowed in the next spring b}- other Massachu- 
setts people. John Shaw and wife, with two 
grown-up daughters, and Randall Dyer, with a 
familj' of five children, made their appearance in 
the settlement, and squatted in contiguous 
places to their predecessors. 

In the course of this }'ear,the uumberof fami- 
lies in the colony was increased by a dozen or 
more new arrivals, among them being the 
Packard families, who occupy a conspicuous 
place in the annals of the township. There were 

' Iram, Amansa. William Francis. Josiah. Jona- 

j than and Phillip Packard, with their different 



^ 



'J^ 



574 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COINTY. 



families. Lemuel Allis, (iideon Gardner and 
Daniel Richards were also among the new-eom- 
ers. 'I'iic}- had all come from the Bay State by 
liie same circuitous route that had been taken 
1\V tiieir friends before them to Troy, thence by 
the Erie Canal to Bufl'alo, Lake Erie and Cleve- 
land, and then by slow stages and wagons into 
tlie interior settlement. Every accession of new 
colonizers was greeted with jov by the older 
settlers. For days the new arrival entertained 
his new neighbors with news from his old home, 
and his adventures of travel on his way hither. 
In return, he was repaid with well-meant advice 
and substantial aid to start on his way in mak- 
ing a settlement. 

A number of j'ouug men from Wooster made 
annual hunting incursions into Chatham Town- 
ship in the first years of the settlement, having 
a little brush cal)iu in the northern part, and 
remaining there for days at a time. Their pres- 
ence and hunting of wild game did not particu- 
larly annoy the Chatham settlers ; but it was 
during this time that many of their hogs, run- 
ning wild in the woods, very mysteriously disap- I 
peared. They entertained suspicions that the 
Wooster hunters were the guilty parties. So 
one night a few settlers armed with guns, pitch- ! 
forks and axes, and led by Incle Pan Prickett. i 
surroimded the hunters' camp aud demanded 
that a search should be made of the premises 
to learn if there were not some fresh meat con- ' 
cealed among their traps. A parley ensued ; 
which grew very hot, aud put both sides in j 
belligerent attitudes. Bob Ewing, the leader of i 
the ^\'ooster hunters, drew a line of demarkation ' 
around tlie camp with the butt of his gun, aud 
with his rifle at cock declared '• that the first 
Chatham man who stepped over these hounds 
would be a dead man." Finally the Wooster 
men submitted to a search of tiieir camp, and, 
as no signs of pork wert' found, tiie whole affair 
ended in a nuitnal good-feeling, and tlie hunt- 
ers thereafter continued their sport unmolested. 

Oueof tiie ditliculties lliat liesel the pioneers 



in new lands was that of roadwaj^s. The 
Chatham people experienced a great deal of 
trouble in this line for a number of years. It 
was several years after Moses Parsons had set> 
tied in the township, when, b}* an act of the 
Legislature, a road was built from north to 
south, running from Elyria, in Loraiu County, 
to Wooster. The construction of township 
roads did not begin until the j'ear 1834. 
These roads were built by order of the County 
Commissioners. The first one completed was 
the West River road, diverging from the Elyria- 
Wooster road at a point one and one-half miles 
north of Lodi, and leading into the low lands 
along the banks of Black River, which had by 
this time beeu well settled; going along the 
stream, it passed into Spencer Township. Sev- 
eral years later, the Center road, passing 
through the township from east to west, was 
constructed. At the present date the township 
is well provided with roads, making all points 
within its confines easily accessible. 

Of no less serious and perplexing annoy- 
ance thau that which was caused the settlers 
b3' the absence of roads, was the scarcity of a 
circulating medium of exchange. "These 
were terribly tough times with us," as one of 
the surviving settlers expressed, " we could not 
get money of any kind. Could not sell anj-- 
thing, only in trade. What little we savcl 
from our crops above our own subsistence, we 
took to Elyria, and there sold it for half in 
trade and half money, and none of us would 
scarcely ever return with more than 85 or $fi 
in coin. This would sometimes have to do us 
for a year or more." Speaking of the postal 
arrangements in tlie township in these days- 
the venerable gentleman gave the following in- 
formation : "Our letters arrived at the Ilarris- 
ville Post Office, and were directed Township 
2, Range 16.' Every letter we received cost 
us 25 cents, and it went (juite hard with us 
many times to draw our letters for want of 
sufficient funds. Many letters remained in the 



-C i 



^ 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



575 



post office for mouths, because the owners did 
not have money enough to pay for the delivery." 

On the 5th of December, 1833, a separate 
political organization of Chatham Tovvn.ship 
was effected, forming Township 18, in the suc- 
cession of organization in Medina County. 
The first Board of Township Trustees elected 
at the first town election, consisted of Nebediah 
Cass, Iram Packard and Joel Lyon. In the 
spring of 1835, Orin Shaw was elected as the 
first Justice of the Peace in tlie township. 
With the separation into a civil organization, 
the inhabitants of the colony became inspired 
with a new life. They were dependent now, in 
more ways than one. of their neighbors on the 
south — the Harrisville people, who had then 
had a civil organization for more than fifteen 
years, and who had, in the few years gone by, 
been very apt to look upon their Chatham neigh- 
bors in a sort of patronizing way, and had con- 
sidered them merely as a political appendage. 
During the succeeding jears, Chatham has 
served as a quite prominent factor in the po- 
litical history of Medina County. During the 
Abolition movements in ante helium days, some 
of the citizens of this township became noted 
for their active and decisive support of this 
famous cause. That the predominant senti- 
ments of the people of Chatham is strongly 
anti-slavery, is evidenced by the township elec- 
tion statistics daring the last thirty j'ears. 
Out of an average total of about two hundred 
and fiftj- voters for the last twenty years, about 
one hundred and seventy -five have taken sides 
with the part}' that abolished slavery and sup- 
pressed the rebellion. It is one of the " stal- 
wart" townships in the " stalwart" county of 
Medina. 

A few years subsequent to the formation of 
the township, the families of Luther and Levi 
Clapp and Alvan Thaj-er moved in from the 
East, settling on the Wads worth Tract, in the 
northern half of the township. This half, 
which had not been so early colonized as the 



southern part, was now also rapidlj- becoming 
settled. Emigi-ants were coming in fast, and 
the open spaces in the woods made by the pio- 
neer's ax, were growing in numbers. It was 
about the year 1838, after the east-and-west 
road had been located and cut through, that 
several houses, of somewhat more imposing 
shape than most of the little farm cabins that 
were scattered over the township, were erected 
at the Center. The general interests of the 
township gradually drifted toward the geo- 
graphical center of the township. The elections 
and ■ town " meetings were held in a log school- 
house that had been put up at the Center, and 
which also served the purposes of a Union Meet- 
ing-house for the diflereut denominations who 
were residents iu the township. 

An event that marks an epoch iu the histor}' 
of the township, was the bringing-in of an as- 
.sortment of general merchandise and the es- 
tablishment of a countr}' store. This occurred 
in the fall of 1839. Previous to that the - trad- 
ing " of the Chatham people had been done at 
Lodi, whose local mercantile affairs had grown 
into a flourishing state of development, even 
before the sister township ou the north had 
been opened up with highways. The arrival 
of the goods in Ciiatham caused great rejoicing 
among its inhabitauts. ]\Ir. Josiah Packard 
was the man who had invested his capital and 
energ3' in the enterprise. He had started in the 
summer with two ox teams for the citj- of 
Pittsburgh, taking with him a cargo of grain and 
produce. After an absence of several months, 
he returned with a full supply of " store " goods. 
His return had been anxiousl}' looked for by 
his neighbors. A little frame structure had 
been erected at the corner of the La Fayette 
road, one mile directl}' south of the center, and 
in this Mr. Packard located his goods after his 
arrival^ aud opened up a regular '■ country "' 
store. Two years later Eli Goodell opened a 
small store at the Center. A short time later 
than this, an asherv and small grocerv store 



-,f* 



^± 



576 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



£k 



was established in this same locality, b)* the 
firm of Webster & Packard. la 1843. Raadall 
Dyer & Son located a general village store at 
the " Center," being yet at this date in opera- 
tion under sole control of one of the sons. 
A post office was established here in the year 

1844. Mr. William Jordan was the first ap- 
pointed Postmaster, and he discharged its func- 
tions for a number of years. The mail route 
extended from Lodi to the village. Caleb Edson 
carrying the mail afoot, once a week, between 
the two points. In later years. Chatham has 
formed a station on the Wooster and Elyria 
mail line, and there are now two daily mails. 

In close connection with the mercantile affairs 
of the township, is the growth of its industries. 
though it forms no very prominent part in its 
history. Jonathan Packard erected the first 
saw-mill, in the western part of the township. 
The frame- work of a saw-mill that had once been 
conducted at the town of Seville, in Guilford 
Township, was removed, by Horatio Lyon, in 

1845, and was put up at a short distance south- 
east of the center of Chatham, on the Branch 
River. In 1868, Mr. D. P. Fellows erected a 
cheese-factory — the largest establishment of its 
kind in Medina County — near the Center. He 
conducted it for several years, and was then 
followed by Allan Lewis, for two years, then 
Alfred Ballon, and it is now under control of 
Maj. W. H. Williams. This ftictory forms one 
of the most prominent foctors in the agricult- 
ural-industrial pursuits of the township. 

As has already been stated, the people of 
Chatham Township, have stood out prominent 
among their neighbors in sister townships, for 
their patriotic zeal and the interest they have 
generally manifested in the National afl'airs. 
Many of its sons joined the ranks of the Union 
army, and bled and died for their country. The 
historian can point with pride, upon the part 
the Chatham boys took in the great National 
drama. A grand recognition for the services 
rendered by its sons to tlie county has been 



made by the people in the township in the 
Soldiers' monument that stands erected in the 
public square of Chatham Village. On the 
strength of a legislative enactment, passed in 
the winter of 18C5, b}" the General Assemblj- of 
Ohio, the project of a monument to the memory 
of the soldiers of Chatham Township, which 
had been promulgated, even prior to the pas- 
sage of the act, by the leading citizens of the 
township, was brought to completion in the 
summer of 1866. 

The Chatham Monumental Association was 
formed in the fall of 1805 at the Congregation- 
al Church in the village. At the first meeting 
held, Luther Clapp was chosen President, Ed- 
ward Talbott, Treasurer, and A. W. Richards. 
Secretary. The Board of Directors elected at 
the first meeting, consisted of the following 
gentlemen ; Jonathan Packard, J. E. Vance. J. 
M. Beach, Thomas S. Shaw, S. C. Ripley, F. R. 
Mantz, D. Palmer, Luther Clapp and S. H. Mc- 
Connell. Subscription books were at once 
opened and voluntary aid solicited by the prop- 
erly appointed committees, for the furtherance 
of the patriotic scheme. The people of Chat- 
ham gave with open hands and free hearts. 
Before winter had passed away, nearly 
$1,600 had accumulated in the hands of 
the Treasurer of the association. A commit- 
tee, consisting of Luther Clapp, Jonathan Pack- 
ard. S. C. Ripley, Edward Talbott and A. W. 
Richards, was elected to purchase a monument 
and select a site on which it should be erected. 
A contract was entered into with a Cleveland 
firm, and, by the 20th of June, it stood com- 
pleted on its present site in the center of the 
village. The dedicatory services were held ou 
the 4th of July following, and it formed a day 
worthy of remembrance in future ages. A vast 
concourse of people gathered to participate in 
the festivities. People came in procession from 
different directions. The exercises were opened 
with an invocation by the Rev. William Moody, 
which was Ibllowed with patriotic airs by the 






^ 



4^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



577 



Chatham Glee Club and the martial bands in 
attendance. Col. Allan W. Richards read the 
" Declaration of Independence," and an oration 
was delivered by the llev. G. S. Davis. A i-e- 
cess for a grand Fourth of Julj- dinner was 
then taken, after which the dedication services 
proper, of the monument, commenced. The 
dedicatory prajer was delivered by the Rev. 
DeForest Parsons, after which the Hon. Harri- 
son G. Blake gave the oration that he pre- 
pared for the occasion. It was a ftte day that 
will cling to the memorj- of the Chatham peo- 
ple as long as the shapely mass of stone that 
commemorates the uolile deeds of her sons 
stands in its midst. The monument stands up- 
on an octagon-shaped mound ; its foundation is 
of solid Berea stone, the sub-base is a marble 
block four feet square and three feet high. 
Upon this stands the marble shaft, which is 
surmounted bj- the American eagle, cut out of 
Parian marble. On the four sides of the shaft 
the names of the soldiers who enlisted in Chat- 
ham Township are engraven, with, the date of 
enlistment and their commands. 

The church history of Chatham Township 
begins at a date which records its first settle- 
ment. The Parsons family were earnest and 
devout Methodists, and, from the first day of 
their life in the new country, they continued to 
render homage to the God on high in family 
worship and praj'er. At various times, Mr. Par- 
sons journeyed with his family to the Harris- 
ville settlement to attend the divine services 
held there by itinerant ministers who had 
commenced to pass through that locality at reg- 
ular intervals. After the addition of several 
more families to his own, Mr. Parsons secured 
the services of different Methodist circuit- 
riders to call at the colony and conduct reg- 
ular worship. Among the first of these, were 
the Rev. James Gilroof and Rev. Anson Braiu- 
ard. Services were held sometimes in the log 
cabin, and sometimes in the open barn. This 
continued for several years, until 1832, when a 



regular church organization was effected, and 
Chatham was added as a regular station to the 
Wellington Circuit. Regular church meetings 
were now held every four weeks. The Rev. Mr. 
Harris, of Black River, at a later day a Bishop 
in the Methodist Episcopal Church of America, 
was for a time one of the riders who called at 
the Parsons home regularly. In connection with 
these early church matters, we must record part 
of the life of one of the sons of Mr. Moses Par- 
sons, the Rev. DeForest Parsons, at pi'esent a 
retired minister of Genesee (N. Y.) Conference 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had 
been apprenticed to a trade by his father in 
1823, when he was tweut3' years of age, in 
Painesville, some miles east of Cleveland. While 
in that town, a " revival " had been put in prog- 
ress, in which the young mechanic joined, and 
he was so affected by the religious movement 
that he finally abandoned his trade and returned 
to New York State, where had been his former 
home, and commenced the study of the minis- 
trj- of God. In the course of four or five years, 
he was ordained and given a charge in the 
church. He now made several visits of an in- 
definite length of time at his father's home in 
Ohio, and while there preached to the people. 
The meetings which had at first been held in 
private houses, took place after the organization 
at the log schoolhouse two miles south of the 
center of Chatham, and were continued there 
for a number of j-ears. Another Methodist 
Church society was formed by the settlers in the 
northern half of the township about the year 
1838. The^- held meetings and had divine wor- 
ship. In 1850, the two societies joined together 
and built a church edifice at the center. The 
Rev. Ralph Wilcox was otflciatiug minister 
when the union was formed. The society has 
now about 120 members enrolled on its church 
book. 

The First Congregational Church of Chatham 
is to-day the largest in number and the most 
influential of the church organizations in the 



If^ 



578 



HISTOHY OF MEDINA COIXTY. 



township. Tt was formed on the 1st of ^la,y, 
1834, under the union phm, and joined to the 
Presbyter}- of North America. The following 
were the first members: Gideon Gardner, 
Philip Packard, Gajdord C. Waner, Orrin Shaw, 
Joel Lvou, Amasa Packard, Barney- Daniels, 
Iram Packard, Eljenezer Shaw, George Pack- 
ard, Jacob Packard, Eleanor Joliue, Celia Rich- 
ards, Martlia Waner, Sarah P. Shaw, Mehitaljle 
Lj'on, Abigail Packard, Mehitalile Daniels, 
Nanc}' Shaw, Miss Sarah I'ackard and Miss 
Vesta Ricliards, The form of admission, with 
articles of faith and covenant and welcome of 
the Presbyterian Church, was unanimously 
adopted at tiie time of organization on Maj' 1, 
1834. In 1835 tliirteen more members joined 
the church, and its number increased from year 
to 3-ear. In 1842. a split occurred in tliis so- 
ciety', and the cliurch was re-organize<l on the 
Congregational order of faith the year follow- 
ing. The Rev. Caleb Burliank was called to 
preach to the new congregation, and lie con- 
tinued the resident Pastor of the church for 
eight years. Steps for the building of a new 
church edifice were taken in the spring of 1S44. 
The building was completed in the fall of 1846, 
when the pews were sold, and worship in the 
new house commenced. From that date on, 
meetings have been held by this society regu- 
larlj' on succeeding Sal>bath Days. The mem- 
bership of the church has increased until it 
now nuuiliers about 300. 

The Dunkard Societj- of Brethren com- 
menced public worship in the township, after 
the large meeting-house erect<Ml l)y them in the 
spring of 1871. on the farm of Tobias Hoover, 
near the banks of Black River, had been com- 
pleted. Rev. Joseph Rittenhoiise and Samuel 
Garver are the olliciating ministers of this and 
the adjoining Homer Church, of this denomina- 
tion. The meetings alternati' in these two 
churches from Sunday to Sunday, The follow- 
ers of -Mexander .^laek form one vast brother- 
hood, and tlie lines in the local orsranization in 



this religious denomination are but indistinctly 
drawn. Simple in their form of iaith, they 
worship as one single organization. 

The history of Chatham Township would be 
quite incomplete without a proper and full 
reference to the origin and growth of its public 
schools. A private school was taught by a 
Mrs. George Cook, living at that time in Liteh- 
fleld Township on the north, in the summer 
ofl827, iuthe few log cabins that were then 
scattered through the township. She had but 
six scholars. The year following, the first at- 
tempt at school teaching in the colony was 
supplemented by the eflbrt of iMiss "\^esta Rich- 
ards, who taught a private school for several 
years in succession, at ditferent private dwell- 
ings. After the organization of the township a 
little log school hut was put on the north-aud- 
south road, two miles south of the center, A 
subdivision of the township into school districts 
vi'as made by the Board of Trustees on tiie 6th 
of March, 1843. In man}- of the townships of 
the Western Reserve counties, select schools, 
for the instruction of children, which were sub- 
ject to special tuition fees, were instituted. 
This was done in Chatham Township in 1858, 
and from that time on annual sessions have 
been held regularly. In this connection, an ef- 
fort was made in 1807 b}' the people of the 
township to have a large school or ■• academy " 
building, for special school purposes, erected. 
The eflbrt soon assumed definite shape, and at 
the township election in the spring of 1867, the 
project was submitted to a vote of the people- 
It was carried by a small majority. The woi-k 
of building a new schoolhouse for such pur- 
poses as had been designed, was by law vested 
in the Township Board of Education, A 
building committee was appointed, and, at the 
board meeting held on Ma\- 4, the following 
contract was submitted by them to the board : 

Your comiuiitee beg leave to report, that, pursiumt 
to autliorit}' given by the board, they have advertised 
for and received proposals to build a Central or High 



^ « 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



579 



School house according to the plans and specifications 
adopted by the board, with such alterations in said 
plans and specificatious as your committee were au- 
thorized to, and deemed necessary to make, and have exe- 
cuted a contract with Silas C. liipley and W. G. Tilley 
for the building of the same for the sum of $-1,846 (the 
lowest accepted bid); said house to be completed on or 
before the loth of August, 1868, and your committee 
would respectfully ask that they be authorized, on or 
about the loth of March, 1808, to make an estimate of 
value of labor and material furnished to that date by 
said Ripley & Tilley, and if this committee shall find it 
to be in accordance with the terms of said contract, 
that they be authorized to certify the same to the 
Township Clerk, and your committee would further 
ask that the Township Clerk be instructed that on re- 
ceipt of said certificate, he returu an order to said Ripley 
& Tilley upon the Township Treasurer for the sum of 
$1,211.80. .1. D. Whitney, 

ChtiiTJiian, 

This report was adopted by the board. The 
construction of the new building was theu put 
in progress, and continued during the j'ear. It 
was Hearing completion in the spring of 1868, 
when, through the strenuous opposition that 
had been made to the project \>y some of the 
citizens of the township, the contract then ex- 
isting between the Board of Education and the 
school-building contractors was declared null 
and void by a vote of resolution by the board. 
Suit was brought by the contractors against the 
township. After many heated and lively dis- 
cussions upon this topic that was then engross- 
ing the attention of the citizens of Chatham to 



the exclusion of almost everything else, the 
matter was satisfactorily adjudicated by arbi- 
tration. To finish the building, then, a special 
tax levy had to be voted for, and this caused 
one of the fiercest contests known in the annals 
of the township. The proposition was carried 
bj- a small majority, and the building was 
thereafter soon completed. A special term of 
school was opened in the new structure bj' T. 
B. Randall, in the spring of 1870. He was 
followed in the next year by J. D. Stoneroad, 
who rented it for a term of several years. 

The township is to-day subdivided into eight 
school districts. The school enumeration, taken 
on the 1st of September, 1ST9, shows 132 male 
and 115 female children between the ages of 
six and eighteen, in the township, making a 
total of 247 school children. The following 
abstract is taken from the Town.-ihip Clerk's 
statement : 

Baance on hand, September 1, 1870 $1,160 26 

State tax 4.S8 00 

Irreducible school funds 28 07 

Township tax for schools and schooUiouse 

purposes 1,224 44 

Making a total of $2,850 77 

The spirit of the people of Chatham Town- 
ship is in accord with all the movements of 
popular education, and its educational affairs 
rank equal with those of any township in the 
count}'. 




§>.. — ^, 



^ 



s ^r- 



1) V 



^±=±: 



ll^ 



580 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



CHATTER XVIII. 

BRTNSWIOK TOWNSHIP— (iEOI/XiY—KARLY SKTTI.EM T.NT— FIRST OFFK'KRS— ORKilN AND GROWTJI 
OF INDUSTRIES— IXCIDKNTS OF PIONEEi; LIFE— VILI.A(;ES— EDUCATION— RELirUON. 



OEVENTY years ago, the now densely pop- 
^— ^ ulated township of Brunswick was a 
tangled wildwood and wilderness, wherein were 
found the rude deer-skin wigwams of the In- 
dians and the winding trails and hidden lairs 
of numerous species of wild animals. The 
report of the settler's rifle and the echo of his 
ax were unknown, save those made by wander- 
ing hunters, who roamed without fear thi'ough 
the dark forests in quest of more stining ad- 
venture than that found near the border set- 
tlements. Occasionally, bands of hostile sav- 
ages, in war-paint and feathers, anned with 
rifle, tomahawk and scalping-knife, were seen 
gliding like shadows through the deep woods, 
on their mission of death and desolation. War 
wdth Great Britain was declared, and the Na- 
tion called to its Ijrave men to 

" Come, strike the bold anthem, the war Jogs are bowl- 
ing, 
Alreaiiy they eagerly .snuff up their prey : 
The red cloud of war o'er our forest is scowling, 

Sweet peace spreads her wings and Hies weeping 
away." 

The l)orderers. responsive to the call, flew 
to the forts, and prepared to fight to the bitter 
end for theu- homes and loved ones. After a 
time, the storm of war subsided, the Indians 
sued for peace and retired farther into the 
fastnesses of the forest; the borderers re- 
turned to their partially-cleared homes, and 
the unbroken wilderness of Ohio was visited 
by thousands of settlers seeking homes. 

Brunswick Township was fii'st settled in the 
spring of 1S15, although the land had been 



piu-chased previously, and was then owned in 
tracts of diflereut sizes by several men re- 
siding in the East, who ofiered it for sale at 
prices ranging from §125 to §8 per acre. The 
siu'face soil is largely clay, with frequent out- 
croppings of sand. The tiu-npike, which 
crosses the township north and south, a half- 
mile west of the Center, is located upon an 
elevated ridge, where large beds of sandstone 
are exposed. Thi.s stone has been qiiarried 
more or less since the earliest times, and is of 
a coarse textiu-e, so stained and discolored with 
iron oxides as to mar the beauty of the stone. 
A large semi-circular ridge, elevated in a grad- 
ual slope above the smTOunding country sixty 
or seventy feet, is located about a mile north 
of the Center, and reveals inexhaustible beds 
of the coarse sandstone. On the farm of Will- 
iam Bennett, where a small stream has its 
source, near his residence, is a ravine, proba- 
bly sixty feet in depth and about the same in 
width, where peiiaendicular embankments of 
the stone may be seen. Extending out through 
the side of the entire depth of the ravine and 
back firom it seventy or eighty feet, is a nat- 
lu'al crevice, varying in width from six inches 
to two feet. On the bank above, and over this 
crevice, Mr. Bennett has erected a liU'ge build- 
ing for storing apples, vegetables, etc., and the 
crevice on the gi-ound is left uncovered, thus 
affording much-needed ventilation diu'ing the 
winter months. Largo qutmtities of stone ai'O 
being taken out on the ritlge near the resi- 
dence of Mr. Stowe, and at other places in the 
township. This portion of the coiuity is now 



-fv- 



l^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUKTY. 



5B1 



well drained, although in early years the com- 
parcatively level land at the headwaters of 
Plmn Creek was wet and marshy and almost 
impassable, as some of the first settlers remem- 
ber to their soitow. Mud, in early years, was 
an important matter to take into considera- 
tion on all occasions when journeys were to be 
undertaken. It was a principal cause of arous- 
ing the wrath and invective of the pioneer, and 
is said to have incited conduct unbecoming 
Chi-istians. A journey without the incidental 
sticking in the mud was regarded as an omen 
of prosperity, and was warmly welcomed, not 
simply for that reason alone, but because of 
the discomfort avoided. The western third of 
the township is also quite level. From the 
tiu'npike, near- the center, the country east- 
ward and westward is descending and valley- 
like, with rising gi-ound in the distance. The 
principal stream is Plum Creek, which rises 
near the farm of George Bennett and Hows a 
little east of south, leaving the township and 
uniting with Rocky River a short distance 
northeast of Medina. Its eoiu'se is tortuous, 
and it has many small, winding branches. 
The western third is drained by small streams 
which flow west into Rocky River. The north- 
east corner is threaded by a small stream which 
flows east and unites with the East Branch of 
Rocky River. 

On the 4th of March, 1815, Solomon and 
Frederick Demming an-ived in the town- 
ship, erected ri;de Jog cabins and l)egan to 
clear a few acres for a corn and potato patch 
and a garden. Dm-ing the summer of the 
same year, there came in John Hulet, Seymom- 
Chapin, John Steai-ns, Auth'ew Demming and 
Hem-y Bogue, with their families. These men 
located in different parts of the township 
and erected the indispensable log cabin, and 
endeavored to make themselves comfortable- 
Dm-ing the months of October and November, 
1815, James Stearns, Solomon Harvey and 



Henry Parker came with their families. Soon 
afterward came Samuel Tillotson, Ephi-aim 
Lindley and W. P. Stevens. 

In 1817, John Freese, B. W. Freese, Dr. 
Seth Blood, Jacob Ward, Harvey Stebbins, 
L. Thayer, Rhoda Stowe, W. Root, P. Clark, 
Peter, John and A. Berdan and others arrived. 
This addition soon altered the appearance of 
the townshif). Here and there could be seen 
small roimd-log cabins standing in clearings 
of a few acres, while near them could be heard 
the almost incessant ring of the ax, and the 
crash of huge trees that had stood the tempests 
of ages. The sharp report of the rifle rang out 
through the woods, and the choice tiu'key or ven- 
ison, soon afterward eaten by the family, attest- 
ed the prowess of the hunter. When a new set- 
tler appeared, those already established, need- 
ed no invitation to assemble immediately, and 
speedily erect his cabin. Often the cabin, be- 
gun in the morning, was occupied by the family 
the following night. Families were frequently 
taken in by others, where they remained until 
their cabin was ready. Log-rollings and chop- 
ping bees became common, and it is stated that 
weeks were often spent in one continual round 
of rollings. Great sport was enjoyed on these 
occasions, and the women usually assembled 
to do the cooking. Enormous pot-pies of 
wild tiu'key or venison were served up to the 
hungry men, and the joke and laugh went 
round. Whisky was almost universally pres- 
ent, and was the source of fi-equent biu'sts of 
merriment and occasional bm'sts of passion. 
Often, some poor fellow, too full for utterance, 
sought some secluded spot to di'eam of hunts 
and Indians and sleep ofi" the blissful 
effects of King Alcohol. The following is 
related by an old settler: " Capt. John Stearns 
had got everything in readiness and had fixed 
upon a day to I'aise his new barn, when it was 
discovered that no whisky could be bought, or 
even boiTOwed, in the township, and, more un- 



;v 



^^ 



583 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNT T. 



fortunate still, that none conld be had nearer 
than Tallmadge. To go to that village and 
retxu-n would require two days. Mr. Stearns 
made known the matter to his neighbors, who 
told him that, under the present circumstances, 
they thought perhaps the barn might be raised 
without the liquor, though they could not ap- 
prove of his neglect to see about the matter 
earlier. On the day appointed, the settlors 
assembled, went to work, raised the barn, and 
made the fortunate discovery that a Isuilding 
could be safely and speedily built without the 
use of whisky." After that, it was no iTncom- 
mon occurrence to see buildings going up and 
not a di'op of liquor used. 

The young people were not withoiit their 
sleighing parties and dances, and the vigor 
and energy there displayed would arouse the 
admiration of the old men and women j)resent, 
who, thereupon, related the experience of their 
youth. The following is related by Ei^hraim 
Lindley, who came to the township in 1810: 
"Several young people of Brunswick con- 
cluded to go to the residence of Kufus Ferris, 
who lived a short distance north of the pres- 
ent county seat, and pay a number of young 
people there assembled a visit, and have a 
good time generally. Each young man of us 
got his female partner, and, rigging jumpers 
made of long poles that answered for runners 
and thills, we fastened on a few boards, on 
which we sat while traveling. Our road was 
marked by blazed trees. We started from 
what is now Brunswick Center, and, following 
the obscm'e path, we finally reached Wey- 
mouth in safety. We then, by a path still 
harder to follow, jorn'm^yed until we reached 
Rocky River, at the Josej>h Northrup farm, 
and, after crossing th(> river, continued on 
through the woods until we reached the cabin 
of Mr. Ferris, where we were warmly wel- 
comed. We tarried there, engaged in youth- 
ful sport, until a late hour, and, finally. 



started for home. The entire night was spent 
in the visit, and, while going and coming, we 
had no tine buffalo robes to protect us from 
the severity of the snow-storm that was 
raging." 

The settlers were called upon very early to 
build bridges, which, very probably, were car- 
ried away by the next freshet. " It was no 
imcommon thing to see all the men in a com- 
munity congregate early, and, without stock- 
ings or shoes, labor all day in water, fixing 
abutments, and placing the long, hea\'y string- 
ers thereon. The puncheons used so univer- 
sally for flooring were considered equally well 
fittf>d for use in bridges, and were thus used." 
Often the women took the ax or the rifle and 
went into the forest to chop or in quest of 
game. One day, Mai'ia, the wife of John 
Hulet, was standing near the little window 
of her cabin. The snow lay thickly upon the 
ground, and the air was bitterly cold. She 
had much out-door work to do that winter, 
there being two cows and a yoke of oxen left 
in her care. While looking from the window, 
she saw a large dog standing in the edge of 
the clearing, and from his aj^pearance — with 
tongue hanging out and covered with sweat 
— she knew he had been chasing some animal. 
Moving a little, she saw a large buck, covered 
with foam, standing near the dog. She quietly 
took the ax and hurried out of the door, call- 
ing to the dog to seize it. The buck was 
instantly thrown ujion tlie snow, where it was 
knocked on the head by the resolute woman. 
She tied a rope around its neck, dragged it 
to the cabin, and had almost finished skinning 
it, when a tall Indian presented himsi'lf and 
claimed tlie animal, saying it had been run 
down by his dog. After some parley, the deer 
was relinquished, and the Indian, after taking 
the skin and liind-quarters, departed. Mrs. 
Hulet was com]ielled to carry water from a 
spring at a considerable distance fi'om her 



IS_. 



^14. 



HISTOF.Y OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



583 



cabin, and, thinking over the matter one day, 
she conchided to dig a well near the house. 
She went to work, and, when down where she 
could not tkrow the eai-th out, she took a tin 
vessel, to which a long rope was attached, and, 
with this imperfect implement, her childi'en 
drew up the earth which she placed therein. 
In this remai'kable manner, a depth of thirty 
feet was reached, when an abundance of good 
water was foxmd. The next thing was to wall 
the well, and this must be done without delay, 
as, otherwise, it would cave in. She entered 
into a contract with a neighbor, giving him a 
small iron furnace to di-aw a load or two of 
stones. And then she did not know how to 
place them, but a stranger, happening along, 
agreed to show her for a meal of victuals. 
The meal was prepared and eaten, and then the 
sti'auger told her how to lay the stones so that 
they would not fall. After many vexations, the 
wall was laid, and the well to-day is an excellent 
one, and is located on the farm of George 
Hunt. This incident is related to show the 
trials which the wives of the settlers were 
compelled to undergo. Where is the woman 
who, to-day, in the absence of her husband, if 
a tall Indian presented himself at hor house 
and demanded any article she had, would have 
the courage to demand her right. The ai'ticle 
would be yielded without a word, and the 
red man would go off laughing in his sleeve 
(if he had one) at what he woiild probal)ly call 
a "heap big scare." 

On the 6th of April, 1818, the tii-st town- 
ship election was held, resulting as follows: 
John Stearns and Jacob Ward, Justices of the 
Peace; Darius Francis, Treasiu-er: John 
Steai-ns, Assessor; Henry Parker, Constable; 
John Hulet, John Stearns and Solomon Dem- 
ming. Trustees; Samuel Tillotsou and W. P. 
Stevens, Overseers of the Poor; H. Root and 
H. Bogue, Fence Viewers. 

The following list comprised all the legal 



voters then in the township: Capt. John 
Stearns, Solomon Demming, John Hulet, Har- 
vey Stebbins, Rev. Jacob Ward, Thomas 
Stearns, Maj. Andrew Demming, Joel Ciu'tis, 
Elijah Hull, Hem-y Bogue, Ephi-aim Lindley, 
James Stearns, George J. Baldwin, Solomon 
Harvey, Horace Root, Darius Francis, Henry 
; Parker, Daniel Stearns and John Hulet, Jr. 
In 1819 and 18'~0, many others arrived, and 
the tovraiship put on the garb of civilization. 
A number of years before any settler came 
I to the township, a man in Connecticut, named 
i Willicuns, f)iu'chased the western half, but, fail- 
ing to meet his payments, he lost the land, 
which reverted to the State. Some time after- 
ward, this portion of the township was given 
in exchange for a number of improved fai'ms 
I in Berkshire Coimty, Mass.. the owners thereof 
preferring to come to the Western Reserve, 
then, and since, a justly celebrated locality. 
The contract, on the pai-t of the State of Con- 
necticut, was made by its agent. Abraham 
and John Preese were sent out by the Bei'k- 
shire County purchasers to siuwey the land, 
'[ locate farms, and inform those in the East 
j as to the condition of the country. When 
! all was in readiness, they came West. The 
eastern half was early owned by Messrs. Mc- 
'' Curdy, Kinsman, Sanford and perhaps others, 
who, after many years, employed Abraham 
Freese to survey it. 

Capt. John Stearns became the owner of 
1,300 acres of land located in the western 
part of the township. He had several sons 
who had reached maturity, and to each of these 
he gave a tract of land — about two hundred 
acres — and ui'ged the necessity of clearing 
their land and providing themselves with 
homes. He also donated two acres to be used 
as a bnrying-gi'ound, where, to-day, he and 
many others of the iirst settlers lie at rest. 
The following is a list of old settlers, who 
died at advanced ages: John Ward, 92; Eliza- 



M^ 



Jl!z 






.-,S4 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



beth Ward, 89: John Stearns, 92; Lucy 
Stearns, 76; W. P. Stevens, 87; Lydia Stev- 
ens, 69; Persis Kingsbmy, 65; Samuel Til- 
lotson, 91; Sarah Tillotson, 77; Solomon 
Demming, 85; Roxanna Deunning, 66; John 
Hulet, 86; Ephraim Fletcher, 74; Jabez j 
Kingsbmy, 8(>; Daniel Bogue, 72. An aver- 
age of eighty j^ears. 

Several of the iii-st settlers are yet living, 
and their vyhite hairs and venerable appear- 
ance tell of the ravages of time. 

The township was siu-veyed l)y Abraham 
Freese, who laid off the western half into 
lots of thi'ee hundred and twenty acres 
each. This was done before the war of 1812. 
The eastern half remained almost wholly un- 
settled, and was wholly unsiu'veyed until after 
1817. It was then owned by three men, one 
of whom owned nearly three-fourths, includ- 
ing all the northeast quarter, and a strip 
something over a mile wide, extending south 
to the northern line of Medina and adjoining 
the western half. The remainder was owned 
by two men, Sanford and Dickey, each of 
whom possessed a little more than a section. 
The most of the lots in the eastern half com- 
prise one hundi'ed and sixty acres. In 1S25. 
James Brooks an-ived, and bought one hun- 
di-ed and thirty-live acres in the northeast 
comer, paying §2.50 per acre. He was the 
first settler on the northeast quarter, which 
was owned by the heirs of Mr. Swift, and the 
only one until about lIS:-52, when Moses and 
Cornelius Sherman arrived and settled a short 
distance south. About the same time, Drake, 
Lanphear, Garret, Talman and Couklin ap- 
peared and purchased farms. Several others 
came on soon afterward, but the settlement 
was slow, owing in a measure to the price 
charged for the land. For some reason, for- 
gotten or unknown, the northwest part of the 
township was not settled until about 1830 
although the land had been surveyed nearly 



a score of years before, and a large settlement 
had been formed west of the center. How- 
ever, in about 1830, there came into the north- 
west part James Hosford, Nicholas Weather- 
by, Edward Heath, Enos Doolittle, Moses 
Goodi'ich, Ellery Hicks, George Aldridge and 
others. The most of these men were intelli- 
gent and industrious farmers, from the New 
England States, who came to Ohio to better 
their material prospects. Many of the houses 
built at this time were frame, the lumber 
being obtained at the saw-mills on the river 
in Liverpool Township. John Hulet was a 
carpenter, and his services were required on 
all occasions where superior skill was neces- 
sary. He had learned his trade of John 
Stearns, who worked by what was known as 
the " scribe rule." The rule was that every 
timber in a fi'ame buikling was made for the 
place it was to occupy, and very likely differed 
in length fi'om every other in the building. 
The studding, joists, rafters, etc., were cut for 
the special place they were to occujiy, and neces- 
sarily varied in length from others of the 
same use. It is likely this rule was employed 
by Solomon Demmiug when he built the 
large wooden cart which liecame the wonder 
of the townshi]). This cart was constructed 
wholly of wood, without nails or bolts, and, 
when in motion, creaked and gi'oaned like a 
human being in distress. It was large, strong 
and cumbrous, and was capable of sustaining 
an enormous weight. Its unearthly sounds 
could be heard several miles, as the huge 
"Juggernaut" rolled slowly on its way. It 
was built as an experiment, and was an emi- 
nent success in point of noise and as a curi- 
osity. It served its time, and, when no longer 
capable of being used, was greatly missed by 
the neighborhood. Its creation was regarded 
as an abuse of the "scribe rule." 

The settlement of the township was not as 
rapid as that in Liverpool, although a suffi- 



w 

"f 



^ 



.k 



HISTORY OF JVEEDINA COUNTY. 



587 



cient number had arrived prior to 1820 as to 
make the erection of saw-mills advisable. 
Accordingly, in about 1824, a man named 
Entiton, erected one on Plum Creek. The 
building was a plank shanty, and the saw, 
which was an up-and-down one, was operated 
by water-power. A large dam was built across 
the creek, and in times of freshets stored up 
an enormous volume of water. This was used 
sparingly, and by careful management the 
mill was enabled to operate about five months 
of the year. It was called a "thunder mill," 
because it depended upon thunder-storms for 
supplies of water. The mill was oi>erated by 
Ml'. Entiton about four yeai's, and was then 
purchased by Bogue & Wyman, who made 
several alterations and improvements ; the 
dam was enlarged and the motion of the saw 
increased by a greater depth and pressure of 
water. At the expiration of some ten years; 
the mill was sold to Isaac Hulet, who increased 
its capacity by improvements in the machinery- 
Mr. Hulet operated it six years, when, the pat- 
ronage having become reduced, it was per- 
mitted to stop, and soon afterward the dam 
was washed away. This mill was not the first 
in the township, however. Nathan Clark, a 
settler of great enterprise, erected one, and 
began operating it as early as 1820. It was 
located on Plum Creek, and was about a mile 
and a half below the Hulet Mill. It was also 
run by water power, and had a good business. 
It ceased operation after about four years, and 
was motionless and deserted until 1838, when 
Mr. Clai'k refitted it and rebuilt the dam, 
which had been washed away. After a few 
years, Fletcher Hulet bought the mill. It 
ceased running about 1858. Maiu'ice Squires 
built a saw-mill in the northern part in about 
1840. It was operated some ten years, after 
which it was removed to the western part, 
where it was owned and operated by a Mr. 
Allen. Bennett & Stowe owned a large miU 



in the northern part in comparatively late 
years. It was ran by steam, and, inasmuch 
as it continued in operation day and night, 
two sets of hands being employed, it was the 
most extensive mill ever in the tovmship. 
Large quantities of lumber were tiu-ned out 
by this mill. 

One of the best saw-mills ever in Brunswick 
was built in the northeast part in 1848, by 
Hiram Brooks. This young man was a fine 
scholar — was a graduate of one of the Eastern 
theological colleges, and often preached in 
cabins and schoolhouses in early years. He 
had great resolution and superior corn-age- 
Soon after his father, James Brooks, came to 
the township. When Hiram was about f omleen 
years old, he took his rifle one afternoon and 
went out hunting. After he had been gone a 
few hom-s a severe snow-stonn set in, and con- 
tinued with great intensity all night. The 
air became very cold, and the boy, who had 
wandered several miles from home, found that 
he would have to pass the night in the woods. 
He found a large hollow log that had been 
split open on the side, and, after gathering 
several armfuls of dry wood, built a roaring 
fire at the opening, using several small limbs 
over the fii-e to shield it from the descending 
snow. He sat in the opening of the log, 
receiving the genial warmth of the blaze, and 
complacently viewing the severe storm that 
was raging without. The members of his 
family were greatly alaiTaed when night came 
and the boy did not retm'n. His mother 
passed a sleepless night, and early the next 
morning, the storm having spent itself, the 
family sallied forth to search for the missing 
boy, expecting to find him fi-ozen to death. 
They were overjoyed when they saw him com- 
ing, safe and sound, toward them. As was 
stated, he built a saw-mill, in 1848, on the 
creek near the northeastern corner of Bruns- 
wick. The valley of the creek is some fifteen 



*f 



^1 



588 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



feet deep, and at a point where it was very 
narrow, a sti'ong, substantial dam was bxiilt. 
Above the dam the valley took a cii'ciilai- form, 
and, when this was covered with water to the 
depth, in some places, of fifteen feet, a broad 
pond was formed. This pond afterwai-d 
became the resort, in the sprint of the yeai-, 
of large numbers of wild ducks and geese. 
The mill was located on the south bank of the 
mill-pond, and was a large, two-storied fi'anie 
structiu-e. '\Mien fii-st built, the old-fashioned 
saw was used. lint, when others of superior 
design came in vogue, it was discarded. Saw- 
ing was done, either on shares, or at the rate 
of from 82 to i^3. 50 per thousand. The entire 
cost of building the mill and dam was 81.500. 
Large quantities of lumber were prepared at 
this mill. One day, soon after the erection of 
the mill, Lyman Brooks attempted to cross 
the mill-pond on the ioe, but on the way he 
was taken with a fit, and. falling into an 
air-hole, was swept under the ice by the ciu'- 
rent and di'owned. AYheu his body was recov- 
ered, he had been dead an hour. His brother 
Elnathan came very near sharing the same 
fate. He and another young man went 
bathing in the pond, and, when out in the 
water, he was seized with the cramp and 
immediately sank. He arose to the svu'face 
and called to his companion for help, and 
immediately sank for the second time. When 
he arose, his fi'iend seized him, telling him at 
the same time not to clinch, and started for 
the shore, which, after a hard stmggle, was 
reached in safety. Hiram Brooks operated the 
mill until his death, which occun-ed some three 
years after its erection. His mother became 
owner at his death, and Spencer Brooks was 
intrusted with its management: but, at the 
expiration of five years. Elnathan Brooks 
became th(> owner, and, after operating it about 
foiu- months, it was burned to the ground. 
Two yeara later, it was rebuilt l>y Spencer 



] Brooks, who made several improvements and 
I additions, and soon afterward sold it to 
Chai-les and Hemy Warner. This was just 
before the beginning of the last war. Vari- 
ous parties have owned it since, and much of 
the time it has remained inoperative. In 
1880, it was removed. On tlie bank of the 
sti-eam, near the old mill, quite a number of 
lime bowlders were imeai-thed in an early day 
and bm-ned, affording a fair sample of lime, 
which was used in plastering houses. 

Willis Peck built and conducted a tannery 
about two miles north of the Center, begin- 
ning in 1838. He sank five vats, and di-essed 
skins of all kinds for about ten years, at 
which time the apparatus was removed. In 
early years, Solomon Demming built a large 
two-storied fi'ame tread-mill, placing therein 
a small set of '' nigger-head " buhi-s for grind- 
ing gi-ain. The miU was located about a 
mile west of the Center, and here the settlers 
came in eai-ly times for an inferior article of 
coarse flom- or meal. Chopped feed for 
hoi^ses and other animals was prepai'ed at the 
miU, which was patronized mostly in this re- 
spect. The majority of the early settlers made 
it a practice to take advantage of diy times 
and good roads, and go to Middlebui-y or 
some other place equally near and noted, with 
their wheat to mill. If necessity compelled 
them to go sooner, or in wet and muddy 
times, they usually went to the mills on llocky 
River. As a last resort, they obtained tlour 
at Jlr. Demming's mill. The presence of the 
mill was often a great convenience, as it ob- 
viated the necessity of borrowing, or a joui'- 
ney thi'ough bottomless roads. Many were 
satisfied with the fiour fm'nished. and none 
were altogether avei"se to eating it. The early 
settlei"s were not so particular in regard to 
their diet as to be wholly unwilling to eat the 
flour, even though it wjis dai'k and coai"se. 
The mill was continued in operation some ten 



'f^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



589 



^k 



years, when it was allowed to run down. It 
was the only grist-mill over in the township. 
One day, Mr. Hulet concluded to send his son 
Wesley off to some distant mill, where a 
better article of flom- could be obtained. The 
oxen — two yoke — were hitched to the wagon, 
the srrain loaded in, and awav the bov started. 
The mill was at last reached, and, when there, 
the boy discovered that he had neglected to 
bring proper food for his cattle. He at length 
concluded to feed them bran. They ate so 
much of this diy food that two or three of 
them died, and the boy was compelled to leave 
his wagon and go home after other oxen. A 
lai'ge quantity of dry bran was discovered to 
be not the best food in the world for oxen. 
It was about this time that John Chadwick and 
another boy, while retiuiiing fi'om near 
Medina, came very nearly being devoiu'ed by 
wolves. It was training day, and they had 
been down to see the troops, or rather militia, 
march. It was late when they started for 
home, and the condition of the road was such 
that night overtook them before they had gone 
half-way. To add to their alarm, the wolves 
began to howl around them, and the boys 
hurried on as fast as they could through the 
tangled forest. The night-wind swe]5t tlu'ough 
the branches of the trees, rustling the leaves 
here and there, and startling the an.xiousboys 
with the apprehension of sudden danger. 
Finally, one of the boys discovered a wolf near 
him, and soon afterward several more were 
discovered, and then it became clear that they 
were followed by the ravenous creatm-es. 
The boys were now thoroughly aroused, and 
ran forward as fast as they could, keeping a 
close watch around them. Twelve or fifteen 
of the animals were close on their heels, and 
it was at last concluded to ascend trees, 
much as such a coiu-se was dreaded. The 
boys were barely out of reach when a small 
pack surrounded the trees, and began snai-ling 



with disappointment at having missed the ex- 
pected repast. The boys began to call for 
help as loudly as they could, and, after con- 
tinuing it for some time, saw some one aji- 
proaching, with a torch of hickory bai-k. The 
wolves immediately fell back, and were soon 
out of sight and sound. The torch-bearer 
proved to be Ephi-aim Lindley, who, hav- 
ing heard the calls for helj), had come 
out to ascertain their meaning. The boys 
were overjoyed to escape a long night 
of anxiety, perched in the ti'ees, with 
the unjjleasant prospect of death so near 
them. They were soon at home. Chil- 
di-en were often lost in the woocLs. and 
sometimes days elajised before they were 
found. Information of children lost was 
sufficient to arouse the entire neighborhood 
to immediate action, as otherwise the lost 
ones might be devoured by wolves. Elvira 
Thayer and Maria Lane were thus lost, and, 
after wandering all night in the woods, came 
accidentally and suddenly upon the cabin of 
a neighbor, where they were cared for. Older 
persons were often completely bewildered: 
and even those who had passed a lifetime in 
the woods sometimes found it exti'emely diffi- 
cult to keep their bearings. The sensations 
on such occasions are described as maddening. 
The senses, through which a knowledge of 
things external to one's self is derived, refuse 
to guide aright, and the mind becomes dis- 
ti'essed with doubts as to which coiu'se to piu'- 
sue : and, wild with bewilderment, when every 
effort results in failiu'e, lost people have 
been known to pass within a few rods of their 
own home, and refuse to recognize a single 
familiar object. 

A man named Woodbridge erected a dis- 
tillery a mile or two north of the Center, in 
about 1828. The building was a low frame 
structiu'e, in which was placed a small copper 
still, having a capacity of about twelve gal- 



:fx: 



M^ 



590 



HISTOUY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Ions. The settlers evidently regarded the 
liquor mamifaotnrcil as too precious an article 
to ship — at least it was drank as fast as made. 
An excellent article of rye whisln was man- 
ufactvu'ed. William Clark had an interest in 
the distillery. Th(> grain was ground in a 
trough in which a stone revolved, th(! jiower 
being furnished by horses attached to a sweep. 
The trough was not a success, and was soon 
displaced. After continuing in operation for 
a few years, the enterprise was abandoned. It 
was the onl}- distillery, so far as now remem- 
bered, ever in the township. Horse-thieves 
caiTied on their nefarious practice in early 
years. John Stowe missed one of his best 
horses one morning, and. for some time, could 
discover no ti'aee of the missing animal. At 
last, an aninjal answering to the description 
was found to have passed through Cleveland, 
stopping there overnight at a feed stable. 
From there, the animal was traced to Tecum- 
seh, Mich., where it was found in a livery sta- 
ble. It proved to be the horse sought, and 
the thief was found and an-ested by the Con- 
stable of Brunswick, whom ill-. Stowe had 
taken with him. The thief proved to be one 
of Ml'. Stowe's nearest neighbors, and, when 
taken into custody, boldly acknowledged tak- 
ing the animal, saying that, instead of intend- 
ing to steal it, he had merely boiTowed the 
animal for a few weeks, as he was obliged to 
go to Michigan and had no money nor horse 
of his own, and that, when he retiu'ned, he 
intended to I'estore the boiTowed animal as se- 
cretly as he had taken it. The story was 
doubted, and aiTangements were made to take 
the thief to Medina County. But he effected 
his escape, and it was thought best not to pur- 
sue him. as liis story liad many ]ilausible feat- 
lu'es. 

An occurrence took place in early y(>ars, at 
Brunswick Center. Avhicli kindled the indigna- 
tion of the neifjhViorhood at the time, and has 



been regarded with chagrin ever since. The 
occurrence, as relat(>d, is this: A German, 
who had just arrived from the old country, 
stojiped for a short time at tlie Center to make 
some inquiries about the land that he had 
seen advertised for sale. While there, he stole 
an ax at one of the stores, and, after he had 
been gone a short time, the theft was discov- 
ered, whereu])ou he was piu'sued by the 
Constable, who aiTested him and took him 
back to the Center. H<f was taken before a 
Justice of the Peace, and, soon after his trial 
for the theft began, the owner of the ax, and 
several others, took the case in charge and in- 
formed the man that he might take his choice 
of two punishments — either receive thirty 
lashes on his bare back and leave the town- 
ship, or be imprisoned several months with but 
little to eat. The poor man, seeing there was 
no help for himself, chose the former punish- 
ment, whereupon the lashes were inflicted, ten 
at a time, with great severity. It is said that 
the poor man fainted at the conclusion of tliis 
Tuiheard-of punishment. He immediately left 
the township, and what became of him is un- 
known. The Justice before whom the man 
was to be ti'ied could do nothing with the men 
who took the law in theu' own hands. He left 
the room when his authority was disregai'ded. 
Nothing was ever done with the men who had 
openly defied the law, to the gi-eat regi'et of 
the better class of the people. The neighbor- 
hood looked upon the affair as an outrage, and 
this view is taken to-day by all who are famil- 
iar with the circumstances. 

It is not certainly kno\vn who built the first 
house in the village of Brunswick Center. It 
is likely, however, that the first was built in 
181 U by Tliomas Stearns. The building was 
a round-log structui'e, and a short time after 
iis erection a few hundred dollars' worth of 
goods were placed in one aiiartment. This, 
so far as now remembered, was the Ih-st stock 



^ 
^ 



^' 



> yT- 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY 



591 



of woods offered for sale in the township. A 
short time after the store was opened, Col. 
John Stearns built the second residence, and 
soon afterward it was thrown open for the re- 
ception of the public. The presence of a 
tavern at that point was demanded by the 
large travel on the Cleveland and Columbus 
Tiu-npike. An unceasing stream of travel 
fi'om the central part of the State to Cleveland 
by way of this tiu'npike, brought many stran- 
gers to the little tavern, and the proprietor 
soon realized a handsome revenue. Mi\ 
Stearns was also induced to open his store by 
reason of the calls made for various articles 
by travelers. However, Archibald Miles 
opened the lirst stoi'e of any note in the vil- 
lage. In about 18"34, he placed in a store- 
room, built for the pui'jiose, some $1,500 worth 
of a general assortment of goods. He began 
with a flattering pati'onage, largely afforded 
by travelers, and continvxed at the occupation 
for about eight years, when his goods were 
removed. Not far from the year 1830, Hor- 
ace Root opened a small store, nearly a mile 
north of the Center, on the turnpike. He 
continued the business for a number of years, 
and finally closed out his stock. Nathan 
Clark ojiened a sort of cabinet-shop in the 
village at an early day. He manufactui'ed 
coffins and various otlier useful articles. He 
had a small shop where his wares were kept 
for sale. A few years later, a man whose 
name has been forgotten, erected a small 
buikling, and began the useful occujtation of 
manufactm-ing Windsor and other chairs. 
He did a moderate business for several years. 
No man did more to build up the village than 
Dr. John Clark. He was a well-educated man 
and a good physician, receiving the confidence 
and patronage of the citizens. When he fii'st 
came to the township, he was not familiar with 
the general ])ractice of medicine, having made 
the important subject of cancers a specialty. 






But the people in the backwoods wore not af- 
flicted with the last-named disorder, and the 
Doctor soon discovered that he must alter his 
course of studies. He mastered, so far as 
possible, the general practice of medicine, and 
soon had all he could do. He acquired a 
wide reputation for his skill and success in 
cui'ing the dreaded " Cuyahoga fever," and 
adopted methods peculiar to himself and un- 
known to his brethren. At an early day. he 
built a large storeroom, and placed therein 
about .f 4,000 worth of goods, the largest and 
best stock in the township in early years. He 
also erected several other buildings, one of 
which was used as a farm and household im- 
plement factory ; snaths, as and hammer 
handles, cradles, etc., were manufactiu-ed, and 
several assistants were employed to conduct 
the business, while ]Mi\ Clark devoted much 
of his time to his store. He manufactured 
Windsor chairs, tables, stands, cupboards, etc. 
One of the buildings was used as a foundi-yi 
where various useful articles were manufact- 
ui'ed. Many Workmen were employed to carry 
on his extensive business. While engaged in 
these pursuits, he had a large medical prac- 
tice, which called him from the village a large 
share of the time. He also conducted an 
ashery in connection with his store, and made 
considerable potash, which was mostly con- 
veyed to Cleveland, where it was sold. All 
these pursuits gave Brunswick Center a stir- 
ring business as] )ect. He continued many years, 
making a small fortune, and finally retired from 
business. In about 1845, Horace Root built 
a large store on the east side, in which was 
placed a large, fine stock of goods. 3Ii-. Root 
did an excellent business for many years. 
Abner Martin also kept a small store for a 
number of years, aboiit the same time. About 
fifteen years ago, Horace Root died, whereupon 
James Root occupied the same building for a 
few years. Various others have kept goods 



~e> 



tr 



2ij: 



.k 



oy2 



IIISTOUY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



for sale in the village, among whom are 
Pomeroy & Hicks and Hicks & Root. There 
are several stores at present, ami most of them 
have a fair trade. The Sons of Temperance 
organized a lodge in the village in about lSo4, 
but after a few years the charter was returned 
to the Grand Lodge, and the members dis- 
banded. In 1S2U, the settlers came to the 
conclusion, that having to go to distant points 
for their mail was a thing no longer to be en- 
dured. A petition was circulated and signed 
by all. for the location of a ])ost office in the 
townshi]). The prayer of the jjetitioners was 
gi-anted : Dr. Seth Blood was apjiointed fii-st 
Postmaster, and the office was located at his 
residence. He served a short time, when John 
Freese became his successor. Dr. Seth Blood 
was the first i)racticing physician in the town- 
ship. He was a skillful [)ractitioner. and 
soon obtained an extensive trade. He was 
called into the northern counties of the State 
to prescribe for those afflicted with the 
" Cuyahoga fever," and for many years on- 
joyed an envied reputation. He was finally 
taken with the same fever he had ch'iven from 
so many, and after a short illness died. Among 
the early physicians were Ezra Summers, 
Elijah Summers and B. B. Clark. The little 
village has seen lively business times in past 
years. Moses Beimett opened a store in the 
Center in comparatively late years. He began 
business with about SI, (100 worth of goods, 
Init afterward increased tin; stock until it in- 
voiced at more than !* 1,000. He conducted 
an ashery at the same time, and is said to have 
made as high as twelve tons of potash jier 
annum. Others have engaged in mercantilo 
and manufacturing pursuits in past years in 
the Center. 

Schools were organized at an early day. 
The first school was taught on the west line of 
the townshi)), in IS 17, in a small logliuilding 
that had been intended f(jr a dwelliutr, but into 



which no family had yet moved. The first 
teacher was Sarah Tillotson. Mention of this 
school is made in the chapter on the history of 
Liverpool Township. The school was taught 
on the line, to accommodate families in both 
townshij)s. The fii-st sehoolhouso was built 
during the fall of IS 17, and located a quarter 
of a mile west of the Center. Col. John 
Freese was employed to teach the first school 
in this house, which he did to the satisfaction 
of the patrons. After that, school was held 
regularly there until 1S2 1, when a large 
hewed-log building, intended for a church, 
schoolhouse and to-«-n hall, combined, was 
erected at the Center. Abram Freese taught 
several terms in the first schoolhouse. Often, 
in accordance with the terms of the contract 
between the teacher and the School Directors, 
the children were called upon to build the 
lu-es, and not infi'equently the large boys were 
required to chop the wood while at school. 
BaiTing the teacher out. was a practice not to 
be avoided on holidays, and such occasions 
were relished with unboimded delight by the 
entire school; but they were not always agree- 
able to the unfortunate pedagogue. Miss Par- 
melia Freese also taught in the fii'st school- 
house, and toimd so much difficulty in 
manasina her large scholars that her father. 
Judge Abram Freese, often visited the school 
to impart his advice to the scholars and ren- 
der any needed assistance to the teacher. The 
large attendance at the early schools spoko 
well for the interest in education. The old 
combined church and schoolhouse was used 
for school j)m'posos twelve or fifteen years, 
when a larger and better frame building was 
erected to take its ])laee. The old house was 
used by Arcliiljald Miles for a storeroom. This 
building is yet standing and is used for a sta- 
ble. Its age and former dignified use are not 
res])ected by the present generation; it makes 
a good stable, however. The present school- 



^1 



-^ 



HrSTORY OF MEniXA COFXTY. 



593 



house -was built about 1855. The building 
has two stories, the upper one being used for 
a town hall. The lower is divided into two 
apartments, and two teachers ai'e employed 
during the winter months. In about 1830, 
two schoolhouses were erected, one a mile and 
a half north, and the other a mile and a half 
south, of the village. At that time, the town- 
ship comprised three or four school districts, 
but the precise date of their creation is un- 
known. Both houses were built of logs, with 
clapboard shingles and furnitiu-e, with broad 
fire-j)laco8, and with large stone chimneys on 
the outside of the building. After being used 
for some ten years, they were replaced by 
others, since which time two others have been 
built at each place. A short time after the 
erection of the northern house, another was 
built near the residence of Mr. Goodman. 
This house was constructed of logs, and was 
afterward replaced by several others, each 
being an improvement on the former, and 
more in harmony with the times. An inci- 
dent in the school at the Center is related by 
James Stetu-ns, and should be carefully read 
by all bad and mischievous boys. The teacher's 
name was Barnes, and James' conduct had 
been reprehensible, and he no doubt needed a 
" troimcing." Accordingly, the teacher, with 
a frown on his face, called up the waj^vard boy, 
and, having tied a strong handkerchief aroimd 
his neck, suspended him over the door. The 
boy began to gasp for breath, whereupon the 
laj-ger scholars (having become alarmed lest 
the boy should strangle outright) interfered, 
and he was taken down, a wiser boy. Grood 
order reigned in the school after that event, 
but the teacher was given to understand that 
a different mode of eoiTection must be pur- 
sued or he would be discharged. This inci- 
dent should be a warning to all bad and 
troublesome scholars. A school was taught in 
1832, by Newell Cole, in a dwelling near the 



residence of Moses Sherman. Shortly after- 
ward, a round-log schoolhouse was built, 
which, after being used some five years, was 
replaced by a better one. The present house 
was erected in 1877. The school district in 
the northeast corner comprises portions of 
Bnmswick and Hinckley Townships and Cuy- 
ahoga County. The fii'st schoolhouse was a 
log structm-e, erected in 1828, and located at 
the township corner-stone. Hiram Brooks 
was the first teacher, receiving $13 per month 
for his sei'vices, and boarding at home. Miss 
Sarah Bennett taught dm-ing the following 
simimer, and received her pay by subscription, 
each scholar paying 75 cents for the term of 
three months. In 1833, another log school 
building was erected back in Bnmswick, some 
distance from the line, and, after being used 
some six years, it was replaced by a small 
fi'ame structure. This was used about eight- 
een years, when the present one was erected 
at a cost of about $600. 

Many of the early settlers had been mem- 
bers of varioiis churches before coming ^to the 
township, and, still wishing to continue the 
worshiji of God, they immediately began hold- 
ing meetings at private cabins and afterward 
at schoolhouses. Rev. Jacob Ward, a Meth- 
odist minister of considerable influence and 
power, organized a society in 1817, and the 
meetings were held in the old log schoolhouse. 
About the same time, the Episcopalian society 
was organized in Liverpool, and. inasmuch as 
both congregations were small, they adopted 
the practice of assembling alternately in Bruns- 
wick and Liverpool to worship God together. 
When held in the latter township, the meet- 
ings were conducted by Justus Warner, and, 
when in the former, by Rev. Jacob Ward. 
The fii'st structiu'e that could be called a 
church was the old block building, erected and 
used for a variety of purposes. Here the 
church people met to worship. In about 1826, 






594 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



the Metliodists built a small church west of 
the Center. This building was used until 
1872, when the present large brick church 
was erected at a cost of about S8,000. The 
old church is now owned and used by a small 
society of Disciples. A Congi-egational soci- 
ety was instituted in the township in Febru- 
ary, 1819. by Revs. Simeon Woodruff and 
William Hanford. two missionaries then labor- 
ing in the Western Reserve to advance the 
interests of their church. The Congregation- 
alists also met in the old schoolhouse and 
private residences atfii-st, and grew in strength 
and grace. Their present chiirch at the Cen- 
ter is the finest religious stinicture in the 
county, and is said to have cost nearly 825.000. 
It is constructed of brick, and is a credit to 
the religious zeal of the citizens of Bruns- 
wick. A society of Free- Will Baptists was 
organized in the northeast corner as early as 
1828. The first clnu'ch was erected in Cuya- 
hoga County about 1830, and, after continuing 



in use for many yefirs, was replaced by the 
present building, located in Hinckley Towb- 

, ship. Hiram Brooks, a member of this church, 
often preached for the society, and on all 
occasions took an active interest in its welfare 
and prosperity. A little village sprang up at 
the corners in early years, and was named 
•' Bennett's Corners," in honor of a promi- 

( nent man who settled at the place and did 
much to improve the country. A short dis- 
tance south of the residence of Mr. Sherman 
is a small church that was erected a few years 
ago by the members of several denominations, 
and, according to the arrangement, chiu-eh 
exercises are held at stated times by each. 
The chiu'ch is known as a United Brethren 

\ Church, perhaps for the reason that more of 
that denomination than any other belong. 
Neai' the chm-ch lives an old man named 
Hiram B. Miller, who became widely known 

'. before the last war by his taking an active 
part in assisting runaway slaves to Canada. 






CHAPTER XIX.* 



WESTFIELD T()\VNSHir--SAV.VGI-: .\Nl) CIVILIZK 
IRIAF,^— OHIO F.VHMF.KS- lNsrR.A.\'rE 

THE township of Westtield, the history of 
which is narrated here, retains but slight 
resemblance to the populous community in the 
Old Bay State, the name of which it bears. 
Nevertheless, though differing widely from its 
namesake, it remains, and ever will remain, a 
worthy testimonial of the affection for the !Mas- 
sachusetts home of him who once owned the 
greater portion of its wide-reaching forests 
and its fertile fields. To-day, the township is 
the same in shape and size as when lieorge 
Collier, of honored memory, first surveyed it 
and marked out its rnetes and bounds. It is 

♦Contributed by R J, Young. 



I) LIFE OX CAMPBELLS CHEEK— TWO FAM'UTS 
COMPANY. ri'S ORIGIX A.\D (!l!OWTIf. 

one of a long tier of townships that lie just 
; within the limits, and form the southern bound- 
ary line of that historic tract — the Western 
Keserve of Ohio — ant! its people partake of all 
those sturdy, sterling qualities and characleris- 
, tics for which the inhabitants of the Reserve 
have been ever noted since it was set apart and 
settled by the whites. Westfield contains twen- 
{ ty-flve square miles of tempting territory. Its 
four equal sides being each five miles long, and 
so surveyed as to form tiie figure of a perfect 
square. To tlie north of it lies La Fayette ; 
Guilford skirts its eastern border ; Harrisville 
adjoins it on the west, while its southern 



*7ri 



7^ 



^^'/ 



\%-- 



J 




y 



V^'[^f 








/^/let^f^-^ 



^ S) 



^ 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



595 



boundaiy separates it from one of Medina's 
immediate neighbors among counties — Wayne. 
Tlie present inliabitants of Wcstfield are 
almost wholly devoted to the peaceful pursuits 
of agriculture, and few tracts of land in Ohio 
are better suited to this purpose than the one 
which these thrifty farmers till. The config- 
uration of the land, and the character of the 
soil, unite to form a prospect and possession, 
of which it may with truth bo said, that the 
one is as pleasing to the eye, as the other is 
pregnant with the choicest products of the 
ground. The northern half of the township is 
pretty level, the gcntl(> undulations pf the land 
being just sufficiently pronounced to relieve 
the expanse from the semblance of monotonv. 
In the southern half however, the irregulari- 
ties of the surface are more strongly marlcetl, 
some parts being slightly hilly ; but nowhere 
enough so to prevent suciessful cultivation. 
Portions of the land, i)articularly in the north- 
era section, contain a considerable quantity of 
clay soil ; elsewhere, the ground is gravelly and 
sandy. There is a fine gi'owth of timber still 
standing in the township, including oak. hick- 
ory, black walnut, beech and ash trees. The 
quality of oak grown here is excellent. The 
leading crops are wheat, oats and corn, with 
fair proportions of r3-e and barley. Those best 
acquainted with thi; land sa}- it excels as a 
wheat-j)ro(lucing tract. The territory of West- 
field is well watered, and everywhere through- 
out its confines the drainage is noticcablj' good. 
That placid and picturesque sheet of water, 
Chippewa Lake, lies partl\- within the town- 
ship, and the stream which forms its southern 
outlet, runs for a little distance tln-ough the 
northeast quarter of the land herein described. 
A prettily winding stream, called Campbell's 
Creek, begins its course in the northwestern 
corner of the townsiiip. Hows south and east 
for a few miles, then curves in a southwesterly 
direction, and finally finds an outlet in Killbuck 
River, just across the countj- line. 



When this century began, the banks of Camp- 
bell Creek were the chosen abode of a large 
band of Indians belonging to the Wolf tribe, 
who. having the shores of the stream and the 
immediate vicinity as the center of their opera- 
tions, roamed betimes over the surrounding 
country, threading the dense and otherwise 
trackless forest with their mysterious trails. A 
favorite trip witli them was a jaunt to Chip- 
pewa Lake, and it was usually one in which 
business and pleasure were combined ; '■ busi- 
ness " and " pleasure '' of a dillerent sort, it must 
be granted, but, nevertheless, as intimately 
joined as ever iiappens in the case of modern 
travelers who now jouruej' bj* rail froin tliis 
same locality to the remotest cities on the sea- 
board. And who dare say, that, in their hunt- 
ing and trapping expeditions, these nomadic 
natives felt less anxietj- and care than does the 
man of business now, who extends his trade to 
distant towns, or that, in their hours of sport 
and recreation, the wild and wanton fellows 
found less enjoyment than do our civilized 
seekers after pleasure at watering-places and 
other so-called popular resorts ? 

This meandering stream, around which so 
many historic recollections cluster, was the di- 
viding line between the possessions of Henry 
Thorndyke and James Fowler, who were the 
first individual owners of the land that now lies 
within the limits of the township. Henry 
Thorndyke, of Portage County, Ohio, owned 
to the west of the creek, about one-third of the 
present township area being included in his 
tract. James Fowler, of Wcstfield, Mass., 
owned the remaining two-thirds, lying east of 
the creek. Such was the condition of affair tip 
to the year 1817, when the first settlers came 
in and made their purchases. Let it be remem- 
bered, and re(^orded now, that James Fowler 
was the man whose prominence as lantled pro- 
prietor, coupled with his residence in the east- 
ern Wcstfield, gave name to the now township 
then forniina; in the forest. 



n^ 



.k 



596 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COl'XTY. 



To collate and give in detail the real facts 
connected with the first settlement and incipient 
growth of Westfield. is a task beset with 
doubts and difficulties. Xo trustworthy record 
of the earliest times has heretofore been 
printed. The historian of to day is, therefore, 
dependent for his information on the personal 
recollections of the older settlers or the tradi- 
tions transmitted to their children. The present 
population of the township is largely composed 
of those who have come in during compara- 
tively recent years, the number of families 
whose founders shared in the •■ first beginnings 
of things " here, being surprisingly small. Not 
one of the first baud of immigrants — the set- 
tlers of 1817 — is numbered among the people 
of the township now. Indeed, so long ago as 
1868, as it is stated in a sketch prepared b\- 
;\lr. L. D. Ellis, all of those pioueer pilgi'ims 
had passed over to the silent majority, save 
three. The three then surviving were Haumer 
Palmer, aged eighty-nine, living with his son. 
Sherwood H. Palmer, in the adjoining township 
of Harrisville ; Joseph S. Winston, aged eighty- 
eight, living with his children in Peru. La Salle 
Co., 111.; and Mrs. Mary N3e, aged eighty-one. ! 
living with a daughter in Wyoming. Jones Co.. 
Iowa. Modern civilization made its first en- 
croachments upon the domain of the aborigines 
in the neighborhood of Campbell's Creek, in 
the year ISlt). when James Chapman and War- 
ren Brainard entered to view the land, in order 
to inform themselves, and many waiting friends 
" down East " as well, aliout its adaptability to 
settlement and occupati(m by tln' whites. 
These two men encamped for a night on the 
spot where, one-half century afterward, stood 
the residence of I). L. Hart. In the early 
morning hours of the ensuing day. while Brain- 
ard busied himself in the unromantic lint nec- 
essary work of getting their modest l)rcakfust. 
Chapman made the forest I'ing with tiie rapid 
blows of his ax, as he felled the first tree ever cut 
down bv Caucasian hands on the territorv of 



the future township. The resounding blows of 
Chapman's ax were but the bold and perempt- 
ory knockings of a new civilization, impatient 
and eager for admission. A short season of 
inspection confirmed these two men in tiieir be- 
lief that the laud they viewed, particularly that 
Ijortion of it west of Campbell's Creek, was in- 
deed a goodly heritage, and. when thej- turned 
their faces to the East again, it was with the 
purpose of recommending the region to all whom 
they should find seeking a place for settlement. 
On their return, they passed through Portage 
County, where a happy chance threw them into 
the compaj}' of Eber Mallory and Hanmer 
Palmer, the pair of pioneers for whom fortune 
had reserved the honor of being the first actual 
settlers and permanent residents in the tei'ritory 
that soon afternard formed Westfield. 

The finger of a kindly destiny guided Palmer 
and Mallory to their future liomes. pointing out 
to them a new pathway and an abiding-place 
quite difli'erent from their predetermined desti- 
nation. They had entered Ohio with the desire 
and purpose of settling near the center of the 
State. On their way through Portage Count}', 
the}' were persuaded to pause in their journe}' 
for a day or two. It was this delay that 
brought them face to face with Warren Brain- 
ard and James Chapman, who.se account of the 
country around Campbell's Creek changed all 
their previous plans. After conferring togetlier, 
Messrs. Chapman. Brainard. Mallory, Palmer 
and Wells, with 31r. Henry Thorndyke. who 
owned the soil, but never yet had seen it. all went 
in company to the creek s west bank, and then 
and there selected their several lots of land. It 
is said that Brainard was the first to close a 
bai'gain. Having made choice of their particu- 
lar possessions, the members of this interesting 
party with one accord went home. In the fol- 
lowing spring, the first actual occupancy and 
settlement of the land was made. It was on 
the 2d day of April, 1817, that Hanmer Palmer 
and Eber Mallory, returning with their families, 



s 
^ 



^1 



9 ^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



597 



reached their respective plats of ground and be- 
came the pioneer inhabitants. At subsequent 
dates in this same year of 1817, the following 
persons came to dwell in the new land : Dr. 
Richard Morton, John J. Morton and wife, 
Benjamin P. Morton and wife, Timoth}' Nj'e 
and wife, Richard Marshall and wife, Joseph S. 
Winston and wife and Isaac Pbrd. Mr. Win- 
ston bought the land on which now stands the 
town of Friendsville, and from him the original 
settlement at that point was called Winston's 
Corners. The following persons joined the 
young colony in the year 1818 : Warren Brain- 
ard and wife, James Chapman and wife, George 
Collier and wife, A. Chapman and wife, N. 
Brainard and wife, James Ross and wife, J. M. 
Eastman and wife, Isaac Snell and wife, An- 
drew Lewis and wife, Elihu Hathaway and 
wife, Wiley Hamilton and wife, 3Ioses Noble 
and wife and Horace Noble. In the year 1819, 
these were the additions to the scant popula- 
tion : Selah Beach and wife, Alvah Beach and 
wife, Sauford Beach and wife, Rufus Vaughn 
and wife, Joseph Kidder and wife, Joseph Kid- 
der, Jr., and wife, Benjamin Kidder, Francis 
Kidder, James Kidder and wife, Alvin Cook 
and wife, Thomas Cook and wife. B. Flannigan, 
Benjamin Farnum, Shubal Gridley and wife, 
Thomas Ha3'es, Daniel Refner, Benjamin John- 
son and wife, Amasa Gear and wife, Jonathan 
Pitcher and wife, Peter Crush and wife, Isaiah 
Briggs and Benjamin Briggs. Mr. Joseph 
Kidder is credited with making the first pur- 
chase in the Fowler tract, on the east side of 
Campbell's Creek, his land lying about a half- 
mile south of the center of the present town- 
ship. The year 1820 brought new emigrants, 
as follows ; Calvin Phillips and wife, Jonathan 
Simmons and wife, Isaiah Simmons, Constant 
Cornell and wife. Deliverance Eastman and 
wife, John Ross and wife, Miles Norton and 
wife, John Hosford and wife, Abner Ra^- and 
wife, Timothy R. Latimer and Isaac Tyler. 
After the year 1820. the accessions to the 



population of Westfield grew in frequency and 
extent, bauds of several families often coming 
in together. It was not long ere the settlements 
extende<l into all parts of tlie township, and 
the work of clearing and tilling the land, build- 
ing habitations and opening liighways, went on 
throughout the entire territory. The gradual in- 
crease in numbers above noted was, of course, 
wholly from immigration. But within the same 
period of time there were other accessions of a 
different and even more interesting sort. In the 
year 1817, very soon after their arrival in their 
forest home, there was born to John J. 3Iorton 
and Jane Morton a daughter, whom thej- named 
Fannj'. When this first white native of the 
township grew up to womanhood, she married 
Mr. Hiram Kellogg, whom she survived, and 
after whose death she removed to the home of 
her children in Michigan. The first white male 
child was born in the month of April, 1818. 
He was the son of Eber Mallory and Jemima 
Mallorj', and was named b}' his parents Henrj' 
Thorndj'ke, in honor of the landed proprietor. 
Mr. Thorndj'ke repaid the compliment Ijy giv- 
ing to his young namesake a present of a piece 
of land on the west bank of Campbell's Creek, 
in what afterward became Lot No. 15. Henry 
Thorndyke Mallor^' grew to man's estate and 
married a fair maiden of the township. He 
afterward removed to Illinois, where he died 
about the year 1867. Mr. Oliver Moi'tou, 
brother of Fannj' Jtorton, al)ove mentioned, 
who is now one of the most prominent and in- 
fluential citizens of Westfield, barely escaped 
the distinction of lieing among the first births 
in the township. As a matter of fact, he was 
ushered into this world at Pittsburgh, Penn., 
where his parents had gone for a brief visit, in 
the year 1819; but his .subsequent life spent 
in Westfield entitles him to all the honor that 
attaches to a native of the place. The earliest 
notable society event, as reporters nowadays 
would say, was the wedding of Mr. B. Flanni- 
gan and Miss Pollv Cook, which occurred in 



nv 



J^^=z 



598 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



the year 1819, and in the "leafy month of 
June." '■To those then Hvin^ here." say.s a 
Westfield man, ''this marriage was an event of 
no small magnitude. Instead of l)eing made 
the occasion of a 'belling,' as has been the 
practice in some communities, it was a season 
of feasting and congratulations. Nor was costly 
apparel an indispensable accessory on such oc- 
casions. A good calico dress for the bride, and 
a suit of fulled cloth for the groom were consid- 
ered eminenth- suitable ingredients of tip-top 
outfits for the wedding costumes." 

The township of Westfield was organized in 
the year 1820. The first list of officers elected 
included Rufus Vaughn. Justice of the Peace ; 
Hanmer Palmer. Wiley Hamilton and Ansel 
Brainard, Jr., Trustees ; George Collier, Clerk ; 
Jam(!S Ross, Constable. The territory, whose 
affairs these officers administered, and whose 
peace and prosperity were their chief objects of 
concern, was thus divided and laid out in lots 
by the original survey. On each side of a due 
east-and-west road, passing through the center 
of the township, lots were laid out one mile in 
length by one-half mile in width. Furthermore, 
upon the opposite sides of two other east-and- 
west roads equidistant from one parallel witii 
the center road, tiers of lots were laid out. each 
lot being three-quarters of a mile long by half- 
a mile wide. By this division, sixty lots were 
formed, having a uniform frontage on the high- 
waj's — six rows of lots in all, ten lots in each 
row. The total area of the lots, it will be seen, 
just equals the twenty-five s(iuare miles witliiii 
the township limits. The first and second 
elections for local officers were held at Hanmer 
I'almer's house. Then, for a period of six years, 
othei' private houses oi' liuildings used for 
school purposes did duty as polling-places, un- 
til, in 182S, ;i town house was built at tiie town- 
ship center, and dedicated to all proper pulilic 
uses. In tiie years that intervened between the 
first settlement and the date last given, when 
the business and political interests commenced 



to crystallize around the geographical center, 
the good jieople of Westfield passed through 
many trials and privations, I)uring all this 
time, the majority of the settlers who came in 
were poor. .Some men simply owned an ax, 
while others rejoiced in the possession of only 
two or three farm or household utensils. The 
land sold for about S3 per acre, and, in many 
eases, the purchasers were unable to pay for 
the property for years after they assumed pos- 
session. Those who first arrived found county 
roads that ran from Wooster to Medina, and 
from Lodi to Seville. Aside from these, there 
were few facilities for intercourse with the outer 
world, or even between the settlers themselves, 
who were scattered here and there in the depths 
of the forest. On account of their isolation, the 
difierent families, in the matter of providing the 
necessities of life, put to a practical test the 
doctrine of the sufficiency of man unto himself. 
In every household, domestic econom}' was 
practiced in its severest form. Money was a 
curiosity ; there was not enough in the township 
to warrant its use as a medium of exchange, 
Kdibles and commodities were to be had in the 
towns, in trade for grain, which the farmer had 
raised in such parts of his woods as he had 
cleared, having girdled the large trees and cut 
out the small ones and the underbrush. The 
labors of the men were not a whit more severe 
or multifarious than were the diflerent forms of 
work undertaken by the women. In those days- 
every wife deserved, and wore with pride, the 
title of '• help-meet " to her husband. Added 
.to the ordinary labors incident to housekeeping, 
which she pc^-formod as a matter of course, she 
made the clothing for the members of her family, 
males as well as females. The manufacture of 
woolen and linen fabrics, and making them up 
into dresses, shirts, coats and pantaloons, were 
duties which received strict attention each suc- 
ceeding year, and as regularly and surely as old 
clotlu's wore out. Boots and shoes were luxu- 
ries. Kven the voung men and maidens of 



1^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



599 



seventeen and eighteen went barefooted to 
church and school, setting an example which 
all the children perforce followed. It is safe to 
say that the young gentlemen and ladies of to- 
day, who have readied the interesting age of 
seventeen, would rather remain away from 
church and school than attend without shoes 
and stockings on their feet, even in mid-sum- 
mer ! Well, this is not the only indication that 
education and religion were more highly prized 
by the youth of 1818-28, than they now are 
by the youth of 1880. Nor was flue raiment 
then considered as essential to a presentable 
appearance at social gatherings as it is to-day- 
When the daughter of a pioneer purposed to 
attend a merr3-making or a dance, she took to 
the store a quantity of linen made by her own 
fair hands, and exchanged it for calico, from 
which she cut her dress for the occasion. In 
such a costume, she was readj' to contest her 
title to the belle-ship of the ball. 

During these days, the young coramunitj- did 
not lack the benign influence of schools and 
churches. So early as 1818, a few of the set- 
tlers, belonging to the Free-Will Baptist sect, 
organized a society and held meetings for 
prayer and praise ; but, as they could not se- 
cure and support regular preaching, the gather- 
ings were abandoned after a short time. The 
first Methodist Church was formed in 1819, its 
leading spirit being Ansel Brainard, Jr. Soon 
thereafter, the Baptists and Presbyterians began 
to hold services. The first school was opened 
in the summer of 1818, the teacher being Miss 
Jerusha Hosmer. Its daily sessions were held 
in the house of John J. .Morton, who lived 
about fifty rods east of the present site of 
Friendsville, the place known in olden times by 
the name of Winston s and Morse's Corners. 
The boj"s and girls who attended this fli'st 
school as pupils were Alfred, Tiieron and Me- 
lissa Hamilton ; Lewis and Alonzo Nye ; Cla- 
rissa and Charles Mallory ; Charlotte, Jane and 
Sherwood Palmer ; Eliza, Lucy and Lorenzo 



Brainard, and Betsey Stark. The same schol- 
ars, with possibly a few additions, were taught 
in the winter of 1818-19, by Ansel Brainard, 
Jr., the building used as schoolhouse standing 
about eighty rods north of Morse's Corners. 
At the same place, the roster of students being 
but slightly changed. Miss Betsey Ross con- 
ducted the third school in the summer of 1819. 
Subsequent to the organization of the township, 
both winter and summer schools were held reg- 
ularly, in divers log cabins and in rooms of 
dwelling-houses, the seat of instruction shifting 
about after the manner of the voting-place, un- 
til the town hall was built, in 1828. 

Up from the decade that succeeded the set- 
tlement of Westfield, and even from the score 
of years that followed after, there rises a cloud 
of reminiscences and personal adventures, the 
narration of which, in detail, would doubtless 
amuse and interest the reader ; but the lapse of 
time has made it difficult to distinguish facts 
from fancies in many cases, so that he who 
writes a sober histor}- is restricted to such in- 
cidents as are well authenticated. For one 
thing, it is on record, that, in the year 1819. In- 
dependence Day was observed bj- the inhabit- 
ants with patriotic fervor. The celebration 
was not marked by any' elaborate parade or 
dazzling exhibition of fantastic fireworks, as 
has become the fashion for Fourth of July festiv- 
ities of recent years. But the people, proud 
of their country and rejoicing in their liberties, 
assembled at the house of James Chapman, 
and felicitated one another over various State 
and national affairs. Finally, to vent their 
jovial feelings, they indulged in dancing. The 
music was furnished by Richard Marshal, an 
expert with the fiddle and the bow, but whose 
execution on this occasion was somewhat faulty 
bj' reason of too liberal potations. Mr. George 
Collier, who possessed a critic's ear, ventured 
to suggest certain modifications of the mel- 
odies, aud, in this connection, said : ■• Richard, 
why don't you come down heavier on the 






600 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



I bass ? " Whereupon, Mr. Marshall convulsed 
the compan\' b\- responding, " I can't do it, 
Collier ; and danged if you can, either, unless 
you do it with an ax I " 

That noted citizen, 3Ir. Hanmer Palmer, 
passed through one experience in the first year 
of his residence, which he never cared to have 
repeated. It was in the afternoon of an Octo- 
ber day, in the year 1817, that he set out for a 
friendl3' call at the cabin of Isaac Ford, in the 
southern part of the township. The ■• l)l;izes " 
on the trees, along lot lines, served to direct 
him on his lonel}' journey as long as there was 
light by which to read them. But darkness 
overtook hini before he reached his destination, 
and he lost his wa^-. Believing himself to be 
near Ford's habitation, he called out lustily for 
help. Ford heard him, but, mistaking his 
pleadings for a panthers cries, shut himself up 
in his cabin and tools measures for defense ! 
Unhappy Palmer passed a dreary night in the 
forest, surrounded by a circle of blazing fires, 
which he made haste to build, and kept awake 
by dread of Indians and wolves. At earliest 
dawn, he hastened to more hospitable quarters. 
The mother of Mr. J. A. Latimer, while at home 
one night, with her infant son as her sole com- 
panion, received a terrifying shock from In- 
dians, who came peering in at windows and 
making hideous noises and scowling darkly. 
Having got into the house, the copper-colored 
squaws, as they all proved to be. ate an alarm- 
ingly- heavy meal, after which they withdrew, 
with demonstrations similar to tiiose tiiat 
marked their coining. 

Among the adventures of these perilous 
times, tlici'e is one more that merits mention. 
A bear hunt is referred to. which was partici- 
pated in liy .\raasa Gear. .Jose[)h Kidder. Ben- 
jamin Kidder. Miles Norton. K. M. Norton, and 
other men. besides a whole brigade of dogs. 
The bear, when found, showed fight, and re- 
turned the attack of the canines with such 
vigor and ferocity as to somewhat astonisii the 



assaulting party. At a critical moment, Mr, 
Gear essaj-ed to shoot bruin, but was deterred 
by lieuben Gridle>', who feared the shot, in- 
stead of killing the bear, might take effect in 
the body of one of the precious dogs. In those 
days, a good dog was a treasure, and settlers 
were partieulai-lj' careful not to kill an}- of the 
tribe. Suddenly, the bear beat a retreat toward 
the creek, all the dogs following close upon 
its heels, and made good its escape. Not a 
shot had been fired, and the only issue of the 
hunt was a small detachment of maimed and 
wounded curs. 

Pleased at the rapidity with which his lands 
were filling up, Mr. James Fowler determined, 
in 182fi, to found a village at the township 
center. He therefore selected that most eligi- 
ble and commanding site on whicii Le Roy is 
built, the location 1 icing almost witliin a stone's 
throw of the exact geographical center of 
Westfield, At this point, he first set apart four 
acres for a pulilic square, and then laid otf 
fourteen acres on each side of the square, de- 
signing to cut them up into lots with sixty 
feet frontage. Two years later came tlu' 
building of the town house, on the north side 
of the pulilic square. To the erection of this 
famous old frame structure, Mr, Fowler made a 
cash contribution of $10(t, his desire coincid- 
ing fully with the wish of the citizens, namely, 
that the edifice should be devoted to all praise- 
worthj- uses in which the public felt an inter- 
est. It was to be used for elections, week-day 
schools, Sunday scliools, church services, polit- 
ical meetings and all public (jatherings not 
otherwise provided Ibr. Aside from the Fow- 
ler gift, the subscriptions to the building 
'fund ' were nearly all in the form of personal 
labor, pork and produce. This structure stood 
where it was built, and was used for the vari- 
ous purposes enumerated, until 184(i, when it 
was replaced by the neat and more commodi- 
ous wooden edifice which tliereafter and up to 
the present time lias been used as a town-hall 



r 



4i 



^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINxV COUNTY. 



601 



simply. At the time tliis new town hall was 
built, Westfield had already reached a high 
stage of its development. Indeed, almost from 
the date of the formation of the township, a 
promising industrial growth began. In 1826 or 
1827, at or soon after the laying-out of the 
public square, two saw-mills were put in oper- 
ation on Campbell's Creek, one by the Kidders, 
three-quarters of a mile southwest of the Cen- 
ter, aud another by William Wolcott, one-half 
mile west of the Center. Ten years later, two 
tanneries were started ; the first by Thomas 
Hunt, a short distance south of the Center, and 
a second by Joseph Reynolds, in the south- 
western corner of the township. The (xo^ern- 
ment was not long neglectful of the conven- 
ience of the inhabitants, for, in 1827, a post 
office was established at Winston's Corners, 
the first postmaster being Joseph Winston. 
This office was removed to the Center in 1836, 
and ever after that the community around the 
public square was known b}' the name Le Roy, 
by which name the post office had been pre- 
viously christened. At the Center, I). B. Aus- 
tin was the first Postmaster. In 1868, the 
western settlement had its former loss made 
good to it, and became independent of Le Roy 
in the matter of a daily mail b^- the establish- 
ment of Friendsville Post Office, and thus the 
town secured its modern name. The mail 
route through the township originall\- ran from 
Seville to Lodi, but now it has Seville and 
Friendsville as its termini. Shortly after en- 
tering the •' postal service," Joseph Winston 
prepared himself to entertain transient guests, 
and opened the primitive tavern at his "cor- 
ners." He also started there the first store in 
the township. Mr. Wilen being his partner in 
the latter venture. Thanks to Winston's enter- 
prise, there were stirring times at the Corners 
in the thirties. The most venerable structure 
in Le Roy is the old store on the east side of 
the square, which was built anil first owned by 
Asa Farnum. Messrs. King & Greene came 



down from Medina in the j-ear 1832 and 
started a store on Farnum's corner. The post 
office and hotel building, on the west side of 
the square, was built bj' James Whiteside just 
in season for its official occupancy by the postal 
service in 1836. Two years after its erec- 
tion, the house was occupied and kept by Dr. 
Caleb Stock as a public tavern. NaturaUj' 
enough, the removal of the only post office in 
the township to this Wiiiteside corner on the 
square had invested the place with a peculiar 
interest and importance in the eyes of all the 
citizens, inasmuch as all went there for their 
mail. But the interest aroused b}' the estab- 
lishment of the office was insignificant when 
compared with the turmoil and excitement 
which raged around that same building after 
Stock became landlord of the tavern. On a 
memorable night in the winter of 1838-39, the 
Doctor gave a part}-, to which he invited 
nearl}' the entire neighborhood, and many 
others from all quarters of the township. Cer- 
tain young men, living in the vicinity of Le 
Roj', were slighted by the keeper of the cara- 
vansar}' for some reason known only to him- 
self, the}- receiving no summons to the festive 
scene. As an offset to the pleasures in which 
they were denied participation, these youths 
joined together and sought solace in a coon- 
hunting expedition, which they planned for the 
same night on which Stock had his party. 
Returning from the hunt at a late hour and 
finding the fun still going on at Stock's, the 
young Nimrods, standing in the street before 
the hotel door, fired a salute of five musket 
shots in the air aud then scattered. This was 
on a Wednesday. The following ^louda}-, an 
officer of the law, affectionately referred to by 
Westfield folks as a " basswood " Constable 
from 3Iedina, appeared at Le Roy at Dr. Stock's 
instance and arrested eight participants in the 
shooting performance of the previous week. 
The double quartette, who, having made music 
on their muskets, were thus called to account 






J^i 



602 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



as inciters of a riot, were Oliver Morton, David 
Kiug, Henry Collier, Reuben .Kinney-, Calvin 
Kidder, N. W. Ellis, T. B. Ellis and Orriu 
Buckingham. The Constable and his eight 
prisoners started back to Medina in a wagon ; 
but, when the officer reached the count\- seat, 
he had only Moi'tou, Buckingham and Kinney 
in his keeping. The other five had taken 
French leave at or near La Fayette Center. 
running ofl' in the direction of Chippewa Lake, 
However, in a daj- or so. all were recaptured 
and the entire part}' of eight were lodged in 
jail. A preliminary hearing before Squire 01- 
cott resulted in his binding all of them over to 
the Court of Common Pleas, the bond in each 
individual case being fixed at the snug sum of 
$1,500 ! Mr. Joshua Bailey and two other 
wealth}- citizens furnished bail for the appear- 
ance of them all. These transactions altogeth- 
er occupied about a week, and in that week the 
quiet population of Westfield had lashed itself 
into a state of indignation and excitement sel- 
dom seen in a community of law-abiding peo- 
ple. The prevailing sentiment was intense and 
liitter against Dr. Stock and all others engaged 
in the prosecution of the young men. When, 
after the usual delays, a jury trial was at last 
had in the spring of 1S40, Westfield men and 
women crowded to Medina to attend the sit- 
tings of the court. The indicted parties 
seemed least intcu'ested in the case, for they 
played l)all with the boys of Medina even 
while the trial was going on. But their de- 
fense was ably managed b}' Mr. Benedict, of 
Elyria, and so plainly did he make it to appear 
that the alleged -riot" was merel}- a piece of 
innocent and harmless sport that a general 
verdict of acquittal was returned. Tiiis favor- 
able issue, instead of allaying the general 
excitement, caused it to break out afresh. .Vn 
indignation meeting was held, attended by a 
large part of Westfudd's population, and a set 
of resolutions adopted which plainly informed 
the world, that, in the opinion of the people, 



the township would be greatly benefited by Dr. 
Caleb Stock's immediate removal. Stock 
promptly brought an action for defamation and 
slander against the persons who had thus 
plainly expressed their opinions about him. 
Judge Samuel McClure, now the leading mem- 
ber of the Summit County bar, represented 
Stock, and Hon. David Tod. afterward Govern- 
or of Ohio, appeared for the people, who were 
made defendants. The trial, in the fall of 
1840. resulted in a verdict of 85 for plaintiff, 
whicli compelled the wrathy citizens of West- 
field to adjust the costs ! 

The angry passions engendered by this epi- 
sode were swallowed up or swept away b}- the 
Washiugtouian movement in 1843-44, wiiich 
enlisted in the cause of temperance the active 
services and hearty sympathy of all Westfield 
people — sympathies and services which again 
displayed themselves many years afterward in 
the vigorous conduct of a Sons of Temperance 
Lodge, Since war times, no organized band of 
temperance workers have made themsehes 
prominent in the township, but the present feel- 
ings of the people in this matter, are evidenced 
by the fact that no liquor is now sold anywhere 
in Westfield. 

An anti-slavery sentiuient first appeared in 
the summer of 1831, when Mr. Halsey Hulburl, 
coming from Enfield, Conn., settled on the farm 
where lie now resides, in the extreme eastern 
part of the township, and al)out one mile from 
Sex'illc. At the election of 1840. tiu'ee anti- 
slavery votes wore cast in Westfield, the eli'ct- 
ors l>eing Halsey Hulburt, William Hulburl and 
Dominie William.s. who had come from Ul>erlin 
to teach tlie Center School, The lionie of Hal- 
sey Hulburt has sheltered a few fugitive skives, 
and from its friendly doors they liave marched 
on to an trnduring freedom. It never was a 
■regular station " on the underground rail- 
wa}-. being a little aside from the eustomar}- 
route followed by seekers of liberty : and yet 
it had its visitors. In 1843. two fieeing negroes 



*^ 



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^^^^ '^ 



\ 



J^l 



thL^ 



HISTORY OF MEBINA COUNTY. 



608 



came to Hulburt's house from Harrisville, and, 
after a short stop, hastened northward. One of 
them was remarkably intelligent. Both went 
armed to the teeth, fully prepared to fight for 
their liberty against large odds. A colored 
brother in distress slipped into the house one 
night in 1850, in the dead of winter, whose feet 
were frozen and fuUof gravel, a pair of fine boots 
stolen from his former master, being too badly 
cut and worn to be of anj' service or protection. 
This man was bound for Detroit, and he got there 
in good time. In 1859, an entire famih* of fugi- 
tives (father, mother and five children) spent 
one night at Hulburt's. So fearful of danger 
were they, and so timid, even in the house of a 
true friend and a fearless defender, that they 
all insisted on sleeping in the same room. No 
amount of persuasion or assurance of security 
could induce the father to have an3- member of 
his family even beyond the reach of his protect- 
ing arm. 

From the records of the older churches many 
interesting items of township history can be 
gleaned. A Baptist Church was regularly 
chartered in 1835, the original incorporators 
being Joshua Bailey, Rufus Freeman, Levi 
Chapman, William Hulburt, John Mead and a 
few others. William Hulburt was chosen first 
Clerk, and was continued in the office through 
almost the entire life of the organization, Mr. 
L, D. Ellis serving the final term. Rev. Rufus 
Freeman was the first Pastor, and preached oc- 
casionally until the church's death. Other i 
Pastors filled the pulpit as follows : Rev. D. 
A. Randall, 1840-42 — since quite noted as an 
author; Rev. J. Manning, 1842—45; Rev. 
Thomas E. Inman, 1846-49 ; Rev. J. G. Ed- 
wards, 1850-51 ; Rev. J. H. Collins, 1852, 
After 1852, there was no preaching, except now 
and then by Rev, Freeman, and, in 1858, the 
church died, its dismemberment caused by 
differences on political subjects. 

The first Congregational Church and Societ}- 
was incorporated by an act passed February 21, 



1834, and articles were issued to Enoch Stiles, 
George Collier, Ebenezer Fowler and Noble 
Stiles. The society was organized April 7, 
1834. First officers: Ebenezer Fowler, Mod- 
erator ; Sylvanus Jones, William Henry and 
Calvin Chapin, Trustees ; William Russell, Sec- 
retary ; Enoch Stiles, Treasurer ; Benjamin Kid- 
der, Collector; Rev. John McCrea, Pastor, up 
to June, 18.34. On June 1, 1834, Rev. Joel 
Goodell "commenced preaching half of the 
time for one year," A meeting was held in the 
town hall at Le Roy, November 19, 1835, at 
which Noble Stiles oft'ered a donation of land, 
lying north of the west half of the public 
square, and it was voted to build a church. 
Three weeks later Noble Stiles, George Collier 
and Thomas J, Dewey were appointed a build- 
ing committee and went to work. April 4, 
1830, this committee was instructed to build a 
basement story, inclose the body of the house, 
and proceed with the tower as far as the funds 
on hand would warrant. All these things were 
done promptly. August 14, 1837, Rev. Asaph 
Boutelle was offered and accepted 1150 for his 
services as Pastor for the ensuing year. Rev. 
William B. Ransom preached in 1839, his term 
ending January 2, 1840. Rev. 0. Littlefield 
preached one year, beginning November 7, 1841. 
In 1843, on the 1st of June, Rev. J. P, Stuart, 
a talented and eloquent, but eccentric man, com- 
menced to preach, under an engagement for 
one j'ear ; but, at the end of ten months, he 
was dismissed at his own request. The spring 
of 1844 found Stuart at the head of a large 
compan3' of Westtield enthusiasts, some of them 
members of his former flock, who went to the 
banks of the Ohio River, in Belmont County, 
and started a community on the Fourier sys- 
tem. This colony lived less than one year. 

More than ten years passed in which the 
Congregational Church maintained but a feeble 
existence. Finally, on the 29th of May, 1859, 
formal steps were taken to enter the Blethodist 
Episcopal Conference, and the transformation 



19 



604 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



into a Methodist Church was gi'adually accom- 
plished. The Methodist believers who, as pre- 
viously noted, banded themselves together in 
1819, maintained an organization for several 
\ . ars in the western part of the township, but 
ill aths and removals broke up their band. In 
1-50, a new nucleus started at Le Roy, and so 
rapid was its development, that in 1859 it was 
ready to absorb the Congregational Church in 
its entirety. The first minister of the new 
church, after the consolidation, was Rev. L. F. 
Ward. The present Pastor is Rev. G. W. 
Huddleston, and the church is populous and 
flourishing. The house of worship is a sub- 
stantial frame edifice, standing on the ver3' site 
donated bj- Noble Stiles in 1835. 

The Universalist Church was organized in the 
month of -^lay, 1839, the preliminary meetings 
being held in the old schoolhouse and the Bap- 
tist Church, which stood upon a little eminence 
just west of the center. Alfred Peck was Mod- 
erator of these meetings, and Asa Farnum 
sen^'ed as Clerk. Asa Farnum, Alfred Peck, 
Selah Beach, Simpson Simmons and Joseph 
Reynolds, Jr., drafted the constitution of the 
society. The roll of original members contains 
the names of fort3-four men and fortj'-six women. 
Rev. Alfred Peck was the first Pastor. In the 
minutes of the church, under date of January 
22, 1847, there is a record of the purchase of a 
site for a meeting-house from John Ch'ne, " be- 
ing eighty-four feet front on the public square, 
and extending north far enough to include one- 
half acre, exclusive of the road." Price paid 
for gi'ouud, $t;0, which was paid by subscrip- 
tion. One \ear later, the building operations 
began, and the dedication occurred June 16, 
1849. Another quotation from the minutes of 
historic interest is this : " Brother Eber Mallory 
was killed by a log rolling on him on the 7th day 
of August, 1849." With the exception of a 
slight schism in 1853, involving a ver\- few mem- 
bers, this church has led a life of prosperity and 
peace, and to-da}' is in vigorous condition. 



Mrs. Abbie Danforth now conducts regular 
services in the comfortable frame building 
erected on the half-acre bought thirty-three 
3'ears ago from Cl^'ne. 

There are three other church organizations 
in Westfield — the Dunkard and the German 
Reformed, at Friendsville, and the United Breth- 
ren, in the southwestern section of the township. 
These were all organized about 1873. and all 
have prospered and grown strong in the seven 
intervening j-ears. Rev. Mr. Sponsler was first 
Pastor for the German Reformed congregation, 
and Rev. 3Ir. Bolinger inaugurated services for 
the Dunkards. The former body of belie\'ers 
worship in a neat and comfortable house built 
for their own use. This edifice stands on the 
site of the old Methodist meeting-house, which, 
in recent years, was occupied by the United 
Brethren. About the time the German Re- 
formed Church erected its new structure, the 
United Brethi-en also put up a good building, 
which they now occup3% on the road some dis- 
tance south of Fi'iendsville. The United Breth- 
ren may be regarded in part as an outgrowth 
of the ancient Methodist organization in the 
western part of Westfield. The Dunkards now 
worship in the Friendsville Schoolhouse, for the 
erection of which they subscribed $100. 

This schoolhouse, it is claimed, accommo- 
dates one of the very best countr^y district 
schools in the whole eouutj- of Medina. In- 
deed, Westfield has cause for pride in all of the 
ungi'aded schools in her six subdistricts. In 
each, about seven months instruction is given 
annually, male teachers being generally em- 
ploj-ed in the winter, and females in the summer, 
season. The Le Roy special district was cre- 
ated in the year 1872. In the following year, 
a beautiful building was erected on the south 
side of the square, which is admirablj- adapted 
to the uses of a graded school. There are 
three departments in the school — high, inter- 
mediate and primary — and each has its own 
room and teacher. A male I'rincipal is the 



"^1 



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it^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



605 



special instructor of the high school, and two 
lady assistants attend to the other departments. 
The school year is of nine months' duration. 
The buildina; contains a commodious hall, in 
which to hold public exercises, and the different 
departments of the school are amply equipped 
with good apparatus to aid and illustrate in- 
struction. The edifice cost $8,000. Its erec- 
tion and the organization of the special district 
are largel}' due to the earnest efforts of Jlr. A. 
G. Hawle}-. The present Board of Education 
of the township is composed of Reuben High, 
President ; and Philip Long, John Ilugunin, S. 
A. Earl, J. R. Stuckey and William Hulburt. 
Mr. L. D. Ellis acts as Clerk, being the duly 
elected Township Clerk. The present Trustees 
of the township are George F. Daniels, J. P. 
Reynolds and J. F. Flickinger. Two Justices 
of the Peace attend to the minor matters of lit- 
igation that arise. Westfield has three burial- 
places for its dead. One at Friendsville, an old 
and small inclosure just east of the center, 
and the main cemetery, near Le Roj-, on the old 
Baptist Church premises. All these are con- 
trolled by the Township Trustee. The dispo- 
sition among the citizens to have all public 
improvements well constructed, is attested by 
the fine iron bridge which spans Campbell's 
Creek, about three-fourlhs of a mile west of 
Le Roj', and the solid stone structure on the 
road south of antl near the Center, beneath 
which runs a smaller stream. There is no rail- 
road station in Westfield Township, yet three 
lines infringe upon its territory. The New 
York, Pennsylvania & Ohio grazes its south- 
ern boundary, the Tuscarawas A'^alley cuts off 
its northeastern corner, and the Wheeling & 
Lake Erie, now building, touches its soil in the 
southwestern quarter. 

To complete this sketch of Westfield, there 
remains to be described a powerful and pi'o- 
gressive institution, which, though mentioned 
last, is pre-eminent in importance, and incom- 
parably vaster in its scope than all concerns 



besides combined. He who travels extensivelj 
in the States of Indiana and Ohio, journeying, 
perchance, on horseback along the innumerable 
highways, will see in every section, aye, on 
everj- road, attached to barns and houses in 
conspicuous places, little tin tags with black 
background and lettering thereon in gilt. If 
he attempts to read these oft-appearing plates, 
he will meet but a repetition, in an unending 
series, of the words '' Ohio Farmers' Insurance 
Company," the name of the institution whose 
base of operations is in Westfield, but whose 
arms stretch out in all directions through the 
length and breadth of two great States. The 
Ohio Farmers' Insurance Company was char- 
tered on the 8th day of February, 1848. Its 
home office was at Le Roy, and, for the first 
ten years of its existence, the headquarters 
were in the extension of the frame store build- 
ing on the east side of the public square. The 
fii'st Board of Directors was thus composed : 
Jonathan Simmons, President, and George Col- 
lier, Asa Farnum, Isaiah Phillips, Isaac Rogers, 
Isaac Jones, Calvin Chapin. The first Secre- 
tary of the companj' was D. B. Austin. This 
company was the pioneer in this State, in this, 
that it set out to do an insurance business 
on farm property exclusivel}-. The founders 
thought this plan would involve less risk and 
cheaper rates than an}- other. The original or- 
ganization was on the plan of mutual insurance, 
and the taking of premium notes continued as 
a feature of the business until 1870. The plan 
of cash insurance was commenced in 1858, and 
from that time until 1870, business was con- 
ducted on both plans, cash and mutual. In 
1870, the taking of premium notes was abol- 
ished, and, since then, the company has done 
an exclusively' cash Ijusiness. The men who 
have acted as the Compan^-'s Presidents, and 
their terms of office are Jonathan Simmons. 
1848 to 1852; Calvin Chapin, 1852 to 1858; 
Rufus Freeman, 1858 to 1870 ; James C. John- 
son, 1870 to present time. In the office of 



^ 



;t>- 



^ 



J!.^ 



' £. 



606 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Secretary and Treasurer, D. B. Austin was suc- 
ceeded bj- L. D. Ellis, who served from 1853 to 
1858; A. G. Hawley followed, 1858 to 186(3. 
and, from 1866 to this time, the post has been 
held by A. H. Hawley. The number of Direct- 
ors was increased from seven to nine in 1878, 
and three are now elected annually for three- 
year terms. The members of the present 
board are James C. Johnson, Oliver Morton, 
Nelson Harris. S. H. Pomeroy, F. M. Ashley, J. 
H. Freeman, Samuel Smith. John B. Chase and 
T. G. Lewis. Regular meetings of the lioard 
are held the second Wednesday of each month, 
and the annual meeting day is the last Wednes- 
day in September. Two adjusters are in the 
constant emploj- of the company. In nearly 
thirty -three years of actual business, the Ohio 
Farmers' has insured farm pro()erty to a total 
valuation of S500, 000.000. Losses amounting 
to more than $2,000,000 have been paid in the 
same period. It is claimed that this far ex- 
ceeds the showing of any other company doing 
an exclusively farm business. The operations 
of the Ohio Farmers' were confined strictly to 
the State of Ohio until 1877, when they were 
pushed out into Indiana also. In its first ten 
years, the company issued 16,000 policies : the 
next eight years, about 50,000 ; the next four- 
teen years, about 255,000. In the year ending 
September 15, 1880, 26,000 policies were issued, 
covering property worth 835.000,000. Every 
year the company's income has exceeded its 
expenditures, giving it a growing surplus. 



With the increase in business, the facilities and 
conveniences for its transaction have been mul- 
tiplied. In 1858, the office was removed from 
the frame building at the corner, to a neat 
brick edifice near bv. The latter became a 
part of the present office, which was built in 
1866. The chance visitor in Westfield, after 
strolling through the quiet roads that thread 
the township, having noted the prevailing re- 
pose and peace that rests upon the farms, hav- 
ing viewed those attractive and well-peopled 
villages, Friendsville and Le Roy. will be sur- 
prised, beyond measure, when he happens to 
enter the office of this great insurance com- 
pany. The large and well-constructed build- 
ing, the spacious and finely furnished rooms 
occupied by the busy Secretary and his force 
of clerks, the clicking of type-writers and the 
ring of the telephone — all these cause him to 
imagine, for a moment, that he has been sud- 
denly transported from the rural village to some 
great commercial city. 

To the student of history. Westfield, when 
viewed in its various stages of development, 
presents an interesting illustration of the whole- 
some growth which has repeatedly attended in- 
stitutions that have been planted l)y pioneers 
from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New 
York, watched and tended by the patient, care- 
ful immigrants from Pennsylvania, and finally 
made to flourish and bear fruit, by men of en- 
ergy and talent, to the manor bom. 



I 




ak^-"' — ^ 



y-. 









lI^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



607 



CHAPTER XX.* 

lUNCKLKY TOWNSHIP— A BROKEN SURFACE— THE PARADISE OF HUNTERS— A FARMERS' HUNT- 
CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS— CHURCHES— SCHOOL STATISTICS. 



HINCKLEY forms the extreme northeast 
township in Medina County. Its surface 
is broken by rugged and abrupt ledges, and 
long, high and narrow ridges extend through 
its territory from north to south, and from 
south to northwest. The sides of these jutting 
precipices are curiously worn out, and, in many 
places, deep caves extend into the rocky ground, 
whence issue fine springs of never-failing 
water. The stroller over these extended ledges 
sees many astonishing passages in the rock, 
made l)y the falling awaj' of large masses, con- 
sequent upon the undermining of the softer 
rock below. The soil of the township is loamy, 
for the most part, aflbrding a growth of chest- 
nut, walnut, hickory and oak timber. Rocky 
River, known as the East Branch of that stream, 
enters the township in the northeast corner ; it 
flows southerly, passing into Summit County, 
skirting the eastern line of Hinckley Township, 
At the extreme southeast corner, it again enters 
the township, making a large bend at the south- 
ern extremity of the '' Ridge," and then tlows 
northwesterly through the township, passing 
one-half mile east of the center, gathering the 
water of numberless springs. It passes into 
Cuyahoga County direct!}' north of Hinckle}' 
Center. This river was once a powerful tor- 
rent, filling the broad vallej', through which it 
now so quietly flows, with a rushing, seething 
flood of water. 

Hinckley was marked off under the Connecti- 
cut Land Company Survey as Township 4, Range 
13 ; its boundaries are Granger on the south, 
Brunswick on the west, Cuyahoga Count}- on 
the north, and Summit County on the east, 

* Contributed by Cbarlea Neil, 



The area of Hinckley exceeds that of any other 
of the townships of Medina County, Its total 
acreage is 17,133, this being over 1,000 acres in 
excess of any one of its sister townships, York 
Township comprises but 13,436, it being the 
smallest in the county. This difference in the 
surface area is partially due to the swellings 
and elevation of ground, which forms a distin- 
guishing feature in the physical construction 
of this township. 

In the distribution of the lands of the 
Western Reserve among the original land 
speculators who bought it of the State of Con- 
necticut, the township of Hinckley fell to the lot 
' of Judge Samuel Hinckley, of Northampton, 
! Mass, He was known as one of the shrewd- 
est land speculators, and, aside from his 
Hincklej' possessions, he owned numerous tracts 
of land in Medina and other counties of the 
Western Reserve, He was sharp and exacting 
in his dealings with the purchasers of his lands. 
He had been educated for a lawyer, and during 
his life-time was known as a prominent mem- 
ber of the bar of Massachusetts. His dealings 
in Western lands made him a wealthy man. 
He died in his native town in Northampton, 
Mass,, 1840, greatly respected by all his neigh- 
bors and acquaintances. The following anec- 
dote, that has been related of him, illustrates 
the prevailing idea, in those da3-s, of the future 
value of Western lands. Gov, Strong, of jMassa- 
chusetts, was a brother-in-law of Hinckle}', and 
also owner of tracts of land on the Reserve, 
One day they were discussing the propriety of 
putting their land into market. Strong thought 
it best, as the saving in taxes and interest 
would more than equal the rise in value. 



r 



J- 



608 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Hinckley dissented, "Why," said he "the time 
will come when the Ohio lands will sell for 
more than $10 per acre." "Yes," replied 
Strong, " but, before that time comes, you and I 
will be in Heaven." " Ah ! that's tlie devil of 
it," said the Judge. 

When the tide of emigration began to flow 
westward from the Eastern States in the second 
decade of this centur3-. Judge Hinckley was not 
slow in placing the most of his lands on sale. He 
appointed his son-in-law, Joseph Lyman, who 
had located at Ravenna, in Portage County, as 
agent of his Western domain. Hinckley being 
rough and broken in surface, no particular ef- 
fort was made by the owner to sell the land. 
He did not even have a survey taken of its area 
until several 3-ears after the adjoining township 
had been quite generally settled. This terri- 
tory remained a dense wilderness, arid, as a con- 
sequence, the wild animals made it a place of 
refuge, and iiid in its dark shades and cavern- 
ous recesses. The valley of the Rocky River, 
from the Big Bend, on the Granger line north- 
ward, and the western side of the great Hinckley 
Ridge, was considered among the settlers the 
hunters paradise. A number of the Wyandots 
and Seneca tribe of Indians made the township 
a favorite hunting resort when the country east, 
north and south, had already been well settled 
by white people. After the year 1812, they 
pitched their lodge but once or twice in this 
neighborhood, and since that time have en- 
tirely disappeared, moving West. Xow and 
then, a few stray hunters and trappers of the 
copper colored nation made their apjjearance 
up to the year 1820. Init they remained shy of 
the white settlers. 

Two remarkable events that occurred in the 
early days of tiie township liave been j^reservetl 
for record. The first was the hanging of an 
Indian stjuaw in the summer of ISOG. She had 
been accused of witchcraft in predicting that 
darkness would come over the earth. Her 
prophecy caused alarm among the tribe, and a 



council was called. It was decided that she 
should sufler death by strangulation by having 
invoked the powers of the evil one. Accord- 
ingly, she was hung in the month of Ma}-, 1806, 
on the limb of a large tree that had fallen 
across the river bed, on a ledge near the Big 
Bend, on the Granger line, amidst the chant 
and howling of the savages. It is said that 
several white men were instrumental in her ex- 
ecution. The body was left swinging to the 
tree, and remained there as a warning, and as a 
carrion for the vultures of the air to feed upon, 
until it finally dropped into the river below. 
In the month of June following the tragic 
death of the Indian prophetess, a total eclipse of 
the sun took place. It is not known how the 
squaw got her information of the astronomical 
phenomenon that was to occur, but it was 
probably based on premonitions induced by 
events of a similar kind, which had alwa3-s 
been looked upon bj' the Indians with a sort of 
mystical terror. 

The depredations and annoyances by the 
wolves and i)ears whose haunts were in Hinck- 
lej', caused the farmers and settlers of Medina, 
Summit and Cu3'ahoga Counties to resolve on 
a war of extermination against these beasts. 
A meeting was called in Strongsville in the fall 
of 1818, to make arrangements for the great 
hunt, and enlist everybod}- within available 
distance to help in the slaughter chase. A 
committee to conduct the hunt was selected, 
and they soon issued a proclamation to the 
farmers of the three counties. The day fixed 
upon was the 24th da3- of December. The or- 
der was that the farmers gather by early da3-- 
break. armed with rifles, guns, pitchforks, 
flails, clubs, and every available implement of 
war : form a continuous line on tiie four sides 
of the township, and, at a given signal, advance 
toward its center, killing, shooting anil slaugh- 
tering all game that came within reach. A 
iiaif mile sipiare was marked out 1)3- blazed 
trees in the center of the township, and on this 



V 



liL 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COl'NTY. 



609 



line they were all to stop, and take position, 
and from there kill and shoot the game within 
reach. Cleveland, Newburg and Royalton 
were to form on the north line, Brecksville and 
Richfield on the east line, Bath and Granger 
on the south, and Medina, Brunswick and 
Strongsville on the west. Preparations on an 
extensive scale at once commenced throughout 
the entire region, and the excitement for the 
impending chase began to run high. The 24th 
day of December came. It was a clear, Ijrisk 
day. A slight crust of snow covered the 
ground, and the little streams and the ground 
were frozen hard. Before the morning sun- 
light had commenced to steal through the leaf- 
less and shivering trees, the noise and laughter 
of men advancing from e\ery direction toward 
the line, the bark of dogs and the sharp ring 
of rifle shots re-echoed through the woods 
from far and near. Startled and alarmed, the 
deer started from their lair and bounded in 
long strides for refuge in the wild confines of 
the central town.ship. Manj' of these animals 
were overhauled in their flight by the swift 
bullet before the fun of the day had really 
commenced. The wolves and bears just re- 
turning from their night's raids in the settle- 
ments, sneak off in precipitous flight before 
the unusual noise, and hide in the thick swamps 
and cavernous recesses of Hinckley. Soon the 
large hunting liost is in line on the four sides 
of the battle-ground. The meu take their po- 
sitions, the companies toucliing at the four 
corners, and soon the square is perfect, making 
a continuous line of twenty miles on the in- 
side. The north line, composed of the settlers 
of Cuyahoga County, numbers aljout one hun- 
dred and thirty men, many of tlieni froui the 
then infant settlement of Cleveland. It is un- 
der command of T. N. Ferris, of Royalton. 
The east line has about one hundred and 
twenty-five men, and is under charge of Judge 
Welton, of Richfield, and Carry Oaks, of 
Brecksville. Tlie south line, under command 



of Zenas Hamilton, number about one hundred 
men, and the west line, under Abraham Freeze, 
of Brunswick, numbers about one hundred 
and twenty meu. These five Captains form 
the Board of Managers, and the whole affair is 
under their immediate control and direction. 
The hunters stand alert and anxiously wait for 
the signal to pass. Then a long-drawn blast 
from a horn comes from the high hills in the 
north and echoes down the valley. It is an- 
swered on the west, and down it passes along 
its line, then it comes east, and up back it goes 
to the north. As the last bugle sound dies 
awaj', tiie word " all read}'," passes from mouth 
to moutli, and with it the advance begins. 
Steadily the columns piess on, silently at first, 
then comes a wild shout and soon the echoing 
roll of musketry, as the wild game dashes 
through the woods and the thick underbrush 
before the advancing liost. The north column 
is the first to close in the square on the center, 
then follows east and west and south. It was 
almost a solid phalanx of men. standing close 
to one another. 

Driven into madness and utter despair by the 
terrible confusion and slaughter, the deer, led 
bj- the stags, dash in droves against the lines ; 
manj- are shot, others are forked and clubbed, 
and some, the larger and fleeter, escape — 
bounding over the heads of the hunters. The 
frightened animals, quivering and foaming, with 
their large eyeballs protruding, rush back and 
forth, from side to side, and the massacre con- 
tinues. The orders are strict, that all firing 
must be done low and toward the ceuter, to 
prevent injurj- to the men. In one of the 
rushes made bj- tlie deer against the north col- 
umn, Latlirop Se3'mour accidentally receives a 
buckshot in his shoulder and one in his left leg. 
He is disabled, and is conveyed back to the 
rear to have his wounds dressed. It is now 
past noon, and the carcasses of several hundred 
deer lie strewn on the ground through the 
woods. One or two bears and several wolves 



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i 610 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COrXTY. 



had been kined up to this time. The impossi- 
bility soon became apparent to the captains, 
that all the game enclosed in the square could 
be killed — and especially the bears and wolves, 
the extermination of which was really the pur- 
pose of the hunt — without another advance 
being made from the four sides. This could 
not be done without endangering the life and 
limbs of the hunters. A council of war was 
called, and it was decided that the lines should 
hold their positions, and that no further long- 
range firing be done, and the killing of deer and 
small game be prohibited. William Coggswell. 
of Bath. Ohio, the prince of huntsmen in his 
day in Ohio, and ■Riley the Rover." another 
famous hunter, who was located at Cleveland, 
and whose proper name has slipped the memory 
of the old settlers, were then ortlered, with 
eight more men, to advance toward the center, 
and " stir up " the wolves and bears, and have 
them come out. The men on the lines were to 
keep watch and kill the animals as they came 
out from their retreats. The meu entered the 
arena, and their experience is best told in the 
words of Coggswell, who started in in advance 
of the little squad : * * * "I soon came in 
contact with plenty of wolves and bears, and 
shot several of them, when I saw near the cen- 
ter a monstrous bear — I think the largest I ever 
saw of that species. We wounded him twice, 
so that he dropped each time, when he retreated 
toward the south line, and I followed in hot 
pursuit. About this time, the south line ad- 
vanced about forty rods ; they had become so 
enthusiastic in the hunt that the}- could be re- 
strained no longer, and this brought them within 
a short distance of the bear and myself My 
dog, which I had left in the rear, seeing me 
after the beai', broke away from the young man 
who had him in charge, and came running to 
m}' assistance. We met the bear just as he was 
crossing a little creek on the ice. I ran up the 
bank within twent^'-five or thirty feet of the 
bear, and stood several feet above him. About 



this time, the men on the south line commenced 
shooting at the bear, apparentl}- regardless of 
me and mj- dog. There were probably 100 
guns fired within a very short space of time, 
and the l)ullets sounded to me very much like 
a hail-storm. As soon as old Bruin got his 
head still enough so I dare shoot. I laid him 
out. While they were firing so many guns, 
a great man}' persons hallooed to me to come 
out or I would be shot ; but, as it happened, 
neither myself nor dog were hurt. The bear 
soon succumbed to the hot lead that was being 
poured into his body. When the monster had 
been killed, the south line broke, regardless of 
all orders, and they were soon joined by the 
three other lines." Now a general search com- 
menced in the center and through the haunts 
and caves on the sides of the hills. Several 
more bears and wolves were found and killed, 
the last one being a wounded wolf which had 
secreted itself in the top of a fallen tree. Fir- 
ing now closed, darkness was coming on. The 
men were all called together by a trumpet-call 
near the spot where the big bear had been 
killed. They were ordered to discharge their 
guns and then stack them. Tlien the labor of 
dragging the game commenced. First, the 
wolves were drawn in, and there were just sev- 
enteen. It was then decided that the bounty' 
money — then paid by the State for wolf scalps 
— should be expended in refreshments for the 
hunting host. Accordingly, two men were dis- 
patched to the settlement of Richfield, several 
miles on the east, there to procure what they 
could find, and return with it to the scene of 
the daj-'s action. Within a few hours, the men 
returned, bringing a barrel of whisky, drawn in 
a sled by a yoke of oxen. In the meantime, the 
other game had been gathered, and it was found 
that there were over three hundred deer and 
twent}--one bears. A rousing big fire was built, 
and the scene which had recently been a vast 
slaughter-pen, had now turned into one of bois- 
terous jubilation and merriment. A roll-call 



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^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



611 



was made, and it was found that there were 
454 men on the ground. And then, as " Rilej-, 
the Rover." of Cleveland, the bard of the occa- 
sion, describes it in his lines on this hunt, 
composed some years after : 

" They set the barrel on one enJ, 
And stove the other in ; 
They used for tapster to attend 
A ladle made of tin. 

" The whisky, made by honest men, 
Was dranlc by men upright. 
And none would deem it hurtful then 
To drink on such a night. 
"Then every man drank what lie chose, 
And all were men of spunk; 
But not a fighting wrangle rose, 
.■\nd not a man got drunk." 

The word was now passed that the whole 
squad camp here for the night. A half-dozen 
men soon had hold of the big bear, drawing 
him up bj- the hind legs ; jerked ofl' the skin, 
and the fat, greas}' carcass was soon roasting 
and spitting before the large camp fire. But few 
of the hunters had brought a little '■ Johnnj- 
cake," and a slice of bacon or venison, and 
they all evinced a sharp appetite for something 
to eat. When the roasting had been completed, 
an onslaught was made with bowie knives on 
the body. But, as there was no salt in the camp, 
the food served became nauseating. From this 
it went to song, then speeches, and finally the 
night wound up with anecdotes of adventure 
and pioneer life. As morning came, a division 
of the game was made. A committee consisting 
of Henry Hoyt, of Liverpool ; John Bigelow, of 
Richfield, and William Coggswell, of Bath, was 
elected to make the division. After the propor- 
tionate shares had been allotted to tiie different 
companies, the journey homeward was com- 
menced, some of the hunters living tivent}- and 
thirtj' miles away. Many of the men who had 
congregated here on the wonderful occasion 
had been entire strangers to one another, but, 
after the night's strange and unusual festivities. 



they had grown on terms of brotherlj' friend- 
ship. It had been a joy and a pleasure to all 
of these stuixlj- pioneers who were the first to 
unfold the beauties of the beautiful " Reserve," 
to meet so many of their kind here, isolated 
and alone as their days had to be spent then in 
battling with the forest and clearing their 
farms. The game was tied on sticks, and then 
away the hunters wandered up the hills and 
down the valley, north, east, west and south, iu 
twos, with the end of a stick on their shoulders, 
the trusty rifle under their arms and a deer, 
wolf or bear hanging between, its bloody head 
dragging over the frozen, snowy ground. 

It was in the year following this hunt, that a 
survey was made of Hinckley, by Abraham 
Freeze, of Brunswick. The township was di- 
vided into 100 lots, each containing 160 acres. 
The land was then placed on the market for $3 
per acre. In the eastern part of the township, 
Freeze found a " squatter " named Walton, who 
was the first settler in the township, and the onlj' 
one at the time of its first survey-. Where Wal- 
ton had come from, or where he moved, has 
never been learned. He was an industrious 
man, and had made considerable improvement 
on what is considered the best lot in the town- 
ship. Freeze paid Walton for his improve- 
ments, and bought the lot of Judge Hinckley. 
A few 3-ears later, the buyer sold it to Nathan 
Wilson. In 1820, Frederick Deming bought the 
lot adjoining the one owned b}- Abraham Freeze, 
and made the first permanent settlement in 
Hincklej- Township, in that part which is known 
as the "Ridge." Here he lived alone for several 
years. In 1822, James Stillman came with his 
family from the State of New York, and bought 
land in this neighborhood, building a cabin in 
the immediate vicinitj- of Deming's. Stillman 
soon died. He was buried on a knoll a little 
wa^- west of the settlement, where now is located 
the Ridge burial-ground. His death so dis- 
couraged his family that they returnetl at once 
to New York. In the spring following, Thomas 



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012 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



N. Easton came alone into Hinckley Township 
from Lee. Berkshire Co., Mass., and commenced 
to clear a tract of land that he ha<l bonght from 
Hinkley, which was also located in the vicinity 
of Deming's settlement. He was soon joined bj' 
his 30uug wife, who followed him from their 
native State, where the two had been married 
onlv the year previous. Next came the families 
of Jared Thayer, Joab Loomis, Robbin Stillmau, 
Curtis Ballard and Ingersoll Porter, all locating 
close together in the eastern part of the town- 
ship. 

A number of squatters took possession of 
lands in the extreme northwest part of the 
township, some time during the year 1821. It 
is not known whence they came, nor at what 
time they located on these lands. Their names 
were Joe Brink, John Stow, Bill Pool and T3'tus 
Richardson. When regular transfer sales of the 
land were made to actual settlers, these " squat- 
ters " vacated the grounds and removed to parts 
unknown. David Babcock was the first perma- 
nent settler in this part of Hinckley. He was 
born in Albany County, X. Y. In 1818, he 
married the daughter of Isaac Isham. of Syra- 
cuse, and. in the spring of 1819, he, with his 
father-in-law and familj', removed to Ohio, 
traveling in wagons, with three yoke of oxen. 
They settled in Strongsville. The next year, 
young Babcock bought IGO acres of land in 
Hinckley Township, at $;! per acre. He com- 
menced at once making improvements on the 
new land, by building a log cabin, clearing sev- 
eral acres, and set out an orchard. Ilis wife 
remained with her parents for several years. 
In 182G, the old folks moved down from 
Strongsville and located on a piece of land 
they had bought, about a mile northeast of 
David Babcocks farm. 

These few settlers continued to be annoyed by 
wolves, despite the great slaughter of wild game 
that had taken place only a few jxnirs previ- 
ous. The pioneers were encouraged to trap or 
kill wolves by a liberal bounty- given for their 



scalps, and paid by the State. To save their 
flocks, the settlers built high log pens, covered 
over, and shut up their sheep at night. Woe 
to the man who neglected that precaution ! A 
farmer in the southern part of the township 
one day went to mill, and returned late in the 
evening. As he came home in the night, he 
saw his flock of forty sheep lie quietl}- in the 
open air, close to his house. He felt tired, and 
everything seemed so quiet, that he thought he 
would run the risk of the wolves catching his 
sheep that night. But, in the morning, thirty- 
nine were found dead, mangled and torn by 
wolves. IManj- and various devices were re- 
sorted to by the settlers to rid themselves of 
these pests. In March, 1823, William Coggs- 
well, then living in Granger, came up into 
Hinckley with parts of a steer that he had lost 
by disease. He deposited one quarter on the 
Remson Brook, in the south part of the town- 
ship, several rods from the stream, on one side, 
and the other part the same distance on the 
other side. Then he took large, moss-covered 
stones, and arranged them in the brook, several 
feet apart, as stepping-stones for the wolves to 
cross upon, for he kuew that wolves, like sheep, 
disjike to step into water, and, if they have oc- 
casion to cross a stream too wide to jump over, 
will seek out a log to walk upon, or such a 
place as this trapper had fixed. In place of 
one of these stones, he put a large, double- 
spring wolf-trap, with ponderous jaws, armed 
with sharp spikes. This trap he covered over 
with moss, so that it was nicely concealed, and 
resemliled a moss-covered stone. Here Coggs- 
well caught eleven wolves before his bait was 
all consumed. 

There was living at this lime in Hinckley, 
just a little way north of the Granger line, a 
Mr. Carpenter. His cattle strayed away in 
seai'ch of leeks and other herbage, and failed to 
come home at night ; so the next morning he 
sent a boy, about twelve years old, who was liv- 
ing with him, in search of the cattle. The lioy, 



** 



lU 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



613 



accoinpanied by a small dog, took his way to 
the brook bottom, where leeks grew most nu- 
merous, hoping there to find the cattle. The 
dog, in running about, found Coggswell's wolf- 
bait, and began to eat it. The boy, seeing the 
dog eating something on the other side of the 
stream, thought he would go over and see what 
it was, and, as the water was too wide to jump, 
he strove to cross on the stepping-stones so 
nicely arranged, never suspecting a trap was 
concealed there. The second step he made, 
snap went the trap, and he yelled out with 
pain. His outcry so frightened the little dog 
that he ran home and left the boy alone in his 
trouble. This was about 10 in the morning. In 
vain the bo}^ tried to get loose. He tugged and 
strove with all his might to loosen the jaws, but 
they, with their cruel spikes, held him fast. Mr. 
Carpenter, seeing the dog come home without 
the boy, after a while began to suspect there 
was something wrong ; so he started off for the 
double purpose of finding the cattle and boy. 
About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, he fouud 
him, and strove to get him out of the trap bj" 
standing on the spring with his feet and using 
his hands at the same time ; but, failing in that, 
he carried the boy and trap to a log, and, 
getting a couple of handspikes or levers, liy 
putting the ends under the log and resting 
them over the springs and bearing down, he 
loosened the springs and finally got the boy 
out. The poor fellow could not walk a step. 
The spikes had pierced the flesh on his foot, and 
it had been so tightly squeezed for so long a 
time that it had become swollen and benumbed. 
Mr. Carpenter took the boy on his back and the 
trap under his arm, and carried them home. 
The next day, Coggswell visited his trap and 
found it gone. From appearances, he rightly 
judged that it bad been carried ofl" by human 
hands, aud not been dragged off" by wolves ; so 
he went to Carpenter, who was the person or 
settler li\ing nearest, to inquire about the trap. 
Here he found the boy and trap, and learned 



that Carpenter had gone to Squire Freeze's to 
see if he could not sue Coggswell for damages, 
but, as he had received no encouragement, he 
came back home, and. Coggswell being still there, 
Carpenter refused to give up the trap, and said 
the bo3' ought to keep it. Coggswell contended 
he had a right to set the trap where he did, and 
that it was the boy's misfortune that got him 
into the trap, and not his (Coggswell's) fault. 
Carpenter finallj' relu ctantly gave up the 
trap. 

Josiah Piper came iuto Ohio from his home 
in Massachusetts, in the spring of 1818. He 
located at first at Bath, working for John Hall, 
in that township. The young pioneer, before 
he had come out West to look for a new home, 
had affianced himself to a young lady of his 
neighborhood. He worked industrious!}- to 
get a good start so he might return, marr}- his 
lady-love, and, as his wife, bring her back to 
the settlement in Ohio. He bought a tract in 
the center of Hinckley, after a few j-ears, and 
soon accumulated sufiicicnt funds to go back 
East and marry. M^ithin a few years, he re- 
turned to Ohio and settled in Hinckley. He 
soon became a man quite influential in the pub- 
lic affairs of the township. He was appointed 
one of the Associate Judges of Jledina County 
in 1832, and served for a number of years. 

In 1824, Daniel L. Conant located with his 
family of three children, one mile north of the 
Center. They had come out from the State of 
New York. After remaining in Hincklej- for a 
number of 3ears, he removed with his fiimilj- 
elsewhere, having joined the Methodist Confer- 
ence of Northern Ohio as a stated minister. 
Orlando Wilcox, with his wife and one child, 
settled on a lot adjoining that of Josiah Piper's, 
near the Center, in the spring of 1831. One- 
half mile east of this point stood a small log 
cabin, and on the other side of the road, a little 
further east, was a log building, put up a few 
years previous, by one Ball, for a blacksmith- 
shop. Ball had sickened and returned to 



g - 



i ""V ' 



Ali 



^ 



614 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Richfield, where he had formerly lived, to be 
nursed and doctored, but he soon died, and he 
never used the building. Dr. Wilcox took pos- 
session of this building for a time, keeping his 
family in it until he could build himself one on 
his own lands. It had a " puncheon" floor and 
a roof of •' shakes " — no boards overhead. The 
doctor removed with his famih' to the southern 
part of the county in 1838, living for a few 
years at Friendsville. in Westfield Township. 
He then returned to Hincklej-, and thereafter oc- 
cupying his old posseKsions. 

Lyman and Hiram iMiller, father and son, 
came out to Hinckley in the spring of 1833, 
from their home in Monroe Countj', N. Y., to 
view the lands in the township. They pur- 
chased 650 acres in the western part of Ilinck- 
lej', returned to their home in the East, and, 
within a few months, came back with their fam- 
ilies to Ohio, settling on the newly ae(iuire(l 
territory. The two settlers had engageil the 
services of Asahel Welton, to erect a caliin for 
them on the new lands. But, he being unable 
to find the exact locality where the owners 
desired their building, had to defer the 
construction of it until their coming. Tiiese 
families had come liy the Erie Canal to Buffalo, 
and thence across Lake Erie to Cleveland, 
whence they moved by wagons to Bruns- 
wick. There they engaged Thomas James to 
pilot them through the woods to their new 
lands on the line of Hinckley Township. 

The accessions to the settlement on the 
"Ridge," in the eastern part, had become quite 
numerous by this time ; among the new arriv- 
als being Nathan Damon with his family, and 
Jacob Phaw with his family, botii of whom 
came from IMassachusetts in the sjiring of 1831. 
The succeeding j'ear Caleb Damon, witli liis wife 
and two daugiitcrs, Ksther and P]liza, and their 
mother and graudmotlier. Lucy (wlio died sev- 
eral years after tlie ;irri\al in Hinckley, at the 
remarkal)leage of one hundi'cd and three years). 
and also Arad Damon with liis family of four 



children, came together and settled in the neigh- 
borhood. 

In the fall of 1831, Erastus M'aite, who had 
come out that year from Franklin, Mass., settled 
on land near the center adjoining Judge Piper's 
and Dr. Wilcox's land. He bought two acres 
cleared land of one Benjamin Buck, and moved 
with his family into the cabin the latter had con- 
structed. 

The civil organization of Hinckley Township 
took place in the year 1825. The first election 
was held on the 25th day of September of this 
year, and took place in a little log schoolhouse 
in the southeastern part of the town. Thomas 
X. P]aston, Jared Thayer and D. M. Conant acted 
as Judges of Election, and Reuben Ingersol and 
Abraham Freeze as Clerks. Reuben Ingersol, 
T. N. Eastou and Josiah Piper were elected 
Trustees ; Jared Thayer, Clerk ; Joab Loomis 
and Samuel Porter, Overseers of the Poor ; 
Curtis Bullard and Richard Swift, Fence View- 
ers ; I). M. Conant and Jonathan Fisk, Listers 
and Appraisers ; Fred Deming, Treasurer, and 
Thomas Stow and D. Babeock, Constables. On 
ajpromise made by Judge Hinkley, that, if the 
settlers of the township would name it after him, 
in his honor, he would deed them a lot of 160 
acres for school purposes, or any use thej- might 
choose to put it to. It was therefore voted by 
the people that it should be named Hinckley. 
When, a year later. Judge Hincklej- made his an- 
nual visit to the colony to collect his dues, he 
was reminded of his promise. The Judge 
hemmed and hawed, said he had been very un- 
fortunate the past year, had met with heavy 
losses, had had much sickness in his fiimily, and 
really did not feel able to make so large a gift. 
He finally compromised the matter by making 
out the following deed of traufer, and giving it 
to the Township Trustees and thi'ir successors : 

To all to whom these presents shall come, G^reeling : 
Knuw ye, That I, Samuel Iliiicliley, of Northampton, 
Mass., for and in consiileralion of one dollar current 
money of the Commonwealth aforesaid, to me in hand 






:V 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



615 



paid, before the ensealing liercof by Thomas N. Easton, 
John Jones and Andrew McClreery, Trustees of the 
township of Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, the receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknowledge and am fully satisfied, 
contented and paid, have given, granted, bargained, 
sold, aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed; and 
by these presems do freely, clearly and absolutely 
grant, give, bargain, sell, alien, release, convey and 
confirm unto them the said Easton, Jones and McOeery, 
Trustees as aforesaid, and their successors in office, for- 
ever, the following described parcels of land lying in 
Hinckley aforesaid, to wit : 

A parcel of land bounded as follows ; Beginning at 
a point chains and 75 links, bearing south 88° west 
from the center stake of said township, in the center of 
the highway; thence running northwest '2 chains and 
50 links ; thence south 88° west 5 chains ; thence south 
2° east 5 chains ; thence north 88° east 5 chains ; thence 
north 2° west 2 chains and 50 links to the place of 
beginning, containing 2 acres and 80 rods, be the same 
more or less — to be by said Trustees appropriated to 
such purposes as shall best subserve the interests of the 
town — it being understood that all roads now established 
and lying in any of the above-described lands are not 
hereby conveyed. 

To Have and to Holu the before-granted premises, 
with the appurtenances and privileges thereto belong- 
ing to them, the said Easton, Jones and McCreery, 
Trustees as aforesaid, and their successors in ofEce, to 
them and their own above-mentioned use, benefit and 
behoof forevermore : And I, the said Samuel Hinckley> 
for myself and my heirs, executors and administrators, 
do covenant, premise and grant unto and with the said 
Easton, Jones and McCreery, Trustees as aforesaid, and 
their successors in office forever: That before, and 
until the ensealing hereof, I am the true, sole, proper 
and lawful owner and possessor of the before-granted 
premises, with the appurtenances ; I have in myself, 
good right, full power and lawful authority to give, 
grant, bargain, sell, alien, release, convey and confirm 
the same as aforesaid ; and that free and clear, and 
freely and clearly, executed, accjuitted and discharged 
of and from all former and other gifts, grants, bargains, 
sales, leases, mortgages, wills, entails, jointures, dow- 
ries, thirds, executions and incumbrances whatsoever. 

An[i Fuethermoee, I, the said Samuel Hinckley, for 
myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, do 
hereby covenant, promise and engage, the before-granted 
premises, with the appurienances unto them, the said 
Easton, Jones and McCreery, and their successors in 
office forever, to warrant, secure and defend against 



the lawful claims and demands of any person whatso- 
ever. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my 
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of June, in the 
year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and 
Thirty-one. Samuel Hinckley [l. s.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 
John Randall. 
Joseph Lyman. 

Personally appeared befoi-e me, Samuel Hinckley, 
signer and sealer of the within instrument, and acknowl- 
edged it to be his free act and deed. 

Frederick Deming, J. P. 

Hinckley, Medina County, Ohio, June 23, 1831. 

The Hinckley people were for quite a time, 
during the earl}- days, excited on the temper- 
ance question ; and on various occasions it pro- 
duced a state of ill-feelimg and unpleasantness. 
Whisky was in those days one of the social 
elements, and no public occasion was thought 
complete, unless there was a good suppl}' of 
liquor. One set of citizens finally decided that 
they would no longer assist at raisings if there 
was whisky ; and another said as determined- 
ly they would not if there was not whisk}-. 
Between these two factions, it was often diffi- 
cult to get enough help to put up a frame with- 
out going a great distance to invite hands, or 
made a compromise. It thus happened, one 
day, that, while there was a raising on Oviatt's 
farm, near the Center, there was also another on 
the " Ridge," and, between these two, help was 
scarce. Oviatt likeil a '■ drop" now and then, 
and so did Craig and a few others present, but 
they could not muster forces enough to raise 
without the aid of the temperance men, and so 
reluctantly agreed to dispense with whisky. 
Craig, a rough, whisky-drinking fellow, but a 
man of. experience in barn-raisings "bossed" 
the job. After raising the bent, Craig called out, 
" There, j'ou cold-water cusses, hold that till I tell 
you to let go." They diil hold till they got tired 
and could hold no longer, and over went the 
bent. M'^illiam West was on it. but he jumped 
off' without injury, while a pike-pole fell and 



^ (! 



'K. 



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616 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



sti-uck Robert McCloud, fracturing his skull. 
Dr. Wilcox was called ; he dressed the wound, 
and the man got well in a few weeks. This in- 
cident rather added to the ranks of the tem- 
perance people, and a societj- was formed which 
became influential and important, sustaining 
its organization for a number of 3'ears. 

Curtis Bullard was the first Justice of the 
Peace. The first couple he married, and the 
first couple undoubtedly married in the town- 
ship, were a Mr. Carr and Miss Harriet Wal- 
lace. Among the guests present, were Judge 
Josiah Piper and wife, Curtis Bullard and 
wife, and others. They had a right jolly good 
time ; and among other amusing performances 
they sang ; 

"Scotland is burning, run, boys, run, 

Scotland is burning, fire ! fire I fire ! 
I'our on water," etc. 

They wei-e excellent singers, and carried all 
the parts to perfection. The time and occasion 
and spirit in which it was sung, rendered it lu- 
dicrous in the extreme. Carr staj'ed with his 
wife but three or four dajs, and then left her 
for parts unknown. The first child born in the 
township was a daughter to F. Deming. The 
latter put up the first frame dwelling ever con- 
structed in the township. It burned down in 
the year 1850. The next erected was by A. 
Freeze and is still standing. The dwellings of 
the first settlers were universally built of logs. 
Though not as commodious as the present 
dwellings, the dwellers therein enjoyed as much 
true happiness. 

Hinckley has been quite prolilic in deaths by 
accident. F. N. Ferris was killed by the fall 
of a tree. Richard Swift, Jr., was killed by the 
accidental discharge of a rifie in his own hands. 
J. B. Dake was killed by the kick of a horse. 
S. Woodruff was killed by lightning. (!aleb 
Damon was shot by A. Shear. 

A ver^' common method of iuinting turkeys 
was to use a turkey-bone, with the aid of whicli 
the call of a turkey for its mate could be very 



closely imitated. The hunter would lie in am- 
bush and call until some turkey, unconscious 
of the fate which awaited him, would approach 
the hiding-place of the hunter, when he was 
made an eas}- victim of the rifle. Caleb Da- 
mon had secreted himself in this manner behind 
a log. Shear, who was hunting in the same lo- 
calit}-, heard the "call," answered it. and can- 
tiouslj- adv.'mced in the direction of the sound. 
Soon a black object was seen to rise slowly 
above the log, anil Shear, thinking it to be a i 
turke}', took deadly aim with his gun and fired. 
A cry of " My God ! I am shot !" from the ob- 
ject at which he had discharged his rifle, ap- 
prised Shear what he had done. Instead of 
killing a turkey, he had sent a rifle bullet 
crashing through the brain of his friend and 
neighbor. Mr. Damon died almost instantly. 
Susan Sutton committed suicide at Burk's Cor- 
ners by poisoning herself R. Swift drowned 
himself in a well. The most remarkable in 
this category of accidents and incidents, is the 
" Whipp Case,'' fh.-it created a sensation at the 
time of its occurrence, perhaps never equaled 
by any event in Medina County. Robert 
Whipp is a wealthy land-owner in Hinckley- 
Township. He lost his first wife by death, and 
was re-married to a young widow, thirty or 
forty 3-ears his junior, in 1876. They lived 
together on his farm in the central part of 
Hinckley. Between the hours of 11 and 12 
o'clock on Saturday night, September 15, 1877, 
Whipp was awakened from sleep by mysterious 
movements on the part of his wife. He also 
discovered a strong and to him peculiar smell 
about the bed-clothing, which he afterward de- 
scribed as chloroform. In a few miiuites he 
heard footsteps approaching his bed, and his 
wife, getting oft' from the bed, asked in a whis- 
per, " Shall I put the light out ? " The other 
voice answered '■ Yes.' The light was then put 
out, and they walked away from the bed to- 
gether. Whipp then asked, '' Who is there 'f " 
No answer. They turned back and went into 



^Js r- 



4± 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



617 



the kitchen. Other voices were then heard, all 
apparently in consultation together. Soon after i 
Whipp, who still remained in bed, hoard heavy 
footsteps approacliing, and, in a moment more, I 
he was seized by the throat. A struggle en- 
sued. Whipp, who is a powerfullj- strong man, 
finally succeeded in getting off from the bed 
onto the floor. He then saw another man, of 
short stature, and thick set, who came to the 
assistance of the first, with a rope in his hand. 
At this time he recognized in the first, his 
young wife's brother, Lon Spensley. The 
other man, he did not know. The two men 
soon got him down on the floor and attempted 
to put a slip-noose rope over his head. It was 
a matter of life and death now, and the strug- 
gle was hard. They got the rope over his head 
and down as far as his mouth several times, but 
he desperately shoved it ofl" ; and flnally, with 
a desperate effort, he threw the assailants from 
him and gained his feet. He wrenched the rope 
from their hands, and the}' backed out into the 
kitchen. He then ran out-doors in his night 
clothes and started for a neighbor's, where he 
remained until min-ning. He then had Spens- 
le}-, and, soon after, his wife and a young man 
named Taylor, arrested. At tlie winter term, 
in 1878, of the Medina County Court of Com- 
mon Pleas, the jirisoners were arraigned on the 
charge of attempt to kill. After a most excit- 
ing trial, of several weeks in duration, they were 
found guilty, and sentenced to seven years' im- 
prisonment. After a year's servitude, they 
were released bj' the Governor's pardon. 

The house of Hiram .Miller, in the south- 
western part of the township, on the Brunswick 
line, became noted during the Fugitive Slave 
excitement as a station on the '• underground 
railroad," and its owner was known as one of 
tlie most zealous workers and abettors to keep 
the runaway slave out of the clutches of the 
pursuing master. The negroes were brought 
by Festus Ganyard and Tra Ingraham from 
Granger, where they always found succor at the 



hands of the two men, to the house of Miller. 
Here the slaves were detained until after recon- 
naissance had been made to the north, and, when 
the coast was found to be clear of slave-hunters, 
the darkies were transported by Miller and 
Egbert Ashley, of Strongsville, to the outlet 
of Rocky River, on Lake Erie, and thence 
they were shipped to Canada. Miller often- 
times had as many as twenty-five fugitives 
under his roof, and lie supplied them with food 
and clothing to the best of his means. Aside 
from giving aid to the slaves in this waj', Miller 
took a very decided and open stand among his 
neighbors on the great anti-slavery question, 
and he boldly advocated the cause b}- lecturing 
and preaching in its behalf It created an in- 
tense excitement for a time, and on one or two 
occasions bodily assaults were made upon him 
by his neighbors, he at one time receiving seri- 
ous injuries. 

The pioneer industry of Hinckle}- forms a 
considerable factor in the affairs of the town- 
ship. The first store was built by A. Miles, of 
Brunswick, who put into it a young man named 
Daniel Bradigum, who erected a large ashery 
near the store. Ashes was then the principal 
article of manufacture people had to sell_ 
These ashes were converteil first into black 
salts, and then into pearl-ash. This was before 
the days of saleratus. Corn-cob ashes and 
pearl-ash were used to raise short-cake, and the 
cake was baked in an iron kettle. William 
Comstock established the first blacksmith-shop 
in the township, in the eastern part. Houghton 
Packard built a large, three-story carding- mill 
in the Rock}- River Valley, in the southeastern 
part of the township, in the year 1828. A 
foundry, grist-mill and distillery were added to 
it iu the course of a few j-ears. Business was 
done here for some time, until, in later jears, 
the manufacturing and business interests shifted 
to the center. David Babcock built a saw-mill 
north of town, on " Big Brook, ' in 18-42. He 
was followeil in this enterprise by Warren 



-i^ S" 






Jkl 



^^ 



618 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



Warren and Lewis Brown, both of whom built 
mills a little further up the creek. In 1852, 
F. P. and W. L. Wetmore established a large 
steam saw-mill, which was afterward, in 1857, 
sold to Mortimer Old, who added a grist-mill. 
Immediatel3' after the war, Abram Dunham 
erected a foundry at the Center. This was de- 
stroyed b}' fire on the 1st of April, 1867, but 
was immediately rebuilt on a larger scale. Two 
3-ears later, on May 6, 1860, the fire-fiend again 
reduced the establishment to ashes, involving 
a great loss to the proprietors and the business 
interests of Hinckley. The workmen had just 
cleared out the shop, throwing the shavings, 
chips and refuse pieces into the engine-room to 
be used for kindlings and fuel, preparatory to 
taking off a "heat." The fire was kindled, the 
engine put iu motion to propel the fan to in- 
crease the heat in the cupola, and the}' were 
busy in filling the molds, when suddenly they 
were startled b}' the cry of ■•fire," raised with- 
out. A spark had fallen among the shavings 
in the engine-room, and, before they were aware, 
it was filled with a blaze. It burst outward, 
ran up the siding, and soon the roof was on 
fire. There was a stift' breeze from the south, 
which blew the fire directly into the upper room, 
where the wood-shop was located. The work- 
men could save nothing ; their coats and vests, 
hanging up on pegs, were burned. About two 
rods to the east stood the warehouse, filled with 
plows, cultivators, etc. Soon the west side of 
that building and the roof were on fire. The 
roofs of Waite's and Riley's barns and house 
caught fire about the same time. It seemed as 
if everything was about to be consumed by the 
devouring element. It was a time of wild ex- 
citement, when suddenly the wind changed. 
l)lowing the flames from the buildings. Men 
mounted the l)uildings and poured water on the 
parts of the roof on fire. Old ("U-pets were got. 
saturated witli water and spread on the roofs. 
Men and women worked like beavers, and they 
finally succeeded in their iieroic ettbrts to stav 



the flames. Even the warehouse, which had at 
one time been abandoned to the flames, was 
partially, with all its contents, saved. Within 
a few years, the establishment was again res- 
urrected, and it is to-day one of the most 
successful and extensive foundries in Medina 
County. 

The Hinckley Lodge, of I. 0. O. F.. which is 
" hailed " as Lodge 304, was organized in 1856. 
The charter was given by the Ohio Grand 
Lodge, on the 3d of June, 1856. The peti- 
tioners for the grant were S. C. Oviatt, Wesley 
Pope. W. S. Wetmore. William Crooks, Will- 
iam S. Salisburj' and A. Severance. Tiie first 
regular meeting was held on the 4th of July. 
1856. and the following board of officers was 
elected: W. S. Wetmore. N. G.; L. Parker. V. 
G.; A. Severance, Secretary ; G. B. Simmons. 
Treasurer ; M. W. Dunham. Conductor : and 
William Frost. Warden. After a few years, the 
society i)urchased one of the store Iniildings in 
the village, and arranged the upper story as a 
lodge-room. The regular meetings of the lodge 
are held on Saturday of each week. 

A small Methodist society was oi-ganized on 
the •'Ridge " as early as 1822. Meetings were 
then held at private bouses, until a few j-ears 
later, when the people met at the little log 
schoolhouse that had been erected in the vicinity. 
Services were conducted h\ missionaries from 
the East, and circuit-riders, who came at difler- 
ent times through the settlement. On preaching 
days, four devoted sisters. Letitia Swift. Mrs. 
McCrearj', Mrs. Chester Conant, and Mrs. David 
Taman, would come through the woods together, 
singing hymns, and making them ring with their 
bright and clear voices. They came dressed in 
all the simplicity of the times ; a plain sun- 
bonnet or a bandana handkerchief answered 
the i)urpose of the fashionable bonnet of to- 
day. During 182(J. a Methodist society was 
organized by D. L. Conant. near tiie center- 
whicii tiie •' Ridge" people soon joined, and tlie 
two together formed one society. Mr. Conant 



»^ i 





"'^-^L ^Oc^^ 



Ui.^ ^-< 



^U>;i .^r^-i^y 



HISTORY OF MEDINA 0011X11'. 



G19 



was the first preacher of the society, and he 
was quite frequently assisted by circuit-riders. 
The meetings were at first held in a little log 
house that had been erected for a blacksmith- 
shop, but had been abandoned bj- the builder. 
In 184 J, a church edifice was constructed a lit- 
tle distance west of the Center, on a piece of 
land deeded to the societ3' by David Babcock. 
The church now belongs to the Richfield charge, 
and contains about sixt}' active members. 

A Congregational church was organized Maj- 
5, 1828. According to previous announcement, a 
number of persons met at the log schoolhouse 
near the Center, the usual place of holding relig- 
ious meetings on this date, for the purpose of or- 
ganizing into a church. There were present the 
Rev. Simon Woodrufl'and Israel Shaler, mission- 
aries from Connecticut, and the Rev. Joseph A. 
Pepoon, of the (Irand River Presbytery. After 
prayer, the following persons presented them- 
selves for examination, viz. : James and Marj- 
Porter, Cornelius and Mary Northrop, John and 
Myra Jones, Bordena Thaj'er, Temperance 
Easton, Harriet Carr (by letter), Curtis and 
Sarah Ball. Thomas Easton,' Zilpah Loomis, 
Jonathan Fish and Samantha Loomis. " These 
persons having been examined with regard to 
their experimental acquaintance with religion, 
and having agi-eed to the confession of faith 
and covenant adopted by our churches in the 
countrj-, and having expressed a willingness to 
hold fellowship with each other, it was con- 
cluded that they be organized into a church. A 
sermon was then preached by the Rev. Mr. 
Pepoon, after which the above-named persons, 
having given their public assent to the confes- 
sion of faith, were declared to be a church, and 
charged to be faithful. James Porter was ap- 
pointed Deacon, and Curtis Bullard, Clerk. The 
meetings were held ever}- other Sunday, in the 
little blacksmith-shop, already referred to, until 
in 1838, when a separate church building was 
erected on a piece of ground deeded to them by 
Judge Piper. The meetings of this society 



were discontinued in 1878, for want of proper 
support. 

A Free- Will Baptist society was organized 
on the "Ridge" in 1835, by Edward Waldo, 
Arad Damon and Russell Putman. It remained 
in effect for a number of years, holding meet- 
ings in schoolhouses and private dwellings, 
but, at the present day, has gone out of exist- 
ence. 

The Hinckley Disciples' Church was organized 
on the 20th of February, 1870, by Elders Rob- 
ert Moffet, of Cleveland, a noted evangelist, 
and H. N. Allen, of Royalton. The Trustees 
of this societj-, after its first organization, were 
George E. Webber, Lewis Finch and John Mus- 
ser. A large church edifice was erected in 
1871, and dedicated in December of the same 
year by Prof B. A. Hinsdale, of Hiram. H. 
N. Allen was Pastor of the church until in 
1874. when he was succeeded by H. B. Cox, for 
one year, and George Musson, for two years. 
The present officiating Pastor of the church is 
E. S. Bower, of Hiram. One hundred and 
nineteen persons have joined the church since 
its organization. 

The first school teacher in Hinckley was Miss 
Alsina Brooks, of Strongsville Township. She 
used to walk from Bennett's Corners to the 
center of Hinckley and teach all day. In one 
of her walks through the woods, she came 
across a raccoon, which she killed and brought 
to the schoolhouse to exhibit to the scholars. 
The pioneer children came two or three miles 
through the woods and sat all da}- on hard 
slab benches, and then their parents had to 
scrimp and save to pay the teacher. But the 
education they received was of the most prac- 
tical kind, and our humble log schooUiouses 
turned out men of the best stamp. The follow- 
ing table, on school statistics in Hinckley Town- 
ship, was prepared bj- Dr. Wilcox. It will 
illustrate, in a striking degi-ee, the different 
phases in the school history, and also the popu- 
lation of the township at different times. The 



^ 



620 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



1852, 


620; 


1853, 


1856, 


479; 


1857, 


I860, 


463: 


1861, 


1864. 


304; 


1865. 


1868, 


333; 


1880, 



enumeration of the youths, between the ages of 
five and twenty -one years, for the years from 
1852 to 1880, is as follows : 
537; 1854, 493; 1855,494; 
467; 1858, 491; 1859. 466; 
455; 1862, 427; 1863. 410; 
398 ; 1866, 387 ; 1867, 353 ; 
250. Beginning with 620 in 1852, it ends in 
1880 with 250, a decrease of nearly 70 per 
cent. Again, twice 620 is 1.240, about the 
actual general population of the township in 
1852 — twice 250 is 500, which is very nearly 
one-half of our general population in 1880 — 
in other words, the children have sunk from 
half of the whole population to a little more 
than one-fourth. The 370 children, lost in 
Hincklej'in the years mentioned, this being the 
tliflerence in the school population between 
1852 and 1880, would form eight school dis- 
tricts larger than our average districts. Dis- 
tricts that twenty years ago enumerated eighty 
scholars, have now got down to tweutj' or less, 
with an average daily attendance of seven or 
eight scholars ; and the expense of supporting 



the small school is as great as the larger one. 
To enlarge the school districts, necessitates re- 
moving the old schoolhouses or building new 
ones, and sacrificing the old ones, and then 
many children will be so far from them that 
they cannot or will not attend, and ignorance 
will be again on the increase, with all of its in- 
separable evils. Medina County is capable of 
supporting, with ease, three times its popula- 
tion. Hinckley is. to-day, divided into eight 
subdistricts. The following abstract shows 
the financial condition of the township schools 
for 1880 : 

Balance on han.l •Sl,2!18 86 

State tax SSI 00 

Towusbip tax 2.428 4tJ 

Irreducible tax school fund 22 00 

Fines, licenses, etc 2j2 'M 

Total $4.3.>5 ;!S 

Whole amount paid township .Sl,4o2 7-5 

Amount for sites, buildings, etc .506 4.5 

Amount for fuel 4-^0 09 

Balance on hand -$1,974 O'.i 



811AK0N TOWNSIIll' 



CHAPTER XXI.* 

-I'HV.'^ICAL FE.\TIRES— EARLY SETTLEMENT— PIONEKRIXDU.STKIES—GU()WTII 
l)F CHIRCHES AND SCHOOLS— PERSONAL .'^KETCHES. 



THIS township is situated on the east line of 
the count}-. Until 1840, it was an interior 
township, but at that time four townships were 
taken from Medina Couutj- to help form the 
county of Summit, which rendered Sharon a bor- 
der township. It is bounded on the north by 
Granger, east by Coplej', south by Wadsworth, 
and west by Montville. The center of the town- 
ship is eight miles southeast of .Medina, twelve 
miles west of Akron, and thirty miles south of 
Cleveland. 

The surface of the township is undulating. 

*ContriliUted l>y Georg*- A. Root. 



Taking the eastern line for a base, where it is 
crossed by Wolf Creek, the greatest elevation 
would be near the south line, west of the Center 
road, as well as the north part of the town near 
the same road, and reaching the altitude of 150 
feet. The township furnishes as many springs 
as any on the Western Reserve. Its computed 
number is 127. The streams that go to make 
up Wolf Creek, the principal stream in the 
township, are. first. Spruce Run. which rises on 
Lot No. 32, runs one mile, fed by springs, and 
forms a junction with the creek fifty rods west 
of the town line. Minor streams feed the west 



r 






fen 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



621 



side until it receives tlie waters of Stone Brook, 
which rises on Lot No. 15, and runs one mile 
southwest and empties in the East Branch of 
Wolf Creek. This East Branch receives a slight 
start from a swamp in Granger Township, but 
gets its constant flow from springs south of the 
north line. Starting from the junction of the 
two streams called the East and West Branches 
of Wolf Creek, which occurs on Lot 52, we And 
the West Branch receives its largest feeder from 
Jones' Brook, which rises in Wadsworth, runs 
three miles north to the main stream. The 
next is the Young or Case Brook, rising on Lot 
66 and running northeast. The third is a small 
stream starting at the paint mines. Another 
feeder to the West Branch is the Warner Brook, 
which rises on Lot 78, runs two miles north and 
empties. This main or AYest Branch, like its 
eastern brother, takes its rise in Granger. Yel- 
low Creek rises in Sharon, runs one and a half 
miles southeast to the township of Cople\', 
thence to the Cuyahoga River. On the west 
town line there is a tributary of Rocky River, 
which rises on Lot 21. This, with Yellow Creek, 
contributes to the waters of the Gulf of St. 
Lawrence. The other streams mentioned, to- 
gether with Paint Creek, in the southwest part 
of the town, flow into the Tuscarawas River, 
which helps to swell the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, and thence to the Gulf of Mexico, 
Thus there are several buildings in Sharon, 
whose roofs contribute to both of the great 
gulfs of North America, Sharon is drained by 
its natural formation, in the immediate rise of 
the laud from the numerous creeks to the dif- 
ferent table lands. Drainage was provided 
when the waters receded from this continent, 

Sharon shares with Montville in a swamp of 
seventy-five acres, which was called I)y the early 
settlers the Bear Swamp. 

She soil of Sharon is varied. The western 
half is bine clay mixed with small particles of 
shale, which changes as we go eastward to sand 
and gravel, mixed with petrified shell of ancient 



deposit. As we approach the east line of the 
township, there is a greater proportion of sand, 
with occasional gravelly knolls. The valleys 
are a compound, sand prevailing. Vegetable 
decomposition is about 33 per cent of its com- 
position. The valleys embrace one-fourth of 
the tillable land. The timber is variable ; 
principally beech in the northwest quarter. 
The middle tier of lots, north and south, were 
once celebrated for choice sawing timber. Yel- 
low white-wood, black-walnut, white ash. hard 
and soft maple, beech and white-oak abounded. 
The few noble oaks that yet remain are mostly 
in the east part of the township, and indicate 
that from four to six feet in diameter was not 
an uncommon size. 

Sharon remains as first surveyed, it being 
in accordance with the rules adopted at the 
commencement of the surve}- of the Western 
Reserve, unless natural objects prevented. It 
is five miles square, divided into eighty lots 
varying in size from one hundred and ninety- 
eight to two hundred and thirty-six acres, 
rendering in the aggregate 17,200 acres of 
land. The center is in 41° 6' north latitude. 
The pursuits of the inhabitants are almost en- 
tirely agricultural. The soil is adapted to 
grain and grazing. From 1835 to 1845. it pro- 
duced a great quantity of wheat. The fields 
were then visited by destructive insects to 
such an extent that farmers turned their atten- 
tion to sheep-raising. This was continued un- 
til 1868, when the produce of sheep fell to 
nominal prices, and this industry gave place to 
cheese-factories and dairying, and also to 
wheat-raising, which latter has proved success- 
ful for a number of years past. 

The principal village of the township is 
Shai-on Center, located, according to the fashion 
of the times, at the geographical center. It con- 
tains aliout forty dwellings, two dry goods, gro- 
cery and hardware stores, post office, two black- 
smith and wagon shops, two shoe shops, grist ar.d 
saw mill, two churches, hotel, town-hall and 






^^ 



622 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



sehoolhouse combined, harness shop. etc. The 
jMipulation niinihers l.")0; the whole township 
about 1,2(10. On the north line of the town- 
ship, near the northeast corner, is the village 
of Coddingville. This contains a hotel, a 
grocery, a few dwelling-liouses on the Sharon 
side, and a blacksmith and wagon shop, dwell- 
ings, sehoolhouse, etc., on the Granger side. 
Half a mile west is Troy Corners, which con- 
tains a store, hotel, dwellings, and the post of- 
fice known as Smith's Road. 

The principal part of Sh;iron was owned first 
by the minor heirs of Hart & Mathers, by 
which name the township was first designated. 
This was changed, at the suggestion of Peter 
A. More, to (jask. the name of his native city 
in Scotland, and was thus known until 1830, 
when the name was again changed, by act of 
the Legislature, to that by which it is now 
known. The name was suggested by the wife 
of Samuel Hayden, an early settler, in honor 
of her native town, Sharon, Conn. The formal 
organization of the township took place in 
April, 1831. Seventy-five votes were cast, 
which resulted in the election of Peter A. 
More, Samuel Hayden and Charles .McFarliu, 
Trustees ; Jacob lludesill. Clerk ; Col. Luther 
Fitch, Treasurer ; Jonathan Smith. Justice of 
the Peace ; Mark Smith, Constable. Of the 
above number, but one survives — Jacob Rude- 
sill. At the election in April, 1832, Amos 
Ritter. Charles McFarlin and John Boydston 
were chosen Trustees; Da^id Poydston, Clerk; 
Luther Fitch, Treasurer. 

The lands in Sharon (!ame into market in 
.^larch, 1829, but there were several squatters 
as early as 1815. Among these first settlers 
was one Parmeter, Bridgeman, McConkey, 
T'oint. V'alland and (Ji'een, and, it is supposed, 
that, as early as 1810, a hunter was living at 
the forks of Wolf Creek. When the lands 
were surveyed, in 1827, these squatters, with 
the exception of David Point and McFarlin, 
took their departure. They left no availaljle 



"Footprints on liie sun'l.s of time.'' 
David Point was a native of Orange County, 
N. Y.; came to I'ortage County, Ohio, in 1810, 
where he married a daughter of John Dunbar, 
and moved to what was then called " Hart & 
Mather," now Sharon, in 1810. He was a tan- 
ner and currier Ijy trade, and the settlers found 
him a valuable acquisition. As cattle were 
scarce, deer were slain for their hides as well 
as their meat, and Mr. Point proved a good 
tanner. One old settler declares he had a 
pair of boots made from deerskin of his tan- 
ning that had worn for twenty years, and 
thought that they would ^-et outlast several 
pairs of modern tanning and manufacture. Mr. 
Point lived to the age of eighty-four 3-ears. 
His widow still survives, aged eightj--six years, 
in full possession of all her faculties. Strictly 
adhering to the injunction of the Bible, there 
were born to them fourteen children. ITncle 
David looked with disdain upon modern fam- 
ilies, with a few children '-whining for sweet- 
cake and candy." Instead of this, he would 
say, " Mother, give them children a supper of 
roasted potatoes and milk ; put some leeks on 
the talile so the milk won't taste leeky!" 

As the actual settlement of the township did 
not take place until several jears after that of 
the neighboring townships, the settlers were 
spared much of the privation usually endured 
by the pioneers of civilization. They were 
enabled to obtain supplies from earlier settled 
neighbors iu adjoining towns, and their social 
customs and domestic manners partook of the 
character of older communities from the first. 

The first child born in the township was a 
son to Stephen Green and wife, who lived on 
Lot No. 13, iu 1819. The first female was a 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Point, born in 
1818. The first marriage was that of Joseph 
Willey to Malinda McFadin, in 1829. They 
moved to Porter County, Ind., where Willey 
died in 1850. The lirst death was that of a 
child of David Point, in 1822. As there was 



■V 



M' 



!£: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



G23 



no graveyard in Sharon at that time, the bur- 
ial took place in Granger, near Coddingville. 
A few settlers assembled to console the afflicted 
parents. The ceremony consisted of a hj-mn 
sung and a short petition to God for consola- 
tion to those called to mourn. 

The necessity of education was recognized 
by the early settlers in a school meeting held 
early in the fall of 1822. Among those who 
thus met were David Point, Abram Valland, 
Lyman Green and Charles McFarlin. At this 
meeting, it was resolved to build a schoolhouse, 
and the site selected was that upon which 
Link's Tavern now stands. An objection was 
made to this, however, from the fact that au 
Indian squaw had been buried there a few 
years before, and that her spirit had been seen 
and heard, and the following is what she is 
supposed to have said ; " Brothers, I do not 
want the place where my bones lie disturbed. 
M}' braves tell me this is theirs by inheritance. 
There was a time when our forefathers owned 
all this land ; now you envy me one small 
spot. Your forefathers came across the great 
plains and the Cuj'ahoga and landed on this 
our hunting-ground. When they came across 
the gi-eat waters, their number was small. 
They found friends and not enemies. The^' 
told us they had fled from their own country 
for fear of wicked men, and had come here to 
enjoy their religion. They asked for a small 
seat. We took pit}- on them and gave them 
corn and meat. They gave us poison (whiskj') 

in return. 

" ' Why is my sleep disturbed ? 
Who is it calls the deiul ? ' " 

The old squaw's grave did not prevent them 
from building on the place. Tradition says it 
was better than the majority of schoolhouses 
at that time. It had a floor made of split 
chestnut logs, and benches of the same mate- 
rial, similar to extended milking-stools. Here 
sat the juvenile lords and ladies of the past, 
some of whom were endowed with faculties to 



do honor to the farmer's station, while others 
stood at the head of their profession, and, in 
the halls of their native State, stood foremost 
to beat back the inroads of class legislation. 
The pedagogue who had the honor of teaching 
the first school in Sharon was David Holmes. 
His throne was an elm-bottomed chair. Perched 
therein, and equipped with a good ferule and 
plenty ol' blue-beech " gads," the monarch 
reigned. The roU'of scholars thus assembled 
in the first school taught in Sharon, in 1822. 
reached the number of twentj--four. A few of 
these lived in Granger, but this township fur- 
nished the great majority. Their names were 
William, Polly, Khoda and Sally Valland, John 
Orville, Esther, Moses, Reuben, Mervina, Al- 
mina and Wilson McFarlin, Jane, Betsy and 
Marilla Point, Ljman, Orpha, Dexter and Ase- 
nath Green, Myron C, Chester and Tracy Hills. 
Mr. Holmes married a Miss Codding, of Gran- 
ger, and removed to Michigan. He died in 
Concord, Jackson County, in that State, in 
1837. 

No other schools were commenced in the 
township until 1832. In the meantime, the 
town had become well settled, nearly all of the 
lots having been sold. This gave rise to the 
establishment of the second school, which was 
located at the center, in a building recentlj- 
erected for the double purpose of a school and 
town house. The people could find no author- 
itj' in law for levying a tax to build a house of 
that character, and so the enterprise had been 
carried out by subscription. This building was 
a small wooden structure, ceiled within, and 
supplied with a desk and seat extending along 
three sides. The scholars were thus seated 
with their faces to the wall, and their backs to 
the teacher. The first school taught in this 
house was in the summer of 1832, Elizabeth 
Haj'den, teacher. The winter term of that 
year was presided over by Dr. Ormsby, followed, 
the next summer, by Julia Hayden. The other 
school districts of the township, were formed 



\> "V 



M^ 



e2i 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTV. 



during the next live years, and were speedilj' 
supplied with scholars, one in 1840, enumerat- 
ing 117. 

The ruling spirits at the center of the town 
were generally New Englanders, fully alive to 
the importance of education, and early con- 
ceived the idea of a higher school. To this 
end, a charter was obtained in 18311, for the 
erection of an academj-, which was accom- 
plished during that year. This building also 
served a double purpose, the tirst tioor ijeing 
used for school purposes, while the upper room 
was occupied by the Universalist Sociel}- as a 
church. The first seven 3'ears of the existence 
of the academj-, was mainh' under the direction 
of John McGregor, a very successful teacher, 
and under whose supervision the .school ac- 
quired a widespread reputation. Mr. ^IcCiregor 
was a native of Scotland, and had there become 
quite a prominent politician, but for the expres- 
sion of some radical sentiment, he had left old 
Scotia, and came to \'ermont in 182lt. Through 
the intervention of Mrs, Caroline Gibbs, he 
came with his family to Sharon, and took 
charge of the academy during the winter of 
1830-37. In the spring, he was induced to 
go to Wadsworth to start a school there. Un- 
der his directions, the octagonal building in 
that village was erected and used by him for 
two years, when he returned to Sharon and 
taught five years. His tirst residence in Sharon 
was in a log house near the residence of the 
late Mrs. Graves, one mile north of the Center. 
He bought a farm on Lot 311. two miles west of 
the Center, on which he lived a short time. He 
moved to Wadsworth finally, in 1 8-12, settling 
on a farm on the diagonal road, near Wilson's 
Corners. His death took place in 1847, from 
the bursting of a blood-vessel. He was of an 
eccentric turn of mind, and zealous in anj' sub- 
ject he took hold of. 

itev. Alvin Dinsmore, Universalist. succeeded 
McGregor as teacher in the academy. He also 
served as Pastor of the societv that assembled 



to worship in the same building. He was a 
very studious man, and under his administra- 
tion, the school flourished greatlj-. Many stu- 
dents from abroad were in attendance, and 
classes were formed in the higher mathematics, 
philosophj', chemistrj', languages, etc. His 
favorite method of punishment of the smaller 
scholars, was bj' ducking in the spring at the 
l)ottom of the hill, near the academy. He was 
an extensive reader of history, and appeared to 
live more in the society of past ages than in 
the present. This made him seem to be absent- 
minded, but he was never neglectful of duty. 
He removed from here to Naperville, 111., in 
185G, but now resides in DeWitt, Iowa. 

E. W. lieynolds, a graduate of Western Re- 
serve College, and, perhaps, the most accom- 
plished scholar that ever taught in Sharon, was 
the next Principal of the academy. The previ- 
ous interest in this school was fully sustained un- 
der him, and many students from abroad came 
here for instruction. jMr. Reynolds married, while 
living in Sharon, a daughter of Abel Dickenson, 
of Wadsworth. His courtship and marriage 
had been conducted so secretly that the family 
in which he Ijoarded (Col. Barron's) had no sus- 
picion of the true state of afl'airs until one 
morning, while they were at the breakfast 
table, Mr. Dickenson suddenly came into the 
room somewhat intoxicated, exclaiming, " Mr 
Reynolds, you can have my horse and buggy to 
take your wife to Akron to-day." A thunder- 
clap would not have produced more astonish- 
ment in the family than thus to have learned so 
suddenly that their supposed b.achelor boarder 
was really a Benedick. Mr. Reynolds removed 
to Cassopolis, Mich., from which place he was 
elected to the Legislature of that State. An 
accidental fall from a wagon terminated his life 
about the year 18(50. 

The affairs of the academy thus eljbeil and 
flowed until 1851, when the old building was 
sold to make room for a church the Universal- 
ists had resolved to build. Another building 



^ 



S r- 



^.l^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



eao 



was fitted up for a high school, just east of the 
new church, and in this hxbored foi' two years, 
as teachers. Mr. Akh-ich and George Iludesill, 
respectively. The Presbyterian Church had by 
this time become disused, and was purchased 
aud fitted up for a high school by Isaac K. 
Henry, and by him used for a few terms. He 
was succeeded by others, among whom may be 
mentioned H. H. Mack, W. H. Williams and A. 
L. Barnard. The numlier of scholars under 
the latter's tuition rose as high as one hundred 
and twelve. After this, the school declined, 
and the old house was flnallv sold, and went to 
help build up a ueighboriug village. 

After the old house went away, there was a 
lull in high-school interests, but a few embers 
were still alive, aud the townspeople were per- 
suaded to build a house on a plan to serve in a 
three-fold capacity, so, with school tax, town- 
ship tax and private subscription, the present 
house was erected for township, high and com- 
mon school purposes. The character of the 
schools throughout the township, however, is 
not as good as it was in the early days. 

The Methodist Church in Sharon was organ- 
ized in 1832, with James Wilsou, Pastor, in 
charge. The persons that composed the first 
class in that church were Valentine Waltman 
(Class-leader), Achsah Waltman, Keziah Walt- 
man, Charles, Irena and Almira McFarlin. 
George, Susan and P0II3' Lowermau, Rebecca 
Smith, Harriet Skinner and Martha More. The 
church increased in numbers, so that, in 1842, 
they were enabled to build their present house 
of worship. The building committee was com- 
posed of William Graves and "\'alentino Walt- 
man. Like the schools, this society has ebbed 
and flowed until the present .year, when their 
number is double what it was at its first organ- 
ization. 

A Presbyterian Church was started in 1833, 
and served b\- occasional preachers of that 
school, until Rev. William Johnson was sent as 
a permanent Pastor, by nn Eastern society in 



Connecticut. He was paid $100 a year )jy the 
societ}-, the rest of his salary- being made up by 
his scattered parishioners. The church was 
continued until 1846, when it commenced to 
decline in numbers, by deaths, removals, and, 
perhaps, a type of theology better suited to the 
tastes of the people. 

As early as 1830 or 1831. there were ele- 
ments at work among the people, that indicated 
that a more liberal association might be col- 
lected. Those of such views, compared notes, 
and found enough strength to put up a build- 
ing for church and school purposes. This was 
the formation of the Universalist Society of 
Sharon. The building was erected in 1836. 
The first preacher was a Mr. Hull, of New En- 
gland extraction. He continued their speaker 
for three jears, and was succeeded by occa- 
sional preachers, until the arrival of Rev. Alvin 
Dinsmore. about the year 1S40. who continued 
to sojourn in Sharon for nearl3' twentj'-flve 
j-ears, preaching and teaching. In 1869, this 
societ}- sold a half-interest in their church 
building, to the Lutherans, who now occupy it 
alternately with them. There are two other 
churches in the township, one of which, Luther- 
an, is situated two miles southwest of the Cen- 
ter, and the other in the southeast part of the 
township. The latter belongs to the United 
Brethren, and is known as Mount Zwingli 
Church. Both of these churches have ceme- 
teries attached. 

The first mercantile establishment was 
started at the Center in 1833. It was situated 
on the southeast corner of the public square. It 
was soon bought out by W. Woollev, aud sold 
by him to Jehial Jaquith. Amos Ritter, from 
Pennsylvania, started a store on the present 
site of the L^niversalist Church, in 1836. He 
formed a partnership witli Isaac and Israel 
Beach, but the firm soon broke up. and Ritter 
removed to Brunswick. The next store opened 
was by the firm of Patchen & Bentlej-, which 
was of short continuance. Allen Howes then 



SI ' 



626 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



entered on a mercantile career, and was, per- 
haps, the most successful trader that ever oper- 
ated in town. He ran an ashery, operated b}- 
Jacob Fulmer, had an interest in the harness 
shop, dealt in lumber and building, and did 
more than an^' other man in town, to enliven 
business generall3-. He was the subject of 
ver3' serious domestic difliculties, brought 
about by the inconstancj' of his first wife, who 
finally left him. He afterward married !Miss 
Abby Warner, and removed to Chicago, to en- 
gage in trade. He has been succeeded in the 
mercantile line in Sharon, b}- a long line of 
merchants, among whom may be mentioned 
Farr, Chandler, Phinney, Chatfield, Rudesill, 
Barron and many others. 

The first mechanical business started in 
Sharon was a tannery, by James Hall, just 
south of the Center, in 1S31. He worked a 
year, and left, and was succeeded bj' John H. 
Rice, who started a tannery on the present site 
of Bowes' mill, in 1S35. He did considerable 
business at tanning, and also, at one time, car- 
rying on the business of shoemaking, Col. Bar- 
ron working for him in that capacity. Mr. 
Rice removed to Wisconsin in 1857, in which 
State his son. Dr. Rice, had achieved distinc- 
tion as a doctor and politician. 

In 1835, James Hazen had a blacksmith-shop 
at Troy Corners. His shop was built of hick- 
ory logs, and. although it had a door, the logs 
were so far apart that all of the smaller ani- 
mals were permitted to enter, children included. 
He was one of the best workmen of that time. 
Thomas Bender was the blacksmith at the Cen- 
ter in 1846. His insane wife for a long time was 
the terror of the older people, but a great fa- 
vorite with the children. They emigrated to 
Iowa. 

Among the early carpenters and joiners were 
John Burge (also botanical piiysician), Isaac 
Beach, Thomas King, Barton Green and Will- 
iam Chapman. Some of their wooden monu- 
ments are still standing, in the form of the old 



academy building, now a wagon-shop ; the old 
hotel, so long the residence of Mrs. Gibbs ; and 
a few other buildings throughout the township. 
All of the above are passed away. Mr. Green 
died in Cleveland, and King in Washington 
County, Wis. 

lentil 1833, the people in the south part of 
town received their mail at Wadsworth Post 
Office, and those north of the Center, at Gran- 
ger. In July of that jear, a route was estab- 
lished between those points for a weeklj- mail. 
This was done on condition that the mail should 
be carried for what the Sharon Center office 
would bring in. C. McFarlin took the job for 
45 cents per trip — a distance of eighteen miles. 
The office did not pay the first quarter, but did 
afterward. Luther Fitch, who enjoyed the two 
apparently contradictor)- titles of Colonel and 
Deacon, was appointed the first Postmaster, in 
1833. 

Horace Gibbs was Sharon's first cabinet- 
maker. He made chairs, tables and coffins — 
the latter at ■• -SI afoot." He had a turning- 
lathe, on a spring brook, near the residence of 
Valentine Waltman, where he got out his round 
stuff. He afterward located his shop at the 
Center. He was elected Justice of the Peace, 
which office he held for manj- j-ears. He mar- 
ried a daughter of John McGregor; moved 
from Sharon to Medina, where he kept a grocery 
for a year or two. then moved to Michigan. He ; 
afterwjwd went to Kansas, where he died in 1874. 

A. B. Root came to Sharon and started a 
harness-shop in 1842. He has worked contin- 
uously at this business over since. For many 
years, Mr. Root devoted the evenings to teach- 
ing vocal music in the different parts of Sharon 
and neighboring townships. He was the pio- 
neer organist for the churches, and owned the 
first instrument of that kind ever Itrought to 
town. He has raised a family of eight chil- 
dren, no deatii having occurred in the family i 
except that of .AJrs. Root, in 1872. He came to 
Ohio from Malone, Franklin Co., X. Y. 



rp 



<a i.^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



627 



The first hotel iu Sharon was erected by Milo 
and Horace Gibbs, in 18H5. and kept by them 
until 1845. 

Oliver Ingham came to Sharon in 1834, and 
put up a shop in which to build funning-mills. 
He, together with his lather, Judge Oliver Ing- 
ham, lived in a dwelling that now forms a part 
of the Sharon Hotel. Judge Ingham resided 
in Sharon until 1852. when he went to Mont- 
ville to pass the remainder of his days with 
his son, who had preceded him to that township. 
He died in 1869, aged eighty-five years. He 
represented his native district in Vermont, in 
her legislative halls, for a number of \ears. He 
was of the old-school politicians ; believed in 
the infallibility of the Democratic part}-, and 
heartily hated the Abolitionists. 

There have been erectetl nine water, saw and 
gi'ist mills in the township. The first was bj^ 
J. A. Davis, on Lot 26. This was continued in 
operation twelve years. The next mill was 
built by Col. Fitch, near the present residence 
of William Hopkins, in 1836. The Colonel 
soon tired of milling, owing to the trouble of 
keeping his dam in order, and sold out to Mj- 
ron C. Hills. The mill afterward passed suc- 
cessivelj' into the possession of Joseph Brittain 
and William Hopkins. The third was liuilt bj- 
Millard Wadsworth, on the south branch of 
Wolf Creek, but did not do much business, and 
soon left town. He had a log house on the 
present site of the cemeterj-. Edward Chand- 
ler built a mill on the creek, one mile south of 
the Center, in 1837. He refused to saw for the 
usual price, viz., half the lumber, but onlj" for 
cash, $2.50 to $3 per thousand. The fifth mill 
was erected on Lot No. 67. The sixth, on the 
falls, near the residence of Philip Young. 
Another mill was erected at Spruce Run, about 
1850, and one on the East Branch of Wolf 
Creek, in 1833, by Thomas Smith. Jacob Wade 
built a gi-ist-mill in 1832, on Spruce Run, two 
miles east of the center, with an IS-foot ovei'- 
shot wheel. He soon sold out to David Andrews, 



who ran it for many j-ears. It is still in opera- 
tion, with steam water and power, as a grist 
and saw mill. The first steam-mill in town was 
erected in 1839, by Joseph and Andrew Brown, 
who afterward sold it to W. Woolley. The next 
steam-mill was built b\- Richard Warner in 
1852. Other steam-mills have been put up by 
D. Grill and the Bowes Brothers. The reason 
of so many mills having been erected in Sharon 
is from the fact of its excellent early water- 
power, and its having contained within its bor- 
ders at least 10,000 acres of sawing timber. 
Probably half of this timber was destroyed by 
fire simply to get rid of it. Some of the old 
settlers bewail the labor thej- once underwent 
to burn up immense black walnut trees, which 
now would be worth more than the present 
value of their farms. However much credit 
they were entitled to for clearing up the land, 
the reflection comes that they rather overdid 
the matter. 

A distillery was started in September, 1830, 
on a small scale, in the east part of town, by 
Samuel Arnold. His grinding was done at 
Wellhouse's mill, in Copley, and in Wadsworth. 

The early settlers had very inditferent farm- 
ing tools. The " bull plow " was made from a 
twisting beech or oak stick for a mold-board, 
with strips of band-iron to keep it from wearing. 
The handle was straight, and terminated with an 
inserted pin or a cow's horn. A rough triangu- 
lar drag, furnished with nine oue-and-a-half- 
inch-square iron teeth, was used. Corn-plant- 
ing was done b}- striking the corner of the hoe, 
or sometimes an old ax, in between the roots of 
the trees and dropping the seed into the in- 
cision. After the corn was up, the cultivation 
consisted of hacking up the fire-weeds with a 
hoe. 

The Cleveland road, running north and south 
through the township, a mile east of the Cen- 
ter, was cut through in 1829. This work was 
enlivened by quite a number of adventures 
with bears, a large one being killed with an ax, 



^ 



'IL^ 



638 



HISTOP.Y OF MEDIXxV COT'XTY. 



by some ol' the Wadsworth eompaii}-. on the 
present site of the residence of George A. 
Shook. Tlie north-and-south center road was 
cut througii. and partially cleared, from 1829 
to 1832. The east-and-west center road was 
chopped throuiih west of the Center in 1832. 
but was found to bo impassable on account of 
swamps, and the old style of log-aud-rail roads 
had to be resorted to. The bridges were made 
by using the largest logs for abutments, with 
stringers long enough to span the chasm, cov- 
ered with poles or puncheons. 

In 1834. Jehiel Squire. John Nesmith. Sr.. 
Leavitt Weeks and William Eylcs laid out the 
road running from the Center east. They com- 
menced to angle just east of the Center, on ac- 
count of uatui-al obstructions on the cent<!r line, 
and formed a junction with the Copley- west- 
center road one and a half miles west of Cop- 
ley Center. The survey was continued to that 
place, the distance being found to be five miles 
and thirty-nine rods. The other I'oads were 
laid out later, as the needs of the settlers re- 
quired. 

The winter of 1832-33 was \ery severe, 
snow remaining on the ground until tlie last of 
March, (jlreat uumljers of wikl hogs perished 
in the rocks. Some two hundred were counted 
in two places. These animals, about the year 
1829. were the most dangerous enemy the earlj- 
settler had to contend with, and many stories 
of personal encounter are related. Jolui Cler- 
mont, working for Amos Ritter. was treed near 
where Charles Wall now lives. He was sur- 
rounded by scores of these ferocious l>easts. and 
had to remain on his perch nearly half a day. 
He had a gun, but the hogs were too numerous 
to dcstro}-. or be driven away, Ijy shooting. Mr. 
Andrews, the elder, while hunting near Spruce 
Run, was driven into a tree-top to save liimself 
from wild hogs. The great hunter of Sharon 
was William Douglas. He came to the townsiiip 
in 1830. with the Joneses, from Sugar Creek. 
Stark Co.. and the stories of his exploits in 



hunting bears, deer and bees, have been favor- 
ite themes in the township ever since. Half 
the farms in this region have been scenes of liis 
encounters with wild animals, or of thrilling 
adventures in climl.)ing large trees for bees and 
honey. He was the acknowledged champion in 
all athletic games, especially jumping, even 
after he had liecome an old man. He reared a 
large family, and. in 1850. moved to Wood 
County. His last visit to Sharon was in the 
spring of 1880, when he related the following 
story ; After he was seventy-five years old. Im 
climbed a bee-tree in Wood County, and. at the 
height of sixtv-five feet, stood on a limb to cut 
it ofl'. He lost his balance in this operation, 
and. to save himself from falling, had to jump 
for the top of a neighboring elm-tree, which he 
reached in safety. He used to wonder who 
would raise bread for the next " generation," as 
mankind were getting " wiser and weaker ; " 
but that was Ijefore the age of reaping machines. 

Some remains of the Mound Builders are 
found on Lot 47. One, quite prominent, was 
evidently a receptacle for the dead, long prior 
to the Indians that were here when the conti- 
nent was discovered b}' white men. 

(Jn Lot 32, is a gorge in the rocks, through 
which Spruce Creek runs. The west side is 
sixty-five feet in height. About sixty feet 
below the gorge, on the right bank, is •' Table 
Rock." This has l:)een detached from the main 
roclc. and is 40x60 feet in area, and thirty feet 
thick. It is reached by means of a rude bridge, 
anil lias always been a favorite resort for pic- 
nic ami pleasure parties. 

The township has afforded a great quantity 
of bog ore. It is in great abundance on Lots 
75 and 70. Coal has been mined to a consid- 
erable extent in this township, although the 
main fields extend be\'ond the township lines, 
southeast, into Norton and Watlsworth. The 
nearest coal to Cleveland, geograi)liically. is in 
^haron. 

There is an Inexhaustil>lc bed of mineral 



"3 \^ 



J^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



fk. 



629 



paiut ill the south part of the township, on Lots 
65 and 71. Its value as a paint was lirst dis- 
covered bjf William Blake, in 1844, since which 
time hundreds of tons have been shipped to 
the seaboard. Mr. Blake realized a large for- 
tune in this article. 

The only secret societies ever organized in 
the township were the Sons of Temperance, in 
1847, and the Good Templars, in 1853. 

Col. Norman Curtis came from Wadsworth, 
and settled in Sharon in 1833. He occupied a 
farm adjoining the Center on the south, and j 
was one of the most influential and respected 
men of the township. He was Clerk of the 
township for man}- years, and a leader in all 
educational and moral movements. His son, 
Lo3'al Curtis, died while serving as Warden of 
the insane asylum at Columbus, and George 
Curtis, another son, a prominent druggist of 
Janesville, Wis., died a few \'ears ago in the 
latter city. The Colonel left Sharon in 1858, 
for Roekford, 111., where he still lives (1880), at 
the advanced age of eiglit3--eight years. 

Mrs. Caroline Gibbs was a prominent person- 
age in the settlement of Sharon. She came 
from Vermont in 1833, with her husband, Milo 
Gibbs. In consequence of some domestic 
trouble, he left her, and she carried on the bat- 
tle of life alone ; she was a leader in all mat- 
ters of a political or public nature, and did her 
full share in developing the township ; she 
personally helped to clear off the public square ; 
doffing the dress of the parlor and putting on 
garments suited to the work, she grappled 
with the logs and stumps of the new clearing ; 
she was a great reader and well versed in his- 
torj- and politics ; she was a Democrat in her 
proclivities ; she removed to Michigan in 1873, 
and died there iu June, 1880, aged ninety-eight 
years. Her native State was Connecticut. 

The north mile-and-a-quarter road was set- 
tled by English people who came from York- 
shire, England, in 1832 and 1833. Their names 
were William Woodward and son John, John and 



Metcalf Bell, William Waters, George Cotting- 
ham and Brunskell, and James Pratt. Coming 
from a mining country, they were unaccustomed 
to farming, but soon adapted themselves to 
the necessities of their surroundings. Hard 
work was tlie lot for thirty years, of all, except 
two, who were killed by falling timber. They 
left fine farms and a goodly number of children. 

Jacob and Adam Kuder came from Lancas- 
ter Count}', Penn., in 1834, and bought farms on 
Lots 23 and 14. Tiiey were men celebrated for 
fair dealing, and did much in the settlement of 
the township. 

Among the earliest settlers on the Cleveland 
road was a family of four brothers, Wilson, 

John, Joseph and Lytic. The}' came from 

Huntington, Luzerne Co., Penn. Of the four, 
but one, Wilson Lytle, long survived. He cleared 
up a farm, and reared a family of sixteen chil- 
dren, a large part of whom are yet residents of 
Sharon. He died in 1873. 

James Reed came to Medina County in 1810 ; 
settled in Sharon in 1831, on the farm more 
lately owned by the late R. W. Mills. He also 
reared a large famil}' of children, some of whom 
are still resident here. 3Ir. Reed is yet living. 

Capt. Barnabas Crane came to Sharon in 
1833. His children consisted of live sons and 
three daughters. He bought land on the North 
Center road that had been settled by the Smith 
brothers. Four of his sons took farms along 
that road. Their names were Barnabas, Jr., 
Joseph, George W. and William A. These men 
have been among the most influential citizens 
of Sharon. None are now living except George 
W. Crane. The fate of Joseph Crane and his 
wife, who were both drowned in Skaneateies 
Lake, N. Y., at the same time, marked the most 
tragical and painful incident in the history of 
the township. William A. Crane removed to 
Minnesota, where he died. Capt. Crane died in 
1 856, aged eighty-three years. 

Jehiel Squire, the oldest person now liv- 
ing in Sharon, was born in Litchfield, Conn., 



-f^: 



630 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COIXTY. 



May 1, 1793. When a young man, he re- 
moved to New Jersej-, remaining there four 
years. He came to Ohio in 1820 ; moved into 
Wadsworth in 1827, where he taught school 
and worked at forming until he came to Sharon 
in 1832. He took an active part in the devel- 
opment of this township, assisting in the sur- 
veys, lajMng out roads, building sclioolhouses 
and churches, and was one of the originators of 
the Sharon Librarj- and Academy. He moved 
to Akron in 1842, and returned in 18G7. 

Samuel Hayden. a true pioneer, was from 
Litchfield, and his wife from Sharon, Conn. 
Thej' came to Canfield, Ohio, in ISOl, where 
they were married in 1802, During the war of 
1812, they moved to Springfield, Summit Co., 
and back again to Canfield. From there they 
came to Wadsworth in 1816, being among the 
earliest settlers of that township. They came 
to Sharon in 1830, and bought 200 acresofland 
one mile .south of the Center, for S3.25 per acre. 



He sold it four years afterward for $10 per acre, 
and purchased the land now owned by his sou 
Hiram Hayden. His family consisted of his 
wife and seven children, three of whom are j-et 
living in Sharon, 

Among the other pioneei's and early settlers 
to whom Sharon is indebted for much of her 
prosperity and development as a township, may 
be mentioned the names of Chatfield, fotherand 
sons. Edward and M. A. Chandler, Peter and 
Richard Amerman, S. W. Beech, Cj'rus E. 
French, David Dyer, E. B. Bentley, David 
Loiitzenhizer, Jacob Fulmer, Daniel and Abiel 
Briggs, Charles and Isaac Wall, Joshua Hart- 
man, Samuel Carr. John Turner and sons, and 
many others. They came into a wilderness to 
make for themselves homes, and bj' hard work 
and deprivations they succeeded. And what a 
glorious heritage they have left for succeeding 
generations ! Truly, " they builded better than 
thev knew." 



] 



CIIAPTER XXII.* 

GR.VNGER TOWNSHIP — TT.S CONFIGUR-ATION — .\ I..\ND PURCH.V.SE — HrXTlNTi ADVKXTUKK8 — THE 
•■BABES IN THE WOODS'— THE UEMSO\ TRAi'T— CHUKCHES ANH SCHOOLS. 



GRANGER is one of the first settled town- 
ships in Medina County. Its territory, for 
several years previous to the first permanent set- 
tlements that were made in this region, formed 
part of the ''stamping" ground of adventurous 
hunters who roamed through Northern Ohio 
in the beginning of the centur\-. Several squat- 
ters located in Granger Township prior to the 
j-ear 1815, but they did not remain long, and 
their names have escaped the memory of the 
people who came into this countiy soon after. 

Under the Land Company's survey, (i ranger 
was set apart as Township 3, Range 13. For 
several years, it was attached to Bath Town- 
ship, which now Ijclongs to Summit County, 

"(.'iiiilril.iilfd Irv Cluirli-.'i Neil. 



until it became a distinct and separate civil or- 
ganization in 1820. In natural beauty, Gran- 
ger surpasses any of its sister townships bj' the 
varietj' of its surface. At the spring seasons 
of the j'ear, the scenic effects of the hills and 
mountain knolls in the eastern part of the town- 
ship are exceedingly attractive and pleasant to 
the eye. Several of the knolls attain an eleva- 
tion of over a hundred feet. On one of the 
elevations, a half-mile east of Grangerburg, 
formerly stood an ancient fort. It is now al- 
most entirely obliterated, and only an indis- 
tinct remnant of the original fortification. It 
once consisted of a circular trench, with em- 
bankment, and was perhaps ten rods across, 
the northern extremitv beins now cut otf liy 




u 





3: 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



631 



a public road. A perpetual spring fed a small 
stream which flowed along the base of the wall. 
The origin of the fort is entirely shrouded in 
m3-stery, and there is nothing to indicate who 
were its builders and for what purpose it served. 
It was probably constructed bj- some aborigi- 
nal triljes, as its location and construction do 
not contain the military ad\antages that are 
sought after in modern warfare. 

The conglomerate underlies nearly all of the 
township, as it lies in the easterly range of 
Medina County. There are several abrupt 
ledges in the central part of the township, and 
several quarries have been opened in these 
pai'ts. Along the western line of the township, 
on the farm of Hoel Hatch, is a layer of sand 
rock, which comes near the surface, and is 
doubtless referable to the upper la3ers of Cuy- 
ahoga shale. 

The surface of the township is divided b_v a 
stretch of marsh or swamp land, extending 
from east to northwest for about five miles, 
varying in width from fifty rods to three- 
quarters of a mile. Its composition is mostlj- 
what is known as '• muck " and peat. The 
waters of several springs gather into these low 
lands. An artificial ditch extends for some 
length through the ■• swamp," and the surplus 
water is carried into the little stream known as 
Remsons Brook, which courses through the 
northwest corner of the township and empties 
into llockv River, near Weymouth, in Medina 
Township. A complete, oval-shaped mound, 
measuring over three hundred feet in circum- 
ference and attaining a height of over fifteen 
feet, is found near the center of a meadow on 
the farm of Franklin Sylvester, one mile north 
of Graugerburg. The owner has put a solid 
stone wall in its sides, and inclosed the ele- 
vated surface with an iron fence, and set the 
mound apart as a family burial ground. A 
shaft of blue Quincy granite, twentj" feet in 
height, stands in the center of this remarkable 
elevation of gi'ound. The knoll was probably 



thrown up bj' a tribe of Indians, for burial 
purposes, according to their custom, at some 
remote day. The geographical boundaries of 
Granger Township are marked on the east bj' 
Summit County', on the south by Sharon, on 
the west by Jledina, and on the north by Hinck- 
ley Townships. Its area, like that of all the 
townships of Medina Count}', embraces twenty- 
five square miles. 

William Coggswell and his uncle, Gibson 
Gates, were perhaps the first white men who 
trod upon the soil of Granger Township. The 
former has become famous in the pioneer his- 
tory of Medina Countj' ; and, in these early 
years, he, being then quite a young man, was 
known as one of the most intrepid and success- 
ful hunters in all the regions about. The two 
hunters, who were then living in Bath, put up 
a little cabin on a spot known as Porter's 
Pinnacle, in the eastern part of Granger, in the 
winter of 1810, and, in their hunting excursions 
through the regions west, would stop here for 
days at a time. From the memoirs prepared 
bj' Mr. William Coggswell, who died in Granger 
on the 28th of February. 1872, we take the fol- 
lowing sketches relating to the earl}' settle- 
ments. The first is a history of his ancestors : 

" William Coggswell, my great great-gi'and- 
father, was born in Ipswich, PjUgland, sixty two 
miles northeast of London, He was well edu- 
cated in navigation. In 166G, he became the 
owner of a vessel, and, taking in a companj'. 
he sailed for America, landing at Boston Har- 
bor. He remained for a number of weeks, and 
accompanied part of his passengers into the in- 
terior to look for a location. When the ground 
had been selected, it was named Ipswich, after 
the ship Captain's native place and the name 
of his vessel. After making several voyages 
to and from England, he finalh' settled in Ips- 
wich, in Massachusetts. Edward, his son, was 
born April 17, 1G85, and died April 17, 1773. 
Samuel, son of Edward, was born March 1, 1710, 
and died April 11, 1775. William, son of Sam- 



a 



{^ 



632 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



iiel, and mj- father, was born November 2, 1748. 
he died in Granger May 12, 1838. Although my 
father had been deprived of a regular school edu- 
cation, he made mathematics his choice study, 
and, by continued application in that branch, 
became quite fiimous as an almanac compiler 
in early life. When near life's close, he gave 
directions as to his burial, requesting Jehial 
I'orter to preach his funeral sermon from the 
text ' Blessed are they who die in the Lord,' 
selected the hymn that he wished to be sung, 
and uttered the following words : ' I am nearly 
eighty years old, was never at 50 cents' expense 
for a doctor bill, never lost by sickne.ss a meal 
in sixty years, but lost a great many meals on 
account of having nothing to eat.' "Sly mother 
was a daughter of Lieutenant Gibson Gates, 
who served during the Revolutionary war. 
She was born in Canterbury, Conn., in 1772, 
and, during life, passed through many trying 
scenes and privations. Among these scenes 
was the bloodj' massacre at Fort Wyoming, of 
which she was one of the survivors. .She there 
witnessed the barbaric spectacle of prisoners 
sacrificed at. the stake. One poor fellow had 
his bodj- and limbs filled with dry splinters, 
was then fastened to a tree and burned to death. 
Another had a portion of his bowels, after his 
body had been opened witii a knife, fastened to 
a sapling and was then forced to pass ai'ound 
the tree until his bowels had been torn out, and 
he fell exhausted and dead on the ground. My 
mother, in fearful anxiety for the lives of her 
two young children, and to keep them from the 
gaze of the red devils, was crouching on 
the ground praying and weeping. An Indian 
ap|)roaclied her Ijrandishing his IiUkkIv toma- 
iiawk. To divert his attention from his bloody 
purpose, she oflfered hi:n some bread and beef 
The offer had the desired effect. The savage 
asked where h(;r papooses were ; she pointed to 
where they were hid. The Indian ordered her 
to take them to a certain corner in the fort and 
sit down. She did so, and while there thanked 



< ; " 1 for her deliverance, and of those with her, 
and devoutly prayed that God would be a pi-o- 
tector to her and her children. The prayer was 
heard and answered. She lived long and hap- 
pily after witnessing that cruel massacre. She 
died in Bath at the age of seventy-two, and is 
there buried. Four of the survivors who wit- 
nessed the Wyoming Massacre, after being long 
separated during life, are buried within four 
miles of each other, in Bath and Granger. 

''I was born February 20, 1794, at the great 
bend of the Susquehanna. \. Y. In 1797. my 
father, AVilliam, sold and removed from New 
York to Alleghany County, Penn.. near Red- 
stone Fort. In 1801, he became the owner of 
200 acres of land in Beaver C<.)unty. Penn., by 
virtue of a soldier's right. In April, 1802, he 
moved there. I'rovisions were then scarce and 
costly. Often he was forced to leave home and 
work for means to supply his family. Once, 
when leaving, my mother made the inquirv. 
what she should do if provisions were ex- 
hausted before his return '? He said : • There is 
a half-barrel of bran, sift it and make bread of 
it ; when that is gone, go to the potato patch, 
and dig out the old potatoes, without disturb- 
ing the roots, boil them and use them witli 
milk ; when they are gone, follow the cows in 
the woods, see what herbs they eat, pick of the 
same, boil them and eat that with milk.' IIa\- 
ing gone forty miles, secured employment, 
and received his pay in corn, he joyfully re- 
turned with his earnings. A tree was cut 
down, a hole burned in the stump, a spring pole 
erected. In' means of which the corn wa-- 
pounded and ma<lr ready for use, and in thai 
way fed seven in the family. When ten years 
old, I was, in the absence of ray father, com- 
pelled to chop and prepare fuel. I had no 
shoes to wear in the winter season. To keep 
my feet from freezing. 1 heated a board at the 
fire, carried it out, and then stood on it when 
chopping. When it became cold, I brought it 
in and heated it aiiain, and in that wav made 



^ 



Tis r- 



2^ 



liL^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIJ^A COUNTY. 



633 



it answei' for shoes and stockings. In progress 
of time, rights to land were often in dispute. 
It was discovered that m}' fatlier was one of 
the unluck}-, and had settled on the wrong 
piece of land. Though he had made an open- 
ing, erected his cabin and settled down, as he 
supposed, for life, he was forced to give up 
possession, as another soldier's right claimed 
the land. Becoming ac(juainted with Judge 
Oliver Phelps, then the owner of Granger Town- 
ship, m3' father visited that township in 1807, 
and found it wholly unsettled. Being pleased 
with the appearance of soil, timber and its other 
natural advantages, he made a selection of 370 
acres in the central part of the township. 
After he had looked at the land, he returned 
to Warren, Trumbull County, and contracted 
with Calvin Austin, agent of Judge Phelps, for 
the land, and paid the sum asked. Some time 
thereafter, Phelps became insolvent, his title to 
lands was seized Jjy creditors and sold. Mj^ 
father, having purchased on contract, was forced 
to lose what he had paid, and was, for the sec- 
ond time, prevented, through force of circum- 
stances, from being a land-holder. He had not 
yet removed his family to Ohio, and therefore, 
after losing his purchase, he continued to re- 
side in Pennsylvania until 1815. when he re- 
moved to Columbiana County. Ohio. In 1818, 
he again came to Granger, bought by article, 
the lot now owned by J. L. Green, and settled 
thereon, and for six years struggled through 
the many hardships incident to first settlers. 
About the time his article expired, he found 
himself unable to make payment, owing to 
want of price for produce. He sold his claim 
to his sons, William, Samuel and Nathaniel, 
who continued to reside there and make im- 
provements. In 1824, I became by purchase 
sole owner ; Init soon concluded to select 
another locality, sold my right to land in 
Granger Township, and moved into Bath. 

■• I must now make a break in my history, 
otherwise the pioneer community will cast me 



out of their synagogue. In 1810, in company 
with my uncle Gibson Gates, and Hezekiah 
Burdick (two of the first settlers in Bath), I 
left the home of my father, in Pennsylvania, 
traveled by way of Vannatt's Ford, on the 
Mahoning River, to the house of Gates, in Bath. 
I remained there until the August of that year, 
when, in company with Gates and John Man- 
ning, I started for Granger Township. Our 
course was through Richfield, by way of L. 
May's place, thence westwardly to Panther 
Cave, in Hinckley. We visited that cave in 
search of game, but saw no panthers. From 
there, we traveled to where an Indian gallows 
was standing, in the big bend of Rocky River. 

"In 180G, a squaw had been hung there, 
charged with witchcraft. The squaw had said 
that there would be darkness on the face of the 
earth in June, which the Indians decided to be 
undoubted proof of witchcraft. She was hung 
in May, and on the 13th of June there was an 
eclipse of the sun. After viewing the gallows, 
we traveled on southerly, and, at night, en- 
camped under a ledge of rocks in the noi'thern 
part of Granger. I at that time carved mj' 
name on a beech-tree, which can be seen to-day. 
After feasting on wild turkey for breakfast, we 
pursued our course and came on to the Smith 
road, in the neighborhood where the Squaw 
Tavern now stands. This was mj' first visit 
into and through Granger. It was then truly a 
wilderness ; the marks of the pioneers were 
few. We shortl_y after returned to Bath. 

•In January, 1813, the War Department 
found it necessary to build three small gun- 
boats to be used in annoj-ing the larger vessels 
of the enemj-. It had been discovered by Com- 
modore Perry, that small vessels, being more 
easily and rapidly managed, could do effective 
service in close contest. The contract for build- 
ing the boats was awarded to Brimel Robins, 
of Allegheny, Penn., who selected • Old Port- 
age,' on the Cuyahoga River, as the place where 
to build them. The timber and lumber were 






^1 



634 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUXTY. 



furnished by Capts. Rice aud Stowe, aad sawed 
in tlie mill of Francis aud Zenas Kelse}', at 
' Old Cuj-alioga Village' .Stewart Ga\lord was 
Superintendent of the boat-j'ard. In June, the 
three lioats were launched, and were respectively 
named Tripp, Tigress and Portage. I was em- 
ploj'ed with others to float them down to the 
lake, with instructions that when we got them 
to the • pinery ' w-e should furnish each boat 
with masts and spars. While floating down tlie 
river toward our destination, we descried a tree 
that had fallen in the river, and. unless removed, 
would stop the boats. Being then young and 
full of life, I attacked the log with an ax, and, 
when nearly ready to float, I lost m3- balance 
and fell into the water. It was about fifteen 
feet deep. With vigorous efforts, my ax in 
hand, I swam ashore. At the ' pinery,' we were 
detained several da^-s in procuring the neces- 
sar}- rigging for the boats. At that place. I 
killed a porcupine, which was looked upon as 
an animal of great curiosity by our crew. When 
we got to Cleveland, the gunboats were ex- 
amined by many, and the general opinion was 
that they were the kind needed. When at 
Cleveland, I became verv patriotic, and wished 
to enlist under Commodore Perry : but I decided 
to go home first, and, after making proper ar- 
rangements, to return aud become a sailor. 
Mj' mother, having tested in part the scenes 
and privations of the Revolutionary war, was 
opposed to my enlistment, and. with pleadings 
and rehearsals of war incidents she had wit- 
nessed, dampened my ardor, and I finally con- 
sented to remain on shore, and not brave the 
storms of Lake Erie on a small gunboat. In 
the summer of 181-t, I was employed in the 
salt works at Liverpool, working there until 
December, When winter had fairly set in, I 
started for Granger, in company with Daniel 
Mallet, intending to make hunting our main 
business for some weeks. We killed large (juan- 
tities of small game. After some days, we 
found a long-legged bear in an alder swamp. 



When he discovered us. he commenced a re- 
treat. As he passed near me, I fired, but with- 
out eflect. The two dogs next attacked him, 
which he seized, and commenced hugging and 
biting. I reloaded and fired a second time, the 
ball disaljling his foreleg, when he iramediateh* 
let go of the dogs, and commenced biting his 
maimed limb. After venting his spleen upon 
the maimed limb, in despite of dogs, he came 
toward me in a very menacing manner. I re- 
treated rapidl}-. but reloaded as I ran, and, 
when fully prepared, wheeled about and fired. 
The ball took lodgment in the bear's jaw, caus- 
ing it to hang downward. At this juncture. 
Mallet came up to the chase from the opposite 
side of the swamp, and, taking deliberate aim. 
put a ball in his brain, and ended the race. 
The next day, we procured a horse, on which 
we carried to Liverpool the game we had shot 
during our hunting excursion. In those days, 
an ax and rifle constituted my chattel property, 
and it then seemed to me that I had all that 
was necessary. After staying at Liverpool for 
some time to complete a chopping contract, I 
again started for the residence of my Uncle 
Gates, near the Cuyahoga. At this early date. 
there were no lot-lines in Brunswick or Hinck- 
ley ; therefore, I traveled a course by guess, I 
had got into the northwest part of Bath when 
night came on. Wearied aud hungrj' I halted, 
struck up a fire, peeled some bark with which 
to make a bed, arranged it in hunter's style, and, 
drawing my slouch hat over m\- face, fell into a 
pleasant sleep, I slept untroubled until morn- 
ing. When I awoke, I found my bark coverlet 
beautifulh- adorned with a covering of snow 
about three inches in dej)th, I arose early aud 
left my bed for the accommodation of auj- one 
who might need it. I had designed to reach 
the cabin of Elijah Hale when I left Liverpool ; 
still I was not there. On my way in the morn- 
ing, I killed two deer. Upon arriving at Mr. 
Hale's, I informed his wife that 1 stood in much 
need of dinner, supper, breakfast and dinner, as 



■71^ 



8 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



635 



I had not eaten anything since I left Liverpool. 
She furnished me with eatables to replenish ray 
emptj- stomach. In going from this caliin to 
that belonging to his brother Jonathan, a little 
way further east, I killed a big buck, which I 
sold to Jonathan for $2. After remaining with 
the Hales a short time, I again commenced to 
ramble from place to place, in search of work 
and game. In 1815, I had an interview with a 
bear that to this day causes me to shudder 
when I think of the hazardous adventure. Isaac 
Sippey, Dan Willey, AVilliam Ben and myself 
were felling a tree for ' coons,' when the bark- 
ing of our dogs at a distance signalized that 
the}' had found game. When we reached the 
dogs, we found that they were in close combat 
with a bear, in the hollow of a large tree. I 
crawled in the length of my bodj', caught the 
hind legs of two dogs, and succeeded iu drag- 
ging them out. I then crawled in a second 
time, got hold of the leg of the remaining dog, 
and, b}- hard pulling, succeeded in rescuing him 
from the tight grasp of the bear. The dog died 
soon after being brought out, Soou, the- infu- 
riated bear showed his head at the opening, 
when a blow from an ax, given by Sippey, 
nearlj' severed the snout from the head. The 
bear drew back, but in a very few minutes again 
poked out his mutilated head, for which Sippey 
had been watching, A second stroke buried 
the ax in bruin's head, who then ceased to draw i 
back. We drew him out, and estimated his 
weight, after being dressed, at 400 pounds. 
During this hunting excursion, we killed twenty- 
nine raccoons, one ' wooly nig,' and this bear, 

" In 181G, in company- with Sippey, I roamed 
over portions of Granger, Bath and Hinckley in 
order to get a supph- of honey, hops and cran- 
berries, on which to trade. During our wander- 
ing from place to place, we often shot wild 
game and occasionally a bear. In the fall, the 
bears were accustomed to visit wild groves ! 
where acoi'ns or chestnuts grew, and very often 
a bullet from the well-aimed rifle of the hunter 



caused the bear to fall from oak or chestnut tree 
on which he had perched himself to feed upon 
his favorite food. 

" In 1818, I became a permanent citizen of 
Granger. My brother-in-law, Isaac Sippey, and 
myself, purchased by article the land where C. 
R. Spencer now lives, on which we paid SI 60. 
That summer, we cleared and planted six acres 
of corn, and a large patch with potatoes. In 
the fall of that year, I visited the home of my 
father, and, after a short stay, he and family 
removed with me to Granger. My father. Sip- 
pej- and I cut the first opened road from Cu3-a- 
hoga to Granger at our own expense, and, while 
thus employed, we camped out manj- nights. 
Our only vegetable food was potatoes, roasted, 
and eaten with the meat of wild game that we 
occasionally shot, 

" Having lost some of our cattle, Sippej- and 
I concluded to make search for the strayed ani- 
mals. While passing through the woods, the 
bark of the old dog gave notice that he had 
found some kind of game. When we came to 
the spot, we descried an animal perched high 
in a tree, that looked to be of the panther tribe. 
We had no guns with us, and, to dislodge the 
animal, we must have recourse to a different 
mode of attack. Upon a nearer approach, we 
discovered our supposed panther to be a wild- 
cat of no common size. I proposed to climb 
the tree and shake the animal off, but was re- 
minded by Sippej- that ' pussy's claws were not 
to be easily shaken off the limb.' I determined 
to make battle and kill the cat. I cut a club 
of proper weight, and ascended the tree. When 
within ten feet of the limb on which ' pussy ' 
squatted, I stopped to take a look at the ' crit- 
ter.' The gi'een, glaring eyes made me feel un- 
comfortable, but my position required that I 
should be courageous. With mj- left hand. I 
took firm hold of a limb, and with m}' right 
hand I wielded mj' bludgeon. As I stood 
watching, the wild-cat made first a few quick 
sliakes with her tail, and instantlv bounded 



IS 



^ 



636 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



for mj- face. Instantly 1 parried oif its descent 
with the club, and sent the animal to the 
ground. The dog was on hand, and made 'jaw 
love ' to ' pussj'.' A hard fight of scratching 
and biting ensued, until Sippey, with a blow of 
a club, ended the cat's life. 

" During the early settlement, there was a she 
bear that annoyed the settlement bj- frequently 
carrying otf hogs, calves and other domestic 
animals. She was often threatened, and as 
often pursued. In the winter of 1822, I was 
hunting in the northwest part of Granger, 
when I came on her trail, which was known to 
all hunters by the unusual length of the strides. 
She was followed by two cubs. I called on 
Sippey and told him of my discovery, and pro- 
posed that we should go in search, and. if pos- 
sible, bring the lady to terms. The next morn- 
ing we were earl3- on the trail, intending, if pos- 
sible, to rid the neighborhood of the old pest. 
We followed the trail all day, through Hinckley, 
and, toward evening, discovered dead bees on 
the snow. We soon found the tree, which we 
chopped down, and found over a hundred 
pounds of honey. We scooped out a trough 
with the ax. and filled it with choice honey- 
comb, and, night coming on, we encamped 
there, faring sumptuously on bread (which we 
always carried with us) and honev. Next morn- 
ing, we breakfasted early on honey and bread, 
and then pursued the ti-ail. After pursuing 
the zigzag tracks for some miles, we came to a 
large basswood, in which was the bear and her 
two cubs. Marks about the tree seemed to say 
that it had been tenanted by the old depreda- 
tor for years. We concluded we had the ' old 
gal ' in close quarters, and commenced, by 
sturdy blows, to fell the tree. The tree fell 
slowh'. being impeded by limbs of other trees, 
of which occurrence the bear took advantage, 
and made a leap from the tree before it struck 
the ground. We supposed the • old sinner ' 
would at least tarry till the tree fell, but she 
was off at full speed. I fired, but the ball took 



no effect. Sippey soon dispatched the two 
cubs with his ax. The next day, with horses 
and sled, we hauled home cubs and honey. 
The next winter, I was hunting in the north 
part of Granger, and I had killed two turkeys 
and a deer, and, after traveling about a mile 
from where I had hung them up, I came across 
the same thieving old bear. It seemed as 
though she knew me, but she did not tarry long. 
I raised my gun and fired. The ball lodged in 
her hip, and she made off through the woods. 
As I pursued, I reloaded, and fired a second 
time, and broke her fore-leg. When the leg 
was broken, the bear stopped, sat up and bit 
the maimed limb, and then was off again. I 
started in pursuit through the southwest part 
of Hinckley, into Brunswick, then across Plum 
Creek, then down the creek, then east into 
Hinckley, and lastly into an alder swamp. She 
secreted in the mud and water of that swamp, 
keeping her head up. I went within proper 
distance, fired and killed her. This chase was 
about the hardest and longest I ever ran. 

" Uncle Gates and I started one day with the 
intention of taking a little look for game 
through the woods. When we were near the 
north line of Bath, we separated, with the un- 
derstanding that we would meet at another 
certain point. I had not gone far when I dis- 
covered where a ■ coon ' had come off a large 
oak-tree, and had turned back and gone up the 
tree again. I knew if there was au Indian 
there, he would contrive some way to get the 
game without the trouble of cutting the tree. 
I looked about to see how this could be done. 
There was a large limb on the oak, about sixty 
feet from the ground, and not far from the ti'ee 
was a small hickor^v, which, if felled, would 
lodge in the limb, I chopped the hickory, it 
lodged and made, as I supposed, a safe bridge 
by which I could reach Mr. ' Coon.' But I 
was mistaken, for, when within ten feet of the 
limb, I discovered that there was very little oj 
the top of the hickory that was above the limb, 



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•f 



^A 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



G37 



and that it was sliding down further every 
move I made. This was a perilous situation 
indeed, and I saw that something decisive must 
be done. I first thought of retreating, but I 
soon found that this would be as bad as ad- 
vancing, as every move I made, brought the 
hickory farther off the limb. I, therefore, re- 
solved to reach the tree if possible, and, with 
several desperate grabs, I did so. I now 
thought I would make things safe, and I took 
the top twigs that still held the hickor3- against 
the oak, and whipped and tied them around the 
limb of the oak. I soon discovered the retreat 
of the ' coon,' and, chopping in, T pulled him 
out and threw him down to my dog. I de- 
scended safely, and, by the time I had reached 
the ground, mj' uncle Gates came up. I showed 
him what I had done, and he declared that he 
would not have undertaken it for all the land 
on the Cuj-ahoga River, from Old Portage to 
Cleveland. I did not undertake it for the value 
of the ' coon,' but because I thought I would 
not be outdone l\y the Indians." 

Job Isbell, while passing through the woods 
one day, in the northern part of the township, 
with his gun looking for game, caught sight of 
a bear. He crept cautiously near, and, at some 
distance, fired at Mr. Bruin. He merely in- 
flicted a wound, and the bear, enraged and 
growling, advanced toward the hunter. With 
all the agility at his command. Job reloaded 
his rifle, but, in his haste, throwing in perhaps 
treble the amount of powder usuall}' needed. 
He had his charge made safe and was ready to 
fire, when the bear was but a few feet from 
him. He pointed the muzzle of the gun directh' 
at the head of the beast and fired. There was 
a terrific explosion. He found himself thrown 
back, and sprawling on the ground. The gun 
had exploded. When he recovered, he found 
the bear dead before him, weltering in his own 
blood. He picked up the pieces of his gun 
and departed for his home to get help and haul 
the carcass into the settlement. 



In the month of October, 1817, James Gan- 
yai-d, Elizur Hills, Anthony Lowe and Burt 
Codding, four farmers, then located near Bris- 
tol, Ontario Co., X. Y., came out to Ohio, 
iu a carriage drawn by two horses, to view 
the lands of Township 3, Range 13, in the 
Western Reserve, and, if satisfied with the con- 
dition of soil and locality, they would then 
make a purchase. They remained for several 
days in the locality, viewing the laud and in- 
specting its natural advantages. The^' stopped 
at the cabin of one Ezekiel Jlott, who had 
squatted here several years previous, on the 
southern line of the township. After being 
well satisfied of the richness of the laud and 
its adaptabilitj' for farming purposes, the four 
prospectors returned to their homes in New 
York, and purchased, of Gideon Granger, who 
was the proprietor, three-fourths of the town- 
ship, at $4- per acre. Thej- sold their farms in 
Ontario County to Mr. Granger, in part pay- 
ment, and together gave a mortgage bond, 
amounting to over $14,000, on the new lands in 
Ohio. After the agreement had been made, 
and before the written contract was signed, 
James Ganyard transferred his right of propri- 
etorship to John Codding, reserving onh- to 
himself so much land as he had paid for. The 
mortgage given by the purchasers proved of 
serious difficulty to them in after years. Soou 
after they had taken possession of the Granger 
lands, and had commenced making improve- 
ments. Congress placed large areas of Govern- 
ment lands, in the counties south of the Re- 
serve, on the market, at less than half the price 
paid by the Granger settlers. The consequence 
was that immigration was attracted to these 
lands, and the Granger people were unable to 
sell their surplus lands, at even a less price 
than they had originally paid. In the course 
of a few years, the mortgages became due. 
The owners were unable to meet the obligations, 
and their lands and possessions reverted to the 
former proprietor. This produced quite a scri- 



-RT 






638 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



ous obstacle to the first purchasers in the way 
of gaining unineiiinbered farms and securing 
for themselves the reward that thej- had so well 
merited, by their toilsome labor in clearing and 
opening up these lands. 

In the beginning of the month of Februar\-, 
1818, the first train of emigrants started in ox 
sleds from Ontario County, N. Y. The party 
consisted of Elizur L. Hills, with his sisters, 
Abigail and Marilla ; Elizur Wolcott, John 
Codding and wife, and one child ; Festus and 
James Ganyard, Seth Dye and wife, Richard 
PauU and wife, and Seth Paull, with his family 
of two children. They arrived on the new 
lands in the middle of March. For the ftrist few 
days after their arrival, they availed themselves 
of the proffered hospitalities of the cabin of 
the " Squatter " JNIott, and part of them found 
quarters at the cabin-home of John Turner, over 
in Copley Township. The men at once set to 
work, after having placed the stakes for their 
new possessions, to build cabins for their own 
use and commenced clearing land. Several 
cabins were soon erected, and the work for a 
new and vigorous colonj- had commenced. 

Another party, consisting of Elizur Hills and 
wife, with seven children ; Anthony Low and 
family, and Burt Codding, left their homes in 
Ontario, N. Y., and joined their friends and 
children who had preceded them, in the fol- 
lowing fall. All these families settled close to- 
gether, on lands along the Smith road, in the 
southeast part of the township, in tiie vicinity 
of what is now known as Coddingville. John 
and Daniel Burt, and James and Festus, all of 
them j'oung men, came out from Ontario and 
located in the township, in the southern and 
central part. The increase in the number of 
settlers in the township now continued. Nathan 
Hatch came with his family of five children and 
settled on the west line of the township, on the 
24th day of ( )ctober, 1818, The month of Fel)- 
ruarv following this date brougiit Benjamin 
Burt and his mother, who settled with their 



sons and brothers, John and Daniel, who had 
preceded them the fall before. At the same 
time came Bella Spencer, with his family ; the 
Widow Amanda Isbell, with her child, and 
James and Amos Isbell, two single young 
men ; James Ganyard, with his wife and two 
children — two of his sons had already located 
here the year before — and Mrs. John McCloud, 
who lived in the Gan^'ard family, and Hoel 
Hatch, whose parents had remo\ed into this 
settlement the year before. He had remained 
at the old home in Ontario, N. Y., whence 
all these emigrants had come, on account of 
breaking his leg a few days previous to the 
time his parents had started for Ohio. 

The young colony now began vigorous efforts 
to hew out a home in the woods. Cabins were 
built, land was cleared on every hand, and the 
same difficulties that settlers in other regions 
have met, were confronted and overcome. Im- 
mense trees covered nearly all of the land — 
certainh' all of what was first opened — and, 
though this timber was convenient for building 
their houses and barns, and making rails for 
their fences, it had to be cleared from the 
ground to make way for cultivation. First, 
when upon the ground, a house was made of 
logs, and covered with thin boards, riven out of 
oak blocks, and next floored with thick slabs of 
split oak ; this was called a " puncheon '' floor. 
Then came the clearing, which was done by 
grubbing out the bushes, and cutting off the 
smaller trees. The trees were deadened, bj- 
chopping a girdle of notches through the bark. 
The ground was then ready to be plowed, as 
well as the rough state of it would allow, and 
planted with Indian corn, potatoes and pump- 
kins. In the fall, the corn was gathered, and 
wheat sown where it had stood. The next year, 
more land was cleared and treated in like 
manner. But, as the cattle and pigs lived in the 
forest, and boarded themselves there the greater 
part of the year, substantial fences — the zigzag 
rail fence — had to be built around each field ; 






~^fr 



1*^1 « 



i^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



639 



and this fencing cost nearly as much labor as 
the clearing. Had they not adopted the 
plan of deadening the trees, it would have 
been more than the poor pioneer could have 
compassed to cut the trees down and re- 
move them from the ground. As it was, the 
trees stood till they dried up, and the branches 
dropped off and the trunks fell. The rubbish 
was cleared up and burned each spring, till it 
was gone. A man and his wife and daughters 
would gather and burn lirush and build fences 
on a spring clearing, and they would do it with far 
better spirits than the ladies of to-day often do 
their shopping. This was part of the life that 
befell the Granger settlers. But they bravely 
encountered all the difficulties that came in 
their waj-, as the smiling fields and handsome 
homes of to-day attest. 

From a paper prepared by the Hon. Myron 
A. Hills, one of the first settlers of Medina 
County, read before the Granger Pioneer Society, 
we take the following few sketches which relate 
to the history of the township : 

" Believing that a biography, however short, 
of the first settlers of Granger, with an incident 
here and there of early times, cannot but be of 
interest to the present as well as future genera- 
tions of the men and women who redeemed from 
a wilderness the Granger of to-da}'. I shall 
confine mj'self in my sketches to those of the 
pioneers with whom I have been acquainted. 
* * * I will first speak of my father, Elizur 
Hills. He was born in East Windsor, Conn., 
March 22, 1768. My mother, Abigail Codding, 
was born October 2, 1772. Of my father's early 
history, I know but little, save that at nine years 
of age he lost his father, and in the employ of 
others he lared hard, and was hard worked. He 
always loved books and read much. I have 
heard him say, that, at the age of fourteen, dur- 
ing the war of the" Revolution, he was very 
anxious to stand a draft for the army in place 
of his brother Xorman, who, though older, was 
not as large, and, thinking that size rather than 



age might determine the issue, he stretched him- 
self to his utmost height, but he failed and be- 
came very much chagrined. He came at an 
early day, among the first there, to Ontario 
County, N. ¥., and bought land at 50 cents an 
acre. He married there in 1792. * * * To 
show how men become attached to one another, 
let me state an incident : In the summer of 
1824, my father and mother made a visit from 
here to Bristol, N. Y., and among those whom 
they went to see was Capt. David Doolittle, who 
had served in the war of 1812, on the frontier, 
as a Lieutenant in the Bristol Light Infantry, 
of which my father had been Commandant. 
They called at his house, but he had gone out in 
the woods for a load of wood. A messenger was 
sent out with the information that Capt. Hills 
and wife had called to see him. He had par- 
tially loaded his wagon, but, not knowing what 
he was doing, he threw out what wood he had 
loaded, and hastened back to embrace an old 
friend. * * * l would like, had I time, to 
give a description of our first journey from 
Bristol, N. Y., to Granger. After we had jour- 
neyed to Buffiilo, which was then a small village, 
we remained there a week, waiting for the new 
Walk in the Water, the first steamboat that 
ever plowed the waters of Lake Erie. We em- 
barked at Black Hock, and, after passing up the 
lake, we landed at Cleveland, which was then 
not as large as Grangerburg. The boat anchored 
a mile from shore, and we were taken on land 
in a small row-boat. Job R. Isbell, one of our 
neighbors here now, assisted in the landing. 
This was the first time that I saw him. He was 
always cheerful and social, and quite at home 
where others were afraid and timid. ^ly mother 
had become sick on the voyage, and she had to 
be carried ashore on a bed. On the next day 
after our landing, in the afternoon, my brother 
Chester, ten years old, Grant Low, nine 3-ears 
and myself eight years, started witii Job and 
Lyman Isbell on foot for the settlement in Gran- 
ger. After ojoins; throusfh the woods for five or 



s ~*y 



4^ 



tm 



640 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



six miles, we bo3-s became very much tired. To 
cheer us up, Job Isbell proposed that we boys 
shoot at a mark. We did so, aud I think it was 
the first time we boys had ever fired a gun. It 
set us up some and gave us new courage. AA^o 
remained that night near Brecksville, at the 
house of a Mr. Meach, a little waj- east of what 
is now known as Coat's Corners. The next morn- 
ing we struck through the woods. The first place 
we came to was the house of old Uncle Farnam, 
just north of Kichfield Center. From there, we 
passed to Hoadly's Mill, which is now Ghent, 
and thence across to the Smith road, where Isaac 
Morse then lived, and from there on to the old 
homestead in Granger, arriving in the middle of 
October. 1818. And we were three as tired 
chaps as ever came into Ohio. I remember 
well Job Isbell had to keep his brother Lyman 
in check, that we boys might keep up with 
tliem, telling him that we boys were not full- 
grown Indians, as he was. As we came in 
sight of Morse's clearing. Grant Low cried. 
Job told him he must stop, and not go into 
town bawling. My brotlior Chester was bare- 
footed." 

The new territory was now in a fair way 
toward colonization. Rapid advances were 
made in the clearing and cultivation of lands. 
There were now a dozen or more farms started 
through the southern and central part of the 
township, and life among the settlers became 
quite communal. The manner of life among 
these people was quite simple, and their habits, 
.socially, as well as their political notions, were 
exceedingly democratic. From necessitj', they 
supplied themselves with clothing, of .all the 
coarser kind. It was the custom of each farmer 
to clear a small patoli every year for flax, 
which grew best on the virgin soil. From this, 
he would obtain all the flax fiber that his famil^y 
could work up. It was prepared in winter 
time, and made nearly ready for the si)inning 
by the men and boys, but the women spun and 
wove it. The linen lluis made, furnished com- 



fortable shirting, sheeting and outward cloth- 
ing. The furniture used by these people also 
was very plain, anil a very little sufficed to fur- 
nish their cabins. They had nothing to look 
at ; all was used, and used every da}^ ; and 
they were all civilized and pretty fairly culti- 
vated people. 

It was a very constant practice with the 
earl)' settlers to unite their labor for various 
purposes, and thereby lighten the labor by 
united strength. Quite generally this was 
made the occasion of social enjoyment. If a 
house or a barn was to be raised, there was a 
gathering of the forces, such as the Yankees 
call a bee, or, as the Pennsylvanians termed it, a 
fniUc. One of these barn-raising hrcs, in Granger 
Township, was attended with very serious con- 
sequences and was the cause of death to one of 
its citizens. The farmers had congregated to 
help raise a barn on a farm which is occupied 
by David Sheldon. Among the number was 
Lyman Isbell. The work progi'essed finely 
until it came to lifting up the upper rafters. A 
heavj' log, forty feet in length, was in progress 
of being pushed on the building. Through 
want of necessarj' precaution, one end of the 
log slipped the pikes used for pushing, 
and the log rolled down with great force 
upon the body of Lyman Isbell, crushing his 
skull and killing him almost instantly. It 
caused great consternation among the people, 
but nothing could be done for the injured man. 
He was placed upon a sled and conveyed to his 
home, where his sudden and calamitous death 
brought grief and desolation. A messenger was 
sent to the Rev. Henry Hudson, who resided 
in Bath, to come and preach the funeral sermon 
on the next day. The messenger returned with 
the minister the next day, and the obsequies 
took place late in the afternoon. The fatal 
event cast a gloom over the colony for several 
days, as Mr. Isbell had been a man highly re- 
spected by all. 

To keep the record of the townsliip com))lete, 



VT 



k. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



641 



the personal adventure of three of her fair 
daughters, at a verj- earlj- day of the settlement, 
must be related. Thej' are two adventures of 
a similar kind, and occurred at a time not very 
far apart. The first was that of Sally T. Hills 
and Polly Low. The two young ladies had left 
the house of Elizur Hills to go to Anthony 
Low's, aljout a mile distant. There was then 
no roadwaj-, nor even a beaten foot-path to 
show them the way to go ; "blazed" trees alone 
would indicate the direction toward a settle- 
ment. Darkness grew upon them, and they 
finally lost their way. The night was dark; 
with bewildered minds the}' walked on irreso- 
lutely, and wandered further away from hab- 
itation. Their courage did not entirely fail 
them, and they walked on the whole night, 
until almost utterly exhausted. When daylight 
came, they found themselves as completely " at 
sea" in the wild woods as they had been in the 
darkness. Fatigued and hungrjf by their long 
march, they sank down on the ground and fell 
to sleep. When they awoke, the sun stood 
high in the heavens. They started again, but 
whither, they knew not. They gave out notes 
of alarm until their voices failed them, but no 
responsive greeting reached their anxious ears. 
On they wandered, until the twilight was again 
gathering. Knowing well that they could not 
pass another night on foot walking through the 
woods, they looked about for a lodging-place. 
A large, hollow tree soon met their e3'es. The}' 
cleared the vacant space in the bottom of the 
trunk, of the refuse that had accumulated, and 
filled it with dry leaves, gathered on the ground, 
and then took several large sheets of bark and 
covered the opening in the tree. Into this they 
crawled to pass the oncoming night. Their 
hearts had now almost failed them, and they 
were losing courage. In hapless despair, they 
endeavored to sleep, but no sleep would quiet 
their agitated minds. About this time, they 
heard the report of a gun not far away, and 
soon another, still nearer. The girls rushed 



out and shrieked with all their might. A long- 
drawn shout came back. The shouting was 
kept up, a waving light came toward them 
through the woods, and soon two young pio- 
neers, with guns and a flickering torch, stood 
liy their side. The girls were refreshed with 
the provisions the pioneer lads had brought 
with them, and then the homeward journey 
was commenced. It was midnight before they 
reached home, as it was about four miles from 
the nearest settlement where the girls had 
been found. Great anxiety had been caused 
in the settlement by the disappearance of the 
girls. On the second night, all the men and 
boys had turned out in every direction, with 
guns and toi'ches and lanterns, to find the 
missing girls. 

A similar event happened to Anna Wolcott 
(now the wife of Uncle John McCloud) in the 
summer of 1820. She was then a young girl 
of eighteen, and served as a domestic in the 
family of Samuel McCloud. On a Sunda}' 
afternoon she started alone through the woods 
to visit the family of Beha Spencer, several of 
whose children were sick. The two families 
lived about two miles apart. The girl lost the 
direction and wandered off to the north. Night 
overtook her alone in the woods, not knowing 
where she was and whither she was going. 
After wandering about nearly all night, she 
sank down exhausted by the side of a hill, giv- 
ing up in despair. The screech of an owl and 
the rustle of leaves would start her every little 
while, intensifying the keen anxiety of her 
mind. Soon daylight brought encouragement, 
and she started to find her way out of the wil- 
derness. Soon the tingle of bells attached to 
cattle, which then ran at large through the 
woods, arrested her ear. She was soon near 
them, and, with her approach, the cattle leis- 
urely started off. Following close behind 
them, she soon reached a place of habitation. 
The cattle had led her home. Her absence had 
not caused any excitement, as McCloud sup- 



^7 



V 



4^ — ^ 



642 



HISTOKY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 






posed that she had stopped at Spencer's, and 
the latter did not know of her intended visit. 

Jesse Perkins, a worth}- young man, came 
into tlie settlement in the fall of 1818, and was 
taken sick when living at the house of Mr. 
John Turner, then in Coplej', dying there in 
April, 1819. His remains were taken back to 
Granger, and were interred on the farm of 
Anthony Low, near the " Smith road." His 
was the first grave dug in the township. 

Nathaniel and David Goodwin moved with 
their families into Granger a few years after 
the first colonization of the township had been 
made. They had been living near Strongsville, 
in Cuj'ahoga County, for some years, when 
they purchased tracts in the central part of the 
new township — lands which are now owned by 
Franklin Sylvester and J. L. Green — and made 
permanent locations on them. The two \'oung 
men soon became conspicuous in the affairs of 
the settlement by their industry aud persever- 
ance in cultivating their land and the interest 
they displayed in all public matters. 

Stephen Woodward, who, with his brother, 
was located at Old Portage, in Portage County, 
where they together worked a farm, came into 
the Gi'anger settlement in 1811), and sought the 
hand of Abigail, oldest daughter of Elizur Hills, 
in marriage. He gained the consent of the girl 
and her parents, and the ceremonies took place 
in November of that year. The young husband 
took his wife to his home in Portage County. 
In September of the following year, he died, 
leaving his young wife a widow. On the 24th 
of October, just a month after her husband's 
death, she gave birth to a child, now S. B. Wood- 
ward, a prominent lawyer of Medina. The fol- 
lowing year she returned to her parents in 
Granger, and continued to live with them until 
she died. 

The 2d day of August, 1818, proved a very 
eventful day in the (! ranger colony. In the 
forenoon of that day a son was born in the 
family of Hiram Low, and he was named Ham- 



ilton. In the afternoon of the same day, a 
daughter was born to Nathaniel Goodwin. These 
were the first birtlis that occurred in the town- 
ship. 

A resort that became quite famous in its way 
in the early days of the colony was the Burt 
house or " lodge," which stood on the spot now 
covered by the attractive residence of Mr. Ozro 
Burt, in the little hamlet of Grangerburg. It 
affords a picturesque illustration of the life that 
was led by our forefathers, who had come out 
here from their homes in the East with noble 
purposes, intent to rear new homes and trans- 
form the wood-covered regions of the West into 
fruitful and productive fields. Some of the pio- 
neers are still in our midst, and the}' recall, 
with vivid and joyful recollection, that which 
to us to-day must seem like a life of toil and 
hardship. 

But a few years after their arrival aud loca- 
tion in Granger Township, the wife of John 
Burt died aud left him a widower. His brother 
Benjamin, then being still a young man and un- 
married, the}' two together left their first settle- 
ment, near the southeast line of the township, 
and moved into the locality where now stands 
the village of Grangerburg. They erected a 
double log cabin, quite pretentious in its way 
in those days, being somewhat in advance in 
its architectural make-up of the few cabins that 
were scattered about the towuship. The two 
together kept bachelor's hall, but not just in the 
sense that we understand it to-day — a life of in- 
dolence and laziness. They followed their oc- 
cupation of clearing and cultivating the land 
with industry and perseverance. They were 
both trim good housekeepers, and, being of a 
sociable and hospitable turn of mind, their lit- 
tle cabin home soon became the rendezvous of 
the settlers in the township. There was always 
cheer and entertainment for man and beast at 
the Burt cabin. The hunter aud trapper, and 
the journeying cmigrtmt wlio was looking for 
lands still further West, stopped here to find 



t, ^ 



^ 



i±. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



643 



comfort and food. And still nobler purposes 
than giving mere comfort and social entertain- 
ment did this little open cabin serve for several 
years. The building was used for a private 
day school during the winter of 1821, and Mr. 
John Burt, an intelligent and enterprising 
young farmer, taught the young " ideas " of the 
colony how to shoot. During the same time, 
Calvin Putnam organized a singing class, which 
held its session twice a week in the Burt house 
in the winter months. Itinerant ministers, who 
were then passing to and fro between the diiferent 
settlements in Eastern and Southern Ohio, fre- 
quently stopped here, and religious services 
were held, at which most of the settlers at- 
tended. A foot-path, known in the early days 
of the Ohio settlements as the '■ Preachers' Path," 
from the fact that it was used by the ministers in 
passing from colony to colony, and had been 
cut thi'ough the woods for that purpose, ran a 
little distance west of the Burt cabin, in 
Granger Township. It was soon made, after it 
had become known, a regular stoppiug-place by 
the traveling ministers of various denomina- 
tions who passed through Northeastern Ohio in 
the pioneer days and dispensed the word of God 
to all who were willing to listen. 

After a few years of bachelor's life with 
his brother Ben, John Burt remarried, and he 
brought into the Granger household, to man- 
age and preside over its domestic aflairs, his 
newly acquired wife, whose maiden name had 
been Lucinda Hammond, and whose home had 
been in (Jopley. The good cheer of the house- 
hold continued, and, if anything, it rather in- 
creased with the coming of the pleasant and 
sweet-tempered young wife. In 1825, the 
brother Benjamin returned to the old home in i 
New York, where he remained for several 
years, and, in 1829, was married to Nancy P. ; 
Hatch, of Ontario County. The following 
year the young couple removed to Ohio, and 
took up their permanent abode in Granger, 
among their friends and relatives. 



Francis Young, with a family of three chil- 
dren, and Kobert Green, with a family of eight, 
left their home in Columbia County, Penn., in 
the spring of 1820, and moved into Ohio. 
They moved in a train of three wagons, drawn 
by horses. They first stopped at Springfield, 
which was then in Portage County, where thej' 
left their families with their wagons and house- 
hold goods, and pressed on westward on horse- 
back to prospect the land and find good loca- 
tions for homes. The two prospectors passed 
through the southern part of Medina County 
into Huron and Seneca and Sandusky, but did 
not find any land suitable to their desires. On 
their return journey, they stopped overnight 
at the Burt house, in Granger. The}- related 
their travels, and told of their mission in try- 
ing to find suitable and well-watered land, on 
which to locate. Mr. Burt told them that he 
could, perhaps, accommodate them with just 
the kind of land they were looking after. He 
took them out the next morning to show them 
the tracts of land in the township that were 
for sale. On the same day the two together 
made a purchase of 240 acres of laud in the 
eastern part of the township. They then pro- 
ceeded to Springfield, and, in a few days, re- 
turned with their families and goods, and at 
once set to work to build homesteads on the 
newly acquired lands. 

Harris Reed is another of the settlers, who 
came with his family into the township at an 
earl}' day. Like most of the Granger people, 
he came from Ontario County, N. Y. He had 
first moved with his family to Sandusky 
County, further west, and had settled there for 
several years. In 1825, he bought a tract of 
land in Granger Township, and settled per- 
manently in a locality in the eastern part of 
the township, which is now distinguished as 
Reed's Hill. 

During the winter of 1836, a religious revival 
was in progress at the church near the center 
of the township, where now stands the town- 



(»■" 






^ 



644 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUXTY. 



hall. It was conductod b}- the Rev. Francis 
Green, a Close Communion Baptist Minister, 
from Geauga Count}-. Ho was a peculiar char- 
acter, a sort of Peter Cartwright, crude, direct 
and forcible in his arguments and exhortations, 
and he soon wrought public excitement up to a 
high pitcli. People flocked in from overv direc- 
tion, and the church was crowded daily. Dur- 
ing the services on a Sunday afternoon, the 
floor of the church suddenly gave way, and the 
people that crowded the church were hurled in 
a mass into the basement below. A scene of 
confusion and wild excitement followed. There 
was at first a ^■ast scramble to get from out of 
the debris, and when all liad got out and the 
interioi' had l)een cleared, it was found that 
there were a number more or less seriously in- 
jured. Chester Ambler, a young man. had one 
of his legs broken, and an old lady named Elsa 
Wilder had an arm Ijroken, and received a 
contusion on the head. No deaths resulted 
from this accident. The catastrophe took 
place while the revivalist minister was in the 
midst of his " fire and brimstone " exhortations. 
The pulpit was not curried away with the floor, 
and remained intact. Viewing the mass of 
scrambling beings below him in tlie pit. the 
minister, at first amazed and horrified, shouted 
out in the might of his voice, '• The great daj- 
of His wrath is come, and who will be able to 
stand it ? " and " Such is a fair sample of the 
burning pit of hell ! " These remarks, and the 
manner in which he treated the accident, 
caused an intense feeling against the preacher. 
The meetings were at once discontinued. Sev- 
eral years later, the church w.as destroyed li_v 
fire. 

Eliza Young, a young lady whose parents 
were residing in Sharon, was teaching seliool 
in the fall of 1842, on the Smith road, in 
Granger. After school-hours on a Friday aft- 
ernoon, she rode home with Isaac Van Orinan. 
A heavy storm was blowing. Passing along 
the road, one of the lieavv oak trees that had 



been girdled a number of years previously, sud- 
denly fell before the wind, striking the carriage, 
killing Mr. Yan Orman instant!}', and injuring 
Miss Young so tiiat she died a few days later. 

Under virtue of the military provisions of 
the Ohio State laws, a militia company was 
organized in Granger in 1819. At first, the 
townships of Sharon, Copley, Bath and Granger, 
joined together and formed one company, form- 
ing part of the regiment allotted to Medina 
County. Annual drills wore held, the place of 
holding them alternating l)etween the different 
townships. A few }'ears later, the Granger 
{people formed a company of their own. John 
Burt was elected Captain ; Daniel Burt, Lieu- 
tenant, and Nathaniel Goodwin Ensign. The 
annual drills of these home soldiers formed an 
event of great interest to all the inhabitants. 
The exorcises generally continued for a num- 
ber of days, and furnished frolic and excite- 
ment for young and old. 

The Fourth of July, 182G, the semi-centen- 
nial anniversary day of American Independ- 
ence, forms a red-letter day in tlie history of 
Granger Township, on account of the observance 
of this national fete day by its people. The 
people congregated from for and near ; from 
Medina, Hinckley, Sharon and Bath. Several 
military companies from these townships came 
in full force, and they, together with the 
Granger compan}-. went through the ditteront 
militar}' evolutions, making a grand and very 
impressive display. The housewives had 
brought provisions along, and a grand banquet 
was held in the open woods. The Declaration 
of Iiidei)oudoiico was read, and a Fourth of 
July oration delivered by Mr. Moses Bissell. 

Remson's tract forms the northwest corner 
of the township, and contains an exact quarter 
of its area, being two miles in width and three 
miles in length, on the northern boundary of 
the township. This tract had come in posses- 
sion of one Remson, of New York, shortly after 
the division of the '' Reserve " lands bv the 



f' 



M^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



645 



Connecticut Land Companj'. He deeded it to 
the cliildren of one of Lis daugliters, witli tiie 
proviso that the land was not to be sold until 
the}' had attained age. So the lands of this 
tract remained in a complete state of wilder- 
ness, save that now and then a few " squat- 
ters " located on it, and endea\'ored to make an 
unsettled and precarious living by hunting and 
raising small patches of corn and potatoes, until 
the year 1845, when the entire tract was placed 
on the market, and, within a few years, the wliole 
area was sold. William Canttekl, of Medina, was 
appointed agent b}* the owners, and he disposed 
of the land at an average price of $10 per acre. 
The first settlers on these lands were Bushnell 
Seymour and Lucian Perry. A little hamlet 
had sprung up near the center of the tract. 
There are several small industrial establish- 
ments located here, and it contains a post of- 
fice. 

The political oi'ganization of the township 
took place in February, 1820 ; and the first 
election for civil officers occurred at the house 
of Seth PauU, on the first Monday of April, in 
the same year. The Board of Trustees elected 
at this time consisted of N. A. Goodwin, S. 
PauU and Festus Gauyard ; John Codding was 
elected as Clerk, and Burt Codding as Justice 
of the Peace. In Januarj- of 1822, the Trust- 
ees appointed Ira Ingraham as Township Con- 
stable. The first money paid into the town- 
ship treasury was a fine of 25 cents, imposed 
upon one of its inhabitants for swearing. Of 
that money, one-half was paid out for paper on 
which to record the township proceedings ; the 
other half was to William Paull, for bringing 
the State laws and journals from the county 
seat. The selection of a name for the new 
township caused a little sti'ife among the peo- 
ple. The names of Berlin. Ontario, Codding 
and Granger were suggested. It was fluallj' 
decided, by vote, that the township siiould be 
known as Granger, in honor of the former pro- 
prietor, who had become noted and distin- 



guished as a Legislator in tiie State of Con- 
necticut, and as one of the Postmaster Gen- 
erals in Washington's administration. In the 
political affairs of the county and State, Gran- 
ger occupies a conspicuous place. A number 
of its citizens have held positions of public 
honor, as county and State officers. 

Two years after tlie organization of the 
township, a public town hall was erected a 
short distance west of Grangerburg. It was a 
log house, and. aside from the public purposes 
for which it was used, it also served for a num- 
ber of j'ears as a meeting-house for the societj' 
of Presbyterians that had been started in the 
colon}'. On the 10th day of October, 1860, 
Franklin Sylvester deeded a tract of land near 
the geographical center of the township to 
the Board of Trustees and their successors, 
and, the following spring, the present town hall 
was erected there. 

In commercial and industrial interests. Gran- 
ger does not compare with some of its neigh- 
bor townships. The first mercantile goods 
were imported by John Burt, and he continued 
to keep a small country store for a number of 
years at the locality which is known as Gran- 
gerburg. Alva Stimson opened up a store at 
the cross roads, a few rods north of where the 
town hall is now located, in the year 1828. 
Squire Lee, wlio lived diagonally opposite from 
him, brought in a limited supply of country 
merchandise a few years later. Marvin Hop- 
kins was also one of the early storekeepers at 
the " Burg." 

A post office was established at Grangerburg 
in 1825, John Burt receiving the commission 
as Postmaster. He officiated as such for a 
number of j-ears. The town was supplied with 
a weeklj- mail for many j-ears. A Frenchman 
by the name of Pierre Dubeau carried the 
mail, passing from p]lyria to Kavenna. He 
traveled on horseback, arriving and departing 
at no definite or particular time of the week, 
and always blowing his horn with great gusto 






646 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



to signalize his coming. The town now is sup- 
plied with a tri-weekly mail, passing from 
Siiaron to Cleveland and return. 

The religious sentiment of the pioneers of 
this township manifested itself in an outward 
form as soon as the first cabins had been cov- 
ered with roofs. Missionaries from Connecti- 
cut came among them and preached the word 
of God. The Rev. Israel was one of the 
earnest laborers in this field, and he came 
quite often, passing from settlement to settle- 
ment through the Reserve counties. A church 
society, on the united plan of the Congrega- 
tional and Presbj'terian faith, was organized in 
the fall of 1819, by the Rev. W. Hanford and 
Caleb Pilkins. There were ten members at the 
first organization, and their names are Elizur 
Hills, Abigail Hills, James and Phebe Gan- 
yard, Ira and Lydia Ingraham, John and Dolly 
Turner, Lawrence and JIary Jloore, Wealth}- 
Dye and Charity and Hannah Turner. Part of 
these members were residents of Bath Town- 
ship. 

Meetings were, at first, held in private houses, 
and thereafter in the town hall, near the 
" Burg," until, in after years, through outward 
influence, caused by dissensions tliat had broken 
out among the United Presliyterians and Cou- 
gregationalists throughout the county, the 
Granger society disbanded, and has never been 
re-organized. 

The Methodist Episcopal society was organ- 
ized by Elder Nunn in the year 1820. The 
first members were Bella and Amanda Spen- 
cer, Jane Griffin, Haunaii McCloud, Samuel 
McCloud, John McCloud, Samuel Griffin 
and Lydia Spencer. William Peals, of Bath, 
was the Class-leader of the church for a few 
years, when he was succeeded Ijy John .AIc- 
Cloud. James McMahon, Russell Bigelow, 
Adam Poe, Benjamim Christy and V. S. Yo- 
cum were the ministers of tiiis denomination 
who preached to the Granger people in the 
eariv davs. A hewed-log house for religious 



senices was erected by the society — within a 
few years after organization. Within recent 
years, a large church edifice has been erected 
at Grangerburg, where worship is held every 
Sunda3'. The church now numbers about one 
hundred members. A split was caused in the 
society in the year 1844. and a new class, called 
the Wesleyan Methodists, was formed by the 
dissenters. A small church edifice was built 
by John McCloud on •' Liberty Hill," and re- 
ligious meetings held there for nearly ten years, 
when this society again disbanded, and most of 
its members returned to the mother cliureh. 
Elder Webljer and Rev. George ^IcCloutl were 
the officiating ministers in this brancli societj-, 
during its existence. 

The first Baptist Church was formed by the 
Rev. Henry Hudson, of Royalton, in the fall 
of 1821, near the east line of the township, and 
their first meetings were held at Reed's School- 
house. The incorporators of this society were 
W^hiting Freeman, Jesse H. Smith and Hoel 
Hatch. This was in the year 1837, and there 
were then twenty regular members in the 
church. A Baptist meeting-house was erected 
near the center of the township, a few years 
after the civil incorporation of the society, 
which, in 18(35, was removed to Remson's 
Corners. 

Tlie society- of the ■■ Disciples of Christ," of 
Granger, was organized in 1838, with Seth 
Paull, Clarinda Paull, Harris Reed and wife, 
William Comstock and wife. Barlow Baker, 
Conrad Turner and Rebecca Low, as the first 
members. The Rev. William Haj-den was the 
first officiating minister of this society. Their 
place of worsliip for quite a number of j-ears 
was the Reed Schoolhouse, two and a half miles 
northeast from the '■ Burg." In 1862, a church 
edifice was built b_y the society. It numbers 
now over 150 members. 

The matter of public instruction kept well 
apace, from the beginning of the colony, with its 
moral and material progress. William Paull 









:^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIN^A COUNTY. 



647 



taught a class of seventeea scholars in a little log 
schoolhouse, in the eastern part of the township, 
in the fall and winterof 1819 and 1820. This is 
yet to-da^- known as Eeed's Schoolhouse. John 
Codding taught a school at Coplej-'s Corners, for 
several j-ears in the earlj* daj's of the colony. 
John Burt taught at Grangerburg in 1 820 and 
1821. In 1848, a special schoolhouse was 
erected near the Burg, and a special and select 
school taught in it for several years. But it 
was discontinued until in the winter of 1880, 
when a select class was taught by C. A. Dustin. 
The following abstracts taken from the Pub- 
lic Education Records for 1880, will exhibit the 
condition of the public schools in Granger 



Township. The total enumeration of school 
children is 247. Of this, 139 are male and 108 
female ; the number of school districts in the 
township is eight. This statement is for the 
year ending September 1, 1880 : 

Biil.ince on hand ?l,fi01 .5.3 

State tax i78 00 

Township tax for schools and school purposes 1,516 65 

Irreducible lax 59 75 

Fines, licenses, etc 2l 22 

Total .5:1,070 16 

Whole iimou7it paid teachers §1,134 00 

Amount paid for sites and buildings 1144 37 

Amount paid for fuel, etc 178 08 

Total expenses S2,251 45 



MONTVILLE TO\VN.-<HIP 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

-PHVSIf^AL FEATURES — EARLY SETTLEMENT- 
THE BEGINNINGS OF CHURCH AND SCHOOL. 



GROWTH OF TOWN.'^HIP 



~l TAD the new world adopted the "pomp 
-' — *- of power" known in the old, ciii hoiio 
must have been the legend emblazoned upon 
the banners of the " Western Reserve." Peo- 
pled by a class of emigrants whose native 
State furnished little more than the bare 
necessities of life, utility became to them the 
rigid standard of excellence, and the secret 
source of their laborious success. Though 
the ti'ansplanting of this stock, and the prog- 
ress of succeeding years have wrought many 
changes, and modified the Piu'itanic strictness 
of this rule, its influence is yet to be traced 
in the social economy of the "Reserve." This 
is undoubtedly more mai-ked in sections re- 
mote from railroads, where the bustling 
activities of younger enterprises have less 
effect upon this intrenched conservatism; and 
it is here that the historian, dependent upon 
the active interest of those who form the con- 
necting link between the jiioneer days and 



these, finds the greatest difliculty in seciu'ing 
the data for his work. Recogrnizing no value 
in the tradition of the early days, they have 
" let the dead past biuy its dead," and made 
no sign. But to the rising generation, these 
early days, so full of toil and privation, which 
have passed beyond the reach of their hopes and 
fears, command an interest that is akin to the 
romantic, and it is for such interests that history 
is written. But a higher motive for perjietuat- 
ing the history of those who subdued the wil- 
derness and made the desert places to " blos- 
som as the rose," is that we are thus able 
approximately to measm'e the value of what 
has been wrought for succeeding generations. 
It was a noble sjiirit of self-sacrifice that ani- 
mated the pioneers of this land, and " bowed 
their strong manhood to the humble plow." 
Forgetful of their own ease at a time of life 
when years of toil could reasonably have de- 
manded repose for their declining days, they 



-s^ 



•ht. 



648 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



braved the iiatried difficulties of the wilder 
ness, that their childi'eu micrht aeliieve that 
greatness which their patriotic faitli [)ietm'ed 
in the future. The rapidly increasing popu- 
lation in a couutry devoid of manufactories 
left to the pioneer but one alternative, ease at 
the expense of their childi-en's futiu'e, or a 
wider scope of cheaper lands, bought with a 
life of toil that foiuid rest only beyond the 
grave. The liroad lands jiregnant with the 
promise of the coming harvest, the thousand 
homes adorned with the comforts and lirsiu'ies 
of an advanced civilization, the vast resoiu'ces 
that command a nation's homage, are the 
grand memorials that set forth the virtue and 
wisdom of their choice. 

The land which invited immigration to 
Montville was all that natiu-e, in her pleas- 
antest mood, could offer. A dense forest of 
elm, beech, oak, maple, black walnut, butter- 
nut, and, in the bottoms, a mixture of syca- 
more, covered every acre. Rocky River, tak- 
ing its source in the high ground in the south- 
east part of the township, and Ho wing in a 
northwesterly course, with its tributaries, fur- 
nished an ample drainage, and, at the same time, 
supplied the motive power for those pioneer 
industries so essential to the success and com- 
fort of the jaioneer community. As its name 
suggests, this township was formed of high, 
rolling land, which, in many places, assumes 
a billowy character. Along Rocky River, the 
valley varies from upward of a mile in width, 
to a few rods, from which the land rises in 
easy undulations, to the height of some hun- 
di'ed feet, and gradually rising from this point 
to the higher portions in the western part of 
the township. This water-divide in the south- 
ern part of the to^vnsllip, is worthy of mention. 
Here Rocky River and the river Styx are sep- 
erated only by a distance of about a mile, flow- 
ing in opposite directions, the water falling 
on the noi-thern slope finding its way, ulti- 



mately, into the St. Lawi-ence River, and 
thence to the ocean ; and that on the southern 
slope, flowing off to the Ohio, and thence to 
the Gulf of Mexico. The soil in the high 
lands is of a clayey mixtiu'e, though not of 
that heavy, tough textm-e found in some parts 
of adjoining counties. Along the valleys of 
the streams in the eastern part of the town- 
ship are rich liottom lands, that are remarka- 
bly productive. These lands are devoted to 
corn, largely; wheat and other grains find a 
better soil on the uplands. The ordinary sys- 
tem of mixed husbandi-y prevails here, though 
sheep-grazing and dairying received a large 
share of attention from the farmers. Mont- 
ville is situated near the center of the county, 
and is bounded on the north by Medina, on 
the east by Sharon, south by Guilford, and on 
the west by La Fayette. No village has found 
a location in this township, save the extension 
of Medina Village, the southern part of which 
passes beyond the Smith road, which is the 
northern boundary of this township. 

This territory, known in the Connecticut 
Company's survey as Township 0, Range 14, 
was early sold by the Connecticut Land Com- 
pany to Gen. Ai'istarchus Champion, who, in 
1818, caused it to be surveyed in sections, pre- 
paratory to settlement. In the early part of 
this year, Austin Badger, in comp)any with 
Alonzo Hickos, started from Genesee County, 
N. Y., for the New Connecticut. Both were 
yoimg, unmarried men. Badger being twenty- 
foiu" years of age, and, packing their worldly 
effects into a knapsack, shouldered theh- bur- 
den and set out on foot for their destination. 
On reaching Buffalo, they took an open row- 
boat, hoping to accomjilish their joxu-ney in a 
less tedious way. But prevailing head winds 
disappointed these anticijiations, and they 
were glad to land at the mouth of (Cattaraugus 
Creek. From this point, they ti'aveled on foot 
to Erie, then Icnown as Presque Isle. Hero 



-^I'y 



^^ 



HISTORY or MEDINA COUNTY. 



649 



they took a schooner to Ashtabula, when they 
resumed their joiu'ney on foot. Hickox had a 
brother living at Wooster, a fact that deter- 
mined their destination. Following the old 
State road, they arrived at Weymouth on the 
10th of May, and, proceeding the next morn- 
ing, came to the residence of R. Ferris, who 
lived then near the present site of Medina 
Villasre, and took breakfast. Mr. Ferris was 
agent for the sale of the lands in that vicinity, 
and, learning the business of the yonng men, 
was very solicitous that they should return 
after their visit to Wooster and locate 
lands there. Without making any promises, 
the yoimg men went on to Wooster, when, 
after spending several days without finding 
any advantageous opening, Mr. Badger re- 
turned to Medina. Mr. Fen-is at once inter- 
ested himself in his case, and, finding him 
with little money and anxious to seciu-e some- 
thing to do while examining the country, 
offered him a position with Abram Frieze, who 
was then siu-veying Montville. Taking the 
directions to find the siu'veying party, Mr. 
Badger started out, following the line of blazed 
trees until he came up with them. Here a 
yoiuig man who had been assisting the siu-- 
veyor, sick of his job, proposed that Badger 
should take his place, which the latter was 
only too glad to accej)t. Continuing until 
July, they finished the survey, earning small 
wages and receiving the stipulated privilege 
of first choice of lands. After locating several 
lots in the southeastern part of the township, 
which were secured by article without any 
payment for two years, he retiu'ued to Medina 
and took a contract to clear what is now the 
square in Medina Village, boarding in the 
meanwhile with Mr. Ferris. Though unmar- 
ried, he did not neglect to prepare for future 
events, and, in 1819, put up a small log cabin, 
and, after clearing a small piece, planted a 
patch of corn. In the following year, he went 



to Euclid, secm-ed a wife, and, in the fall, 
took possession of his new home. 

The year 1819 brought quite an influx of 
new-comers to the county seat, and many lo- 
cated lands in Montville Township. First of 
these was Samuel Brown, who took up 160 
acres in the southern middle part of the town- 
ship. Ml'. Brown had come, originally, from 
New York, to Euclid, but, attracted by the 
reports from the new county then coming 
into the market, sought a home here. He had 
but a small family, and was in rather strait- 
ened circumstances. Neighbors were few, and 
situated at some distance apart, and it was 
found diificult to seciu-e enough to raise a log 
cabin. Mi-. Brown, in soliciting help, asked 
the neighbors to come directly after dinner, 
as, "the fact is," said he, "we have not got 
much to eat, and jou may prefer to get home 
for supper." When the neighbors gathered, 
they found that Brown and his wife, with the 
aid of his team had succeeded in placing the 
logs so far, that one tier had to be removed to 
place the joist. There is a slight discrepancy 
as to authorities iipon the fact whether 
Brown was really the first settler. The evi- 
dence seems rather to favor the right of Par- 
ker Pelton, Sr., to that title. At all events, they 
both came in about the same time. Pelton 
was originally from Connecticut to Euclid, 
whence he followed in the wake of tlie gen- 
eral movement to Medina. He took iip a lot 
in the southeastern jiart of the township, just 
south of Badger's property. He bought one 
of the lots located by Mr. Badger, buying his 
contract for SI an acre, and occupying a de- 
serted cabin until he could erect one of his 
own. About this same time Philo Welton 
came in, located land, and, leaving persons to 
make a clearing, returned to New York to 
bring on his family. On his retm'n. his fam- 
ily found a home with Mr. Pelton until a 
cabin could be erected. Of Jlrs. Welton, it is 



^rr^ 



^1 



liL 



650 



HISTOKY or MEDIXA COUXTY. 



said, that on one occasion she rode on horse- 
back thi'ough the woods to Euclid and back, 
alone, canying her young babe before her on 
the saddle. She was intimately acquainted 
with James Buchanan when he was a clerk in 
the store near her native place. Thomas 



ness." The natives had long before aban- 
doned this country as a place of residence, 
and, though the sui'veyors found here and 
there evidences of their abandoned camps, 
none were seen in this section. To the west- 
ward, on Chippewa River, was located a eon- 



Currier, a native of New York, and a resident I siderable camp of Indians, who supported 
of Euclid, was another of the earlier settlers, themselves by hunting and fishing, but their 
He came into the township, took up land in stay was of short diu-ation, and few of the 
the noi-theast part, and set to clearing his childi-en of the pioneers of this township ever 
land, keeping " bachelor's hall " in the mean- saw one of them. Game was found here in 
while. Following him, came Amasa Smith, abundance, and formed a large share of the sup 
from New York, and bought land just south' | port of the tii\st few years. \Miat little stock 
of CiuTier. He was followed by his father | was brought in was needed for other piu-poses 
and three brothers, but they stayed only a than to supply meat, and were carefully eared 
few years, when they all went farther west. for. Parker Pelton was one of the most suc- 



Seth Hoyt came in fi-om Sununit Coimty, locat- 
ing west of Mr. Badger, and John Lawrence, 
about the same time, locating in the same 
neighborhood. Joseph Pimlot, who came in 
iSiy, was an Englishman. He came to the 
country with the English army about 1812, but, 
taking a fancy to the new country, and desiring 
to leave the army and seciu'e a home, accom- 
plished both designs by deserting his company 
in Canada, and came to Cleveland. Here he 
laid hidden in a hogshead, covered with tow. 
until after the final removal of the army. Aft- 
er manying, he came fi-om Cleveland in 
1819, to Montville, piu-chasiug land near the 
southei'n boundary of the township. This 
included the families that made up the little 
community of Montville Townshij), in 18"J0, 



eessful hunters in this community, and fre- 
quently supplied the less fortunate with game. 
William "Warner, though among the later emi- 
grants, was noted as a hunter. Everybody 
in the township was in straitened circimi- 
stances, and the gift of a quarter of veni- 
son was always acceptable, and was for 
years the only meat that could be aflbrded. 
Ml'. Warner, it is said, killed the last deer 
that were found in this county, one of them 
being shot just north of the swamp land in La 
Fayette Township. .Mr. Warner was a native 
of New York, and came with an ox team from 
his Eastern home. It is said that his chil- 
di'en had never seen a hickory -nut, and they 
were greatly delighted with some given them 
on their journey West. The woods continued. 



with the exception of G. F. Atherton, of whom as late as 1832, to be a terror to new settlers. 



little is remembered. 

Most of these families were of Connecticut 
exti'action, and broiight with them the habits 
and ciistoms of "the land of steady habits." 
They were, for the time, sober, industrious 
j)eople, and the wilderness soon gave way be- 
fore their sturdy strokes. The land they 
came to was, in fact, what is known by the 
indiscriminate term of "a howling wilder- 



John Clark, the father of William P. Clark, 
Esq., who arrived in Montville that year, got 
lost while on a hunting expedition, and did 
not retium until the whole neighborhood had 
organized to himt for him. He fortunat(>ly 
struck a cabin, where he was directed to hi> 
home. Bears were found occasionally, and 
wolves, for the first few yeai's, were a gi'eat 
di-awback to stock raising, though they never 



<i^ a 



^ 



L^ 



HISTORY OF MEDIKzV COUNTY. 



Gol 



were bold anoiigh to attack persons. Snakes, 
thougli not generally considered under the 
head of game, were frequently hunted in this 
locality. The earlier settlers found them in 
larffe numbers, consisting chiefly of rattle- 
snakes, and were obliged to exercise the most 
vigorous scrutiny to keep them out of the 
house. It is related that IVIi's. Albro — wife 
of J. H. Albro — when a child, was observed 
to carry a cup of milk, regularly, out of the 
house. It excited no special attention, until 
one day she was found holding the cup for a 
large snake to drink the milk, in the mean- 
while patting the head of the reptile. Such 
favoritism was at once broken up ; but it was 
a niunber of years before they were extermi- 
nated from this country. 

Supplies were got only at a considerable dis- 
tance. A " store " was early established at 
Medina Village, but little more than powder 
and lead could be prociu'ed there, and most 
settlers in this vicinity went to Cleveland for 
their store goods. Here the difficulty of get- 
ting currency was deeply felt. But few of the 
pioneers had ready money, and most of the prod- 
ucts of the frontier farm were a drug in the 
market. At home a system of barter prevailed 
and money was to be secured only from new 
comers, or a chance traveler, who paid for his 
accommodation. Most of the cabins had glass 
for their windows, but iron goods of any sort, 
even as household utensils, were limited to the 
few indispensable articles needed for constant 
use. ^V^ooden pegs and pins were substituted 
for nails, and wooden latches and hinges 
answered very well the purposes of the bet- 
ter ones made of iron. Some had doors, in 
the construction of which there was no iron 
at all. Salt was at an inconceivable price, and 
it is said that a team could not cU-aw wheat 
enough to buy a barrel of salt. Floui- and 
meal were procm-ed at Middlebury, now a part 
of the city of Aki-on, where a log mill was 



erected, about 1815. The journey was made 
through an unmarked wilderness, through 
marshes and over unbridged streams, making 
the twenty miles' joiu-ney a five days' under- 
taking. About 1830, a mill was built at Wey- 
mouth, in Medina Township. This was lo- 
cated upon a poor stream, and fm-nished a 
very um-eliable dependence for the pioneers 
of this section. Another, which gained con- 
siderable reputation for fine work, was a mill 
established at Wadsworth. The motive power 
was supplied by two springs that brought the 
water to an overshot wheel, about twenty-two 
feet in diameter. The power was entirely in- 
adequate to the work demanded, and it is said 
that the wheel hardly made a revolution with- 
out stopping on its round. This di-awback 
was overcome by the excellent floiu- which was 
manufactm-ed, and the pioneers would take a 
quantity of wheat there and wait until it could 
be ground rather than take the inferior flour 
at other mills. In later years, it was the cus- 
tom of the farmers to take some sixty bushels 
of wheat at a time, which would f lu-nish flour 
for nearly a year. A saw-mill was early 
erected in Montville. The first lumber brought 
into the township was by Mi-. Badger, who 
hauled enough for his chamber floor fi'om Bag- 
dad, in about 1820. Three years later, he 
built a mill on Rocky River, on land ovsned 
by John Morris. The latter f lu-uished the cap- 
ital to build it, and hired Mr. Badger to build 
and run it. This stood about two years, when 
it burned down by accident. A settler, desir- 
ing some liunber at once, was allowed to run 
the mill at night, so as not to inconvenience 
those whose orders preceded, and, failing to 
properly dispose of the fii-e, the building 
caught fu-e and was destroyed. It was only a 
log structm'e, but it was a severe loss to the 
little community at that time. Mr. Badger 
had. fortimately, just finished sawing lumber 
enough to build a bai-n. The fii'st frame build- 



*W 



652 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



ings, however, were erected previous to this 
time, the hunber being haiiled from Bagdad. 
These were a house erected by Mr. Welton, 
and a barn erected by George F. Atherton. 
What is remarkable about this pioneer mill in 
Montville, and characteristic of the class of 
emigi'ants in this part of the State, is, that 
the dam was substantially built of stone. It 
is the experience of those who have had 
occasion to investigate the earlier cixstoms of 
the first settlers, that enterprises of this 
character are generally of less perma- 
nence. A brush dam, frequently renewed, is 
the average attempt in this matter, and such 
constructions generally suffice for the first two 
decades of a settlement. Here, aided by the 
proprietors of the large tracts of land, most 
of the improvements were of a more substan- 
tial character. 

A later enterprise, but one that flourishes 
best only in a new country, was established in 
Montville about 1844. This was an ashery, 
by a Ml'. Van Gelder, who bought some five 
hundi-ed acres, which is known as the old King 
farm. In addition to the ashes he could pur- 
chase of the settlers, he carried on an exten- 
sive clearing on his own place, clearing oif 
about one hundred acres per year. He man- 
ufactiu'ed " black salts," and traded his prod- 
uct for ashes, and, soon after beginning the 
business, laid in a small stock of groceries and 
dry goods, to sell and exchange for ashes. He 
continued the business for a few yeai's and 
then left, the business dying out. 

In the matter of stock, there was little else 
than cattle. Most of the pioneers came with 
ox teams, and most of them, but not all, brought 
in one or two cows. In 1820, there were only 
two horses, Mr. Badger and Parker Pelton each 
owning one. Two years later, the assessment 
made by Mi'. Welton showed only tlii'ee horses 
and forty-one cattle. Hogs were introduced 
at the same time, but, contrary to the almost 



universal practice in new countries, these were 
not allowed to run wild in the woods to feed 
on the nuts that were to be found in abun- 
dance. Mr. Welton, it is said, lost some in the 
woods, that forgot their domestic habits and 
ranged at will for a time, but his sense of pro- 
priety overcame any desire for profit he might 
have had, and he, one day, taking his gun, 
killed the pigs and crippled the sow so that 
she could be restored to the pen. About 1S'20, 
Parker Pelton bought about forty head of sheep 
at Euclid and brought them to Montville. 
They were, however, a constant care. The 
wolves made sad havoc among them, in spite 
of all the watchfulness that the family could 
bestow ; and, what was worse, the dogs, many 
of which were of wolf blood, were more mis- 
chievous than the wild animals. By winter, 
he had lost twenty, and, for several successive 
years, he found it impossible to pass the win- 
ter with more than twenty head, no matter how 
many additions he made to the flock. He 
finally erected a high, light fence about the 
field, which made a large fold of the inclos- 
ure, and succeeded in raising wool enough for 
his own use. 

The early attempt at farming in a counti'y 
covered with timber admits of but little vari- 
ation in the methods employed. A small 
clearing was made, a part of the timber util- 
ized in the erection of a cabin. 18x20 feet in 
size, and the balance bm-ned. This much was 
accomplished in the fall, or early in the spring, 
and a crop of corn put in with the hoe alone. 
Plowing was out of the question, and fro 
quently the crop did not get planted until 
June, but the length of the season and the 
strength of the soil made ample amends for 
such delay. AMiile the crop was growing, the 
pioneer busied himself with girdling a wider 
area, extending in all directions from his cabin. 
The next season they were ready to chop 
dovm, log and bum, and the space was prepared 



-1^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



653 



for the inevitable crop of corn. The corn 
gi-ound of the previous year was tiu'ned over i 
to wheat, and was more or less tilled for its 
reception. Sometimes a rnde attempt at ' 
plowing was made, Isnt frequently a heavily 
weighted triangular haiTow siifficed for tear- 
ing the surface enough to receive the seed. 
With such cultivation, the land yielded an 
abundant retui'n. Parker Peltou raised the 
first three acres of wheat ever cut in the town- I 
ship, and Capt. Badger tlii'oshed it out with a 
flail, taking the seventh bushel as his wages. 
The only demand was for home consumption, 
save now and then a bushel or two to some 
new-comer who has not had time to put in a 
crop. The land, em-iched by the accumulated 
leaves of years, seemed well-nigh exhaustless. 
One field was planted with alternate crops of 
corn and wheat for sixteen years, when it was 
sown to clover. This was fed down by pas- 
turing it, and then turned under. On this, a | 
crop of wheat was sown, which sprang up 
into so rank a growth as to prove worthless. 
Straw was found sixteen feet long, where the 
stalk would grow beyond its strength and 
lodge, and springing up with new growth 
on^ to lodge again. Only about five bushels 
of grain was got to the acre. Corn planted 
upon this field in the succeeding year yielded 
130 bushels to the acre. This exceeding fer- 
tility, however, was, to a great degree, lost 
upon the pioneer. The lack of transportation 
made every sort of produce of little avail as 
a source of income. Stills for the converting 
of corn into whisky, which elsewhere often 
made a market for this cereal, were not often 
found here. In Montville, only one ever found 
place, and that but for a short time. A young 
man by the name of Case, while working for 
a farmer in Cojjley, in Summit County, was 
engaged in making whisky. At the expira- 
tion of his term of service, there being no 
demand for his services elsewhere, in company 



with his brother, he established a still on his 
father's faira in the northern part of the town- 
ship, some two miles and a half east of 
Medina Village. It contimied only about six 
months, when it was discontinued. 

Montville seemed to be off the line of all 
travel, as hardly an Indian ti'ail was to be 
found anywhere within its limits. Besides the 
surveyor's blaze there was no guide, and Sam- 
uel -Brown, one of the first to come to the 
township, was obliged to " bush " his road 
out to his land. In all the tralfic with Medina 
Village and elsewhere, each man made his oven 
road, as the condition of the soil did not 
admit of its being used often, it soon becom- 
ing impassable on account of the mud. The 
fii'st regularly cut-out road that touched the 
township was the Smith road, which fonns 
the boimdary between Montville and Medina 
townships. This road was cut out by Gen. 
Smith, dm-iug the war of 1812, as an army 
thoroughfare, and formed the only outlet for 
travel east and west. An old State road from 
Cleveland to Wooster was the thoroughfai-e in 
this direction, and was the trail by which most 
of the immigration found its way here. In 
1823, an enterprise was set on foot which had 
for its object to convert this into a regular 
turnpike. The large land-owners along the 
proposed route, appreciating the benefit it 
would confer upon their interests, subscribed 
liberally to its cost, and among others, Gen. 
Champion. This brought the road thi-ough 
the western side of Montville. The fii'st 
half-mile from the southern line was con- 
tracted and built by Capt. Badger, the 
rest of the road within this township being 
built by Lawrence, Pelton and Welton, all 
residents of this township. The road was 
completed in two or three years, at a cost of 
about $500 per mile, through Montville, and 
stao-es were regularly run between the ter- 
minal points. 



^ (s " 



-t^ 



^1 



t^ 



654 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Montville was named after a Vermont town 
by the original proprietor. It was organ- 
ized in 1820, the tirst Township Trustees 
being T. M. Currier, Aaron Smith and Austin 
Badger. G. F. Atherton was Township Clerk. 
No Constable was elected, because, it is said, 
the people supposed there would l>e no ne- 
cessity for such an officer, and the event justi- 
fied this good opinion of themselves. A Jus- 
tice of the Peace, however, was elected, Philo 
Welton receiving every vote but one in the 
tovraship, and thus began a judicial career 
that ended as Associate Judge of the Com- 
mon Pleas Coiu't of the County. Austin 
Badger succeeded ]\Ir. Welton as Justice two 
years later. At the tirst election, there were 
Ijut ten votes polled: two years later, the vote 
had increased to fifteen, a marked evidence of 
growth. The social customs in this commu- 
nity were much the same as found in other 
early settlements. Husking-hees, loggings, 
raisings, and the various entertainments which 
combined work and play. aiTanged by the 
women, gave opportunity for the merry romp 
that was all the more enjoyable for the severe 
labors that gave rise to the occasion. "Whisky 
played an important part in all the social 
affairs of the community, though not to the 
extent found in some of the earlier settle- 
ments. On the Fom'th of July, in 1820, a 
patriotic celebration of the day was had at 
the comity seat, in which the whole popula- 
tion of Montville participated. Mr. Badger, 
in his contribution to Northrop's history, says : 
" All the inhabitants of Montville attended 
that celebration, and let it be recorded as a 
part of history, that on the Foiu"th of July, 
1820, no human being could be found in 
Montville Township, for the reason that 
patriotism fii'ed every inhabitant to be at the 
celebration. Three ox-teams hauled to Me- 
dina, on that day, every living soul in Mont- 
ville Township, together with a young fat 



hog, a fat sheep and a few chickens, intended 
to bo eaten in common at this great celebration. 
From every inhabited township in the county 
the people came with their ox-teams, and by 
noon there was a large gathering and a cor 

j dial greeting. The dinner was of the best that 
the country afforded, and all fared plentifully. 

I Sweetened liquor was made in a tub, which was 
refilled often diu'ing the day. From that tub 
every person dipped in a tin and di-ank when in- 
clination jirompted. Many of the more stui'dy 
men took the whisky raw, saying that the 
sugar took away its flavor." Some of the im- 
portant early social events are thus noted in 
the same work by Capt. Bailger: "The tirst 
marriage in the township was W. R. Williams 
to Nancy Monroe. Henry Peltou was the tirst 
child born in the township. The tirst death 
and burial was that of Mrs. Catharine Badger." 
A prominent featm-e of Montville, and a 
very striking one to a stranger going over 
the township, is the pioneer monument erected 
to the memory of Fairfax Smith. Mr. Smith 
was one of the second line of immigration 
that contributed to the population of this 
township. He was a native of Massachusetts, 
whence he early moved to Vermont, ^nd 
in later years to Madison County, N. Y. He 
was here when the jiopular rage seemed to be 
to emigi'ate to Ohio, and, feeling the need of 
more room for his growing family of seven 
childi'en, he came to Montville in June, 1832. 
The journey was made by the family in a 
three-horse wagon, while the household goods 
came by way of the canal and Lake Erie to 
Ohio. Once here, Mr. Smith bought several 
improvements, amounting in all to some three 
hundi-ed and tifty acres, right in the midst of 
a complete wilderness, with no other clearing 
near, save the opening made by Samuel 
Brown. The monument was erected in 1879, 
by his son Linus Smith, and stands upon a 
knoll just west of his residence. It consists 






r»^ (. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



655 



of a base of Berea sandstone, six feet two 
inches square and two feet thick; a sub-base 
of the same material five feet two inches square 
and twenty-two inches thick : a second sub-base 
of Quincy granite, four feet four inches square 
and two feet thick. Upon this is placed the 
die, of Quincy granite, tliree feet eight inches 
square and five feet two inches high ; a cap of 
the same material, three feet eight inches 
square and two feet thick, finishes the pedestal. 
A statue of Mr. Smith, in the finest CaiTara 
marble, six feet eight inches in height, crowns 
the pile. Inscriptions on the die record the 
death of Fairfax Smith and Abigail, his wife, 
as well as a child of Linus Smith. Thefigm-e 
represents the subject in the garb of a fi'ont- 
iersman, such as the prints usually represent 
as the typical pioneer of the West. The 
figm'e stands uncovered, with hat in hand, 
as though greeting the passer by, and rests 
with the other on an ax, which is supported 
upon a stump by his side. The whole cost 
was $2,000, and foims a fitting memorial of 
not only the particular life which it com- 
memorates, but also of the whole class of 
those who wrought that others might enjoy 
the fruit of their labor. 

The people who came to the Reserve were 
eminently a religious people, and early sought 
to bring aliout them in this new home the in- 
fluence of the church. For the first few years, 
owing to the smallness of their number and the 
scattered character of the settlement, it was 
impossible for the community in Montville to 
organize any chm-ch movement, though they 
early embraced such opportunities of attend- 
ing worship as were offered. The first services 
in the township were held by Rev. Roger 
Searle. of Medina Village, as early as 1820 or 
1821. The services were conducted at first in 
the cabins, and, a very little later, in the school- 
houses that were erected. In 1829, Rev. Alva 
Sanford organized a parish of the Episcopal '■ 



I order, which comprised nine members. This 
organization, although it never erected a place 
of worship, continued its existence separately 
for awhile, when it was merged into the chm-ch 
at Medina. A few years after Mr. Searle, 
Rev. Steven Barnes came into the township to 
reside. Mr. Champion, the original owner of 
the township, desirous of securing his sei-vices 
for the new conunuuity, gave him one hun- 
dred acres to settle here. He labored here, 
with more less results, for several years. In 
1830, the Methodist Chm-ch constituted a class, 
and, for years, held services in the school- 
houses, or, more often, in private houses. In 
1844, they erected a place of worship, which 
still stands, near the center of the township. 
The building of the chm-ch was effected through 
the aid of Mr. Champion, who seemed to have 
not so much a special creed as the moral wel- 
fare of the community at heart. He promised 
those desiring a church for the Methodist or- 
ganization to contribute .fHOU, which was quite 
a help in those days. With this encourage- 
ment, they set to work and soon had a com- 
fortable building. ]\Ii-. John I. Wheeler was 
appointed a committee of one to secure the 
building, and he spent a year in this undertak- 
ing. The tu-st class was comi)Osed of John I. 
Wheeler, Asa Bradley, Washington Nichols, 
John Nichols, John Fritz, Daniel ^Vheeler, 
Asa House and their wives, Lucy, Lucinda 
and Friend Morse, Mary Bradley, Mrs. Betsy 
Nichols, Miss Bunker and Zenas Beach. Serv- 
ices are held there every Sabbath, with a 
sermon in the afternoon, once in two weeks, 
by Rev. W. B. Fan-ar, of Medina. 

The establishment of schools preceded the 
organization of the churches. As early as 
1820, a log schoolhouse was begun in the south- 
east i^art of the township, but finally aban- 
doned before it was completed, because it was 
found there were no scholars to attend a school 
if established. Two years latei-, a log school- 



^- 



LA 



656 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



house was established upon Mr. Badger's farm, 
where Caroline Babbit taught the lirst sum- 
mer school, consisting of eight scholars, receiv- 
ing 75 cents per week. The following winter, 
school was taught by Mi-s. Badger. In 1824, 
taking advantage of the situation, the settle- 
ment of Montville set off one-half of the town- 
ship into one school district, and levied a tax 
for the erection of a substantial lirick school- 
house. In this way. Gen. Champion was 
forced to bear the larger part of the expense. 
He resisted this action until convinced that 
there no successful resistance for him, when 
he yielded as gracefully as possible in the 
nature of the case. This building was located 
on Pelton's land, and was first occupied by 
Samuel McClure, as teacher, whose father was 
then a resident of the townshiji. Mr. McClure 



is now Judge of the Court of Common Pleas 
iu Summit County. The status of the schools, 
as shown by the reports to the County Audi- 
tor, is as follows: 

Balance on hand, September 1, 1S7'.) $744 78 

.\mounl of State tax received 421 50 

Local taxes for scliool purposes 204 15 

Total receipts from all sources $1,457 50 

Whole amount paid teachers $1,071 25 

Contingent expenses 19195 

Total expenses fl,263 20 

Balance on hand, September 1, 1880 $194 30 

There were eight school districts; value of 
school property, not given; number of teachers 
employed— gentlemen, 8 : ladies, 9; average pay 
per month — gentlemen, $25; ladies, SIO: num- 
ber of pupils em-olled — boys, 183; girls, 100; 
average daily attendance — boys, 77; girls, 07. 



CHAPTER XXIV.* 

IIOMKR TOWNSHIP — ITS I'HYSll'AL (JO.NTOUH — THE FIRST SETTLER — A GEKM.\N COLONY— ITS 
POLITICAL ORGANIZ.VriON— A MINING CO.MPANV— RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES —AGRI- 
CULTURAL PURSCITS-ITS CHURCHES AND SCIIOOLIIOUSES. 

''"r^HE pioneer histories of the different town- 1 the wilderness, and to establish new homes and 
-L ships in the western part of .Medina 
County are in many respects the same. What 



were the interests and pursuits of the first 
members of one settlement were very much 
the same in the neighboring colony. .Many of 
the incidents of the earlier pioneer (hiys of 
Harrisville Township belong to territory whicli 
is now included in the townsliip of Homer. 
The two together formed a kind of domestic 
brotherhood, and their lioiue attiliatious were, 
in many respt^cts, the same. Shortly after the 
colonization of the llar"isville |)i'ople, in the 
"8wamj) l):isln " of that township some of its 
members peiu'tr;iU!d further west ; a few. at 
first, as hiniti'rs in ([iiesl of game which 
abounded in this entire region, otheis to open 

*Coljtnt,uti-a I.V l'li:.rli-s Ni'il, Mi-.liiiii, Olii... 



settlements. A few rude log huts had been 
put up in several parts of the township as 
early as 1817, Ij}' migrating Nimrods. The 
stay of these hunters aud trappers was gener- 
ally of but very short duration, :md the extent 
of their usefulness consisted, in the main, in 
deijleting the number of wolves and bears that 
overran tlie country. 

What is now Homer was formerly a part of 
Lorain County, being named llichmond Town- 
ship, and was attached to Sullivan Township of 
lliat county. With the formation of Summit 
County, the eastern tier of tovvnships of Medina 
County were set ott with the new coinity or- 
ganization, and Spencer and Homer were taken 
from Lorain County and added to .Medina. 

In the political and geographical divisions of 



;rr 



-^i 



d^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



esT 



Medina County, Homer forms the southwest- 
ern township. It is bounded on the east bj' 
Harrisville. on the north h\- Spencer, on the 
west by Ashland County, and on the south hj- 
Ashland antl Wayne Counties. Its area and 
extent are the same as that of the other town- 
ships of Medina County, embracing twenty-five 
square miles. The surface of land is not so di- 
versified as that of some of the other townships 
of the count}'. It is slightly undulating, with 
the ground here and there broken by "spring 
runs." From west to east the gently rolling 
surface of the southern part of the township is 
cut through by one of the fountain streams of 
Black River, meandering in its course, and af- 
fording, at various points, some fine exposures 
of Cuyahoga shale. In some places, the bluffs 
are thirty feet high, and the opportunity of 
tracing out the succession of layers is very 
good. The rock is soft, gray shale, with inter- 
spersed layers of hard, sandj- shale, of a lighter 
color. The latter is occasionally worked out 
of the river-bed, and used for foundation stone 
for bridges, buildings, etc.; but it is too hard to 
be cut well, and long weathering will cause it 
to disintegrate or split into thin slabs. Con- 
cretions of iron are found in the shale of this 
township, as in others, but the live concretions 
are infre(iuent. No good fossil specimens are 
to be found here, the shale being too soft to 
hold the forms. 

It was a dozen or more years after Harrisville 
had been colonized that the first permanent 
settlement was made in Homer. John Park, 
who had moved into Ohio with his family from 
his home, near Ilookstown, Beaver Co., Penn., in 
1818, had, after living two years near Wooster, 
Wayne County, located in the southwestern 
part of Harrisville Township. He removed in 
the spring of 1831, into the territory which is 
now included in Homer Township, and there 
made the first permanent settlement. With the 
assistance of two or three of his sons, who were 
then gi'owing into manhood, he erected a cabin 



and a few rude structures for the shelter of his 
domestic animals, consisting of several j'oke of 
oxen and a horse. The wilderness was broken, 
and, in the course of the coming winter, they 
had several acres of land cleared, a small part put 
into wheat, and in the spring they planted their 
crops of corn, potatoes and oats. Aliout this 
time Batchelder Wing moved into the neigh- 
iwrhood with his family. These settlers could 
not be considered isolated in this settlement. 
It was only a few miles to the center of the 
Harrisville settlement, which was at this time 
blooming out into a full-gi'own civic town, with 
its attendant pleasures and comforts of life, and, 
at this time, formed one of the most important 
localities of the new county of Medina. It was 
little more than a mile from the new Parks set- 
tlement to their nearest neighbors, a half dozen 
families or more who were located in the west- 
ern part of Harrisville Township, in and about 
that part which is now known as Crawford Cor- 
ners. 

Within a few years, several more families im- 
migrated into the new territory and settled on 
its fertile soil, and underwent the toilsome and 
laborious drudgery of clearing the land. 
Among these new arrivals were Duncan Will- 
iams, Elijah Wing, Henry Laughman, Asa, 
Baird, Samuel and Isaac ^^anderhoof Webster 
Holcomb. Charles and Daniel Perkins, James 
Stevenson, David Snively, John Douglas, Will- 
iam Finley, George Durk, Solomon Smith, 
James and Joseph Crawford, Solomon and 
John Miller and William JeflTreys. All of these 
pioneers settled permanently with their families 
in close proximity to each other, in the south- 
eastern part of the township. Several more 
families moved into the neighborhood in 1834 ; 
among them being Joseph Faulk and Skene 
Low, who, with his j'oung wife, had come all 
the way from Scotland to find a new home in 
the Far West. They came by the Hudson 
River and Erie Canal to Buffalo, and then by 
way of Lake Erie to Cleveland, making a set- 



ihL^ 



658 



HISTORY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



tlement among the Homer people. In the mean- 
time, and while yet the part of the township 
wiiich to-day forms the Center, and where the 
village of Homerville is now located, was an un- 
broken forest, settlements had been made in 
the northeastern part of the township by a new 
class of people, and of different race affiliations 
from their neighbors a little way south. There 
were several families of German Pennsylvaniaus, 
who had come from their home State and had 
made settlements in this new country. Among 
the first of these were Eli Garman. Jonathan 
Holburn and John Miller, who bought tracts of 
land of Samuel Neal, an Eastern land specu- 
lator. This was in the year 1833. The first of 
these settlers, Eli Garman, after having located 
his land and built a log cabin with other ac- 
cessory buildings, returned to Pennsylvania and 
soon after returned with his young wife, whom 
he had left at the home in his native State. 
Many of their people from the German districts 
in old Pennsylvania, soon ■ followed these first 
pioneers in the new settlement. A large area 
of forest lands was soon transformed into fruit" 
ful fields, and this German colony in a short 
time became one of the most populous districts 
in the township. Industrious, frugal and thrifty, 
these Germans have wrested wealth and riches 
from the soil, and have grown into one of the 
most important elements in the agricultural life 
of Homer Township. 

In the }-ear 1838, an effort was made for 
a separate township organization by some of 
the settlers of Homer. After the grant had been 
given by the County Commissioners for a dis- 
tinct township organization with the regular po- 
litical powers, the work was at once completed 
with a special election of civil officers for the 
new corporation. The election was held in a 
little log schoolhouse in the Vanderhoof Dis- 
trict in June, 1834. There were nineteen voters, 
and, as near as can be learned, their names were 
William Duncan, James Stevenson, Daniel 
Snively, John Park, John Tanner, John Doug- 



las, George Durk, Elijah Wing, Batcheldcr 
Wing, Samuel and Isaac Vanderhoof, John and 
William Jeffrey, Charles and Daniel Perkins, 
Asa Baird, Webster Holcomb, Solomon Miller 
and William Jeffrey. The Judges of Election 
were Batciielder Wing, John Tanner and Asa 
Baird. The board of township officers elected 
at this first ■ town meeting " were John Tan- 
ner, John Park and Batcheldcr Wing, as 
Trustees ; Webster Holcomb as Constable, and 
Isaac Vanderhoof as Clerk. Asa Baird was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, and he served in 
this capacity for a number of years. Several 
minor offices were also bi'ought at once into 
operation. There was an Overseer of the Poor, 
an " Ear-mark " Recorder, a Fence Overseer, 
a half-dozen or more Road Supervisorships, 
and last, but by no means least, the Tax-Lister. 
The good people of the infant township man- 
aged it with such tact that about every one of 
its citizens filled some sort of a township office. 
But this was all a matter of honorable distinc- 
tion, as there was no money in any one of these 
offices. In the spring election of the next year, 
the total vote had increased to twentj'-seven. 

It was about this time that the first settle- 
ments at the center of the township, where now 
stands the little hamlet of Homerville, were 
made. Asa and Osias Baird, the latter of whom 
had moved up from Big Prairie, in Waj-ne 
County, were the first settlers at this point. 
Another settlement had also been made in the 
northwest part of the township. Hence, it was 
deemed necessar}- that the scat of government 
should be centrally located, so the next election 
was held at the Center settlement, in a little 
log school-building that had been erected the 
jear before. Tiiis was the Presidential election, 
in which Martin Van Buren was chosen Chief 
Magistrate of the Union ; and. if all reports are 
true, the people of Homer did not take any 
unusual interest in the national contest. There 
were but seventeen voters recorded on the poll- 
list. At the next spring election for township 



^ i 



^V^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



659 



officers, forty-two voters cast their ballots. From 
thence forward, more interest seems to have 
been manifested b}* the citizens of the town in 
political affairs. The township now also, from 
year to year, became more thickly populated. 
Immigrants came in from every direction. The 
first tax-list of personal property, made out bj' 
the Township Assessor in 1835, recorded seven 
horses and fortj'-two cattle, and the value of 
personal property was estimated at $1,735. The 
Medina County Tax Duplicates for 1840 show 
that the value of lands and buildings in Homer 
Township was $42,812 ; the value of personal 
property, §4,440 ; and the taxes assessed for 
that year, $693.51. In 1845, the value of lauds 
and buildings had decreased to $33,710, and 
the personal property had increased to $1 1.140 
and the total amount of taxes levied for this 
year was $673.45. In 1850, the value of the 
real estate in the township had ad^■anced to 
$127,340, and the personal property to $24,208- 
The taxes amounted to $947.64. In the next 
decade, the value of real and personal property 
in the township had more than doubled itself, 
the former being assessed at $287,700, and the 
latter at $84,722. and the taxes collected for 
that 3ear show a total of $3,042.13. To show 
the gradual development of the township from 
its infancy up to the present date, we need but 
look at the increase in population from its 
earliest days. In 1833, there were seventj'-two 
souls in the little colony ; in 1840, it had 
reached 653, and in 1850, it had reached a total 
of 1,102. Prom that date forward, the town- 
ship, strange and singular as it ma}' seem in a 
new and growing countr}-. has decreased in 
population. In 1860. there were 993 persons 
enumerated, and in 1870, no more than 886. 
The census returns of 1880, show a popula- 
tion of 865 souls. The number of voters, or 
such of them as practiced their rights of Ameri- 
can citizenship, which, from nineteen at the 
township organization in 1838, had gone to 
forty-two in 1837; and, in 1840, to 132; in 



1850, reached 273. Ten j'ears later, the vote 
of the township stood 231 ; and, in 1870, it was 
215. At the Presidential election, held on the 
2d of November, 1880, there were 227 votes 
cast. 

An earl}' event of some importance in the 
young settlement was the birth of a daughter 
to John Park and wife. This occuiTed in Au- 
gust, 1833. The young child was named Har- 
riet. Another event of note, which occurred 
several j'ears later — notable from the fact that 
it was the first of the kind in the township — 
was the marriage of Charles Atkins and Eliza- 
beth Campbell. .Many social affairs of a simi- 
lar kind came in quick succession in the fol- 
lowing years, as the township had been quite 
extensivel}- settled bj- this time. There was 
plenty of " giving in marriage." Each one of 
these matrimonial occurrences caused a ripple 
of excitement in the settlement, as is the usual 
wont in all localities of the civilized world. 
Numerous attentions were bestowed upon the 
}-oung people who had just launched on the sea 
of wedlock — just as much so then as it is to- 
day. Generally, these attentions were often of 
a more forcible than elegant nature. One of 
the greatest commotions that ever disturbed 
the equanimity of the Homer people, and one 
which threatened to create serious disturbances 
in the colony, was caused by a jubilee indulged 
in by a number of young people, in honor of a 
wedding. A young couple had been united in 
marriage in the summer of 1856. The young 
men of the neighborhood decided to give them 
the customary charirari, or " belling." On the 
night appointed, the '■ boys " gathered, twenty 
or thirty strong, arrayed in fantastic dress, and 
equipped with tin pans, bells, " horse-fiddles," 
and various other instruments, to make hideous 
noises. The house of the father of the bride, 
in which the young couple were staying, was 
surrounded by the " bellers " in the evening. 
After darkness had set in, and the tumult com- 
menced, shot-guns were fired, and a live goose 






f-t^ 



660 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



was thrown intx) the bridal chamber. The 
'• belling " was done up in " grand and good old 
style," as one of the participants related. The 
event would have been forgotten in a short 
time, and nothing serious would iiave come of 
it, if the irate father-in-law of tile young hus- 
band had not sworn vengeance upon the gay 
and troublesome disturbers. On the next day, 
the old gentleman had State warrants of arrest 
issued for all the young men whose names he 
had learned. Fifteen or twenty of the " hell- 
ers,'' some of them mere boys, were arrested 
under a charge of riot and destruction of prop- 
erty. Preliminary hearings were had. ami the 
boys were liound over in bonds of $1,00(1 each, 
all of which was promptly furnisiied liy resi- 
dent property-holders. The affair now assumed 
serious proportions to the people who had be- 
come entangled, and there were verv few peo- 
ple who did not take sides one way or another, 
though by far the larger part stood by the boys, 
and were bound, cost what it might, to see 
them safely through. Eminent counsel were 
employed on either side, and, at the coming 
session of the Common Pleas Court at Medina, 
the people of Homer moved in a long caravan, 
by four-horse teams, with streaming banners, in 
vehicles of all kinds, and on horseback, toward 
the county seat. The trial continued for sev- 
eral days, amidst the greatest excitement, and 
ended up with the acquittal of the young men. 
In long line of procession, the young men, with 
their hosts of friends, who had accompanied 
them to the trial, returned to their homes in 
Homer, singing and shouting. For many days, 
this affair remained the chief topic of convei'sa- 
tion of the Homer people. The plaintiff in 
this singular case was fnially eompelleil to sell 
out his estate on account of the expenses of 
the case. The cost of proceedings and attor 
neys' fees amounted to several tliousand dol- 
lars. He quitted the neighborhood and moved 
out West. 

It is not definitely known at what time or by 



whose suggestion the town was named. It is 
surmised that one of the itinerant ministers 
who visited the colony in its earlier days, pro- 
posed to the people to name it after the poet 
Homer, of whom he was a warm admirer. This 
suggestion was probably accepted by the or- 
ganizers of the township. It was not many 
years after the township had been organized 
and the Center had been quite well colonized, 
tbat a petition was sent to the I^nited States 
Post Office Department, to have the village set 
apart as a post office. The petition was granted, 
and an oHice was established at the Center. 
By order of the Department at Washington, a 
bi-weekly mail route was run from Harrisville 
to the new post office. Milan Beaman was the 
first mail-carrier between the two points, and 
he continued in the service for several j'ears, 
until the mail route was changed, and Homer- 
ville became one of the stations on the line 
running from Wooster to Wellington, Henry 
P. Camp was the first Postmaster in the village. 
He was succeeded by A. G. Newton. 

The first mercantile business was opened by 
Asa Baird. He lirought a small stock of goods, 
consisting of a small line of drj' goods, linen, 
thread, twine, a few boots, shoes, hats and caps, 
and a small variety of sugars, teas, coffees and 
spices. He also established an ashery. In 
1845. Henry P. Camp opened a small countrj' 
store, in a little, new frame dwelling at the 
center of the village. The next firm in the 
business world of Homerville was that of 
Ainsworth & Newton ; this was a branch estab- 
lishment of the business conducted by tiiis firm 
at liodi. In recent years, A, (i, Newton has 
been the leading, and, during different years, 
the sole, merchant in the village. He runs a 
neat, well-constructed business house, and it is 
the village store par excellence. The village 
post office is connected witli tiie store, with the 
proprii>tor as Postmaster. 

Scarcely more extensive than the commercial 
affairs of the township, are its manufacturing 



^ 



f 



^t 



l^ 



HISTOllY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



661 



developments. A water-mill for sawing wood 
was established as early as 1839, in the south- 
east part of the town, along Black River. Ed- 
win Oberliu was the builder and proprietor. 
He was largely' assisted by the settlers, who 
furnished timber and hauled it to the mill-site. 
A grist-mill on a small scale was attached to 
this a few years later. In 1840, John Barnes 
and James Freeman l)uilt a saw and gi-ist mill 
a few miles east of the Center. Eight years 
after this, Samuel Stine and Gabriel Moyer had 
a mill erected on the West Salem road, one and 
one-half miles south of the Center. In 1850, 
Henrj' Camp built the old steam saw-mill now 
located near the village of Homerville. A few 
trade and repair shops have been conducted at 
the village at various times. 

The discover}- of galena in the river bed in 
the western part of the township, in 1847, led to 
considerable excitement among the inhabitants, 
and this extended beyond and to other parts of 
the count}-. The excitement was wrought to a 
high pitch, and rumor soon had it, that a rich 
silver mine had been discovered in the town- 
ship. People came flocking in from every side 
and the little crjstallized cubes in the gray 
bed-rock of the river were looked upon 
with wonder and astonishment. A lead and 
silver mining company was organized forth- 
with, through the efforts of several of the en- 
enthusiasts, and a large tract of land leased 
along the river bottom. Joseph Hibbard, a 
farmer living in Harrisville, was the real mover 
in the undertaking, and entered into the enter- 
prise with all the vim and capital at his com- 
mand. He was assisted by P. Holt, Leander 
Baldwin and Samuel Vanderhoof These four 
together, formed the company. Digging was 
commenced at a point, forty or fifty rods above 
the bridge that spans Black River, on the Lodi 
and Homerville road. The work was prose- 
cuted for several weeks amidst great excite- 
ment ; but nothing more than what is known as 
"scabs" among the miners of the West, was 



found. The enterprising diggers, were, after 
awhile, convinced of this delusion in hunting 
for precious metals in this neighborhood. With 
this conviction, the work was abandoned. 
Twent}' j'ears later, there was another lead and 
silver flurry among the people of Homer and 
Harrisville Townships, but nothing more ex- 
cept the digging of two or three small holes 
came of it, and since that time, no more has 
been said of it. Bj- man}' of the people in the 
neighborhood it is considered as a good joke. 

The pursuits of the Homer people are strictly 
agricultural. No railroad crosses its territory', 
and no effort has ever been made by its people 
to secure a line. 

The soil of the township is highly productive, 
and the crops, in quantity and (juality, that are 
taken from it, will compare quite favorably 
with any of the townships in the county. 
Wheat and corn are the chief cereal products. 
Stock-breeding forms one of the prominent fea- 
tures of the farming pursuits of the Homer 
husbandmen. In later jears, many of its farm- 
ers have drifted into the dairy business, which, at 
the present date, has become a very profitable 
undertaking. A cheese factor}- was established 
by the Vanderhoof Brothers in the winter of 
1871, in the western part of the township, on 
the banks of Black River, and operations com- 
menced the following year. It is now one of 
the many factories which are conducted by 
Horr, Warner & Co.. of Wellington. Most 
of the farmers in the northern part of the town- 
ship are patrons of factories in Spencer, which 
also belong to the company above referred to. 
These factories are run on the creamery plan ; 
that is, making cheese and Initter. The level 
stretches through the township are well adapted 
for grazing purposes, and, through this fact, 
more than anything else, the manufacture of 
cheese and butter forms one of the most prom- 
inent parts in the agricultural life of the Homer 
people. 

Some vears aaro, from 1830 or tiiereabouts, 



& - 



J^ 



662 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



-t^v 



to 1854 and 1855, the North American passen- 
ger pigeon made the area of land lying in Ho- 
merville, Spencer and Harrisville Townships, 
their annual roosting-places in the spring. 
The}- came in large flocks, in countless num- 
bers, and literally took possession of the woods. 
They built their nests, a few small sticks put 
together, and remained in the locality during 
the hatching season, raising their young. In 
many cases, before the \oung pigeons hail be- 
come full-fledged, they would tumble out of 
their nests, and, for a short time, the ground 
would be literally strewn with them. The fat 
young birds made a luscious diet for the farm- 
er's hogs, which were, in those days, rooting out 
their existence in the woods. In the years 
from 1850. this area on which the birds were 
nesting became the rendezvous of pigeon-hunt- 
ers from the East, with headquarters at Lodi. 
The pigeons were killed by the thousands and 
shipped to markets in the East. In later years, 
these birds have abandoned this territory as a 
nesting-ground, though the}' stop here now oc- 
casionally for feeding purposes, but in greatly 
diminished numbers. 

Public worship commenced among the peo- 
ple of Homer colony with the days when tUeir 
first homes were established in the new land. 
Prayer-meetings were first held in the little 
cabins, by the glimmer of lun-ning logs on the 
rude hearth. Hymns of praise and devotion 
were sung with earnestness and holy resigna- 
tion, by fathers, mothers, wives and children. 
The home of Isaac Vandcrhoof, standing on 
an open bluff on the bank of Black River, in 
the west part of the towusliip, was the place 
where the sturdy pioneers oftenest congregated 
to ofl'er up their religious consecrations. As 
many as twenty and thirty people gatlieied at 
tim(!s, during tiie years 18:53 and 18:54. to i)ar- 
ticipate in the devotional exercises. (Mreiiit 
riders from the Wellington and Black River 
Circuits called at the .settlement and conducted 
these meetings, very simple though they were. 



but uo less impressive to the hearts of the 
worshipers than the most ornate and pom- 
pous church services of the present day. Isaac 
Vanderhoof was the leading spirit in these 
religious movements. In the fall of 18:34, an 
organization on the broad plan of the Method- 
ist Episcopal ('lunch creed was eflfected. The 
first communicants in the colony in this church 
organization, were Isaac Vanderhoof and his 
wife, Elizabeth Mattison, Betsey Kelley and 
3Irs. Roxy Vanderhoof. the wife of Samuel 
^^anderhoof. Regular church services were 
held from that year on, in the log schoolhouse 
which stood in the neighborhood where these 
people resided. For the first few jears after 
organization, regular meetings were held only 
once every four weeks. The Rev. James Kel- 
lum was the first stated minister of this con- 
gregation. This was in the years 1835 and 
183(5. In 1837, the Rev. Mr. Morey was the 
visiting minister in the colony. He was fol- 
lowed by the Rev. John Kellum. From 184(1 
fi)rward, the Rev. Hugh L. Parish, of Welling- 
ton, had charge of this church organization, 
until, in 1843. when he was followed by the 
Rev. Mr. Reynolds and the Rev. John Ilazzard, 
of West Salem. The meetings were now held 
ex-ery other Sunda3% but they continued in the 
little schoolhouse in the Vanderhoof district 
until in the year 1861, when the present church 
edifice of this society was erected at the center 
of the village of Homerville. It now belongs 
to the West Salem charge of the Wooster 
District of the Northern Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Religious serv- 
ices are now held every Sunday. On the church 
record are now given the names of over one 
hundred members. 

Some religious movements were made by the 
settlers in the northwestern part of the town- 
ship, immediately after its first settlement. 
These people belonged to the I'rotestant Meth- 
odist Church. James Pennywell and Thomas 
Alberts were the leaders in these movements. 



•^ €~ 



^V 



Ml 



k. 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



663 



The meetings were held in private houses, and 
for a time in the schoolhouse in that section. 
At irregular intervals, itinerant ministers made 
calls there, and preached the Gospel to the peo- 
ple. No permanent organization was ever ef- 
fected, and after a few years the meetings were 
entirely discontinued. Some of these settlers 
and their descendants have joined the Jleth- 
odist Episcopal society at the Center Church. 

Some of the settlers in the southwest part of 
the township, in conformity to the faith of 
their ancestors, organized in the year 1840, la 
union with Harrisville people of the same 
faith, a Presbyterian Church society, at Craw- 
ford's Corners, and maintained it sepai'ate and 
distinct for a terra of five years. The Rev. 
Vernon Noyes was the oHiciating minister dur- 
ing this time. After that, they disbanded the 
organization, and nearly all of them joined the 
Presbj'terian society located at West Salem, 
three miles distant in Wayne County. 

The religious belief and training that had 
been inculcated in the (rerman settlers at their 
homes in Pennsylvania, manifested itself, in its 
outward form, soon after their advent in the 
new settlement in Homer. The few families 
that were at first in the settlement, gathered 
at one of the houses, and worship was held 
there. This occurred regularly from time to 
time, though at no time did their gatherings 
reach a larger number than a dozen. The 
grand old German hymns, in the native tongue 
of Martin Luther, were sung in earnest tones ; 
these informal meetings were held at the houses 
of Eli Garman and John Miller; and not un- 
frequently. during the summer days, thej' were 
held in a barn or in the open woods. When 
the first settlement of five or six families had 
been augmented to fifteen or twenty, by new 
arrivals, a church organization was effected in 
the summer of 1837. A plat of ground, where 
now the church edifice of this society is located, 
was leased by Eli Garman and Joiui Miller, and 
in 1838 a little log church was erected there- 



on. In conformity to the old German custom 
of the Vaterland, the churchyard was used as 
a burial-ground for the deceased memljers of 
the church families. The first person buried 
in this ground, even before a church had been 
built upon it, was a young son of Eli Gar- 
man, who had died in the winter of 1 837. The 
Rev. Johan Shuh, located as Lutheran minis- 
ter in a German settlement in Orange Town- 
ship, Ashland County, preached the funeral 
sermon. After the little log church-house had 
been erected in 1838, regular services com- 
menced, and were held every alternate Sabbath 
day. The Rev. Mr. Shuh officiated as the Pas- 
tor, and the organization joined, as a separate 
parish, the General Council of the Evangelical 
Lutheran Church of America. The services 
were entirely conducted in German during 
these days. The first minister was afterward 
succeeded by the Rev. August Beckerman. 
The present church building, which is one of the 
largest in Medina County, was erected in the 
year 1855, on the site of the old log house 
which had been removed. Regularly stationed 
ministers were then retained, and the societj' 
grew in prosperity and influence. Over fiftj- 
families belonged to the church, and its mem- 
bership embraced over three hundred persons. 
(As infant baptism is one of the sacramental 
doctrines of this denomination, the young are 
classed as regular members.) In 1862, a local 
schism broke out in this society and caused a 
separation. The seceding members formed a 
separate church organization, and connected 
with the "Joined S3'nod " of the German Re- 
formed Chureli of Ohio. They erected a house 
of worship, one mile west of the old building, 
and commenced regular church services. The 
members of the new church were Dennis and 
George Miller, John Shelhart, Andreas Bill- 
man, John Bennader, Jacob Fursahl, Phillip 
Rice, John Rice, Adam Koons, Solomon Hei- 
man, Jacob Nasal, Leonard Hummcrt and 
Henrv Haulk. The Rev. Carl Wentlv. of Pliil- 






664 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



adflpliia, Penn.. was the first officiating clergs'- 
man of this society. Ho located in the settle- 
ment for a number of years. The church serv- 
ices, which at first were exclusively conducted 
in the German language, arc now conducted in 
both English and German. 

Another church society established in Ho- 
raerville, is the Evangelical (Albrights). It was 
organized in 1805, by Benjamin Weatherstuie, 
John Herke}-, Tobias Heberly, David Frank and 
Esther Beavelhammer. This is merely an ad- 
junct of the church society of that name lo- 
cated in West Salem, and ministers of the latter 
society are supplied to the Homer society. An 
edifice was constructed in 1865. at the Center 
of Homerville, and meetings have been held 
regularly since that year. Yearly revival 
meetings are held in this church, and the out- 
ward signs of religious enthusiasm generally 
run high. 

The society of Dunkards — or " Fiiswiischer, 
as they were originally called in German}-, b}- 
the originator of the creed, Alexander Mack — 
forms a considerable portion of the church 
histor}' of Homer Township. A few of the 
members of this faith had settled in the town- 
ship in the years from 1845 to 1850. The first 
of these settlers were Samuel Hart and Joseph 
Rittenhouse, who had come from the Dunkard 
settlement near Germantown, I'enn. Others 
came and settled with their families near them. 
True to their faith, they soon evidenced a desire 
to profess in the regular and accepted formula 
of their belief Meetings were instituted at 
private houses and in barns. Their quaint and 
peculiar services were conducted in these 
places for a number of years. During the reg- 
ularly ai)|)ointed Pentecostal meetings of this 
sect, which occur in the spring and fall of each 
year, these Homer jieople would journiy to a 
Dunkard scltlcnient near Ashland, and i)artici- 
pate in the religious festivities of a love-feast 
and "feet-washing." In the year 1870, a Dmik- 
ard meeting-house, very plain in its architect- 



ural finish, was erected through the efforts of 
the leading members of the church, and regu- 
larly appointed meetings commenced, Joseph 
Rittenhouse and Samuel Garver officiating as 
ministers. The people of the faith, who are 
scattered about in the neighboring townships 
of Chatham, Harrisville, Westfield and Sulli- 
van, come here to worship. Aside from the 
striking simplicity of their church services, 
these people, in their daily walks of life and 
everj'-day habits, abstain as much as possible 
from interference with worldly affairs. They 
are exceedingly plain in their ch'ess, and eschew 
the pleasures of the world. 

Pjqual in general interest to political affairs 
of a civil corporation is the origin, rise and 
development of the system of education ; and, 
here in Homer, schools commenced as the}' did 
in the other pioneer settlements in this great 
land of the West. In many instances, the 
place of teaching the young minds was the 
rude log cal)in of a settler, and some kind- 
hearted soul, father or mother or grown-up 
daughter, volunteered their services to instruct 
the young. Then a small log hut, with logs 
for seats, no light except through the open 
door and an aperture in the wall. Such an one 
was the first in Homer Township of which we 
have any knowledge. It was built in 1833, 
and stood on the site of the present neat, well 
lighted and ventilated schoolhouse, about two 
and one-half miles southeast of the center of 
Homer.* James Park, a son of Squire John 
Park, the pioneer of the Township, a young 
man then about twenty-three years of age, w.m 
the first tutor. He dealt out instruction in the 
rudimentary branches of learning at this 
schoolhouse for a number of years, and ae(init- 
ted himself in a very creditalile manner. His 
wages, which had been at first only 75 cents 
per week and lioard. had lieen increased to $12 
per month in the second year of his teaching. 
A few years after the establishment of this | 

* What i.-* iic»w kiinwn iis tin* DuncaQ Williams Schoulhouso. 



3> 



HLSTOHY OF MEDIXA COUNTY. 



665 



schoolhouse, another was built in tiie Vander- 
hoof District, one and one-lialf miles north. 
Miss Lucretia Youngs was the first teacher in 
this district. In 1837, a schoolhouse, after the 
primitive pattern of pioneer schoolhouses, and 
identical in its make-up to its two predeces- 
sors, was erected at the center of the township. 
William Potts, here as the first, assumed the 
functions of a pedagogue. In the course of 
two or three years, se\'eral more schoolhouses 
were erected in the township ; one in the north- 
west corner, and one in the German settlement, 
in the northeast. The first subdivision of 
school districts was made in 1837. and a town- j 
ship Board of School Directors was created. 
There were then five school districts. In 1842, { 
a I'edivision was made, and the number of dis- 
tricts was increased by two, making seven, the 
present number of districts in the township. 
When young James Park, in the spring of 
1833, first assumed the functions as public 
instructor in the colony, there were just four- 



teen scholars. Only nine responded with their 
presence on the opening day of school. Very 
much in accordance with the ill-constructed 
architectural make-up of the little school cabin 
was the daily routine of teaching and the text- 
books used from which to draw the rivulet of 
learning. At the first enumeration of the 
school children between the ages of six and 
twentj' in Homer Township, made in 1833, 
there were found 14. Two years later, there 
were 27. In 1840, the number of children of 
the proper school age was 229 ; ten years later, 
it reached 479. Since that date, the number 
has retrograded with the general population of 
the township to 210. To-day, there are seven 
schoolhouses in the township, supplied with all 
the advantages of a modern, well-regulated 
schoolhouse ; neat and cleanly within, attract- 
ive in their outward appearances ; healthful 
places, where the young children congregate, 
and a proper stimulus is given to their young 
minds. 



CHAPTER XXV. 

r,A F.VVETTE TOWNSH IT— PHYSICAL DKSCIUPTION — CHIPPEWA LAKE— DRAINAGE AND LMPROVE- 
MENT—MILLING INTERESTS— GROWTH OF VILLAGES— EDUCATION AND RELIGION. 



A MONG the foreigners who came from 
'^-*- Em'ojie to the assistance of the British 
Colonies in America diu'ing the Revolution, was 
a young man whose name and fame, like those 
of Washington, will be green forever in the 
memory of the people of the United States. 
This young nobleman was the Marquis de La 
Fayette. He saw the wrong done the Ameri- 
can Colonies, and, with soul bm-ning vrith 
indignation, he resolved to risk his life and 
fortune in assisting them to attain their inde- 
pendence. After a bloody eight years' war, 
he saw the British hosts retire, and, full of 
joy at the success of the colonies against 



such fearful odds, he returned to the land of 
his birth, to pass the remainder of his days. 
After the lapse of many years, he resolved to 
visit the country which, like a star, was rising 
in beauty in the West, and whose freedom he 
had struggled to secure. With grateful 
hearts, the nation turned out to do him honor, 
and gave him an ovation accorded but few 
men in the history of the world. He has long 
since passed away; but his memory grows 
brighter with each succeeding decade; and 
the mention of his name, like the glad notes 
of the spring bird returning from the genial 
skv of Southern climes, will meet a wel- 



i) ^ 



^-=:!^ 



666 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



coming sentiment in every American heart as 
long as the nation lives. Cities, villages, 
counties and towns are named in his honor, 
and are ever-living monuments to his memoiy. 
Thus it was, that, when the township was 
i organized, the County Commissioners, at the 
! suggestion of the settlers then residing within 
its limits, bestowed upon it the name of La 
Fayette. 

The to-ivnship is five miles square, and the 
soil, for agricultiiral piu'poses, is second to that 
of no other portion of the county. Year after 
year, the same kind of grain can be raised upon 
the same piece of land, without any appreciable 
decrease in quality or quantity. The soil in 
the vicinity of the lake is largely alluvial, 
having been washed in by frequent rains 
through a long period of years. Extending 
north from the lake is a broad valley, that 
rises gradually in height until it reaches the 
northern limits of the towushij), where it ter- 
minates in a succession of hills that character- 
ize the height of land which separates the Ohio 
River and Lake Erie Valleys. The northern 
tier of lots is almost wholly drained by 
branches of Rocky River, while the remainder 
I of the township, except a portion of the 
western side, slopes toward Chipjiewa Lake. 
The valley above the lake was once an almost 
impenetrable swamp, which, before the advent 
of the pioneers, was the resort of large niun- 
ber of Lidian trappers and hunters. After 
' the township had become quite well populated, 
it was soon e^adent that the swamp, liefore 
many years, would be drained and reclaimed 
' by the agriculturist; but no decisive action 
' was taken until some twelve yeai's ago, when 
, the ch'ainage of the broad valley became a 
I county matter. The County Commissioners 
took control of the movement, and each man 
living in the valley was assessed in money and 
labor in proportion to the amount of land he 
1 owned that would be benefited by the di'ain- 



age. Some living far up the valley, whose 
farms were well ckained before the movement 
came into eflfect, were assessed at what they 
considered extortionate rates. Additional 
drainage would aflbrd them no benefit, and 
many looked upon their assessments as out- 
rageous, and no little gnimbling was incited 
by the action of the Commissioners. The 
theory of the latter was that, inasmuch as all 
the land — hills and vales — lying within the 
valley, would be cb-ained by jjrospective arti- 
ficial trenches, each man should contribute 
something toward the expense of extensive 
drainajje. One large ditch, foiu' or five feet 
deep and about twenty feet wide, was to be dug 
north fi'om the lake thi'ough the center of the 
valley, for a distance of over two miles. Many 
lateral ditches were to be excavated fi'om the 
sides of the main one. and each man was given 
a section to dig, according to his assessment. 
A large ti'ench was also to be made south of 
the lake, in order to lower the waters of the 
lake, and thus reclaim a portion of its bottom. 
Accordingly, about twelve years ago, largely 
through the tireless efforts of William R. 
Goodiu, all being in readiness, imder the man- 
agement of a county agent, the citizens were 
called out and the work began. The ditch 
and its branches were completed in due time, 
and the system of di'ainage is the most exten- 
sive and complete in the county. About $15,- 
000 in money and labor were exjiended, and 
already the wisdom of the movement is ap- 
parent, as the large Ijody of land reclainuxl 
has increased over 100 per cent in value, thus 
increasing the value of tlie taxable property in 
the county several thousand dollai-s. About 
two-thirds of the lake lie within the towushij) 
limits. Thi> bottom and banks are muddy, 
and. in times of high winds, the water becomes 
tm-bid over the entire lake. The aj)proaches 
are gradual, and the water bordering the shore 
is shallow. A dense growth of sedges, bul- 



■^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



667 



rushes, and other semi-aquatic plants, covers 
the margin and extends out some distance into 
the water. Several varieties of fishes are found 
in the lake, among which are black bass, pike, 
perch, bull-heads and suckers. At certain sea- 
sons of the year, seiners come and carry away 
large quantities of nice fish. Notwithstand- 
ing the natural inconveniences and obstruc- 
tions which surround the lake, inasmuch as it 
is the only body of water of any consequence 
in the county, it is a gi-eat resort for skating, 
picnic and pleasure parties of all kinds. The 
lake varies in depth fi-om a few feet to sixty 
feet, and is thus able to float vessels of the 
largest size. In comparatively late years, 
pleasiu'e grounds have been fitted up on its 
banks, appropriate buildings have been erected, 
and sail and steam vessels of vai'ious sizes 
have been launched upon its waters. One 
steam vessel, capable of carrying over a hun- 
di-ed persons, "plowed " the lake for a number 
of years, but was finally disabled and removed. 
During the suromer months, sail and row 
boats may be seen cleaving its waters, but, 
when wind storms appear, these vessels are 
safer moored at the shore. Boats are kept in 
readiness, by several parties, to rent to pleas- 
ure-seekers. In the winter months, when the 
ice is good, skating parties come to the lake, 
and often hundi-eds may be seen sweeping 
across the frozen fluid like the wind, endeav- 
oring to outdo each other in swiftness and 
skill. The lake has been the scene of several 
tragedies. In 1857, a party of young men 
hired a boat and rowed out on the lake to 
bathe. WTiile sporting in the water, one of 
their nrunber, who had dived, was suddenly 
missed. Search was immediately instituted, 
and, although assistance was obtained fi'om 
the shore, the body of the young man, whose 
name was Henry Streeter, was not recovered 
until about 1 o'clock that night. The body 
was finally found in eight feet of water, and at 



a considerable distance from the spot where it 
went dovni. In 1843, a young man named 
Thomas Kennedy, while bathing in the lake, 
became entangled in the weeds near the shore 
while under the water, and was drowned. 
Strange to say, these are the only accidents 
that have occurred. From the number who 
frequent the lake and ventiu-e upon it, an unusu- 
ally small percentage have met with accident. 
Chippewa Lake received its name from a tribe 
of Indians that once lived upon its banks. 
In early years beaver and otter were found, 
but these shy animals have long since disap- 
peared. Mink and muski-at are the only ani- 
mals caught at the lake whose fur is worth 
preserving. Large quantities of ice are 
taken fi'om the lake during the winter season, 
and stored in neighboring ice-houses, to be 
devoted to the use of pleasiu-e-seekers during 
the summer and for transportation, by rail, 
to distant points. It is stated by old settlers 
that the lake is not as deep by twenty feet as 
it was sixty years ago. Two or more causes 
have contributed to decrease the depth: The 
deposition of soil in the lake by the streams 
that feed it, and the greater depth of the arti- 
ficial outlet. Should the shallowness now 
being produced continue at its present rate of 
increase, the lapse of a century will perma- 
nently injru-e this sheet of water. It is 
thought, however, that, from the fact that the 
inlets and outlets are firmly established, possi- 
bly beyond any material alteration, the depth 
of the lake will remain as it now is for a long 
and indefinite length of time. This little 
body of water has an un^vi-itten history that 
will remain shi'ouded in the obsciu'ity of the 
distant past. Over its wave, the light canoe 
of the Indian hunter swept along, and in its 
mvu:ky water the panting deer plunged to 
escape the sharp fangs of the wolf or bear. 
Wild birds circling to the earth from the 
silent depths of the air, sought its cool waters. 



^-. 



668 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



Who will venture to say that the Mound 
Builders have not utilized the lake and its sur- 
roundings for their mysterious purposes"? 
These are questions that can be answered only 
by the past — the past which remains as silent 
as the tomb of man. 

The fu'st settlers, so far as any knowl- 
edge can be obtained, traditional or other- 
wise, were roving hunters, who squatted 
temporarily for the piu-pose of trapping 
and hunting in the vicinity of the lake. 
Traditions are in circulation that, imme- 
diately after the wai- of 1812. nide bark 
shanties could be seen on both the eastern and 
the western side of the lake. These shanties 
are said to have been covered, inside and out. 
with the fiu's of the mink, beaver and otter, 
and it is stated that the homely features 
of a tall backwoodswoman could be seen at 
one of them. VTho these hunters were, and 
when they squatted in the township, are mat- 
ters wholly within the province of conjecture. 
^Tien they left the neighborhood of the 
lake, is unknown. Their presence there, 
however, soon after 1815, is well authenticat- 
ed by those early settlers in other townships, 
who saw them. As soon as the war closed, 
and all apprehension of danger from savages 
had passed away, hundreds of resolute men 
who had been reai-ed in the wilderness, where 
fierce wild animals were every-day sights, 
pushed out into the trackless wild-wood to 
make a living by the arts of hunting and trap- 
ping. Undismayed by the numerous dangers 
that hemmed them in. they kept on in advance 
of the border settlements, and the presence of 
half a dozen neighbors within twice as many 
miles, was a decisive signal to push farther into 
the depths of the forests. It thus occurred 
that, some time prior to 1820, what rov- 
ing hunters there were living in La Fayette, 
left the to^-nship. From 1818 to 1832, the 
territory composing La Fayette, was attached ' 



to TVestfield. So fai' as known, no permanent 
settler located in the township until after 
1820. The precise date cannot now be ascer- 
tained, and neither is the name of the first 
settler known. It is likely that William Bis- 
sett was the fu'st permanent settler in the 
township. He erected a double log cabin on 
the farm now owned by L. D. Finney, as early 
as 1825, and for many years, kept a sort of 
public house. The roving hunters, living in 
the township and the unsettled forest west, 
often came to his cabin for accommodations. 
Westfield Township had been settled many 
years previously, and the settlers there in go- 
ing to Medina, were compelled to go directly 
north, and pass the cabin of Bissett to escape 
the bottomless bogs in the lake valley. This 
circunLstance early led to the location of a 
somewhat circular road thi'ough the township, 
being the simie as the present Medina and 
Westfield road. It is stated, that, for several 
years after 1825, Bissett "s cabin was the only 
dwelling on the road, in La Fayette, between 
Westfield and Medina. At that time the 
township was frequented by wandering herds 
of deer, and numerous wolves, bears, and 
other fierce animals. The settlers from Har- 
risville came to the lake to hunt and fish, and 
many a hard fight was had in its vicinity with 
the larger animals, which htinters were slow 
and cautious to attack. It is related that 
Amos Hubbai'd, an early settler, often told on 
himself the following story : He had been to 
Medina, and had started for home so late in 
the afternoon that he was overtaken by intense 
darkness before he had gone tkree miles. To 
add to the solemnity of the scene and the aj)- 
prehensions of fear in the breast of Mr. Hub- 
bai'd, a heavy wind began to sweep thi'oiigh 
the dark forest, and the deep notes of distant 
thimder heralded an ap})roaching storm. For 
a week or two pre^^ously, several ])anthers had 
been seen prowling around the pig-sty of Mr. 



"TT 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



669 



Bissett, watching for an opportunity to carry 
off one of the aniiiials. As morning ap- 
proached, they retired to the swamps, where < 
they remained concealed till night again ap- I 
peared, when they once more began their noc- 
turnal joiu'ney to Mi-. Bissett's pig-sty. These : 
stories also added to the fears of Mr. Hubbard. 
He traveled on as fast as he could tlirough 
the dark woods, and, having reached a spot 
about a mile northeast of Bissett's cabin, he 
suddenly heard a strange noise near him. He 
paused, and could distinctly hear some heavy 
animal walking slowly on the leaves but a few 
rods to his right. Filled with direful mis- 
givings, Mr. Hubbard hastily sought a tree of 
convenient size, which he hastily ascended and 
ensconced himself in the thick foliage, wait- 
ing anxiously for the jiending danger to man- 
ifest itself. The strange sounds were fre- 
quently repeated during the night, and occa- 
sionally came quite close to the foot of the 
tree : but the darkness was so intense that not 
an object could be seen. Mr. Hubbard re- 
mained in the tree, shaking^ and chattering 
with cold, until the gray light of apjjroach- 
ing day had sufficiently advanced to reveal to 
the astonished eyes of the crestfallen man, 
a yoke of oxen that had strayed away from 
Mr. Bissett, and had wandered and fed around 
the tree wherein the frightened traveler had 
taken refuge. The strange noise had been 
caused by the oxen as they cropped the leaves, 
twigs, and scanty herbage gi'owing in the 
woods. It is stated that Mr. Hubbard did 
not relate the occmrences of that eventful 
night until the lapse of time had gi'eatly de- 
tracted from the merits of the joke. Within 
the next five years after the erection of Mr. 
Bissett's cabin, there came into the township 
the following settlers, most of whom located 
on farms near that of Mr. Bissett : Yivalda 
Wood, Ephraim HaiTis, Henry C. Ransom, 
Henry F. Hall, Ezekiel Slater, Anson Bella- 



my, Chancey Foote, Isaiah Allen and Shad- 
rach Doane, Abraham Brooks, Edward StaiT, 
Alexander Barrett, Elijah Hubbard, Milo 
Loomis, Jeremiah Doty, Matthew Leffingwell 
and a few others. Prior to 1835, there came 
in large accessions to the settlers already there, 
among whoin were the following, several of 
whom, no doubt, came as late as 1840 : James 
Martin, William Walters, Garrett Spitzer, 
Jonathan Palmer, John Lee, EosweU Will- 
iams, Nicholas Spitzer, Daniel Merritt, 
Thomas Cass, Andrew McDonald, Andi-ew 
McCabe, William and John Carlton, Mr. 
Foster, Jolin Bibbins, Gilbert Thom, William 

F. Moore, John Maythan, Hiram Wright, Mr. 
Northrup, Henry Chapin, Earl Moulton, Will- 
iam Bleekman, Olney Allen, Jesse Han'ing- 
ton, Child Childs, Ephraim Rood, Ephi-aim 
Coy, James Rise, Mi\ Hawkins, Silas Gates, 
John and Josejih Eobb, Alva Averill, A. 

G. Wightman, John Day, Russell Alger, 
Salmon Richards, Phineas Needham, John 
Mead, Daniel and Leonard Field, William 
Peck, Azariah Eastman, Simpson Simmonds. 
William Averill, Nathan Wightman, Mr. Chase, 
E. Dealing, J. Watring, L. M. Pierce, and 
several others, whose names cannot now be 
ascertained. In 1840, the township was quite 
thickly populated. The fanus were small, 
and the rude log cabins were on almost every 
section. Industries began to arise, frame 
buildings to go up, and, erelong, what was 
but a few years before a tangled wilderness 
became suitable for the habitations of the 
cultm-ed and refined. Wild animals disajv 
])eared, except occasional stragglers that found 
their way into the township. Wolves re- 
mained longer than the others, and during 
the early settlement were a continual nui- 
sance to those who desired to keep sheep. 
Sometimes they became so bold from hunger, 
as to approach quite close to the cabins, where 
they would howl dismally until morning. One 



M^ 



670 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUXTY. 



day three small boys — William Doane, Solon 
Harris and W. E. Moulton — were sent tlu'cugh 
the woods to the cabin of a neighbor about 
two miles west, to get a quantity of butter. 
While they were returning, they suddenly 
heard several wolves howl behind, them, and, 
glancing back, saw three or foiu' of the fierce 
creatures coming on the run directly dovsTi 
the path towai-d them. W. E. Moulton was 
so young that he was unaware of the danger 
he was in, and, seeing the w^olves coming 
swiftly toward him, wanted to wait and see 
the yelping animals that were following him ; 
but his companions, who were older, realizing 
to some extent the danger, hurried him to- 
ward home at the top of his speed. The 
wolves howled at every jump as they ran, and 
soon, fi-om all parts of the forest, for a mile 
or more, an answering chorus was begun. 
While the boys were running along the rough 
path at their best pace, a deer suddenly leaped 
to its feet within a few rods of them, and 
bounded ofl" through the forest. A pack of 
the wolves took its trail and followed it, with 
what success is unknown. The boys, now thor- 
oughly aroused, were soon at Mr. Moulton's 
clearing, and the wolves, fearing to continue 
the pursuit farther, withdi-ew, but they con- 
tinued to howl, probably with disappointment, 
for half an hoirr after the boys were safe in MJr. 
Moulton's cabin. Had the boys not reached 
the clearing as they did, they would undoubt- 
edly have fiu'nished a repast for the ravenous 
wolves. This event transpired about 1835, 
and shows the condition of the township at 
that time, relative to the presence of wild an- 
imals. The wolves became so gi-eat a nui- 
sance that it was finally resolved to insti- 
tute a circular hunt to rid that ]iortion 
of the county of the jiests. Accordingly, on a 
given day, a large number of men surrounded 
the township of Chatham, and began to march 
toward a common center ; but, fi-om some cause 



unknown, the line became broken, and all the 
animals except a few foxes escaped. So great 
became the raid against the wolves, however, 
that in a few years they had disappeared from 
the township. 

The ten-itory comprising the tovmship was 
owned, in 1830, by Apollos and T. B. Cook, 
Lucy Day, S. and T. Fowler, Elijah Hub- 
bard, Lemuel Moflatt, Samuel Moffatt's heirs 
and William N. Sill. The Fowlers owned 
the gi-eater part of Ti-act 2. Sill's and Hul> 
bard's possessions lay in Tract 1, and the 
others were mostly confined to Ti'act 3. An 
abstract of the title to any lot of land in the 
township reveals the name of one of the above 
persons as the early owners. The tovmship 
was proliably fu-st sm-veyed in 18 IS, though 
subsequent to that time, and prior to 1832, it 
was listed and taxed as belonging to West- 
field, to which it was attached. As was be- 
fore stated, the township was regularly organ- 
ized and named in 1832, with the election of 
the following officers; Alvaham Brooks, Jus- 
tice of the PeAce: Ephraim Harris, Clerk: 
Vivalda Wood, Ti-easurer and Supervisor; Alex- 
ander Barrett, Anson Bellamy and Vivalda 
Wood, Trustees. The office dixties were so 
licrht that ]Mr. Wood was honored with thi-ee 
distinct offices, and the Justice was required 
to do duty as a Constable. The names of 
voters at the first election were as follows: 
William Bissett. David Ransom, Ezekiel 
Slater, Anson Bellamy, Hemy F. Hall. Hem-y 
C. Ransom, Vivalda Wood, Alexander Bai-rett, 
Ephraim Harris and Edward Starr. This is 
the list taken from the poll-book, but it does 
not comprise one-half the settlers then resid- 
ing in the township. It is likely that, from the 
fact that the offices afforded but little pay and 
were considered more of a nuisance than other- 
wise, but few of the settlers were office-seekers. 
What a change the lapse of half a centmy has 
wi'ought in this respect in the minds of the 



jVjc 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



671 



citizens! Now the appetite for office is rarely 
appeased, and the man who shuns official 
position is a nira arts among the children of 
men. 

Soon after 1830, several saw-mills were 
erected in La Fayette. It is likely that Will- 
iam Bissett erected the tirst not later than 
1835. The mill was located on the fanu now 
owned by L. D. Phinney, and was a small 
frame striictiu'e, with an up-and-down saw. 
A dam was built across the creek, which 
served to bank up sufficient water to enable 
the saw to run some five or sis months of the 
yeai*. In times of di'ought, it remained idle 
from lack of water. At the expiration of ten 
or twelve years, a sudden flood swept away 
the dam, and the mill was allowed to stop. 
A few years after the erection of the Bissett 
Mill, Jacob Miller and Jacob Hill erected 
another, a short distance above, on the same 
creek. It was also a framed mill, and was 
run in the usual manner by water-power. The 
dam was largely built of mud, and, in times 
of freshets, was a source of yiflnite trouble to 
the ovraier, who was compelled to watch and 
work night and day to prevent its t)eing washed 
away. The mill was located at a bend of 
the stream, where advantage was taken of 
natm-al milling facilities. The mill-pond was 
large, and the pressure of water upon the 
small dam, in times of floods, was enormous, 
and was, undoubtedly, the cause, in times of 
high water, which, at least, contributed to the 
frequent breakage of the dam. The mill did 
good work for some twelve or fifteen years, 
when it was abandoned and the saw removed. 
Joseph AVatring, a sawyer of long experience, 
erected a saw-mill about 1844, on the same 
creek, above the mills of Bissett and Miller. 
In early years, the sti-eam, though small, hu- 
nished excellent water-power for mills, as its 
narrow channel and descent afibrdod abun- 
dant opportunity to build dams of great 



strength. Mud dams were found too frail to 
resist the action of the water, and were accord- 
ingly strengthened by stone and timber abut- 
ments erected on the lower side. Notwith- 
standing all this, however, the dam was often 
swept away. The owners soon learned wis- 
dom by experience, and built dams that could 
withstand any volume of water likely to sweep 
ilown the creek. The Watring Mill was a 
good one, and under the management of its 
able owner, tm-ned out large quantities of 
sawed lumber, at prices ranging from $2 to 
$3.50 per thousand, or one-half of the logs. 
Settlers with but little money were compelled 
to adopt the latter method in paying for their 
lumber. The foiu'th saw-mill on this creek 
(which should be named Mill Creek) was 
built by ]Mi\ Ross. It resembled the othei's in 
design, and in all essential pai'ticulara was 
identical. These mills received a large patron- 
age from other townships, and all were thus 
enabled to afford the owners a profitable 
revenue. None of them could run longer than 
five or six months of the year, and most of 
them were operated day, night and Simdays, 
as long as the water lasted. One night, after 
a heavy rain. Mi*. Ross was out watching his 
dam, and to see that his logs were not carried 
down the stream, when, upon passing near his 
corn-field, he suddenly came upon two men, 
who had a bushel basket, and seemed to be 
intent on the imlawful business of stealing 
corn, whereupon, it is related, the following 
conversation took place: ""What in the devil 
are you doing in my corn-field?" "' Cooning." 
" Yes, cooning in a corn-field with a bushel 
basket! Do you get many?" Here, unfortu- 
nately, the narrator ended his tale, the re- 
mainder of which is in danger of falling into 
forgetfulness. It is probable that the sequel 
will show, that, after the event naiTated, the 
practice of coon-hunting with a bushel basket 
(or any other kind of a basket) was abandoned. 



^ 



±hL^ 



~7l 



672 



IIISTOIIY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



The fom- saw-niills on " Mill Creek " were not 
the ouly ones eearly in the township. In 1834 
or 1835, Edward Dorsey built a saw-mill 
in the southeastern part, on a small stream 
called Burt Creek, frcjm the first settler living 
on its banks. The motor was water, and the mill 
was operated successfulh' by Mr. Dorsey for 
about a year and a half, when it was sold to 
Abraham Whiteside. Soon afterward John 
Robb became the owner. Several additions 
and imj^rovements increased the operative 
capacity of the mill, which began to do cjuite 
extensive work, with a steadily increasing 
|)atronage. After a time, Andrew McDonald 
purchased an interest in the mill privilege, 
and soon afterward steam was employed to 
take the place of water in operating the mill. 
But, notwithstanding fi'equent trials, the en- 
gine could not be made to work satisfactorily, 
and, in about 1848, the mill, with a small pati'on- 
age, passed into the ownership of Joseph 
Robb and John McDonald, who permitted it 
to run down. Al)out the time this mill was 
erected, Andi'ew McDonald built one on 
another small creek, about a mile northwest. 
The mill building was quite a large fi-ame 
structure, and the dam was constructed of 
mud, stone and timbers. The fi-amework of 
the mill was large and strong, and the tim- 
bers, many of them as sound as when first 
prepared, are being used in building a church 
at the village of Chippewa Lake. Mr. Mc- 
Donald conducted the mill a few years, when 
it was pennitted to run down, and, as was 
stated, the owner purchased an interest in the 
Dorsey Mill. 

Jonathan Palmer was probal>ly the first 
blacksmith to work at the trade in tlu^ tovrai- 
sliip. He erected a small log shop on his farm 
in 1834, and for ten years did considitrable 
W'ork. The next year after his shop was built, 
a Mr. Holbon, living a short distance north of 
the Center, built tlu^ second blacksmith-shop. 



He also did quite a thriving business for a 
number of years. In about 1842, a number 
of jirominent men in the township concluded 
that a grist-mill could sustain itself, formed a 
stock company, and, in accordance with their 
conclusion, built a large, thi-ee-storied frame 
structm-e, locating it half a mile south of the 
Center. A Mr. Barnhart, an experienced mil- 
ler, was employed by the stockholders to take 
charge of the mill. But the judgment of the 
owners as to the self-sustaining capacity of tlie 
mill proved to be erroneous, as, notwithstanding 
the efforts made by them, the patronage se- 
cm'ed did not pay a fair percentage on the 
capital invested. Finally, the company sold 
the mill to J. O. Simmonds, who soon after 
ward transferred it to others. After passing 
thi-ough several hands, Mr. Van Orman pur- 
chased the machinery, which was removed. 
The Iniilding is at present used as a black- 
smith-shop. The building was altered to a 
two-storied one several years ago. During the 
early history of the township, the settlers were 
compelled to go to Akron, Wooster, and other 
distant places for their flour. Going to mill 
was an occasion greatly dreaded, for, ordina- 
rily, the roads were poor, and during the spring 
months practically bottomless. Sometimes an 
entire week was consumed in the journey, and 
the cattle or horses suffered severely from the 
harassing tramp through the mud and mire. 
Thomas Cass, one of the earliest settlers, 
was a wheelwi'ight, and erected a small shop on 
his farm, where, for a numlier of years, he man- 
ufactured spinning-wheels and various other 
useful articles, which were sold to his neigh- 
bors. His wares were mostly prepared diu'ing 
the winter months and at odd times, and on 
rainy or stormy days when nothing else could 
be doncf. Many of his ]iroductions were solil 
in Medina, and undoubtedly, to-day, the spin- 
ning-wheels })reserved as cm'iosities in the gar- 
rets of th<> residences of many of the old settlers 



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liU- 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



673 



were made by Mr. Case. There were coopers 
among the early settlers, who made a limited 
number of kegs, tubs, rude pails and buckets, 
and baiTels, selling them to the neighbors. 
No distillery has ever cursed the township 
with its productions. The citizens, many of 
them, however, " loved to coiu"t the society of 
the ruby god," and were proud of being con- 
sidered good judges of superior whisky and 
brandy. Generally, the settlers were sober, 
temperate, industrious and honest. 

The village of Chippewa Lake was laid out 
and platted in 1878. Sixteen lots were origi- 
nally laid off, to which several additions have 
since been made — one in 1877, by Jonathan 
Palmer, and one in 1880, by AIi-. Clark. Al- 
most the first building in the village was one 
moved in by J. Cotner, in the spring of 
1874. This building was immediately occu- 
pied by Koppes & Rickard, who i)laepd there- 
in about $1,500 worth of a general assortment 
of goods. During the summer, the building 
now occupied by this partnership was erected, 
and, the following fall, the stock was removed 
to the new building. A steady and moderate 
trade has been given the merchants, sulficient 
in amount to afford an opening for something 
more extensive. The stock has been added to 
until it now is valued at some $2,000. 

In the spring of 1873, largely thi-ough the 
influence of Jonathan Palmer, a post office 
was established at the village, or, rather, at the 
residence of Mr. Palmer, who was appointed 
Postmaster. A year later, Mr. Palmer re- 
signed, and Mr. Koppes, at the village, re- 
ceived the appointment, an office he has retained 
until the present. 

In 1874, Simpson Pomeroy erected a black- 
smith-shop, and, about the same time, E. L. 
Eiehtell entered into partnership with him, 
and the two conducted a combined wagon and 
blacksmith shoji. H. MoiTison has a small 
shoe-shop in the village. 



Several residences have been constructed, 
ten or twelve in number, and the village 
started thus late in the history of the county 
is destined to become quite populous. It is 
sufficiently removed from other railroad sta- 
tions to render it apparent that two or three 
good stores could not only be self-sustaining, 
but afford the owners a fair compensation 
for their labor and capital invested. The 
proximity of the village to Chippewa Lake, 
after which it was named, will also add to its 
attractions. In coming years, the approaches 
to the lake will be improved, larger and better 
places of resort will be erected on its shore, 
pleasm-e vessels of various kinds will be 
launched upon its waters, the sedges and 
grasses growing so luxvu-iantly along its bor- 
ders will be removed and possibly replaced, 
at least, in some places, with stone and gi-avel, 
thus providing a suitable beach for those desir- 
ing to bathe, and the village will be fi'equent- 
ed by pleasiu'e seekers from home and abroad. 
On the western shore of the lake is an excel- 
lent landing of hard clay, which has been there 
since the earliest times. It is known as the 
" Indian Landing," and tradition has it that 
the earth was placed there by pre-historic man. 
However that may be, it is a safe and conven- 
ient approach to the lake, and will, undoubt- 
edly, be utilized in the near futm-e. The lake 
should be made the home of trout and other 
varieties of large and valuable fish. All these 
events will transpire within a comparatively 
few years, and the villages should begin to 
make readiness to assume metroi)olitan aii's, 
as the village will receive a permanent and 
extensive benefit. 

As nearly as can l)e gathered, no fi-ame 
building was erected in the village of La 
Fayette prior to 184(,). Earlier than that 
date as many as ten or twelve log buildings 
of various sizes, appearances and capacities, 
had been erected, and were occujned by as 






674 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



many families. The villatre. begiin as early 
as 1834, was not compactly built, but the log 
cabins were scattered along the main street 
for a distance of eighty rods. It is not 
rememljered that any indusb'y had been 
started prior to the above date. In about 1840, 
Joshua Phillips, of Westlield, erected the 
tirst fi'ame building in the village. It was a 
small structvu'e and was intended for a store- 
room. Soon afterward, a small stock of goods 
was placed in the room, and Stephen Phillips, 
a crippled son of Joshua, was given charge 
of the store. The stock was not worth more 
than 1200, and was composed lai-gely of 
whisky. Soon afterward, George Love brought 
to the village over |1,000 worth of goods. 
This was the first store of any consequence, 
and he kept a general assortment, including 
di-y goods. In 1848. Earl Moultou opened a 
store, beginning with some §1.500 worth of a 
general assortment, among which were gro- 
ceries and dry goods. He owned a good 
store and made considerable money. In 1849, 
he built an ashery, and began the manufacture 
of peai'1-ash and scorched salts, buying his 
ashes from wherever they could be obtained, 
and paying at the rate of (5 cents per bushel 
for field ashes, and 8 cents for those bm-ned 
in hoases. As high as eight tons of pearl- 
ash were manufaetm-ed per annmu, and a 
ready sale was foimd at Cleveland, at the rate 
of fi'om $70 to §100 per ton. ^Mien ready, 
the ash was loaded on wagons and conveyed 
to market; the trip consuming several days. 
A considerable quantity of "scorchings" were 
also manufactm-ed and sold in a similar man- 
ner for about §48 per ton. The ashery was 
conducted with fair jiroiits until 1855, when 
the occupation was discontinued. The second 
frame building in the village was erected by 
Dr. Hickos very soon after the Phillijis store 
had been built. This dwelling is located just 
north of the town hall. lli-. Moiilton dis- 



continued his store some five or six years after 
beginning. He lost considerable money 
through the influence of a man he had trusted, 
and thought best to sell his stock, which was 
accordingly done. After the lapse of many 
years, Mr. Moulton, though eighty years of age, 
is now in business in the village, with a stock 
of boots and shoes valued at §1.000. J. F. 
Batlger piu-chased Mi-. Moidton's stock in 
about 1853, but, after continuing the mercan- 
tile occupation for some two years, closed out 
his goods at auction. In about 1850, J. O. 
Simmonds brought several thousand dollars' 
worth of goods to the village. He kept an 
excellent store, and for several years com- 
manded a lucrative patronage. It is said that 
he offered for sale one of the best stocks of 
goods ever at La Fayette. After a few years 
his stock and store jirivileges were pm-chased 
by William Kelsey, who, after conducting 
the business a number of yeai's, was burned 
oiat. A Mr. Lampman had an interest in the 
store at the time it was bm-ned. The building 
and goods in store were destroyed, and were 
almost a total loss. George Love sold goods, 
with varying success, imtil 1848. His father 
was also engaged for a short time in the mer- 
cantile pm-suit in the village. In 1854, or 
1855, Miller & Bowman brought in a stock of 
goods that had been pm-chased from a Mr. 
Wii-tz, who had closed out his stock in some 
neighboring village. Their stock was in- 
creased, and, two yeai's after coming to La 
Fayette, they moved into the corner store. 
Here they did a splendid business during the 
last war, but, at its close, when goods began 
to depreciate in value, they sold out to W. B. 
Chapman, who has conducted the business 
ever since. Mi\ Siimuonds engaged in manu- 
factm-ing potash about a year before ilr. 
Moulton sold his ashery. He continued the 
manufaetm-e about two yeai-s, but, tiniliug the 
enterprise unprofitable, it was discontinued. 



7 



J >^ 



^, 



J^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



675 



In autnmn, 1847, Mr. Hickox built a saw-mill 
in the village. It was a hirge frame structm-e, 
located on the side of a steep blufi". The 
engine was placed in the lower story, together 
with the fm-nace, while the saw, an up-and- 
down one, occupied the upper story, into which 
the logs were rolled from the bluff. In 1852, 
R. F. Bissell bought the mill, and some six 
years later he sold to Carlton & Buchanan. 
In 1866, Winter Brothers bought the mill, 
and it is yet under their ownership and man- 
agement. The mill, since it was first set in 
operation, has proved more valuable than any 
other ever in the to^vnship. It has tiu-ned out 
large quantities of excellent lumber, and, being 
operated by steam, it has been enabled to run 
during the entire year. In 1876, a small pat- 
tern of planing machinery was introduced in 
one apartment, but removed at the expiration 
of about two years. In 1879, Mr. Winter 
placed in one apartment set off on the lower 
story, a single set of stone for grinding grain. 
This small gi-ist-mill is operated two days of 
the week. In about the year 1852, Mr. Hickox 
erected a large frame building near the saw 
mill, and began the manufacture of blinds, 
sash, doors, etc. This was quite an important 
industry, and it soon met with sufficient suc- 
cess to warrant its continuance. The enter- 
prise was conducted with fair profits imtil 
1870, when the building was fitted up and has 
since been used as a cheese-factory, imder the 
ownership and management of Daniel Fellows 
and J. L. Wightman. In 1S54, the township 
purchased the Congregational Chm-ch, and con- 
verted it into a town hall. Prior to that, elec- 
tions and other town meetings were held in the 
chiu-ch, a circumstance not at all relished by the 
members, who regarded the sanctity of their 
house violated on eveiy election day. In 1879, 
the building, which had become quite old and 
rickety, was remodeled and enlai-ged. A thick 
coat of white paint has so altered its appeai'- 



ance that it is now one of the finest buildings 
in the village. 

It was due to the influence of Hon. Earl 
Moulton, as much as to that of any other man^ 
that the first post office was established in the 
village. In 1850, an application for the es- 
tablishment of an office at La Fayette was 
properly signed, sealed and sent on to the 
Postmaster General, who gave the desired 
order. So little was to be paid the carrier that 
no one desired the position, which was desti- 
tute of any alhu-ements except those of honor. 
Finally, more as a matter of necessity and ac- 
commodation than for any other reason, Mr. 
Moulton consented to cairy the mail. In after 
years, when the value of having the office in 
stores became apparent, from the fact that 
trade was improved by those who went after 
their mail, a change came over the spirits of 
business men in the village. Every man was 
extremely anxious to be honored with the posi- 
tion of postmastership, and each was willing to 
sacrifice considerable to be caiTier, in order to 
gain the coveted prize. Mr. Moulton received 
the appointment of first Postmaster. Three 
years later, it was transferred to Mr. Lamp- 
man, and soon afterward to another party. 
From that period until the present, the office 
has shot back and forth between the rivals for 
govermnental position, like a shu.ttle across 
the thi-eads of the warp. The office is not 
paying, except that it brings ti'ade to the store 
wherein it is located. Dr. Hickox began the 
practice of medicine in the village soon after 
1840. He was in partnership vrith Dr. A. W. 
Rawson. The latter became quite eminent in 
his profession, and was worked so hard by the 
sick and aflSicted in the township as to injure 
his health. Himself and partner changed 
their location in 1850, and the village for sev- 
eral years following was without a follower of 
Esculapius. After an interval of a few years. 
Dr. Smith, of Medina, came to the village, 



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i^ 



676 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



where he remained some two years. He was 
followed by Drs. Hudson, Foltz, Hoyt, Slutts 
and Parker. Unlike some other \'illages in the 
county, La Fayette has not seen its best days. 
Improvements are slowly going on, and the 
present condition of the village is not inferior 
to that of former years. The energy and bus- 
iness push in any locality depend upon the en- 
terjarising character of the citizens and their 
circumstances regarding finance. This view 
of the matter leads an observer to the conclu- 
sion, that, inasmuch as La Fayette is blessed 
with both those characteristics in a compara- 
tively limited degi-ee, it is true yet to a suffi- 
cient extent to warrant a continuance of growth 
and a revival of business piu'suits discontin- 
ued in early years fi'om a lack of patronage. 
^Mierever civilized men go, schools and 
cluu'ches are siu'e to follow. They are both the 
exponents and the originators of enlightened 
society and progressive intelligence. Desti- 
tute of social, educational and religious ad- 
vantages, society would relapse steadily into 
barbarism, and a nomadic and practically sol- 
itaiy life would take the place of the one now 
smiling with hope and promise. How quickly 
schools and chiu'ches dot the landscaj^e when 
settlements Viegin to spring up, almost like 
magic, in the deserted depths of the forest! 
Each hill and vale becomes the site of an ed- 
ucational or a religious edifice, which, like the 
human heart, sends its rapid pulsations of wis- 
dom and morals thi'ough every artery and vein 
of the social body. These privileges are the 
concomitants of early settlement in the back- 
woods. If pioneers are so few in unmliers as 
to render the erection of a schoolhouse or a 
church iinadvisable, they go to distant locali- 
ties, where the desired opportunities may be 
ol)tained. Uusually, some six or eight years 
elapse after the first settlement, before the 
first schoolhouse is built. After that, the rap- 
idity of their erection is proportioned to the 



rapidity of settlement. It is probable that the 
first schoolhouse erected in La Fayette Town- 
ship was a small, unpretending, round-log 
structm-e, built and located on the farm of 
Ephraim HaiTis. now o\^aied by William Bleek- 
man. It was built in about the year 1831, 
and was used for a combined schoolhouse, 
church and tovm hall. It is stated that the 
first township election was held in this build- 
ing. It was built by all the settlers, who 
turned out and constructed it in one day. It 
was the imderstanding, when it was erected, 
that any and all religious denominations were 
to have the privilege of assembling there to 
worship God in their peculiar way; but, 
erelong, an unpleasant envy or rivaliy was 
incited, which led to angry disputes and a sen- 
timent of religious intolerance. Mr. Harris, 
upon whose land the building had been erected, 
had gi-anted the lot to the use of the public 
so long as it was used for certain specified 
purjjoses, otherwise to revert to the owner. 
He, therefore, thought that he had as much 
right to direct the uses to which the building 
was devoted as any other man in the neighbor- 
hood. He was a Methodist, and saw with envy 
that the membership of the Disciple society, 
which assembled at the building, was outstrip 
ping that of his own denomination. Actuated 
by some sudden freak, he one day posted a notice 
near the church that, thencefoi-ward, no horses 
must be hitched to his fence. To retaliate for 
this unsocial conduct. Mi-. Doane. who was a 
Disciple, and who owned land across the road 
from the church, posted on his fence that all 
persons, withoTit I'egard to the religious de- 
nomination to which they belonged, might 
have the privilege, at all times, of hitching to 
his ])osts. No serious outbreak occun-ed, and 
the building was used until about 1888. All 
facts concerning the schools taught here have 
faded from the minds of the old settlei^s. The 
name of that important personage, the fii-st 



^ (T 






HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



677 



teacher, is lost in the gloom of the past. In 
reading the preceding pages, it will be seen 
that, between 1830 and 1835, large numbers 
of settlers came in and purchased farms. 
This rapid settlement led to the immediate 
erection of several schoolhouses in different 
parts of the township. The construction of 
churches was a few years later. In 1830, a 
log schoolhouse was biiilt at the graveyard, 
about a mile southwest of the residence of N. 
Gr. Wightman. It is not remembered with 
certainty who was the first teacher, although 
a Miss Brown and a Mi\ Gallup were among 
the first. The teacher received his pay by 
subscription, and boarded arouud. Who can 
grasp the meaning of the words " boarded 
around " without having passed through that 
ordeal in eai'ly years, when all the members 
of a family — some ten or a dozen — occupied 
the solitaiy small room of the log-cabin, in 
which were enacted all the social and domestic 
relations of the family? Into this room, the 
unfortunate pedagogue was thrust without cer- 
emony, there to see strange sights and hear 
strange sounds. This building was used some 
four years, when a frame structui-e was erected 
to take its place. In 1853, the frame was de- 
stroyed by iire, and the remainder of the term 
in progi'ess at the time was taught in a vacant 
dwelling near by. Aboiit a year later, the 
present frame schoolhouse was erected, nearly 
half a mile north of the cemetery. The year 
after the old log house was built at the ceme- 
tery, another log school building was erected 
near where the old grist-mill now stands. The 
first teacher in this house was Miss Sarah 
Chase, whose health failed during the prog- 
ress of the term, and who was compelled to 
give up the school. The remainder of the 
term was taught by Miss Elmira Phinney. 
The school was taught during the winter 
months, and Miss Phinney was employed to 
teach a short term the following summer. 



This schoolhouse was used until about 1850, 
when a school building was built at the Cen- 
ter, after which the old house was used for 
other pm-poses. A scliooUiouse was built 
quite early in the southwestern part, in what 
was called the Chase neighborhood. Neither 
the year the school was taught nor the name 
of the first teacher is remembered. IMiss 
Jemima Averill taught in this house in 1839. 
It is related that one of the early lady teach- 
ers severely whipped a large boy, who after- 
ward became her husband. This lady could 
not have been Miss Averill. Miss Chase also 
taught at the Chase schoolhouse. It is probable 
that she was the first teacher. The old house 
was used a few years, and was afterward re- 
placed, successively, at irregular intervals, by 
several others, each being an improvement on 
the former. The first school structm-e in the 
southeastern part was erected on the farm of 
John Lee, in 1837. The house was of round 
logs. Miss Delight Vincent, from Seville, 
was the fii'st teacher. After she had begun to 
teach, it was discovered that she had no certifi- 
cate, whereupon she was taken to the resi- 
dence of Mr. Chapin, the School Examiner, to 
see if she was qualified to instruct childi'en. 
She rode a horse belonging to ]\Ii'. Palmer, 
while that gentleman plodded along in the 
mud at her side. The lady succeeded in ob- 
tainincr the desired certificate, and the school 
was continued. In 1843, a hewed-log school- 
house was erected where the old fi-ame build- 
ing now stands. It was used until about 1855, 
when the last-named building was built. In 
1880, the finest school edifice in the township 
was erected, about forty rods west of the old 
one, at a cost of some $800. The Spitzer dis- 
trict was supplied with school advantages in 
1836, since which time other houses have been 
built, to accord with the progressive condition 
of the neighborhood. About two yeai's after 
the HaiTis log schoolhouse was destroyed, 



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678 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



another one was bxiilt on Mr. Bleekman's farm, 
a short distance west of his residence. This 
school bmlding was attended by childi'eu liv- 
ing in the northwest corner, and also by those 
living north of the Center. The house was a 
frame, built of lumber sawed at one of the 
mills on MiU Creek, and costing at the rate of 
$5 per one thousand feet. It is said that more 
young men and women, who afterward taught 
school, were '' graduated " at this house than 
at any other ever in the township. This house 
was used until about 185(5, when a re-division 
into school districts made the erection of a 
schoolhouse in the northwestern j^ai-t neces- 
sary. A school edifice was built in the north- 
eastern part, at an early day. After a num- 
ber of years it was biu-ned, and has been suc- 
ceeded by two others, the last beiug built about 
twenty years ago. 

La Fayette Township has the rejiutation of 
having a gi'eater number of chm'ches, com- 
pared with the population, than any other 
township in the county. In 1834, Rev. Joel 
Goodell came from abroad by invitation, and 
preached in the Harris Schoolhouse, and on 
that day the fu'st religious society — Congre- 
gational — was organized. Among the tii'st 
members were the following persons: Abra- 
ham and Asenath Brooks, Ira and Fanny 
Brooks, Peter Brooks, Tabitha Brooks, Bos- 
well Williams, Martha Lucas, Jeremiah and 
Susan Doty, Matthew and Eveline Leffingwell, 
George Wallace, Amelia Doty; Kozetta Doane, 
and Milo and Lucy Loomis. The society 
grew in membershij) and wealth, and, some 
.eight or ten yeiu's after their organization, a 
small church was built, the township assist- 
ing in defraying the expense with the under- 
standing that the church was to be used in 
which to hold township elections, etc. This oc- 
casioned considerable dissatisfaction, which 
continued to increase until l8r)4. when the 
Congregationalists built a large, tine frame 



church in the village at a cost of about §2,20(). 
Here they have assembled since. In the year 
1835, Rev. William Kellum, of the Methodist 
Episcopal Chiu'ch, came to the township, where 
he preached and organized a class. The 
members assembled in schoolhouses and other 
buildings, until 1853, when they erected a 
fi-ame chui'ch a short distance south of the 
Center, at a cost of $1,300. This building 
was occupied by the society imtil some four 
years ago, when they sold their chm-ch and 
jiiu'chased the one owned bj' the Baptists, the 
latter society having become so reduced in 
membership as to make the sale of their 
church advisable. The Chi'istian Church was 
th-st organized in the year 1837, under tiie 
management of Rev. William Moody; and the 
society, at its beginning, met with consider- 
able opposition from members of the religious 
organizations already established in the town- 
ship. Among the fii'st members were Earl 
Moixlton, Azariah Foster, John Bowman and 
their families, and others. Notwithstanding 
the opposition to the organization of the so- 
ciety, the membership, in less than three 
mouths, was sixty, and this continued to in- 
crease. Rev. JIi'. Moody was given charge of 
the society, and, under his energetic conti'ol, it 
grew in strength and gi'ace. Services were 
held in schoolhouses until about the year 
1853, when a large frame chiu-ch was built at 
a cost of about $2,000. The society is doing 
well at jiresent. The Baptist society was first 
instituted in about the yeai- 183-t. The mem- 
liers for many years were compelled to meet 
in dwellings and schoolhouses; but the society 
continued to grow steadily, luitil finally, in 
1853. when the ehiu-ch-buildiug mania swept 
over the township, a fi'ame chm-ch was erected 
at a cost of $1,300. Here they continued to 
assemble until some fom- yeiu-s ago, when they 
sold their chiu'ch to the Methodists. Some 
thirty-six years ago the United Brethren or- 



^ a 



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J^l 



i^ 



HISTORY OF MEDINA COUNTY. 



679 



ganized a society in the northwest part, and 
among the tii'st members were the following: 
Hem-y Waltz, George Waltz, Robert Eukin, 
Jacob Miller, Daniel Dobson, W. A. Carlton, 
C. P. Lance, and their wives, besides several 
others. They gathered in sehoolhouses until 
1854, when their chm-ch was built at a cost of 
$1,000. Rev. Edwin Wood became the fii-st 
Minister, and Hemy Waltz was elected Class- 
leader. The iii'st Deacons were George 
Waltz, C. B. Lance and W. A. Carlton. The 
society has a present membership of eighty. 
An Old School Presbyterian Society was insti- 



tuted in 1850, in the southeast part, by Rev. 
Varnum Noyes. The first four Deacons were 
Hem-y Shane, Thomas Day, William Patton 
and John Lea. The society has a small 
church in the eastern part. A United Breth- 
ren class was early organized in the same 
locality, and, though it disbanded at one time, 
yet it was afterward revived, and is now in 
prosperous condition. In 1860, no church 
society in the township had a membership loss 
than fifty-five. This speaks well for the relig- 
ious interest in La Fayette. 




5 > 



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U2^M 



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<s r- 



PART III 



BIOGEAPH]CAL SKETCHES. 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



S. T. ADAMS, farmer ; P. O. Meiliiia ; was 
born iu Albany Co., N. Y., July 11, 1S17, and 
when a few months old, his parents removed to 
Saratoga Co., where they lived about nine 
years, then removed to Otsego County, where 
his father began farming on the top of Crumb 
Horn Mountain (previousl}' he had followed 
blacksmithing, also did a little at fannuig). 
They lived here until May 14, 1832, when they 
removed to Wattsburg, Erie Co., Penn., where 
subject lived with his brother-in-law on the 
farm until 1836. He then took charge of his 
father's farm located in Girard Township, Erie 
Co., and managed the same for three years ; he 
then became an assistant on the Engineer Corps, 
Couneaut line of the Erie extension of the 
Pennsylvania Canal, and remained on the corps 
for three years ; he next taught for seven 
months in the public schools of Uirard ; then 
clerked in a general store, in (iiraril, for a few 
months, after which he came to Warren, Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio, and, in company with his broth- 
er-in-law, carried on a dair}- business one sea- 
son ; he then clerked one j'ear for Smith & Mc- 
Comb, general merchants of Warren. He then 
returned to Girard, Penn., where he tooli charge 
of a farm belonging to Olan & Wells ; also as- 
sisted in their store during his leisure moments 
when the farm did not demand his attention. 
This business continued for one year, when, ow- 
ing to an accident with a team, in which his 
shoulder was injured, he spent the following 
summer visiting his old home in New York, 
and in the fall returned to Trnmliull Co.. Ohio, 
where his father had removed some time pre- 
vious and was then residing, and took the 
management of his father's farm for one year. 



His father, in 1837, was sold out, in conse- 
quence of an indorsement for a friend, and, from 
that time until fortune again favored iiim, S. T. 
(the subject) turned in all his earnings to the 
family, his desire being to educate his brothers 
and sisters. In 1847, his father, having recov- 
ered from his reverses, bought a farm at Aurora, 
which he deeded to his son, in consideration of 
his past conduct to the family. It was, how- 
ever, only at the earnest solicitations of the 
family that he accepted it. He occupied it in 
the spring of 1847, and May 1, 1848, he was 
married to Miss Sarah H. Gardiner, in the pres- 
ent house, his father having purchased this 
place the February previous. After his mar- 
riage, he returned to his Aurora tartn. where he 
lived until tiie spring of 1856, when he sold it 
and occupied his present place. While at Au- 
rora, he, in company with tlie Hon. C. R. Har- 
mon, took a contract for building some sections 
of the Cleveland & Mahoning R. R. The hard 
times of 1854 delayed the work and finally 
pushed all the contractors to the wall, and 
caused them to throw up their contracts. But 
Mr. Adams was firm in his intention to com- 
plete his job, and onlj- succeeded in doing so 
after the loss of his property ; his partner 
shared his loss, but, being wealthy, coulil stand 
it without much inconvenience. After the 
completion, the railroad company made the 
linn a present of $7,600, in stock, in compensa- 
tion for their loss. He has had nine children 
born to him, of whom four are living, viz.: 
Emma V^.. now Jlrs. Fitch, lives on the old 
homestead ; Mar^' E., now Mrs. Newton, lives 
in West Richfield, Summit Co.; Jennie M., now 
Mrs. Fitch, of Medina ; William E.. lives on the 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



old homestead. Mr. Adams has always been a 
Democrat, and, in 18G0, was a ■' War Democrat," 
and liberal in all measures for the prosecution 
of the war. In the campaign of 1880. he be- 
came Republican in the belief that the South- 
ern branch of the Democratic party would not 
permit a free ballot, and, this being contrary to 
his ideas and training, he climbed over on the 
other side of the political fence : indeed, he has 
voted the Democratic ticket since the war, un- 
der protest, and finally determined to do so no 
longer, but to seek admission into the Repub- 
lican fold. He has been a consistent member of 
the Disciples' Church for the past eleven years, 
and is active in its support ; Mrs. Adams has 
been a member of the same denomination since 
she was 11 years old ; was baptized in Niagara 
River at that earlv age. 

P. C. ALCOTT. farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was 
born on the farm in New Haven Co.. Conn., 
Dec. 2, 1817. He was brought up on the farm, 
and received but a limited schooling at the dis- 
trict schools. Aug. 12. 1838. he married Miss 
Emily Horton. a native of New Haven Co. 
They came to Ohio in 1838, and settled in Me- 
dina, he working in the neighborhood at farm- 
ing, brickmaking. etc. April 1, 1842, he was 
called to mourn the death of his wife. 63- the 
marriage, there was one child, viz., Esther, now 
Mrs. H. K. Brace, of Cleveland. Feb. 5. 1846, 
he married Miss Sarah A. Welton, a native of 
Medina Co., Ohio. In 1846, Mr. Alcott en- 
gaged in the grocery business in Medina, in 
company with Mr. J. J. Williams ; they con- 
tinued one year, after which ilr. Alcott devoted 
his time to stock-dealing (cattle), a business he 
was identified with for upward of twenty years. 
he frequently driving stock to Dutchess" Co., N. 
Y., the trips varying from forty to sixtv days. 
About 1859, he took up his residence in Medi- 
na, and has made this his home since. Aug. 8, 
1877. Mrs. Alcott died, leaving three children — 
Mary E., Sarah L.. now Mrs. Pomroy. of Medina : 
and Eva May. 

LIBANUS ALLEN, retired. Medina; was 
born on his father's farm, in Lewis Co., N. Y., 
May 7, 1810. His early life was spent on the 
farm and in teaching school. In April. 1834, 
he came to Ohio in company with his brother : 
by the canal to Bulialo, tiieme to Cleveland, by 
the lake ; thence to Medina afoot. Soon after, 
he bought 78 acres, about one mile southwest 
of town, on which he built a frame house, prob- 



ably the first in La Fayette Township. In July 
following, he sold out and moved to Wadsworth, 
where he bought a farm, and lived on the same 
until 1851. when he sold out and moved to 
Berea, and the following year they moved to a 
; farm in Brunswick Township, this county, where 
he lived for twenty-four years, since which 
j time he has lived retired in Medina. Sept. 19, 
1835, he married Miss Lora Hard, who was 
born Jan. 3. 1809. in Franklin Co., Vt., and 
came with her parents to Summit Co., Ohio, in 
1816, and to Medina Co.. in 1818. Though but 
' a child at the time, Mrs. Allen remembers going 
i with the family into the yard in '^'ermont to 
I listen to the cannons firing in 3IcDonoughs fight 
I on Lake Champlain. By the marriage, there 
have been seven children, of whom two are liv- 
ing — William C. B.. editor of the RmaJ Xe- 
hrnskaii, at Omaha, and Adelaide, now Mrs. H. 
T. Mead, of Huron Co., Ohio ; of the five de- 
ceased, three died in infancy while at Wads- 
worth, one died in Brunswick Township, and 
the other, Charles E..died in the array in 1863 ; 
he was a memlier of the 5th Company of 
Sharpshooters. Mr. and Mrs. Allen belong to 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they 
have long been members, he since 1832, and 
she since 1834. 

JOSEPH ANDREW, lawyer, Medina; was 
born in Rochester, N. Y.,Oct. 4, 1840. His par- 
ents moved to Ohio when he was but 1 year 
old. and settled on a farm in Sharon Township, 
Medina Co., where young Andrew gi'ew up, he 
assisting on the farm and attending sciiool. In 
September. 1861. he enlisted in the 42d (Gar- 
field's Regiment) O. V. I., he being a private in 
Company K, and served for two years. He par- 
ticipated in the battles of Middle Creek, Cum- 
berland Gap, Tazewell, Big Springs, Cliickasaw 
Bluffs, Arkansas Post, t'icksburg campaign 
and the other battles of the regiment up to 
Champion Hills, where he was wounded, from 
the etfects of which he lost his arm. In the fall 
of 1863, he returned home and attended school 
at the Baldwin University at Berea. In the fall 
following, he was elected Treasurer of Medina 
Co.. and was reelected in the fall of 1S()6, serv- 
ing in all four years. In 1865, he began read- 
ing law with Messrs. Blake & Woodward, of 
Medina, and was admitted to tiie bar in the fall 
of 1867. In 1S69, he w;is elected Clerk of the 
court, which position he held for six years, after 
which he associated in partnership with Mr. S. B. 



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MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



683 



Woodward, the firm sU^le being Woodward & 
Andrew, they continuing at the present time. 
Oct. 10, 1866, he married Miss Imogene, daugh- 
ter of Jerome and Erailj' (Hall) Simmons ; sLe 
was bom in Granger Township, Medina Co., 
Ohio. The}- have three children, viz., Vernon 
R., Imogene C. and Edith. 

JAMES H. ALBRO. banker, Medina ; was 
born in Cummington, Hampshire Co., JIass., 
April 17, 1820. He lived there until 15 3'ears 
of age, when he came with his parents to Ohio, 
stopping for one j'ear in Maumee City, and in 
1836, removed to Medina, where his father em- 
barked in mercantile business. James H. as- 
sisted in the store until he was 22 years of age, 
when he bought his father's business from the 
savings of his wages, going in debt for a small 
balance. He remained two j-ears in Medina, 
then moved his store to Seville. He continued 
there two years in company with his father and 
grandfather as J. Albro & Co., during which 
time his father built a large frame store where 
Mr. Boult's store now stands. On the comple- 
tion of this house, the Seville store was moved 
to this place, and the firm of J. Albro & Son 
was formed and continued for twelve years, when 
James H. again bought out his father. Two 
years later, he sold out and engaged in other 
lines of busines.s, viz., dealing in sheep, broker- 
ing, etc. The business of broker was continued 
until 1873. when, in company with Hon. H. G. 
Blake, he organized the Phtenix National Bank, 
Mr. Albro as President, a position he still holds. 
From his first start in life he has been success- 
ful. He was married March 12, 1846, to Miss 
Julia M. Chase ; she was born in Medina, Ohio, 
Aug. 13, 1828. Three children were born of 
this marriage, two of whom are living — Willis 
H. and Mary E., now Mrs. BeacL, of Medina. 
Mr. Albro's parents, JoLn and Mary (Bradley) 
Albro, were natives of Rhode Island and Con- 
necticut, Mr. Albro being born July 9, 1796. 
They were married in Suffield, Conn., moved to 
Massachusetts, and in 1835, moved to Ohio. He 
died about 1859 ; she lived in Medina until her 
death, which occurred May 15, 1880. They had 
seven children, of whom James H. (our subject) 
is the only survivor. He has always given his 
support to the Episcopal Church, of which Mrs. 
Albro has long been a memlier. 

SAMUEL BOWMAN, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; 
was born in Shippensburg, Penn., Aug. 16, 1814 
— in the same year that the British came to 



Baltimore — and is the fourth of a familj' of ten 
children, born to John and Jane (Scott) Bow- 
man, who were natives of Pennsylvania and 
New Jersej'. They were married in Pennsjd- 
vania, and moved to Virginia prol)ably about 
the j-ear 1820, and settled in the vicinity of 
Wheeling, where he followed his trade of black- 
smithing. About 1830, they removed to Youngs- 
town, Ohio, where he engaged in farming, a 
busine.ss he followed until his death, which oc- 
curred about 1860. His wife died three years 
previously. Samuel (the subject) lived at home 
until he was married, an event that took place 
Aug. 18, 1836, to Miss Caroline H. Stall, a na- 
tive of Youngstown. She was the second and 
onlj- survivor of three children, born to (jeorge 
and Elizabeth (Hull) Stall, natives of Ohio and 
New Jerse}-. They were married in Ohio, and 
followed farming near Youngstown, where he 
died about 1830, and she about 1850. After 
his marriage, Mr. Bowman (the subject), worked 
at his trade of ax-making, to which he had 
served an apprenticeship of two years, begin- 
ning when he was 19 years old. He worked 
some three years at Youngstown. He then 
went to Garnettsville, where he worked at his 
trade for Harvey White, remaining with him 
and working at other points for about sixteen 
years. He came to Medina the week after the 
first fire and engaged in the Medina Ax Fac- 
tory, where he worked about three years. He 
at first lived in the village, Ijut the third year 
he bought and occupied his present place, and 
has lived on it ever since. He has followed 
fari;iing since the three 3-ears spent in the 
Medina Ax Factory. They have eight chil- 
dren, viz., Frank, hardware merchant. West 
Salem, Ohio ; Albert L., boot and shoe dealer, 
Akron, Ohio ; James S., clerk in a hotel. New 
Y'ork Citj- ; Mary, now Mrs. Finch, lives at 
Anna, 111. ; Ida, now Mrs. 31oore, Akron, 
Ohio ; Charles E., printer, Medina ; Park W,, 
clerk, Akron, Ohio ; Louie B,, at home. 

G. D. BILLINGS, dentist, Medina ; was born 
in Butler Co., Ohio. Nov. 10, 1842. His early 
life was spent on the farm. At the age of 17, 
his folks moved into the village of Oxford, where 
he finished his schooling, and assisted in his 
father's broom factory. Sept. 5, 1861, he en- 
listed in the 50th 0. V. I., as a musician, and. 
the foUowiua: December, his companv was trans- 
ferred and formed Co. B, 69th 0. V. I. After 
the first term of service of the 69th. he and 



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684 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



some sixty others were transferred to Co. A, 
2d 0. Y. I., serving with that command about 
two months, when they were returned to the 
69th (which had re-enlisted), with which com- 
mand he served until January, 1805. He was 
with tiie regiment in the battles of Stone River, 
Resaca, Buzzard's Roost, Atlanta. Marietta, 
Jonesboro, Savannah. Mission Ridge, Atlanta 
campaign and the "March to the Sea." He 
received flesh wounds at Stone River and Peach 
Tree Creek. After his discharge, he returned 
to Oxford and entered the office of Dr. Gr. W. 
Keely, dentist, with whom he remained for two 
j-ears and four months. He then came to Me- 
dina and bought the business of Dr. G. W. 
Dunn, dentist, and has followed the profession 
since. Oct. 3, 1867. lie married Miss Ollie M. 
DeWitt, a native of Oxford. Ohio : siie died Feb. 
27, 1877, in Medina. Oct. 1, 1878, he married 
Miss Mary J. Welty, a native of Oxford. Ohio. 
They have one child — Suzie Maybelle. born 
June 4. 1880. During the great fire in Medina 
in 1870, the Doctor's office and household goods 
were destroyed, and he had his hands seriously 
burned while he was trying to save his prop- 
erty, and only escaped himself by dropping 
from a window of the burning buildius. 

W. H. BRADWAY, proprietor Medina Hol- 
low-ware Company. Medina ; was born in Mun- 
son Township, Hampden Co., Mass.. Feb. 23, 
1814. He was brought up on a farm until he 
was 10 years of age, wlien he engaged in brick- 
making, and worked at that business for five 
years. His schooling was limited to a few win- 
ter terms of district schools. He apprenticed, 
at Springfield, Mass., to tlie molder's trade for 
one year, he receixing §100 and board, and fol- 
lowed the business most of the time until 1851, 
when he farmed for three years. In 1854, he 
came to Ohio, and settled in Hinckley Town- 
ship, where he resided some eighteen months. 
He then came to Medina, and worked in a 
small foundry, where he made a new style of 
plows. After one year, he went to F't. Wayne, 
Ind.. where he engaged as foreman in Bass & 
Hannah's foundry, and, after six months, he 
went to (Jalion, Ohio, and took ciiarge of A. C. 
Squire's foundry for twenty -two months, when 
he came to Medina and began clearing some 
land he had bought. In April, 1870, he en- 
gaged in his present business, renting the place 
of the owners, and, in 1877, he bought the en- 
tire business, and has conducted it since. He 



married Miss Sallie E. Squier in July, 1837. 
She was a native of jMassachusetts, and died 
July 8, 1879. They had two cliildren ; one 
living, viz., Orlando. He is married and lives 
in Ft. Wayne, Ind., where lie follows his trade 
of brass moldor in the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad Co.'s shops. 

S. H. BRADLEY, of S. H. Bradley & Son, 
hardwai'e, Medina ; was born in Blandford, 
Mass.. Sept. 24, 1818, and lived there seven- 
teen years, he assisting at home in the hotel 
and attending the district school. In 1835, the 
family moved to Maumee City, Ohio, and, in 
1836, thej' came to Medina, where his father 
formed a partnership in the cabinet manufact- 
uring business, the firm being Blair & Brad- 
ley. S. H. engaged his time in clerking in the 
general merchandise business until 1840, when 
he went to Cincinnati as book-keeper for 
Messrs. Albro & Co., with whom he remained 
one year ; he then returned to Medina, and, on 
the 20th of November following, he married 
Miss Maria L. McClure. She was born in New 
York, and came to Ohio with her parents about 
the year 1828. After the marriage, he kejil 
the American House in Medina, and, in the 
spring of 1843, he moved to Litchfield, where 
he kept hotel until the summer of 1844. He 
then engaged in the livery business in Tiffin. 
Ohio, and, in 1845, he came to Medina, and 
served as Deput3- Auditor for four years. In 
the fall of 1848, he was elected Auditor, and 
was re-elected in 1850. in both instances being 
the only one elected on the ticket. In 1853. he 
became a member in the partnership of Brail- 
ley & Boult, the latter being at the time Audi- 
tor ; but he officiated in the store, and Mr. 
Bradley acted as Auditor. In 1857, Mr. 
Bradley bought Mr. Boult's interest in the 
business, and, in 1861, he sold out to Messrs. 
E. G. & E. J. Fenn, and bought out tlie 
hardware business of H. W. Brown, antl has 
been in that line ever since. In 1870, his 
business was destroyed by the great fire, his 
loss reaching $9,500, on which there was an in- 
surance of . $6, 000. He soon re-lniilt. and added 
queens and gl.ass ware and pottery to his line of 
hardware. He also took his son into partner- 
ship, the style of the firm l)eing S. II. Bradley 
& Son. By the marriage, there have been two 
children — John A., partner in the business, and 
Fannie M., who was drowned in 1804. Mr. 
Bradley's parents, Thomas and Lucretia A. 



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MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



685 



(Boice) Bradle}', were natives of Suffleld, Conn., 
and Blandford, Mass. Thej- married in Bland- 
ford in 181G, and came West, as stated. He 
followed his cabinet business until 1845. Feb. 
2 of that year, he died. Mrs. Bradley contin- 
ued her residence in Medina until her death, in 
Jul}-, 1865. Of their three children, two arc 
living — S. H. and L. L.. who, since 1850, has 
resided in California. Mary E. died about the 
year 1853. 

JUDGE SAMUEL G. BARXARI) is a na- 
tive of this county, and the fifth in a family of 
eight children born to Capt. Abner and Diana 
(Blanchard) Barnard. Abner Barnard, son of 
Capt. Samuel and Koxana Barnard, was born in 
the town of Simsbury, Scotland Parish, Hart- 
ford Co., Conn., Nov. 3, 1779 ; he married Diana, 
daughter of Thomas and Sylvia Blanchard, of 
AVindsor.Poquonock Parish, Hartford Co., Conn., 
Feb. 22, 182(1. and left his native State for the 
Reserve on May 10, 1827 ; journeying in wag- 
ons to Albany, he took the canal-boat there to 
Buffalo, where he embarked his family, consist- 
ing of a crippled daughter and a little boy of 
less than 2 years of age, on the steamboat En- 
terprise, for Cleveland. Arriving at a point 
three miles from that city, the captain of the 
vessel refused to go farther — it is said, because 
of some previous misunderstanding with the 
ofHeials of the city — and the passengers were 
obliged to trust themselves to the open boats. 
These, ladened down nearly to the gunwale, in 
the darkness of the night, made their tedious 
way to what was then the hamlet of Cleveland, 
the passengers touching the water when resting 
their bauds on the sides of the boats. Fortu- 
natel}-, the passage from the steamboat was made 
without accident, and the little family came 
with teams from Cleveland, on the old pike, to 
a point on this road in Guilford Township, 
nearly a mile north of the village of Seville, 
settling on what is known as the Martin farm. 
Of the children. Abner was born in Connecti- 
cut Nov. 3, 1799 : Diana was born in Connect- 
icut Feb. 15, , deceased Aug. 2G, 1877 ; 

Mary W. was born in Connecticut Dec. 31, 
1822. deceased May 6. 1850 ; James E. was 
born in Connecticut Aug. 22, 1825 ; Samuel G. 
was born in Ohio April 4, 1828; Albert G. 
was born in Ohio Oct. 14, 1831 ; Charles H. 
was born in Ohio Sept. 12, 1836, deceased 
April 4, 1852 ; Hercelia M. was born in Ohio 
April 25, 1842. Samuel G. was born in Guil- 



ford Township April 4. 1828. The straitened 
circumstances of his parents rendered early 
self-support an urgent necessity, and he liegan 
to work away from home, as a day-laborer, 
or by the month, at the age of 12 years. 
His early education was such as the meager 
advantages of the common schools afforded at 
that early |ieriod, with about a year antl a iialf 
of academic instruction ; he was a close stu- 
dent, and employed his leisure hours to such 
advantage, that, at the age of IG, he was en- 
gaged as an assistant teacher in a select school 
at Seville, and, in the following year, success- 
full j' taught a winter school. He continued 
teaching school in the winter for a numlier of 
years, when he was engaged as Principal of 
a Normal School at Weymouth ; this school, 
numbering over one hundred pupils, he taught 
with but one assistant, and with such distin- 
guished success that he was at once elected 
Superintendent of the Jlediua Public Schools. 
This position he filled with great acceptance, 
until his failing health forced him to resign. 
But teaching had become his chosen life work, 
and, after a few months' respite, he opened a 
Normal School at Bledina. Here his efficiency 
as a teacher was displayed in a marked man- 
ner, and attracted a large attendance from a 
wide area of country. This school was a gi'eat 
success in every respect, and 3Ir. Barnard has 
the gratification of knowing that under his 
guidance many of his pupils laid the foundation 
of an education whicli has placed them in 
prominent and responsil)le positions. Probably 
the leading characteristic of Mr. Barnard as an 
educator, was his skill in directing young 
minds, and he was recognized as particularly 
successful in influencing those who were re- 
garded as especially wayward. It was this fea- 
ture of his school that gained for it so wide a 
reputation and made it sought by thoughtfiil 
and careful parents for their children. It is 
needless to add. that his school was highly suc- 
cessful, financially as well as professionally. 
Mr. Barnard was appointed a member of tire 
County Board of School Examiners in 1853. 
and remained in that position until about 1870. 
save while occupying the position of I'robate 
Judge. At the close of his second term in the 
latter jjosition, he was again elected to the su- 
perintendency of the .Aledina Public Schools, 
which he held until he resigned to accept a 
similar appointment at Ravenna, Ohio. Here. 



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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



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again, his zeal made too heavy demaiKls upon 
his strength, and his declining healtli admon- 
ished him that he must resign his chosen work. 
Since then, Mr. Barnard has been obliged to 
decline man}- invitations to resume his VFork as 
teacher, and has, of late jears, devoted himself 
to the practice of the law. He was admitted 
to the bar in 1852, and commenced his prac- 
tice with J. C. Johnson, but abandoned it for 
teaching after six months' experience. Since 
1874. however, he has been regularlj- engaged 
in his profession, and has made an enviable 
position at the bar. In 1876, he was chosen 
Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket ; 
was made a memberof the Judiciary Committee 
in the Ohio Electoral College, and cast his vote 
for Rutherford B. Hayes for President and for 
William A. Wheeler for Vice President. As a 
citizen of Medina, Mr. Barnard has been prompt 
in identifying himself with ever}- worthy move- 
ment, and, in all the trying experiences through 
which the village has been called to pass, has 
ever been ready to cheerfully act well his part. 
A zealous Republican in politics, he has not 
sought political preferment, though an efficient 
organizer and attractive speaker when the oc- 
casion demands. As a public speaker. Mr. 
Barnard is clear and logical in thought, ready 
and apposite in expression, and forcible in 
delivery. Though a man of intense convic- 
tions, he surveys the public questions that 
arise, with a calm, dispassionate judgment that 
rarely leads him astra}-. Of a generous, sym- 
pathetic, confiding nature, his real character is 
best known in the home circle and among his 
intimate friends, where his genial influence 
sheds a glow of cordiality which acts like a 
benison upon his friends. Mr. Barnard was 
married. Oct. 7, 1840. to Miss Malvina M. Mar- 
tin, daughter of Asa (born in Bath, Grafton 
Co.. N. H., Feb. 14. 1807) and Nancy (Wether- 
bee) (born in Bath. Sept 25, 18(15) Martin. 
Mr. and Mrs. Martin were married at Bath, 
.\ug. 8, 1820, and moved to Medina, arriving 
here Nov. 31, 1832. Four children were born 
to them — James, horn in New Hampshire ; 
Malvina M., born in New Hampshire ; Jirah, 
born in Nevv Hampshire ; Ariel M., born in 
Ohio ; Augusta A., born in Ohio. Mrs. Barnard, 
the second child and first daughter, was born 
at Bath. N. H., Sept. 10, 1823, and came with 
her parents to Ohio in 1832. Notwithstanding 
the meager opportunities for gaining an educa- 



tion at that time, her quick perception as a child, 
and her earnest devotion to her studies, enabled 
her to make such rapid advancement, that, at 
the age of 14, she was granted a certificate, 
and began teaching in the public schools. She 
continued in this profession until some time 
after her marriage. Possessed of fine mental 
abilities, excellent forecast of mind, good taste 
and judgment, and lively wit, she is, above all, 
womanly ; a devoted mother, and an earnest 
member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 
Four children have blessed her marriage — 
F. J., born in Medina. March 26, 1852 ; edu- 
cated at Cornell Uuiversit}-. N. Y., he is now a 
popular eilucator in Ohio, having been con- 
nected with the schools of the State some nine 
3'ears ; he was Superintendent for several years 
I at Brooklyn, then at Selina for two years, and 
is at present serving on the third 3-ear at Mid- 
dleton ; the second child, Lily, was born at Me- 
dina March 23, 1850, deceased Aug. 12, 1856 ; 
Bertie A., born at Medina Aug. 12, 1857, is a 
teacher in the Medina Public Schools ; and 
Harrv, born at Medina Sept. 29. 1865. 

EPHRALM BRENNER, proprietor Brenner 
House. Medina ; was born in Lancaster Co., 
Penn., July 0, 1840, and is the second in a 
family of ten children born to Adam and ^lary 
(Sitz) Brenner ; they were also natives of Lan- 
caster Co., Penn. ; they moved to Wayne Co., 
Ohio, in 1851, and followed farming. Ephraim 
lived at home until he was 16 yeai'S of age ; he 
then apprenticed to the harness and saddle 
business with John A. Rettig, of Medina. 
After his marriage, he farmed his father-in- 
law's farm for one year ; he then rented the 
hitter's store, in Abbeyville, and next formed 
the partnership of Reuz & Brenner, and pur- 
chased the business of Mr. John A. Rettig 
(whom they formerly apprenticed to), and have 
conducted the business since. In 1870, lie be- 
gan the hotel business, and, though he was 
burned out of hotel and business in the great 
fire of that year, he has been identified with 
each ever since, building a large brick hotel in 
1879. Socially, Mr. Brenner is a genial gentle- 
man, and has a large and intimate circle of 
friends. He was married, Feb. 12, 1863, to 
Miss E. E. Miller, a native of Liverpool Town- 
ship. Medina Co.. Oiiio, and eldest of two sur- 
vivors in a family of ten children bom to 
Jacob and Abbylonia (Dechand) ^liller ; by 
the marriage, there have been three children, of 



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MEDIXA TOWNSHIP. 



687 



whom two are living, viz., Hattie V. and Pearle 
B. Jacob Jliller was a native of Wurtemberg, 
wliere the name appears as Muller. He came 
to the United States with his parents in 1831. 
The}' arrived in Philadelphia with only 94 
cents, and worked in the city a short time, until 
they had enough to move West on. They 
moved to Liverpool, Medina Co., Ohio, and 
settled in the timber, building a rude hut of 
bark and brush, in which they lived until their 
log house was completed. The}- lived on the 
place until her death, in about 1S48. He mar- 
ried again, and lived in the vicinity until his 
death, in 1871 ; his second wife died in 1880. 
Jacob lived at home a few years after the}' 
came to Jledina Co., when he hired in the 
store of Mr. Walbridge. at Brunswick Center. 
Remaining there a few years, he next went to 
Cleveland and worked about a wholesale store, 
and, during his residence there, he married 
Miss Abbylonia Dechand, a native of Baden, 
Germany. She came to the United States with 
an uncle, who settled in Cleveland, where she 
hired out. After the marriage, they took a 
farm at Parma, where they lixed two years ; 
they then went to Liverpool and settled on 
part of his father's land, occupying the original 
log house. He did teaming to Cleveland, and, 
on one trip, got seven pounds of coffee, and, 
on his return home, offered same for sale, and 
gradually worked into a store business, which 
he conducted successfully for many years ; he 
also carried on farming extensively. He was 
well known and highly respected. He died on 
the old homestead July 30, 1880 ; she died in 
Cleveland Nov. 14.1880. 

AUSTIN BADGER, retired ; P. 0. :\Iedina ; 
he (whose portrait appears in this work) was 
born in Chenango Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1793, and 
lived at home until 1818, during which time he 
worked on the form and in a grist-mill and 
woolen-factory. His education was confined 
to the disti'iet schools. In 1812, he enlisted in 
the army, and served under Col. William Dob- 
bins, of Gen. Wadsworth's command, six 
months. Upon the burning of Buffalo, in 

1813, the militia of which he was a member 
was called out and fought at Black Rock. In 

1814, the comi)any was drafted, and served as j 
guards over prisoners at Greenbush, Mr. 
Badger serving as Orderly Sergeant. Upon 
the close of the war, he returned home and 
worked on a farm and in a saw-mill until the 



spring of 1818, when he started for Ohio, walk- 
ing the entire distance to Buffalo, thence by 
water to Cattaraugus Creek, afoot to Erie, by 
water to Ashtabula, and afoot, via Cleveland, 
to .Medina, where he took a contract to clear 
the public square, and next to build the court 
house. It was built of hewed logs, two stories 
high, the court-room being in the second story. 
In the spring of 1819, he and a Mr. Hecox 
opened hotel in the lower room of the court 
house, and entertained the first court held at 
the county seat. In 1820, he entered some 
land (now Montville Township) ; his and some 
land entered by Abraham Freese was the first 
land entered in that .section. He entered 100 
acres and put up a log caljin (round logs) and 
began clearing ; he also started a nursery, 
which furnished most of the early orchards of 
that locality. In October, 1820, he married 
Miss Catharine Rouple, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania ; they were married in Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio ; she died July 30, 1822, leaving one 
child — Lucia, now Mrs. Booth, of Medina. 
April 3, 1823, he married Miss Nancy Bell, 
who died March o, 1849. Oct. 22, 1849, he 
married jMrs. Wells, formerlv Miss Mary S, 
Sibley ; she died Oct. 14. 'lS52. Nov. 29. 
1854, he married Mrs, Loring, formerly Miss 
P]lizabeth Whelock ; she died Nov. 17. 1878. 
There were no children except Ijy the first mar- 
riage. In 1853. IMr. Badger retired from his 
farm, and has lived in .Medina since. He was 
one of the first Trustees of Montville Town- 
ship ; also served as Justice of the Peace, and 
was for three years Adjutant of the county 
militia. In 1810, he was commissioned by De 
Witt Clinton as Captain of an independent rifle 
company, in New York, In 1854, he took a 
trip to Iowa and located some land warrants 
he received for service in the war of 1812. 
Being one of the early settlers, he is known 
and esteemed bv all, 

C, B, CHAMBERLIN, manufacturer of 
cheese, Medina ; was born on his father's farm, 
in Franklin Co,, '\^t,, April 21, 1820, and lived 
at home until 1847, assisting on the farm and 
attending school. May 11, 1845, he married 
JMiss Nancy Shattuck, a native of Windsor Co,, 
Vt, About his 22d yeai', Mr, Chamberlin be- 
came the manager of his father's business, the 
latter deeding his property, to take effect at his 
death. In 1847, the business was .sold, and 
Mr. Chamberlin and wife, with his father and 



c 

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A 



088 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES; 



mother, came to Ohio and occaipied a log cabin 
on tlie farm they hail bought in Montville 
Township, Medina Co. The\- began clearing 
the land and built a frame house, barn and 
cheese-house ; he also started a dairy with 100 
cows. In 1866, he came to his farm adjoining 
Medina, and lived there about four years. He 
then moved to his present I'esidence in the 
corporation, where he has since lived. During 
his residence in this county, Jlr, Cliamberlin 
has been engaged in farming, dairying and the 
manufacture of cheese, at present owning four 
factories in the county, >Ir. Chaniberlin's par- 
ents, Moses M, and Lucy (Kendall) Cliamber- 
lin, were natives of Vermont, They died in | 
Montville Township, and were linried in Jle- \ 
dina, 

CYRUS E, CLARK, farmerand stock-raiser ; 
P, (), Medina, This family trace their connec- 
tions back through a long line of ancestors to 
the early daj's of the country. The lirst of 
these to appear is the name of William Clark, 
who. in company with twenty-seven young men, 
from Hartford. Windsor and Weathersfield, set- 
tled at Haddam, in 16G2 ; he died in 1081, leav- 
ing nine children — four sons and live daughters. 
all of whom were born before his removal to 
Haddam ; hence, he was probably ujjward of 
Ho years of age at that time, and, doubtless, 
was the original immigrant. His property, at 
his death, amounted to 412 pounds sterling. 
(^ne of his sons. Sergeant John Clark, was the 
father of John Clark. Jr.. who was the father 
of Deacon Kbeuezer Clark. He was the father 
of Ebenezer Clark. Jr., who was the father of 
Ebenezer Clark, the father of the subject of 
this sketch. Ebenezer Clark, last mentioned. 
married Sallie Sanford about the year 1812 ; 
their births occurred Dec. 4, 1780, and Oct. 0, 
17!'2, respectively, in Litcliliold, Conn, The\' 
came to Medina Co., Ohio, in 18I18, settled on a 
farm and followed cultivating the soil until 
tlieir death ; she died in 1861, and he in 1867. 
Cyrus E. Clark, the subject, was born in Wash- 
ington Township, Litchfield Co., Conn., Feb. 20. 
1818. and is the third son of a family of six 
children. Ijorn to Ebenezer and Sallie (Sanford) 
Clark. He lived vvitli his parents until iiis mar- 
riage. May 31. 1847, to Miss Harriet A. Ovialt, 
also a native of Washington Township, Litch- 
field Co.. Conn., and the second child of a fam- 
ily of four, born to John .\. and Caroline (.Ma- 
son) Oviatt. who were also natives of Connecti- 



cut ; her father, Mr. Elisha Mason, was a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary war, and received a 
pension to the time of his death. After mar- 
riage, Mr. Clark settled on his present place, 
where he has ever since resided. He owns 180 
acres of land, l3'ing three miles noi'theast of 
^letlina, which he has made bj' his own labor 
and management. Four children have been 
born to him — Porter 0,, farmer, single, lives at 
home ; Fannie R., at home ; Arthur L., a mer- 
chant at Winsted, Conn.: and Franklin J., at 
home. 

C, J. CHASE, County Auditor, ^ledina, is sec- 
ond of a famih' of three children, liorn to John B, 
and Sophia (Gates) Chase, His birth occurred 
June 21, 1854, on his father's farm, in La Faj-- 
ette Township, Medina Co,, Ohio, His earlj' 
life was spent upon the farm and in attending 
the schools of his district, until 1870, when he 
entered the Preparatory Department of Olierlin 
College, and graduated from the Department of 
Arts "in the 'fall of 1876, In 1879, his Alma 
Mater conferred upon him the degree of ^Master 
of Arts, Upon his return from college, he be- 
came Principal of the public schools of Lodi, 
and, the following 3"ear, he was called to Le 
Roy, where, for three years, he served as Prin- 
cipal of the public schools of that place. In 
the summer of 1880, he received the nomina- 
tion for Auditor bj" the Repulilican County 
Convention, and was dulj- elected, taking his 
seat on the second Tuesday in November fol- 
lowing. In August, 1877, he married .Miss Jo- 
sie L, Woodworth, at her home in Ashtabula 
Co., Ohio. They have one child — Paul L. In 
the fall of 1880, Mr. Chase took up his resi- 
dence in Medina. 

F. B, CLARK. County Treasurer. Medina ; 
was born on his fiither's farm in Medina Co., 
Ohio, April 7. 1830, He lived at home for 
twenty years, when he came to Medina, and 
read medicine with Drs, Tolman and Smith for 
three and a half years. He then attended lect- 
ures at Western Reserve Medical College at 
Cleveland, and, in 1853. went to Lockl)ourne 
and began the practice of medicine in partner- 
shi)) with Dr, McLean, But, his father dying 
that winter, he returned to the homestead farm, 
and lived <m same until 1878, having bought 
out the other heirs in the property. In 1854, 
he was appointed Township Clerk, and has held 
the oflicc some twenty years. He also served 
four years as Township Trustee, He was 



rai 



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'k. 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



689 



elected County Treasurer in 1877, ou the Re- ■ 
publican ticket, and was re-elected in 1879. 
Upon his election in 1877, he moved to Medina, 
where he has since lived. Mr. Clark has been 
thrice married. His first marriage was to Miss 
Adelaide Fritchard, which occurred March 1, 
1855. She was a native of Medina Co., and 
died leaving one child — Frank Eugene. The 
second marriage was to Miss Minerva Branch. ' 
She was also a native of Medina Co., and died 
leaving one child — John L. His present wife 
was Miss Delight A. Prouty, of La Fayette 
Township, Medina Co. They were married in 
18()4, and have one child — Forrest W. Mr. 
Clark's parents. John L. and Almira (Stevens) 
Clark, were natives of Connecticut and Massa- 
chusetts. The former was born Aug. 8, 1799, 
the latter in April, 1804. They came to Ohio 
when young, and were married at Grafton. At 
the age of 20, he began clearing a piece of land 
which his father gave him, now the property of 
his .son. He lived on the place until 1836, 
when he was elected County Sheritf, and served 
four years, after which he returned to his farm, 
where he lived until his death. Dec. 29, 1853. 
Mrs. Clark lived with her son, F. B., for some 
twelve or fifteen years. She then went to Circle- 
ville, Ohio, and lived with her daughter Evaline 
until her death. By the marriage there were 
seven children — E]valine, now Mrs. Dr. Sheri- 
dan, of Circleville ; George (deceased) ; F. B. ; 
Helen, now Mrs. James Loughry, lives in Pitts- 
burgh ; Mary Ann, in Pittsburgh ; Emilj', now 
Mrs. A. Weaver, lives in Pittslnirgh ; John, 
lives in Fremont Co., Iowa (farmer). John 
Clark, the father of John L., and grandfather 
of F. B., was a native of Connecticut, and mar- 
ried Miss Mary Munson, also a native of Con- 
necticut. They came to Ohio in the spring of 
1818. Those of their nine children who did 
not come with them had come out before. John 
settled in the woods a mile west of the present 
Medina Center. He cleared a large farm, on '• 
which he died about the year 1838. Mrs. Clark : 
lived with her children, and died in 1859, at 
the residence of her son. Dr. Jeremiah Clark, of 
Franklin Co., Ohio. All their children grew up 
and were married. They, were Dr. Munson 
Clark, who died in Ashland ; Dr. Bela B. Clark, 
who also died in Ashland ; Polly, the only 
daughter, married Horace Porter, and died in 
Franklin Co. ; Ranson and John L. died in 
Medina Township ; Dr. Jeremiah died in Frank- 



lin Co. ; Rev. Anson (Episcopal) died in Me- 
dina ; Dr. Abel died in Xenia, Ohio ; Amos, 
the only survivor, lives in Huron Co., Ohio. 

JUDGE C. G. CODDING, lawyer, Medina ; 
is a native of Granger Township, Medina 
County, Ohio. He was born Sept. 9, 1829. His 
early life was spent on the farm. At the age of 
22, he began work with his brother, in the 
cooper business, which business he followed 
during the summers for six years, teaching 
school during the winters. In 1858, he began 
reading law in xMedina, with Mr. John B. 
Young. In 1800, he was admitted to the bar, 
and, the following year, the partnership of 
Young & Codding was formed, and continued ■ 
until the fall of 1804. In the fall of 1805, Mr. 
Codding was elected Prosecuting Attorney for 
the county, and was re-elected in the fall of 
1807. In 1871, the firm of Blake, Woodward 
& Codding was formed, and continued until 
1873. In February of that year, he entered the 
office of Probate Judge, to which he was elected 
the fall previous. He was re-elected in 1875, 
serving, in all six years. Since the expiration 
of his term of office, he has devoted his time 
to his regular practice. Aug. 9, 1803, he mar- 
ried Miss Cornelia J., a daughter of Isaac W. 
and Ann (Oatman) Babcock. The Judge's par- 
ents were the Hon. John and Hannah (Spencer) 
Codding. They were natives of New Y'^ork. He 
was horn May 2, 1794 ; his father, John Cod- 
ding, Sr., was a blacksmith by trade ; the latter 
and wife died in Ontario Co., N. Y., during the 
plague in 1813. The Hon. John Codding, Jr., 
came to Ohio in the year ISIS, and settled in 
Medina Co., where he followed farming. He 
served a number of years as Justice of the 
Peace, and was one of the early County iVssess- 
ors. In 1837, he was elected on the Whig 
ticket, a Representative from Medina County to 
the State Legislature, and was re-elected in 
1838. In 1844, he was elected Senator from 
the Medina and Lorain District, and was re- 
elected in 1845, after which he lived retired ou 
his farm until his death, Oct. 20, 1805 ; his 
wife died Sept. 3. 1854. 

H. P. FOSKETT, grocer. Medina ; was born 
in Leroy, Genesee Co.. N. Y., Marcii 31. 1830 ; 
his mother died when he was but 5 years of 
age, and, the following year, he came to Ohio 
with his grandfather, who settled in La Fayette 
Township. Young Foskett was raised on the 
farm with his grandfather's familv. living with 



■7- 

t^ r. 



'JZ 



(>90 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



them, except one year's residence on a lariu in 
New York, until 1860, wlieu lie began reading 
law witli J. B. Young, of Medina, and read 
with him for one j-ear. In the fall of 1861, he 
enlisted in a company formed in Medina Co., 
which was. after arriving at Camp Chase, dis- 
tributed throughout tlie"42d 0. V. I. (Garfield's 
regiment). He was assigned to Co. K, of 
which company he was elected 2d Lieutenant. 
He was in the service nearly three years, and 
was twice promoted, last serving as Captain of 
Cos. I and D. In 1863, the Captain was de- 
tailed to the Provost Department at New Or- 
leans, where he inspected the passes and pass- 
ports of passengers on all water craft except 
war vessels, that came to that port. He was 
in the battles of Middle Creek. Cumberland 
Gap, Tazewell, Charleston, Va., Chickasaw Bluff, 
Arkansas Post, Vicksburg. and the other bat- 
tles of the regiment. Prom the army he re- 
turned to ^ledina, and engaged in tlie clothing 
business, under the firm name of Sanders & 
Foskett, who continued for three years, when 
he sold out and occupied a farm he had for- 
merly bought, and lived on same for five years. 
In the fall of 1872, he was elected County 
Treasurer, and served two terms. He then en- 
gaged as salesman in the clothing house of 
Lewis Leon, in Cleveland, remaining with him 
about eighteen mouths, when he returned to 
Medina and engaged in his present business, 
buying out 'Sir. A. H. McClure. In the fall of 
1865. he married Miss Nancy B. Swan, a native 
of Sharon Township, Medina Co. They have 
three children, viz., Harry S., Helen R. and 
Burr A. 

HIRA:\I (JOODWIN, carpenter, Medina ; was 
born in Granger Township, Jledina Co., (>hio, 
June 10, 1826, and lived at home on the farm 
until the spring of 1848, during which time he 
apprenticed to carpentering. He was married, 
March 5, 1848, to Miss Martha Swan, a native 
of Sherbrooke Co., Canada. She died in Iowa 
Nov. 2, 1871, leaving two children — Charles S. 
and Erva L. In 1865, he moved to 31edina, 
where he has since lived, except one and one- 
half years' residence in Iowa. In 1806. Mr. 
Goodwin engaged in the grocer}- business in 
^Medina, and continued same for five years. 
Sept. 3, 1872, he married Miss Cornelia, daugh- 
ter of Robert and Mary (Prentis) Jackson, who 
were natives of New York. She came West in 
1854, and was a student at Oberlin a number 



of years, and graduated at the National Normal 
School at Lebanon, Ohio, after which she fol- 
lowed teaching, and had taught, the three years 
previous to her marriage, in the grammar school 
at Akron. Mr. Goodwin served as Justice of 
the Peace in Granger Township for eight years ; 
he also held the office of Clerk in that town. 
He served four years in Montville Township as 
Justice, and for past eight years has been 
Clerk of Medina Village. He is serving on his 
f(^urth term as Coroner, and has served as 
Deputy Sherift' for three terms, 

NATHANIEL A. GOODWIN, deceased ; was 
born in Litchfield. Conn., March 18, 1788. He 
was the second child of a family of four chil- 
dren born to Seth and Deborah (Allen) Good- 
win. These parents were natives of Coimeeticut. 
as were their parents, Seth (Toodwin was a 
soldier with the rank of Captain in the Revolu- 
tionary war, and ranked as Major in the war of 
1812. The business of his life was shoemaking 
and farming. He moved to Ontario Co., N. Y., 
in 18u4. and to Granger Township. Medina Co., 
Ohio, in 1817. His wife died there July 1, 
1829. He lived with his children until his 
death, in 1849. They had four children, one of 
whom was Nathaniel A. He married Miss Le- 
onia H. Low. a native of Ontario Co.. N. Y. 
They came west on ox-sleds, the winter of 
1815-16. They stopped a short time at Strongs- 
ville, but, owing to the land titles there, came 
to Granger Township, Medina Co. They had 
ten children, one of whom. Deborah M., born 
Aug. 2, 1818, was the first female child born in 
that township, and her cousin, Hamilton Low, 
born Aug. 2, 1818, was the first male child born 
in the same. Mr. Goodwin followed tarming. 
He was one of the early pioneers of the county. 
He died Jan. 21, 1843, and Mrs. Goodwin died 
February 5, 1868. 

ANDREW GRIESINGER, boots and shoes, 
Medina; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, 
December 22, 1832, and lived there twenty-two j 
years, during which time he learned the shoe- ! 
maker's trade. In 1854. he came to the United | 
States, and worked at his trade for thi'ee years 
in New York City. He then came to Medina 
Co., Ohio, and worked as jour for about three 
years. He then engaged in the business, be- i 
ginning with a very limited stock, which he 
kept steadily increasing, until now lie carries 
the largest sUjck of boots and shoes in the 
county, besides conducting a custom depart- 



^ — n>^. 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



691 



ment employing five hands. In 1870, his busi- 
ness was destroj-ed by the great fire, he losing, 
over and above insurance, about ,S1,000. De- 
cember 1, 1870. he completed and occupied his 
present brick store. Nov. 2fl. 1859, he married 
Miss Catharine Kunstner. She was born in 
Germany, and came to the United States when 
young, her folks settling in Liverpool Township, 
this county. By the marriage there have been 
nine children, six of whom are living, viz.; 
Christian. Louisa, Andrew, William, Mary and 
Georgia. 

G.^B. HAMILTON, farming; P.O. Medina; 
was born on his present place Nov. 17, 1822, 
and lived here until he was 22 years of age, 
when he engaged as clerk in Medina, which he 
followed about five 3-ears. He was then. March, 
1849. appointed Postmaster under Gen. Tay- 
lor's Administration, and served four 3'ears. 
In 1850, he engaged as telegraph operator at 
Medina, his being the first office of the kind in 
the county ; he continued tlie business about 
four years. He then served two years as gen- 
eral agent for contractors on the Medina & 
Wheeling Railroad, after which he served one 
year as Treasurer of that company. He then 
came back to the farm, where he remained until 
March, 18G1, when he was appointed Govern- 
ment Mail Agent, Cleveland to Cincinnati, and 
run for four years ; he then served one year as 
Special Agent, post office department, after 
which, he again returned to his farm and has 
lived there since. Sept. 19, 1850, lie married 
Miss Flora A. Sellkirk, a native of Medina Co., 
Oliio; she died in April, 1877. They had four 
children, viz. : Achsah, now Mrs. Pratt, of Me- 
dina ; Letta, now Mrs. Pratt, of Lorain County ; 
Julia and Gale. In September. 1 879. he married 
Mrs. Blanchard, formerly Miss Harriet Smead- 
ley, a native of Massachusetts ; she came tt) 
Medina Countv during her infiinc}'. 

MATHEWL. HAMILTON, retired farmer; 
P. 0. Medina ; was born in Delaware Co., N. 
Y., Jan. 20, 1797, and lived on a farm in his 
native State for twenty-one years. In 1818, he 
and his brother Arzy came to Ohio, by sleigh, 
to Medina County, where their cousin, Zenas 
Hamilton, lived. Mathew entered 100 acres of 
land, where he now lives, and his brother en- 
tered adjoining. They worked for the neigh- 
bors, and, late in the fall of that year, he went 
back to New York afoot, the whole distance to 
Delaware Count}'. He also visited relatives in 



Connecticut, and the following summer worked 
at carpentering. In August, 1821, he married 
Miss Achsah Beardsley. a native of Connecti- 
cut. They married in Delaware Co., N. Y., 
whither her parents had moved. The fall of 
his marriage he came West in a two-horse 
wagon, and occupied his place, building a log 
house, and began clearing his land. In 18.39, 
his wife died, leaving four children, of whom 
three are living, viz. ; G. B.. on the old home- 
stead ; William and Lev?is farm adjoining places 
in Washington Co., Iowa. In 1840, Mr. Ham- 
ilton married Miss Sallie Beardsley, a sister of 
his first wife; she died in 1873. About 1872, 
he became paralyzed, and has been an invalid 
since. His parents, Eden and Zellar (Linds- 
ley) Hamilton, were natives of Connecticut ; 
they followed farming ; of their nine children, 
Mathew L. alone survives. Eden Hamilton was 
a drummer boy in the Revolutionary war, his 
command serving at West Point, when Andre 
was hung. 

PETER R. HUNTINGTON, farmer ; P. 0. 
Medina ; was born in Norwich, Conn., Aug. 20, 
1809, and lived there sixteen years ; he then 
came to Ohio, takins; the water-route via New 
York City, Albany", Bufli'alo and Cleveland; 
thence, he rode with a stranger to Jledina Co., 
where he lived with his brother-in-law, until 
1827 ; he then went to Cleveland and worked 
on the Government pier, and in that fall he went 
back to Connecticut and worked on a farm ; 
the following winter he spent with his brother 
in New York, and worked during the summer 
on a farm in New Jersey ; he then returned to 
Connecticut, and worked on a farm until 1832 ; 
in December of tliat year, he came to Ohio and 
clerked in liis brother-in-law's store in Medina. 
In the following spring he entered 90 acres of 
land and began clearing the same. Feb. 22, 
1834, he married Miss Jane Simmons, of New 
York, who was then visiting her sister in Ohio. 
After the marriage, he bought 1 00 acres of land, 
the same he now resides on. He occupied the 
place in 1836, and has lived on the same ever 
since. Mrs. Huntington died April 1, 1878 ; of 
their five children, but one is living — Sophia, 
who lives on the old homestead. His pai-ents, 
Levi and Catharine M. (Richards) Huntington, 
were natives of Norwich. Conn. They were mar- 
ried Oct. 23, 1802. He died in Nortvich July 
1, 1838, and she died .\ug. 6, 1818 ; of their 
five children, two are living, viz.. Peter R.. here 



'*~vr 



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692 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ia Medina, and Elizabeth Bowers, of Brooklyn. 
N. Y. 

DANIKL HE.MMHTKR. Medina Marble 
Works, .Medina ; was liorn in r>yraeuse, N. Y., 
Aug. 4, 184S. During his infancy his parents 
moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where our subject 
gi-ew up. and at the age of 16, was apprenticed 
to the marljle-cutting trade, serving three years 
with J. M. Martin, after which he worked as 
journeyman in Cleveland and Massillon. Aug. 
4, 1870. he married Miss Louisa Kiihr. who was 
born in Massillon. They had five children, four 
of whom are living — William. John C. Lilly and 
Ralph. Charles died in ^Medina in LSTti. Mr. 
Hemmeter came to Medina in 1872. and estab- 
lished the Medina Marble Works, at first doing 
the work himself His business now employs 
from three to six skilled workmen, and affords 
the best facilities to his customers, who buy of 
him at prices which do not include the agents' 
commission, city rents, etc. 

CiEORGP] HAYDEX. County Clerk, Medina. 
The subject of this sketch was born in Sharon 
Township, Medina Co.. Ohio. April :>. 1840. He 
was born on his father's farm, where he lived 
until he became of age, during which time he 
a-ssisted in the labors on the farm and attended 
school. (In addition to those of his district, he 
also attended at Sharon Center and Medina.) He 
also taught se\'eral terms of district scliool diu'- 
ing winters. In 1801, he went to Hiram Col- 
lege, Ohio, and remained there until September 
20 of that year, when he enlisted in Company 
A, 42d 0, V, I, (Garfield's Regiment), and served 
for twenty months, when, owing to sickness, he 
received his discharge. Among the battles in 
which with the regiment he took part, were 
Cumberland Gap, Chickasaw and Arkansas 
Post, he receiving his discharge after the latter, 
and returned to Medina, After a few months, 
he engaged in forming in Sharon Township, 
where he remained until 1876, during which 
time he served two terms as Assessor and part 
of a term as Justice of the Peace. He was 
then elected County Clerk on the Republican 
ticket, and was re-elected in 1879, T.'pon his 
election in 1876. he removed to Medina, where 
he has since lived. In the fall of 1864. he mar- 
ried .Miss Helen Brown ; she was born in Sharon 
Towushij). .^le^lina Co., Ohio. They have one 
child — Kdna G. 

FRANK S. JONES, physician. .Medina; is 
the son of John S and Lora (Cov) Jones, who 



were nati^•es of New York and were married in 
^Medina Co., Ohio, whither they had come when 
young. He was a carpenter and joiner by 
trade, which he followed in connection with his 
farm. In 1860, he retired from the farm and 
lived in ^ledina. until his death, in April, 1864. 
His wife died in March of the same year. (.)f 
their seven children, five grew up to maturity ; 
of the latter three are living, viz,; .Mrs, Har- 
riet E. Henry, of Chicago ; Ella, living with 
her sister : and the Doctor. Frank S. He was 
born in Medina Co., Ohio, .May 18, 1846, and 
made his residence at home until the death of 
his father in 1864, after which he engaged as 
clerk in the grocery store of Davis & Warner, 
in Medina, and clerked with them for one year. 
In 1865, he engaged as clerk in the drug store 
of .V, M. .\rmstrong, and later served one year 
in the same business in Cleveland, after which 
he returned to Medina and soon after went to 
Xew York City, where he attended the New 
York College of Pharmacy for three seasons, 
graduating in the spring of 1872 ; he also took 
a special course at the School of Mines, New 
York : he remained in Xew York in the drug 
business until the following fall, when he at- 
tended the Rush .Medical College of Chicago, 
111., graduating there in the spring of 1876. He 
returned to Medina in -\pril following, and be- 
gan the practice, which he has continued 
since. Oct. 30, 1877, he married .Miss Marie, 
daughter of Judge Humphreville. of .Medina, 
Ohio. 

SAMUEL KEXYOX, former ; P, O, Bruns- 
wick : is a native of Rhode Island, and was 
born Oct, 31. 1813. He was raised on the 
farm and obtained his education by a limited 
attendance at the district schools. \t the age 
of 17, he went to Moiu'oe Co,, X, Y. (whither 
his parents had gone), and lived there until 
1838. working on the farm. In that year he 
came to Medina Co.. Ohio, and worked on the 
farm in (iranger Township. July 4. 1839, he 
married .Miss .\my Clark, a native of Rhode 
Island. There have been six children born to 
the marriage, of whom l)ut one is living, viz,; 
Charles C. Throughout his life. Mr. Kenyon 
has followed agricultural pursuits, in which he 
has Ijeen successful, starting with a purchase 
of Id acres, he has steailily increased his prop- 
erty, until now he owns about 200 acres, fur- 
nishing an ample competency for himself and 
wife in their ilcclininir years. 



^^^ 



^1 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



693 



CHARLES C. KENYON, farmer; 1'. 0. 
Brunswick ; was born on his father's farm in 
Medina Co.. Ohio. Jan. 18. 18-47; he marrieil 
Miss Lucy Gouldin, Fob. 1(5, lS(i8. She is a 
native of Summit Co., Ohio. The}' have three 
children, viz.: Alfred M., Herman C. and John 
S. His wife's parents, John and Hannah (Hu- 
soug) (louldin, were natives of Ohio and now 
reside in Summit Co. 

R. L. LOVBLAND. farming and .stoek-deal- 
ing; P. 0. Medina ; was bora in Trumbull Co., 
Ohio, April 0, 1821, and is a son of David and 
Amy (Lowry) Loveland, who were natives of 
Hartford. Conn., and emigrated with their par- 
ents to Trumbull Co., when i^uite young, and 
where they were married. They removed to 
Delaware Co., Ohio, about the j-ear 1826, where 
they farmed for five years ; they then sold out 
and moved to the Illinois River countr_y, the 
winter the Mormons went to Nauvoo, expecting 
to meet friends there, but, upon arrival, found 
they had joined the Mormons, and had removed 
with them to their new city (Nauvoo) Thej' 
determined to return to Ohio, and arrived in 
Delaware Co. about the middle of February, 
and in the following spring they bought and 
occupied a farm in Huron Co., where the}' lived 
three years, then moved to Ashland Co., where 
thej' lived for tweuty-five years, when they re- 
turned to Huron Co.. and resided there until 
their death. She died in 1850, at the age of 
64, and he died in 1861. at the age of 66 years. 
They had four children, of whom R. L.,the sub- 
ject, is the second. He lived at home and as- 
sisted his parents until his marriage, which took 
place March 28. 1848, to Miss Catharine Mc- 
Guire, a native of Pennsj'lvania, and who, when 
young, removed with her parents to Ashland 
Co. After marriage, he removed to Lorain Co. 
and bought 54 acres of laud, which he occupied 
and improved. He dealt largely in sheep and 
was successful with tliem. He lived there 
twenty-six years, and increased his land to a 
fine form of 262|- acres, well stocked ; he also 
had a dairy of forty-one cows. In 1874, he 
came to Medina and bought his present place 
of 194 acres, one and one-fourth miles east of 
Medina, on which he has since liuilt an elegant 
brick residence, and has probal)ly the liest farm 
improvements in the county. He formerly kept 
a dair}' iiere, having at one time sixty cows, 
here and iu Lorain together, but recently lie 
sold his dairj', and has turned his attention to 



sheep, keeping 160 flne-wool sheep. Ten chil- 
dren have been born to him, viz.: Xewton W., 
married, and lives in Kansas ; Elmer H. and 
Mary, at homo ; Emma, now Mrs. ('ollins, lives 
in Jledina Township ; Charles manages his 
fathers I'arm in Ashland Co.; Hubert V., Ilat- 
tie P., Agnes, Cora and Lucy are at home. Mrs. 
Loveland died March 3, 1880, of nervous pros- 
tration, In'ought on in consequence of a long 
drive over bad roads. She received information 
of the illness of her sister, Mrs. Simantou, in 
Ashland Co. It was too late for a train, and, 
in her anxiety to reach her sister, drove the 
distance, arriving just in time to see her alive. 
Ina few days after, Mrs. Loveland died, liter- 
ally sacrificing herself through att'ectiou for her 
sister. She was highly respected bj- her manj' 
friends, and by all who shared in her many acts 
of kindness. Her remains were brought home, 
and placed in the vault in Medina Center. 

0. N. LEACH, clotliing and gents' furnishing 
goods, Medina ; was born in Sullivan, Ashland 
Co., Ohio, in 1841. In 1858, he entered the 
Preparatcjrj' Department of Oberlin College, and 
remained there until 1860. He then engaged 
as clerk in the general merchandise business of 
Baldwin, Laundon & Co.; in 1868, he formed 
the partnership of Fitch & Leach, they doing a 
clothing and gents' furnishing goods business. 
July 16, 1866, he married Miss Electa Fitch, a 
native of Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio. They had four 
children, of whom two are living — Frank H. 
and Florence A. In 1872. 3Ir. Leach came to 
Medina, and opened business in the Empire 
Block, and later moved to the Dental Block, 
but. not having sufficient space to accommodate 
his trade, in the fall of 1878, built his present 
brick store, thus securing an elegant room, 
24^x80 feet, in which he has placed a mammoth 
stock. Prominent among the man}' advantages 
he ofJ'ers the trade, is his one-price cash system, 
whicli unites satisfaction and cheapness for the 
buyer. Mr. Leach has also an admiralily man- 
aged custom department that cannot tail to be 
appreciated by all who love a snug fit. 

MAJ. G. \V. LE'WIS, lawyer, Medina ; be- 
gan reading law with 3Ir. John B. Young, in 
Medina, in October. 1865. and read with him 
until February. 1867. He was elected Probate 
Judge in the fall of 1866, and was re-elected iu 
1869, serving, in all, six years. In January, 
1872, he was admitted to the bar by the Su- 
preme Court. In February following, he be- 



-^Iv 



la^ 




came a member of the law firm of Blake, Wood- 
ward & Lewis, which dissolved in 1875, since 
which time he has followed his profession alone. 
The Major is a native of Batavia. (xenesee Co., 
N. Y.. he was born April 13, 1837 ; in 1840, 
his parents came to Ohio and settled on a farm 
in Spencer Township, Medina Co. He lived at 
home until he became of a2:e ; his education 
was obtained in the Spencer and ^ledina dis- 
trict schools : he also attended the Oherlin Col- 
lege ; he began teaching during the winter of 
his 19th year, and taught some thirteen terms 
in all. In the fall of ISGO. lie went to Illinois, 
and took charge as Principal of the public 
schools of Ashlej-, in Washington Co. In 186'1, 
he raised a private school of sixty scholars. 
The term was to liegin April 15. of that year. 
But, owing to the breaking-out of the rebellion, 
he volunteered and was assigned to the 11th 
111, y. I., he being a private in Company C, 
he served four months, and tlieu returned to 
Medina. Ohio, and taught school the following 
winter, and. in the spring, he hired on the farm 
of Mr, James Eglin for i;]4 per month, and 
worked for him until Aug. 12. 1SG2 : he then, 
with about forty others, enlisted at Spencer : 
they were sworn in liy Abel Wood, and went to 
Cleveland, where they were known as the West 
Medina County Company, They had no otHcers 
until in September. The County Military Com- 
pany obtained leave of Gov. Tod, for the com- 
panv to elect its own officers, which resulted in 
the election of (}. W. as Captain, and they wei-e 
assigned to Company B. 124tli O. V. I., and 
served until the close of tlie war. participating 
in tiio battles of Chickamauga. Orchard Knob. 
.Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Resaca, Atlanta, 
Franklin, Nashville and others ; at the bat- 
tle of Nashville, our subject was wounded, 
losing his left arm, and served thereafter as 
Major, he being promoted for gallant conduct 
in that fight ; his commission as Major was 
by Gov. John W. Grotf. and dates Jan. 18. 
18(i5. and. in June following, he was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant Colonel ; from the army he 
came to Medina, and began Heading law, Oct. 
19. 1802. he married .^iiss Mary F,. daughter 
of Leonard and Sallie (.McDougall) .\shley. she 
was liorn in Greenfield, Huron Co.. Oiiio. where 
her parents were early settlers. Four children 
iiave been born by this marriage, two of whom 
are living, viz.: Dan Ashley, born .Vug. 4. 1800 ; 
and Jeniiie G.. born Oct, l"S, 1808 : Frank McS„ 



was born Oct. 3, 1875, and died July 28, 1870 ; 
Mary E. was born Aug. 18. 1877, and died 
Sept. 23. 1880, 

JOHN F, MILLER, farmer ; P, O, Medina; 
was born in Soham, Cambridgeshire, Eng., July 
15. 1814, and lived there until 1840 ; received 
but a limited amount of schooling. In 1840. 
he and a brother and sister came to the United 
States, and finally to Medina. Ohio, where a 
brother already resided. The new emigrants, 
bought, together, a farm of 90 acres, about two 
and one-half miles north of Medina, which they 
occupied and farmed in partnership for about 
four years, when the partnership was dissolved, 
and John F. (the subject) bought 50 acres two 
and a (juarter miles north of Medina, upon 
which he built and which he still owns, la 
1870. he came to Medina, where he has since 
resided (had lived in town twice before, for 
short periods) ; he was married, December 31, 
1843. to Miss Lora Clark, a daughter of Ran- 
som and Betsey (Adams) Clark, who were na 
tives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and who 
came to Ohio while \-ouug : they were married 
in Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio, in^May. 1819. and lived 
thereafter in Medina. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are 
the parents of four children, two of whom are 
living — Marietta, now Mrs. Hills, living on 
homestead ; Deborah at home. In politics, 5Ir, 
Miller has always been a Republican, 

J. S. MASON, photographer, portrait and 
landscape, Medina ; was born in Oneida Co.. 
N. Y .. May 30. 1844. and came to Medina Co. 
with his parents in 1850. They at first located 
on a farm in Brunswick Township, where they 
lived two years. They then moved to Medina 
Township, where they rented a farm. and. two 
years later, bought the same. Our subject 
lived at home until 1857. when he went to 
Oberlin, Ohio, and, in 1858, he apprenticed to 
the printers trade, in the Oberlin X'ir.<: office, 
and served there four years. In July, 1802. he 
enlisted in Co. F, l(i3d O. V. 1.. and served with 
that command until June 23. 1804. when he was 
wounded on the skirmish line on the Chatta- 
hooehie River, in Georgia, he receiving his dis- 
charge in Columbus. Ohio, in October follow- 
ing. Shortly after his discharge, he visited the 
East, and. in 1800, he engaged in the pho- 
tographing business in Home, N, Y, He came 
to .Medina the following year, and has been 
identified with the business since, operating at 
Medina. Norwalk, Cleveland and Crestline, es- 



^l 



'<4'- ^ * - 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



695 



r 



tablishing his present business in 1873. In 
1868, December 28, lie marricfl Miss Mary Al- 
len, a native of Medina Co., Oliio. Thej- had 
two children ; one living, viz.. Kzra A. Mr. 
Mason's parents, Ezra and Lucy (Seymour) 
Mason, were natives of Massachusetts and Con- 
necticut. They came to Medina Co., Ohio, in 
1850, and, except four years' residence at Ober- 
lin, have lived here since. They had two chil- 
dren ; one living, viz., J. S. Mr. Ezra Mason 
had one child by a former marriage, viz., El- 
len J. 

0. H. McDowell, of McDowcU Bros., 
drugs, books, etc., Medina ; was born in Ox- 
ford, Chester Co., Penn., Sept 27, 1843, and 
lived there about six 3cars, when, with his 
parents, he moved to Union Co., Penn., and 
lived there two years. They then came to 
Ohio, and rented a farm in Medina Co., and, 
soon after, bought a place in Wayne Co., and 
settled on the same, where young McDowell 
lived, assisting on the farm and attending 
school, until, in 18G1, in August of that year, 
he enlisted in Co. I, 2d 0. V. V. C, he being ap- 
pointed Commissary Sergeant, and remained in 
the army until the close of the war, having re- 
enlisted in 1863. Upon his return from the 
army, he attended school in Seville for six 
months. He then came to Medina, where, in 
company with his brother (R. M.). he bought 
the drug business of A. M. Armstrong, which 
they have since continued, 0. H. taking the act- 
ive management of it. The firm is also inter- 
ested in the jNIcdina Evaporating Company. He 
was married, Dec. 13, 1866, to Miss Helen M., 
daughter of Hon. H. G. Blake, of Medina. Two 
children have been born to them, one of whom 
is living, viz,, Helen Percy. Harry O. died 
June 2, 1880, aged 6 years 6 months and 21 
days. 

R. M. McDowell, Cashier Phoenix Na- 
tional Bank; P. 0. iMedina. The subject of 
this sketch was born on his father's farm in 
Chester Co.. Penn., Oct. 13, 1837, and lived 
there until he was 7 years of age, when 
they moved to the village of Oxford, and re- 
sided there four years. They then moved to 
Juniata Count}-, in the same State, where his 
father carried on a lumber and bark business 
for two years. During the latter year, R. M. 
spent a portion of his time canal-boating on 
the Susquehanna Canal. In 1851, the family 
moved to Ohio ; they first stopped about six 



years in Medina County, and then bought a 
farm in Waj'ne County. Our subject received 
a liberal education at the Seville Academj-, and 
the Hayesville and Hudson schools. At the 
age of 17 he began teaching, and taught during 
the fall and winters thereafter for several years. 
In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 2d O. V. C, 
and the following spring he was commissioned 
a 1st Lieutenant, and bj' order of the Secretary 
of War, was transferred as an aide to the staff 
of Gen. E. B. Tyler, in which position he served 
until the close of the war. Feb. 16, 1863, he 
married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of the Hon. 
H. G. Blake, of Medina. Mr. McDowell was, 
at this time, located at Columbus, Ohio, and 
was soon after transferred to the Army of the 
Potomac, and from thence witli (ien. Tyler to 
the 1st (separate) Brigade, 8th A. C, with 
headquarters first at Baltimore, then at the Re- 
lay House, and afterward, for a short time, 
served in the Department of Western Virginia. 
It was his good fortune to be so situated that 
his wife could accompany him during a portion 
of his term of service, which she did, their 
daughter Bessie being born at the Rela^- House 
in January, 1865, On his return from the 
army, he taught the Medina High School. In 
the following spring, he engaged in the drug 
and book business, with his brother, 0. H. 
Their business was destroyed by the great fire 
in 1870 ; after which, and upon the completion 
of the Phoenix Block, they resumed the busi- 
ness and have contiimed the same since. They 
have also been identified in several other busi- 
ness interests of iledina. They, for eleven 
years, were the proprietors of and operated the 
Medina Cheese Factory. In 1873, Mr. Mc- 
Dowell engaged as Assistant Cashier in the 
Phoenix National Bank of Medina, and was 
made Cashier in 1876, upon the death of Mr. 
Blake, which position he still holds. In addi- 
tion to his duties as Cashier, he has established 
and conducts an insurance agency, which repre- 
sents many of the most popular companies. 
By his marriage, there has been four children — 
viz. ; Bessie, born in the army at the Relay 
House, Maryland, H. G. Blake. Thomas Cor- 
win and Kate, born in Medina. Ohio. 

F. R. MANTZ, County Recorder ; P. O. Me- 
dina ; was born in Lynn Township, Lehigh Co., 
Penn., Aug. 31. 1833. In 1837, his parents 
and grandfather, Phillip Mantz. also an uncle, 
came to Ohio and settled upon some laud in 



^^ 



^1 



') >>-> 



696 



BIOGRAPHICAL ^SKETCHES: 



Homer Township, the location being selected 
in 1836, by his uncle, Joseph Mantz. When 
about 14 years of age, F. R.'s parents moved to 
Harrisville Township, where he lived until 
1852 ; during this time F. R. had worked on 
the farm and received his schooling in the 
schools of his district. In 1852. he engaged as 
a farm hand in Montville Township, receiving 
$10 per month; the next summer he worked 
with his brother at the carpenter's and joiner's 
business. Aug. 31, 1854, he married Miss 
Phoebe J. Edsou, she was born in Cuyalioga 
Co., Ohio. He continued at the carpenter's 
trade until Aug. 9, 1862, when he enlisted as a 
recruit in Company K. 42d 0. V. I. (Garfield's 
regiment), with which command he served un- 
til it was mustered out ; he was then transferred 
to Company E, 96th 0. V. I., and served until 
the close of the war ; prominent among the 
battles in which he took part are Arkansas 
Post, Vicksburg, Jackson, Mol)ile. Spanisli Fort. 
Fort Blakely and others. After the war, he 
returned to ^ledina Count\ and engaged in 
farming, which he continued until the fall of 
1875, when he was elected on tlie Republican 
ticket as County Auditor, .and was re-elected 
iu the fall of 1878. Upon his election in 1875, 
he moved to Medina and has lived there since. 
His family consists of five members — the chil- 
dren are Corydon F., who is on his father's farm 
in Chatham Township ; Cassius C, who is 
Assistant Recorder ; Charlie A., at home attend- 
ing school. 

HON. ALBERT .MI:NS0N. J>robate Judge, 
Medina, whose portrait ajipears in this work. 
was born on his father's farm in Guilford Town- 
ship. Medina Co.. Ohio. Aug. S. 1830. and lived 
at home until he became of age. His educa- 
tion was obtained in the schools of his district, 
except one short term at Sharon Academj-. 
On becoming of age, he engaged as Clerk in the 
general merchandise business of Allen Howes, 
in Sharon Township, remaining in tliat position 
for sixteen months. He then returned to River 
Styx, where he became a member in the firm of 
Colborn & Munson, which continued for nine 
months; soon after this. Mr. ]\Iunsou bougiit 
the old homestead, and farmed tlie same. In 
1862. he was elected Colonel of the Ci)unty 
Regiment of .Militia. In 1869, lie was elected 
on the Repul)lieau ticket, a Representative from 
Medina County to tlie State Legislature, and 
was re-elected in 1871. serving in all. four vears. 



As early as 1859. he began reading law, and 
read at times until 1873. when he was admitted 
a member of tlie bar by the Supreme Court at 
Columbus. But. owing to other business, he 
never tlcvoted his time to the profession. In 
1875. he was elected Director of the Ohio 
Farmers' Insurance Company, and served two 
years ; he also acted as Adjuster for tlie com- 
pany during that period. In the fall of 1878. 
he was elected Probate Judge, after which, he 
sold his farm and moved to Medina, where he 
has since lived. He married Miss Harriet 
Easlon. she was born in Guilford Township. 
They have two children, viz. : Cora E. and Ly- 
man E. His parents. Lyman and Nancy (Por- 
ter) Munson were natives of Westfield. 3Iass. 
They, with one child, came to Ohio by ox team 
in 1816. he walking the entire distance. He 
entered 160 acres of land on Fall Creek in 
(Tuilford Township, and resided there for ten 
years, during which time he made two trips to 
^Massachusetts afoot ; he then sold his place and 
bought wild land of (xen. Perkins, and cleared 
and made a farm of same ; he also assisted in 
clearing in all. probably, 1.500 acres of wild 
land in his vicinity. Ho was one of the patri- 
ots of the war of 1812. The business of his 
life was farming. He died at the advanced age 
of 82. on his farm in Guilford Township, in 
1 863 ; his wife died about the year 1845. They 
had a family of seven children, of whom Allen 
is the only survivor. 

LEWIS B. NETTLKTON. farmer: P. ( ». 
Medina ; was born in Litchtield Co.. Conn.. Oct. 
23, 1807. and is the youngest of eight children 
born to Daniel and Eunice (Baldwin) Netlleton. 
natives of Old Milford, Conn. After marriage, 
they removed to Washington. Litchfield Co., 
and farmed in that vicinity until their deatli. 
Of the eight children, three remained in Con- 
necticut, of whom one only is living. Five of 
the famil\- came to Ohio, and settled in Me- 
dina Townsiiip. this county, between the years 
1818-32. Of this tamily, three have i^clebrated 
tiieir golden wedding. Lewis B. lived at hoiiie 
until lie became of age. During that time, he 
assisted on the farm, and receivett a limited 
education at the district sciiools. He was mar- 
ried. April 15. 1829. to .Miss Julia Baldwin, a 
native of Jiitchfield Co.. and the eldest of a 
family of three children born to Geliial Baldwin. 
They were natives of Connecticut; also their 
parents. His father lived to be over 100 years 



5 V 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



697 



old. The August following their marriage, Mr. 
and Mrs. Nettleton came to Cleveland, Ohio, by 
water ; thence to Medina Town.ship. Here he 
bought an improved fiirm of (lO acres, the same 
being tlie property of Gen. Northrop, and was 
the first farm cultivated bj- him in the county. 
He lived upon this farm until 1852. wlien he 
moved to Medina that his children might enjoy 
the school ad^■antages of the town ; but. in the 
fall of 1853, he returned to the farm, which, in 
the meantime, he had increased to about 350 
acres, and upon which he conducted an exten- 
sive stock business. He remained on his farm 
until 1870. when he again removed to Medina, 
where he has resided ever since. In early da3's, 
he belonged to the militia, and rose from private 
in the ranks to the position of Lieutenant Colo- 
nel. He has been Assessor of the township, 
and has served as Director, Superintendent and 
Vice President of the Count\- Agricultural So- 
ciety. In 1872, he became President of the 
First National Bank of Medina, which office he 
retained during the existence of the bank. 
Seven children have been born to him. of whom 
six are living — Edwin. Civil Engineer for the 
Colorado Mortgage & Investment Co.. of Lon- 
don ; Hubert and Warren F.. farmers in IMedina 
Township ; Jennie, now Mrs. Logan, lives in 
Connecticut; Austin (I., lives on the old home- 
stead in Medina Township ; B. Franklin lives 
at home ; Austria die<l Nov. 12, 1864. 

NATHAN NETTLETON, retired, Medina: 
was born on his father's farm in AA'ashiugton, 
Litchfield Co,, Conn.. Aug, 5, 1805, and is the 
seventh in a family of eight children born to 
Daniel and Eunice (Baldwin) Nettleton, They 
were natives of Milford, Conn,, of which place 
their ancestors were pioneers, Daniel was a 
farmer. After his marriage, in 1789, he moved 
to Washington, and farmed there until his death, 
Jan, 21, 1829, His wife died at the same place. 
May IS, 1832, Nathan (our subject) lived at 
home until his father's death. Like others in 
those early days, his opportunity for obtaining 
an education was limited, he receiving but two 
terms at au academy*, aside from a few winter 
terms at the district school. At the age of 18, 
he began teaching, and taught in the winters 
thereafter for a number of terms. April 20, 
1832, he married Jliss Laura Serene Logan, who 
is the tliird in a ftimily of seven children born 
to Mathew and Laura (Sanford) Logan. They 
were natives of Connecticut ; he of Washington 



Litchfield Co., as was his father Matthew. His 
grandfather, John, was an emigrant to that 
place from Scotland, among whose descendants 
are numbered several soldiers of the Revolution, 
one of the family, Abigail (Logan) Ford, cele- 
brating her centennial birthday anniversary on 
the 15th of September, 1880. The old home- 
stead of this famil3\ in Connecticut, in which 
six successive generations have lived, is yet in 
good repair, Jliss Laura Serene Logan lived 
at home until her marriage, which occurred at 
the age of 20, She early became an educator, 
having taught in all five terms of school before 
her marriage, after which she, with her husband, 
moved to Medina Co,, Ohio, and settled on 
some wild land lying northeast of Medina vil- 
lage, which Mr, Nettleton had lx)ught during a 
prospecting tour the year previous. They occu- 
pied a frame house he had ordered built upon 
his first trip, and lived in the same for forty-two 
3-ears. This house is now the residence of his 
son, Matthew E. In 1874, they retired to Me- 
dina Village, where they have since lived. Bj' 
this marriage, there are three children — Laura 
Helen, Matthew E. and Ursula Eusebia, Mr, 
Nettleton became a voter during the ailminis- 
tration of John Quincy Adams, and voted for 
his re-election. He associated with the Whig. 
Anti-Slavery and Repulilican parties, remaining 
a member of the latter since its organization. 
Matthew Erskine. the only son, was married 
June 8, 1864, to Miss Ellen N. Wadsworth, a 
native of New York. Of this marriage there 
have been five children— Laura Sarah, Bertha 
Serene, Pearlie Ellen, Hattie W. (deceased) and 
Edward W. 

P. C. PARKER, contractor and bridge- 
builder, Medina, This- gentleman was born in 
Hardin County, Ky,, Sept. 6. 1821, and came to 
Ohio with his parents about 1827, They stopped 
about four years in Licking Co,, and then came 
to Bath Township, now in Summit Co, In 
1838 Mr, Parker went to Canandaigua, N. Y„ 
where he workerl for Mr, James Lyon, a mill- 
wright, in which business our subject showed 
an aptness that in three years made him fore- 
man. In 1842, he returned to Ohio, aud fol- 
lowed his business in this vicinity. Sept, 23, 
1847, he married Miss Maria Belhis, a native 
of Vermont, She came to Ohio with her parents, 
who settled in Hinckley Township, Medina Co,, 
in 1833, In 1849. Mr. Parker went to Ken- 
tucky, where he remained two years, during 






^1 



698 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



which time he built the Spring Mills, later the 
location of a battle bv that name, in which 
the rebel Gen. Zollicoffer was killed. He also 
built large mills at Harrodsburg. lu 1851, 
he went to Michigan, where he lived one year. 
He then returned to this vicinity, and took 
charge of a mill he owned. In 18G7, be went 
to Marquette, Mich., where he spent one year 
as overseer on the Government breakwater. In 
1854, he built the covered bridge at Liverpool, 
and from that date forward he began turning 
his attention to that business, and has built 
many of the bridges of Medina, Cuyahoga. 
Summit and Lorain Cos., he building in iron or 
wood, and contracting for the complete job. In 
1S74, he moved to Medina Village, where he 
has since lived. About the year 1853, Mr. 
Parker was employed as an expert by mill- 
owners, fighting a patent known as the Parker 
patent water-wheel. 3Ir. Parker set forth that 
the patent was a detriment, and carried his 
point by his excellent judgment of the princi- 
ples goveruiug the mode of applying the power, 
and, by a skillfully constructeil model, the jury 
were made perfectly acquainted with those prin- 
ciples and the fallacy of the claims of the pat- 
ent. His parents, John and Olive (Foster) 
Parker, were natives of New York. They had 
a famil}' of seventeen children, nine of whom 
are living. 

EDWARD PERKINS, fanner : P. O. Wey- 
mouth ; was born in New Haven Co.. Conn.. 
July 21, 1804. He was brought up on the 
farm. May 11, 1828, he married Miss Deliglit 
Smith, a native of the same county. Shortly 
after his marriage, he began working at car- 
pentering, which he followed until 1833. when 
he moved West to Ohio, stopping one year in 
Portage Co., after which he came to Medina 
Co., and settled in the neighborhood of Wey- 
mouth, and has lived in that vicinit}' since, 
working at carpentering some fifteen years, 
after which he followed farming. June 11. 
1876, he was called to mourn the death of his 
wife. Of their five children, l)Ut two are living, 
viz.: Edward S. and Saraii (). Mr. Perkins 
has served as Township Trustee and Justice of 
the Peace. He has taken an active interest in 
religious matters, and has been a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
for the past fifty \'ears. His parents. Edward 
and Betse}- (Peck) Perkins, were natives of 
New Haven Co., Conn. Tlie business of their 



life was farming. They came west to Ohio 
with their son Edward. They died in Medina 
County, Feb. 11, 1854. and Dec. 10, 1856, re- 
spectively. Of their two children but one is 
living, viz.: Edward. 

HON. E. S. PERKINS, farmer ; P. 0. Wey- 
mouth ; was born in Tallmadge, Summit Co., 
Ohio, Juh" 7, 1833. The following year his 
parents settled near Weymouth, iu Medina Co. 
K. S. was raised on the farm and lived with his 
parents until Aug. 3, 1856, when he married 
Miss Clara A. Stoaks. a native of Steuben Co., 
N. Y., and came to Medina Co, with her parents 
iu 1844, Shortly after his marriage, he moved 
on the old homestead, and has managed the 
place since. He has been a memljer of the 
Board of Education of his district for the past 
fifteen years ; he has also served as Township 
Trustee and Justice of the Peace. In 1875, he 
was elected a Representative, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, of Medina Co., to the State Legis- 
lature, and was re-elected in 1877, During his 
first term he served as a member of the Com- 
mittees on Public Works and Library ; also 
appointed to fill vacancy on that of Finance ; 
and during his second term served on the 
committees of Schools and School Lands, In- 
surance, the Joint Committee on Enrollment, 
of which he was Secretary, and the Select Com- 
mittee of five to codify the school laws. He 
prepared and earnestly supported the bill aim- 
ing to reduce the price of school-books. In 
the spring of 1880, he was a candidate for nom- 
ination for State School Commissioner, but was 
defeated by D, B. De Wolf the present incum- 
bent, the vote standing 203i to 209^, By his 
marriage, there have been nine children, of whom 
eight are living — E. A,, foreman for King Irou 
Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio ; Mary D,, 
Adaline H., James S., Bessie L,, Willie L,, Ru- 
h\e E. and Morton 0. All except E. A. live at 
home. 

0. P. PHILLIPS, farmer; P. O. Medina; 
was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Dee, 22, 1829. 
His father was a stonemason, and came to Hu- 
ron Co.. Ohio, in 1831, their location being in- 
cludi'd in the portion set oft' for Erie Co, In 
1840, they came to Medina Co, and kept hotel 
at what was known as Wilson's, now Morse's 
Corners, in Westfield Township, Two years 
later, they moved to La Fayette Township and 
located on a 20-acre tract. In 1848,0, P, went 
back to Ontario Co,, N, Y,, where he worked 



'A 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



699 



on the farm and taught school. In 1854, he 
came back to the old home in La Faj'ette 
Township, which he had bought of the heirs, 
his father having died in the fall of 1844. In 
1859, Mr. Phillips sold his place and bought 
another in the southern part of the township, 
where he lived until 1873. In 18G3, he served 
as Captain of Co. D, 0. N. G. ; they were called 
into service, and became Co. D, IGGth 0. V. I. 
They served four months. In the fall of 1872, 
he was elected Sheritt" and served one term. 
In 1873, he bought and occupied his present 
place. April 15, 1855, he married Miss Sarah 
S. Case, a native of Ontario Co., N. Y. ; of their 
seven children, six are living — Fremont 0., 
Frank 0., Fred 0., Elery 0., Mary L. and Em- 
ma L. ; J. E. died. Mr. Phillips' parents, Dan- 
iel and Achsah (Simmons) Phillips, were natives 
of Vermont and Massachusetts ; they were of 
Scotch and English descent ; thej- died in La 
Fayette Township, he in 1844, and she in 1848. 
Of their ten children, five are living, viz., Mrs. 
Silence S. White, of Xorwalk, Ohio ; Mrs. 
Amanda Badger, La Faj'ette Township ; Mrs. 
Lydia J. Foskett, of Butler Co., Kan. ; Mrs. 
Theresa A. Brooks. San Antonio, Texas, and 
0. P., here in Medina. The latter's grandfather, 
Zebelin Phillips, was a native of Vermont, and 
served for seven years in the Revolutionarj' 
War. 

C. E. PARMELEE, Sheriff, Medina; was 
born in Liverpool. Medina Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 
1843. His father was engaged in the manu- 
facture of woolens, he conducting the woolen- 
mill in Liverpool, also the flour and grist mill. 
Young Parmelee early began to assist in his 
father's woolen-mill, working in the summers 
and attending school during the winters until 
he became of age. He tiien attended two terms 
at the Commercial College of Oberlin, and, re- 
turning home, took charge of the carding and 
spinning room in his father's mills. In 1874, 
he was elected Justice of the Peace, and, in 
1877, he resigned the office, taking his seat as 
Sheriff, to which office he was elected in the fall 
of 187G, and was re-elected in the fall of 1878. 
After his election in 187(3, he moved to Medina, 
where he has since lived. Feb. 19, 18G8, he 
I married Miss Nellie A. Adams ; she was born 
I in Columbia. Lorain Co., Ohio. They have two 
; children, vie., Edith F. and Albertine A. 

DANIEL B. PRATT, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; 
was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y.. on the 26th of 



June, 1810, on a farm where he was brought 
up, and lived until about the }'ear 1840, with 
the exception of three years he spent on canal 
(boating). In 1840, he moved to Lorain Co., 
Ohio, and bought some wild land in connection 
with his brother Benjamin. Thej' put up a log 
cabin and kept " bachelor's hall," clearing the 
land they had liought, which amounted to about 
120 acres. He was married on the 21st of 
October, 1841, to Miss Fannie H. Herrick, a 
native of Jefferson Co., N. Y.,but had removed 
with her father's family to Lorain Co. in 18:i5. 
The fruit of this union was five children, four 
of whom are living, viz.. Jay D., Marian T., 
Charles VV. and Henry 0. After his marriage 
Mr. Pratt and his brother divided the land they 
had bought and cleared ; the former occupied 
his portion until the spring of 1871, he then 
traded his place there, which had increased to 
152 acres, for the place he now resides on, two 
miles northeast of Medina, and upon which he 
has since resided. His present place originallj' 
contained 225 acres, but he has sold oft' portions 
to his .sons, retaining for himself 131 acres. 
Jaj- D. and Charles W. are married, and farm- 
ing small tracts purchased from their father. 
Jay D. was born in Lorain Co., and lived at 
home until his marriage Dec. 30, 18G8, to Miss 
Achsah Hamilton, a native of Medina Co. 
They have four children — Elzy, Etta, Adda and 
Harry. Charles W. was also born in Lorain 
Co., and lived at home until his marriage, Feb. 
20, 1879, to Miss IMiuerva Clark, of Lorain Co. 
Mr. Pratt was formerly a Whig, and is now a 
Republican in politics. He has been a member 
of the Congregational Church for twenty-three 
years, and his wife a member for eighteen 
years. 

Cr. W REINHARDT, bakery and restaurant. 
Medina ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Aug. 
25, 1850, and lived on the farm for fifteen years. 
He then apprenticed to the baker's trade with 
J. F. Redd, of Loudon ville, for two years, and 
worked with him one year thereafter ; and next 
worked one year iu Ashland and two years in 
Seville. After which, he and his brother B. 0., 
bought the bakei-y business of H. A. Thayer, in 
Medina. They did business under the firm style 
of Reinhardt Bi-os. for one year, after which Mr. 
Gr. W. Reinhardt conducted the business alone. 
He was doing business in the old p]mpire 
Block, which was destroyed by fire in February. 
1877, his loss amounting to $500 or $600 over 



•<^ s- 



A± 



L>^ 



TOO 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and above his insurance. After the fire, he oc- 
cupied a room in the American House, where 
he did business until April, 1880, when he 
moved into his present brick business stand. 
Aug. 19, 1874, he married Miss Catharine Gross, 
a native of Germany ; she came to the United 
States with her parents while in her infancy ; 
her folks settled in Ashland Co., Ohio. She 
was married in Wooster. Of the four children 
born to the marriasje, two are living — Ethel and 
Edith, born Sept. '"18, 1880; Grade May and 
Harrv G. died. 

A. I. ROOT, apiarian, Medina ; was born on 
his father's farm, near ^ledina. Ohio, in the 
year 1840. His early life was spent at home 
and attending school. In 1860. he engaged in 
the manufacture of silver watch-chains, rings, 
charms, etc.. hiring a skilled workman from the 
East, who instructed him in the trade. The 
business was successful, and grew to employ 
from twelve to twenty men. who used about 
two hundred silver dollars per week in the man- 
ufacture of goods, which were shipped far and 
near. The business flourished most during the 
war, after which it was gradually curtailed, and 
made to give place to bee culture, a subject 
Mr. Root first became interested in in ISci."). 
He secured a swarm and began to study the 
best modes of culture, and. though he met 
many discouraging circumstances, he was, by 
his energy and perseverance, led to success. 
and now stands at the head of his profession. 
In 1860, Mr. Root was married to Miss Susan 
Hall, a native of England. She came to this 
count}- when she was but 8 years of age. They 
have four children, viz.. Earnest, born in 186.; ; 
Maud, in 1864; Constance, in 1872: and Car- 
rie, in 1877. 

JOHN A. RETTIG. retired. .Medina; was 
born in Reichenbach. Germany. ^larch 9, 1816, 
and lived there until 14 years of age. when he 
came with his parents to the United States and 
settled in Frederick City. Md.. remaining there 
about two j"ears, and then removed to Wash- 
ington. Penn. Here John A. learned the sad- 
dle and harness making business. In 1836, he 
traveled, working as journeyman, visiting Ken- 
tucky, and. in 1841, came to Medina Co. and 
worked at his trade in Seville ; later, worked 
at Wadsworth. In 1842. he came to Mi'dina 
and opened a saddle and harness shop, a busi- 
ness he conducted for twenty-two years, when 
he sold out to Messrs. Renz & Brenner. In 



1863, he became mail agent from Cleveland to 
Cincinnati, but, from illness, resigned the posi- 
tion after a few months. He also became Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue the same j'ear (tiien 
14th District of Ohio), and continued the same 
four 3-ears. In 1 870. he served as Assistant 
Marshal in La Fajette, Medina, York and 
Litchfield Townships. He was married, Jan. 1, 
1843, to Miss Caroline Case, a native of Roch- 
ester. X. Y., and came to Ohio with her parents 
about 1832. Since selling out his business, 
Mr. Rettig has not been actixeh' engaged in 
business. His father, John Philip Rettig, was 
born near Frankfort-on-the-Main. Germany, 
Aug. 7, 1788, and died in Medina March 22. 
1875. He married in 1811, and cameto Amer 
ica in 1830, settling in Medina iu 1846. He 
lived with his son, John A.; was a member of 
the Lutheran Church, and was much respected. 
His wife was Miss Ann Elizabetli Traeht. and 
was born in Germanv Nov. 21, 1787 ; was mar- 
ried May IG, 1811. "^and died Sept. 23, 1876. 
They had four children, two of whom are liv- 
ing — John A. (the subject) and John, who lives 
iu Evansville. lud. 

SAMUEL SCOTT, wool-buyer and auction- 
eer. Medina ; is a native of Pennsylvania. He 
was born in ^A'ashington Co. Feb. 28, 1827. and 
is the third child of a family of eight children 
born to Alexander and Sarah (Motfet) Scott. 
They were natives of Pennsylvania. He was a 
wagon-maker by trade. In 1831, they moved 
to Wayne Co., Ohio, where the\- followed form- 
ing until their death, in 1845 and 1846 respect- 
ively. Our subject lived at home until the 
death of his parents. He then apprenticed 
to the carpenters trade, serving for three 
\'ears. after which he did journeyman's work for 
about two years, when he began work at mill- 
wrighting. at whicli he worked several years, 
during which time he came to Medina Co., and 
Jan. 25, 1853, he married Miss Adaline Tru- 
man, a native of Medina Co.. Ohio. She died 
Oct. 8. 1856. They had no children. April 
20. 1857, he married Mrs. Spitzer, formed}- 
Miss Melissa Perkins, a native of New York. 
They have two children — Etta A., now Mrs. 
Richardson, of Ashtabula. Ohio, and Elmer J. 
Mr. Scott worked at his trade in La Fa}ette 
Township until 1860. They then came to Me- 
dina, and, soon after, began buying wool, which 
he has followed ever since. He also has auc- 
tioneered from the time he apprenticed to car- 



r?o 



r 



^.1 



d^ 



MEDINA TOWNSHTP. 



701 



pentering. In March, 1867, he bought and oc- 
cupied his present place, located on the north 
side of Medina. In 1875, Mr. iScott was elected 
Siieriff of Medina Co.. and served for two 
years. His majority was seventy-two, and he 
was the first Democrat elected to the ollice 
since before the war. 

J. H. SEDGWICK, farmer ; V. O. Wey- 
mouth ; is the second child of a family of three 
children born to Hiram and Ehnira S. (Merri- 
man) Sedgwick. These parents were natives of 
Connecticut, where they were married and all 
their children born. In 1881, the family moved 
to Monroe Co., N. Y., where they farmed for 
four j-ears. They then came to Medina Co., 
Ohio, and settled in the vicinity of AVeymouth, 
where, in January, 1875, Mr. Hiram Sedgwick 
died. His wife is yet living with her grand-daugh- 
ter at Weymouth. Our subject was born in Con- 
necticut Jan. !1, 1827, and lived with his parents 
twenty-two years. Jan. 6, 1848, he married 
Miss Louisa E. Francis, a native of Granger 
Township, Medina Co., Ohio. After his mar- 
riage, he farmed his father-in-law's place for 
ten years. He then came to his present place, 
located one mile from Weymouth, and has 
lived there since. He has served in the otlice 
of Township Trustee, and, in 1870, he was 
elected Justice of the Peace, and held the office 
for nine j'ears. He was drafted during the 
war, but furnished a substitute. By this mar- 
riage, there have been born four children — Will- 
iam F. (married, and lives in Weymouth), Lucy 
R. (now Mrs. Stoddard, of York Township), 
Pearl L. and Albert L. (live at home). Mrs. 
Sedgwick's parents, Rhodes and Hannah (Tay- 
lor) Francis, were natives of Ontario Co., N. Y. 
They were born Dec. 12, 1800. and Feb. 10, 
1802. and married Sept. 7, 1826. in New York. 
They came to Granger Township, Medina Co., 
Ohio, the year they were married, and followed 
farming there until their deaths, Feb. 14, 1837. 
and Feb. 7, 1838. Of their two children, Mrs! 
Sedgwick alone survives. 

W. F. SIPHER, brick manufacturer. Me- 
dina ; is a native of Wurtemberg, tiermany ; 
he was born in Esslingen Sept. 7, 1833. He 
early learned the shoemaker's trade in his 
father's shop, and, in 1848, in compan}- with 
his brother Christian (aged 16). came to the 
United States ; they entered at New York, and 
the following spring came to Medina via Buf- 
falo and Cleveland, thej- having relatives in 



Liverpool Township. W. F. worked as jour- 
neyman at his trade in Medina until 1853. He 
then, in partnership with Mr. B. Morse, opened 
a shop — firm Sipher & Jlorse ; they continued 
nearly one year, when Mr. Sipher sold out, and 
worked as jour some three years. He then 
opened a shop and conducted the same until 
1873, when he closed out and engaged in the 
majuifacture of brick, in which he employs 
about seven men, they turning out over one- 
half million brick per annum. In the fall of 

1863, he joined a company of National (Juards, 
who were called into active service in Mav. 

1864. they forming Co. E, IGOth 0. \. L. and 
served until September following, Mr. Sipher 
being chief musician in the regiment. In 1871. 
he was elected Corporation Treasiu'er, and has 
been re-elected each term since. Aug. 1. 1853, 
he was married to Miss Jane L. Gile. She was 
born in 5Iassachusetts. and came to Medina 
Co. with her parents about the year 1 839 ; by 
this marriage there are six children, viz.. Clara 
B., Carl A.' William H., Newel J., Mary and 
John A. Carl A. is married, and in the em- 
ploy of Messrs. Morgan, Root & Co., wholesale 
dry goods, Cleveland. William H. bought the 
grocery business of E. D. Munu, in Medina, 
and has conducted same since 1878. 

E. E. SHEPARD, drv goods, Jledina ; was 
born in Franklin Co., "Vt., Nov. 9. 1834. At 
the age of 15, he engaged as clerk in the dry 
goods business in St. Albans, \t., since which 
time he has been identified with the trade. In 
1852, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and clerked 
five years with Lewis & Burton, after which he 
formed the partnership of Lewis & Shepard. 
In 1860, he came to Medina, and lived here 
two years, moving to Akron, where he re- 
mained until 1877, when he again came to 
Medina. Nov. 9, 1863, he married Jliss Hattie 
Chidester; she was born in Medina. Ohio. 
They have three children — Sarah B., Jessie P. 
and Hattie. 

R. S. SHEPARD, dry goods, crockery, glass- 
ware, wall-paper, floor oil-cloths, etc., Medina ; 
is a native of Vermont. He was born in 
Franklin Co. April 1. 1837. His early life was 
spent on the farm, and his schooling was con- 
fined to those of his district. On becoming of 
age, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged 
as clerk w-ith Lewis & Shepard, doing a dry- 
goods business, and from this time thereafter 
he has been identified with that trade. About 



J^ 



702 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



1872. lie engaged iu the business in ^lediua, iu 
partnership with C. J. Warner, the firm War- 
ner & Shepard continuing about sis 3'ears; he 
then withdrew, and. upon the completion of the 
Barnard Block, he occupied the corner room, 
where he has done business since. He married 
Miss Hattie Loring ; she is a native of Ohio. 
Tho\- have one child — Carrie E. 

P. H. SHAW, proprietor T^nion Hotel, Me- 
dina ; was born in Dunville, Canada East, Feb. 
2, 1818, and is the oldest of a family of ten 
children born to H. I), and Lucy (Burbank) 
Shaw. They vvere born in New Hampshire, and 
were married in Canada, whither they moved 
with their parents when young. The business 
of their life was farming. In 1848. they moved 
to Wayne Co., Ohio, and returned to Canada 
some years hiter, where they resided until their , 
deaths. D. H. lived at home until he was 20 
years of age. He then moved with a family bj' 
the name of Parsons to Wayne Co.. Ohio. 
While in Canada, he learned the boot and shoe 
making trade, and followed the same in Wayne 
Co. for eigiiteen years. In 1850, he moved to 
Lodi. Medina Co., and worked at his trade there 
for eight years. He then kept hotel there for 
three years, when lie occupied a farm he had 
bought in Litchfield Township, and the follow- 
ing year he moved to >Icdina, buying the Union 
Hotel, which he has conducted since. In 1877, 
he built a large, new house, which has greatly 
increased his facilities for doing business, 

THO.MAS SHAW, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. jMedina ; was born on his father's farm in 
St, Lawrence Co., N, Y,, July 22, 1833, and is 
the fourth in a family of nine children born to 
William and Hannah (Peacock) Shaw, who were 
natives of England. They were married there, 
and came with two children to the United States 
about the vear 1829, settling as above in St, 
Lawrence Co., where the\- lived until 1834, when 
they came to Ohio, and settled in the woods in 
York Township. Medina Co. They bought wild 
land, and cleared and improved. a farm out of 
it. upon which they lived eighteen years, when 
they sold out ; bought and ociaipied a farm one 
mile south of Medina, upon which they lived 
until the death of Mr, Shaw, Sept, 2," 1869, 
Mrs, Shaw then moved to the town of Medina, 
where she lived until her death, Nov. 26, 1880, 
Thomas (the subject), lived with his parents 
until his marriage, Oct, 26, 1866, to Miss Mar- 
tha A, Abbott, a native of Montville Township, 



Medina Co., and was the youngest of a family 
of three children, born to Leverett and Adaline 
(Lyman) Abbott, They were natives of New 
York and Connecticut, and came to Medina Co, 
at an early daj-, and followed farming until 
their death. He died Feb. 8, 1878, and she 
died in November, 1861. Mr. Shaw has two 
children — Willis L. and Addie May. He has 
100 acres of land, well improved, principally 
the result of his own laljor and energy. Mr. 
Shaw is a Democrat. 

ANDREW S. WALKER, farmer ; P, 0. Me- 
dina ; was born in Dalton, Mass., Feb. 1. 1820, 
and is the oldest son of Seth S. and Hannah 
(Curtis) Walker. He remained at home until 
he became of age, when he went to Mellville, 
N. Y., where he attended school for about two 
years. He then entered Oberliu College, Ohio, 
remaining about eight months, after which he 
went to Michigan and apprenticed himself to 
the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he fol- 
lowed there for about twenty-nine years. He 
was married. Jan, 1, 1849, to Miss Olive A. 
Crandall, a native of Wayne Co., N. Y, For 
ten j-ears they made their home in Adrian, 
Mich., where he followed his trade. He tlien 
removed to Hudson, Mich,, where he opened a 
meat market, which business he continued ten 
years. He then removed to Toledo, where he 
worked at his trade, and also did some butch- 
ering. In 1878, he came to the old homestead, 
and has managed the same ever since. His 
marriage was productive of four children, of 
whom three are living — Elmer D, and Cass B. 
both live in Toledo ; Zula B. lives at home. 
Mr. Walker has alwavs been a Democrat. 

SETH S. WALKER, retired, Medina; was 
born in New Salem. Hampshire Co.. Mass.. Sept. 
2, 1794. He was bound out on the tarm until 
he was 18 years old. In 1814, he enlisted un- 
der Capt. Leonard, in 40th Regt. •■ Sea Fenci- 
bles," and served until the close of the war, in 
the early part of 1815, He then engaged at 
SI 4 per month to a bnck-maker for the sum- 
mer. The next year he went to Dalton and en- 
gaged in ijurning kilns at various points, which 
business he followed for nineteen years. He 
also made brick for himself at Dalton, Mass. 
In 1835, he came to Ohio and settled on his 
present place. He came by team via .Michigan, 
and was forty odd days on the road. Bought 
land from a party who had some improvements, 
and has lived on it ever since. While a citizen 






i y 



A 



t^ 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



703 



of DaltOD, Mass., he joined a militia companj-, 
of which he was made drummer, and was pro- 
moted step by step until he became Captain of 
the company. Jul}' 14, 1817, he was married 
to Miss Hannah Curtis, a native of Massachu- 
setts. Eight children was the result of this 
marriage, all of whom are still living — Andrew 
S., lives on the old homestead ; Washington, 
lives in Lorain Co.; Seth 8., Jr., lives in Lena- 
wee Co., Mich. ; George, lives adjoining the 
homestead ; William, lives in Medina Township; 
Harriet, now Jlrs. Knapp, lives at Hudson, 
Mich.; Martha C, now Mrs. Buck, lives at 
Adrian. Mich.; Mary, now Mrs. Vandorne, lives 
at Hadley, Mich. Mr. Walker and his good 
wife, after a long life of toil and care, are spend- 
ing the evening of their da3's on the old home- 
stead with their son Andrew, who kindly cares 
for them in their declining years. The old gen- 
tleman has been a life-long Democrat, and cast 
his first Presidential vote for James 3Ionroe, 
whose signature was on his land warrant, re- 
ceived for services in the war of 1812. Jesse 
Walker, his father, was one of four brothers 
who emigrated to America in an early day. 
They all served in the Revolutionary war, 
and all were slain but Jesse. The subject, Capt. 
Seth S., served in the war of 1812, as already 
noted, from which he was honorably discharged. 
July 9, 18G7, he and his wife celebrated their 
golden wedding, at which were gathered chil- 
dren and grandchildren to the number of thirty- 
six, together with numerous friends. It was 
the first golden wedding in Medina, and the 
Rev. Mr. Shanks renewed the matrimonial bonds 
of the aged couple, and closed the ceremonies 
by an appropriate prayer. 

"WILLIAM WITTER, farmer; P. 0, Me- 
dina ; was born on his father's farm in Granger 
Township, Medina Co., Oliio, April 26, 1837. 
He is the second of a family" of ten children 
born to William H. and Catharine Randall 
Witter, mentioned elsewhere in this work. Our 
subject lived at home until he became of age. 
After which ho worked on the farm summers 
and taught school winters. He also acted for 
a number of years as agent for some agricultural 
implements, and also was general agent for a 
book entitled •■ Randall's Travels in the H0I3' 
Land." Nov. 2-1, 1864. he married Sarah M. 
Huntley, a native of Sharon Township, Medina 
Co., Ohio. After his marriage, he began farm- 
ing his farm, which he had previously bought. 



In 1868, in company with Mr. G. P. Huntley, 
he engaged in the jewelry business at Clyde, 
Ohio, where he remained until the following 
spring, when he returned to his farm, which is 
located about three miles east of Medina. ^Ir. 
Witter has served as Assessor for two terms ; 
he has also been Township Trustee for several 
terms. His property consists of 103 acres, 
which he has earned principally by his own 
labor. By the marriage, there ha\e been five 
children — Alicia E., William P., Frances M.. 
Harrv S. and Ezra W. 

B. H. WOOD, of B. H. Wood & Co.. lumber, 
coal, wool and produce, Jledina ; was born in 
Worcester, Mass., Feb. 19, 1828, and lived there 
about thirteen 3ears. The family then moved 
to Terre Haute. Ind., where they remained one 
year. Thej' then moved to Richfield, in Sum- 
mit Co., Ohio, where his father conducted a 
mercantile business. B. H. assisted in the 
business, and, in 1844, became a partner of the 
firm of B. Wood & Son. Shortly after the war. 
Mr. B. AVood withdrew, and B. H. conducted 
the business until 1872. when he sold out and 
came to Medina, where, in company with his 
son, H. O. Wood, he established the present 
business, under the firm name of B. H. Wood 
& Co. In May. 1848, he married :\Iiss C. M. 
Oviatt. a native of Vincennes, Ind. 

H. O. WOOD, of B. H. Wood & Co., lumber, 
coal, wool and produce, Medina ; was born in 
Greencastle, Ind.. March 29, 1853. He early 
began in mercantile [jursuits, assisting in the 
store. Upon coming to Medina in 1872. he l)e- 
came a partner in the firm of B. H. Wood & Co. 
In the fall of 1875, he went to Brazil, South 
America, where he remained about one year, 
during which time he owned and worked a dia- 
mond mine about 800 miles inland from Rio De 
Janeiro, in which business he was fairly suc- 
sessful, but which he abandoned in consequence 
of the floods, characteristic of that region dur- 
ing the wet season. He left his mine in Novem- 
ber, and arrived in Medina, Ohio, in March fol- 
lowing. May 29, 1878, he married Miss Hen- 
rietta Orrok, who was born in New York City. 
They have one child — Walter. 

S? B. WOODWARD, lawyer, .Medina ; was 
born on a farm in Summit Co,, Ohio, Oct. 26, 
1820. His father died in September of the same 
3'ear. The following year, he and his mother 
came to Medina Co., living with his grandfather 
in Granger Township. In 1859. Mr. Woodward 



4 



^ 



704 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



^ 



came to ^ledina and read law witli Messrs. Hills 
and Prentis, and during the same ^-ear he was 
admitted a member of the bar, he having pre- 
viously read at home from the time he became 
of age. Soon after being admitted, he became 
a partner with the Hon. H. (1. Blalie, and con- 
tinued with him through several firm styles until 
187ii. when Mr. Blalie died. After which, the 
firm of Woodward ct Licey was formed, and 
later. Mr. Joseph Andrew became a member of 
the tirm — Woodward, Andrew & Licey. The 
latter withdrawing in 1 870, the firm style became 
Woodward & Andrew, they continuing at the 
present time. In ISlil, Mr. Woodward was 
elected Prosecuting Attorney for the county, 
and was re-elected in 1863. and again elected to 
the same position in 1879. He has also served 
as Mayor of Medina. In 1849. he married Miss 
Mary F. Swan : she was born in Canada, and 
came to Sharon Township. Medina Co., when 
young. Her parents. Silas and .Sallie (Bur- 
roughs) Swan, were natives of New Hampshire. 
Mr. Woodward's parents. Stephen and Abigail 
(Hills) Woodward, were natives of Vermont 
and New York. They were married in (i ranger 
Township, Medina Co., in November. 1819. and 
were probably the first couple married in that 
township. He died in Portage Co.. Ohio. Mrs. 
Aliigail (Hills) Woodward died in ^Medina Co., 
in 185(). Thev had but one child — S. B. 

A. R. WHITESIDE, stationery, books, wall 
paper and notions. Medina ; is a native of Penn- 
sylvania. He was liorn on a farm in Chester 
Co. Feb. 28. 1818. and soon after, his parents 
moved toJetferson Co.. ( )hio, where they farmed 
for twelve years. In 18IJ0, tiiey moved to Guil- 
ford Township. Medina Co.. ()hio. making the 
trip Ijy team in five daj's. They bought 73 acres 
near Seville and occupied same. In 1838, our 
subject apprenticed to the carpenter and join- 
er's trade, and served two years ; he then 
worked about one year at his trade, when he 
entered the Western Reserve College, at Hud- 
son, and remained tliere for three years, after 
which he read medicine with Dr. Witter, of 
Seville, for two years. He then concluded to 
discontinue his study of medicine, and began 
working at his trade. In 1851, he and his 
brother James engaged in tiie caliinet business, 
and later. Mr. David Jolnison became a member 
of the firm, Whiteside & Johnson. Dec. 24, 
1859. >L-. Wliiteside met with an accident in his 
mill, from which he lost his arm. In the fall of 



18G2, he was elected Auditor, and served two 
terms. Upon his election, he moved to Medina, 
where he has since lived. June 24, 1845. he 
married Mrs. JIarks, formerly Miss Mary 
3IcCurdy ; she was born in Pennsylvania, They 
had two children, viz.. Thomas A., now clerking 
in his father's store, and Mary E., now Rev. Mrs. 
Kerr, living in Logan Co.. ()hio. Mrs. White- 
side had tliree children by her former marriage, 
of whom but one is living — Samuel J. Marks, 
living in Doylestowu. Oliio ; of the two de- 
ceased, William I. served in the 8th 0. V. I. 
until his death at the battle of Antietam. Mr. 
Whiteside's parents, Thomas and Mrs. Ann Rus- 
sell (Neil) Whiteside, were natives of Chester 
Co., Penn. ; they died in Seville in March, 1864 ; 
of their eight children, but two are living — A. 
R. and "William ; the latter lives in Wabash, Ind. 
Mrs. Thomas Whiteside had one child by her 
former marriage — Jane Neil. 

PHILIP WARREN, proprietor American 
House. Medina ; was born in Berkshire Co., 
England, in April, 1828. and is the son of 
Edward anil Mirah Warren. Thej- came 
to the United States about the year 183C. 
They settled in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where our 
subject lix'ed the greater part of his time until 
1868. -when he came to .Medina and bought the 
American House, which he conducted until 
1875. He then sold out and moved to Colling- 
wood, where he built the hotel known as the 
Warren House, and conducted the same until 
1878. He then sold out and returned to Me- 
dina, bu3'ing back his former property (the 
American House), and has conducted the same 
since. In connection with the house is a first- 
class livery. A free omnibus attends all trains, 
and the house enjoys a full share of the pat- 
ronage of the travelins; public. 

W. H. WITTER, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; 
whose portrait appears in this work, is a son 
of William and Beulah (Carter) Witter ; they 
were natives of Connecticut, and, marrying, 
moved in 1818, to Ontario Co.. N. Y.. where 
Mrs. Witter died. Four children were born of 
this union, two of whom, W. H. and Warren 
B.. are livir.g. Mr. Witter married, for his sec- 
ond wife. Miss Annis Pickett, a native of Con- 
necticut, who is still living, at the age of 84, on 
the old homestead in New York, with her step- 
son, \\ arren B. Of this second marriage, two 
cliildren were born — Rebecca and Beulah. Tlie 
subject of this sketch was born in Connecticut 



4* 



MEDINA TOWNSHIP. 



705 



Jau. 20, 1811; moved with the famil}- to New 
York, and remained there until the age of 26. 
In 1887, he moved to Ohio, settling in Granger 
Townsliip, in Medina Co. The journey was 
made by team, consuming fourteen days on the 
way. Here he bought 50 acres, built a good 
frame house and barn, and worked the place 
for some eight j'ears. He then sold out and 
bought 140 acres in Montville Township, where 
he lived until the spring of 1878, when he 
moved into the village of Medina. Dec. 16, 
1832, he married Miss Catharine Randall, a na- 
tive of New London Co.. Conn., being born Jan. 
16, 1815. Ten children have been born to 
them, seven of whom are living — Edwin R., 
lives in Polk Co., Iowa, a farmer; William, 
lives in ^Medina Co., Ohio ; David A., lives in 
Montville Township ; Sarah S., now Mrs. Hill, 
lives in Montville Township ; Henrj* W'.. lives 
in Montville Township ; Esther E., now Mrs. 
Collins, Hves in Wood Co., Ohio ; Cora B., now 
Mrs. Cole, lives in La Fayette Township. Mrs. 
Witter's parents, James (born in 1778) and 
Joaua (born in 1780) (Pembertou) Randall, 
were natives of Connecticut. He was a black- 
smith by trade, a business he followed until 
late in life. In 1815, he moved with his family 
to New York State, and, in 1840, they came to 
Ohio, settling in Granger Township, in this 
count}'. After following the Inisiness of farming 
here for a numljer of years, they moved to Rich- 
field, Summit Co., Ohio, where Mr. Randall died, 
March 12. 1849, and his wife Aug. 8, 1854. 
Four out of seven children born to them are 
living — Pemberton, living in La Fayette Town- 
ship ; Delano P., living in Sharon Township ; 
David A., living in Cleveland, Ohio ; Catharine, 
now Mrs. Witter, in Medina village. 



FRANK YOUNG, physician, Weymouth; 
is the oldest of a family of four children born 
to Robert and Abigail (Reese) Young ; was 
born on his father's farm in Granger Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1843, where he lived 
for seventeen years, when he went to Illinois, 
and worked on a farm about six months, and 
thence he went to Michigan, where he lived 
about one year. -Vug. 11, 1862, he enlisted for 
three 3^ears in the 25th Mich. V. I., and served 
until the close of the war. He was with his 
regiment in the siege of Knoxville, battle of 
Resaca. Burnt Hickory-, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek. Dalton, Atlanta campaign, 
Nashville, Wilmington, N. C, Raleigh, and the 
surrender of Joe Johnston's armj* ; in all, he 
was in twenty-two regular engagements. He 
was discharged at Jackson. Mich., after which 
he came home. Feb. 22, 1866, he married Miss 
Hattie Lendsay, a native of Summit Co., Ohio. 
After his marriage, he l)ought and farmed a 
place near the old homestead. In 1869, he 
took a course in the Cleveland Medical College, 
graduating in 1872 ; after which, he began the 
I practice in his present place. Bj- his marriage, 
there have been two children, of whom one is 
living — Sadie J. Mrs. Young's parents, James 
and Sarah W. (Woodley) Lendsay. were natives 
of Vermont and Pennsylvania ; he came to 
Summit Co.. Ohio, in the year 1818, and she 
came to Granger Township about 1839. Her 
parents, George and Sarah ((xreen) Woodlej', 
were natives of Pennsylvania ; he died in 
(iranger Township, ^Medina Co., Ohio, in 1852 ; 
she died in Weymouth, aliout 1872. Of seven 
children, five are living, but one of whom (Mrs. 
Lendsaj') is living in this county. Mr. James 
Lendsay died in 1857. There was but one child 
1 bv the marriage, viz.. Hattie. now Mrs. Young. 




r?T^ 



- r — ♦- 



706 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP. 



DR. GEORGE A. BABBITT, physiciau aud 
surgeon. Western Star ; received bis first in- 
struction in the common schools of Bethel, 
Windsor Co., Vt.the place of iiis nativity-, after- 
ward attending the West Randolph Academy-, 
spending his vacations in assisting with the 
farm-work and learning the business connected 
with a printing office, becoming quite proficient, 
in a short time, as a typo. lie was born Dec. 
30, 1S52. His ancestors were of that good old 
New England stock of English-Scotch descent. 
His parents. Simeon C. and Emily K. (McKin- 
strej') Babbitt, were also natives of Bethel. Vt. 
At about the age of 2fl years. George began the 
study of medicine, in West Randolph, witli Dr. 
C. L. Stewart, with whom he remained one 
year ; then attended one term of lectures at 
Dartmouth College ; then entered the Long 
Island College Hospital at Brooklyn, X. Y., 
from which place he graduated in June, 1875, 
receiving the appointment immediately of Resi- 
dent Surgeon, which position he occupied for 
one year, treating, during that time, about 
twent}' thousand cases. From Brooklyn, he 
went to Los Angeles. Cal.. where he engaged in 
the practice of medicine for some months with 
a young medical friend ; Init, on account of poor 
health, was compelled to seek a different cli- 
mate. After visiting for a time in Xortheast- 
ern Ohio, he came to his present location at 
Western Star in October, 1877, where he has 
established himself in an extensive practice. 
He is a member of the Summit County Medical 
Association, also of the Northeastern Ohio. He 
is a stanch Republican, at present holding an 
important office in the village, with the respect 
and a;ood wishes of a large circle of friends, 

A.^M. BECK, of A. C. Beck & Son. boot, shoe 
and leather store. Wadsworth ; was born June 
3, 1843, in Wadsworth : is a son of A. C. and 
Mary (Miller) Beck, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania, the latter a native of Wadsworth. 
His father came to this place about the year 
1842, and engaged in the tanning and curr3ing 
business, in which he continued until about the 
year 18C2, when he engaged in the boot, shoe 
and leather business, in a small frame building 



on Main street, north of where their large and 
commodious l)uilding now stands, in which 
the}' are now transacting business. They built 
and moved into their present room in 1870. 
The subject of this sketch attended school in 
Wadsworth until he was about 18 years of age, 
when he enlisted in Company I, 2d 0. V. C., 
in which he served two and one-half years, 
then was transferred to the 103d 0. Y. I., in 
which he served until his discharge. -\ug. 20, 
1864, after having served faithfully his term, 
with the exception of one month, in all parts of 
the invaded country. He was married in 
March, 1877, to Miss Jennie Fasig. daughter 
of John Fasig. of West Salem ; there have 
been no children. Mr. Beck has held the office 
of township Clerk, and is now serving his sec- 
ond term as Village Treasurer. He and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

JOHN A. CLARK, publisher. Wadsworth ; 

I was born on the 7th day of January, 1837, in 
Guilford Township, Medina Co., Ohio ; he was 
the oldest son of Aaron Clark, who had married 
Susannah Rigelman. His father died in 1848, 
and his mother is still living. The care of the 
family largely devolved upon him, which, 
with the scanty means possessed by the pio- 
neers of those days, limited his education ; 
Though his passion for reading, and strong de- 
sire to penetrate the m3-steries that present 

' themselves to man, impelled him to acquire, at 
least, the rudiments of a fair education of a 
practical character. At the age of 20 years, 
he attended the Seville Academy, where he 
stood among the first in his classes. For about 
twelve years he taught school during the winter 
season, and labored on the farm during the 
summer. In May. 1860, he married Emily U. 

j Calhum. from which union five children were 
born, three daughters aud two sous, all living. 
In the spring of 1806. the family- moved to 
Wadsworth, where Mr. Clark started the Wads- 
worth Enterprise, a weekly local paper, of 
which he has been the editor ever since. He 
has always been a close student, and active in 
all his efforts. The business grew gradually 



f- 



^^ — ^ 



^ 



WADSWOKTH TOAVNSHIP. 



707 



until 1874, when he purchasod a child's paper, 
which added very largely to his business, and 
for a time he employed thirty hands, and made 
large investments. The hard times Anally 
reached him, and, being unable to realize from 
his investments, the business rapidly fell off, 
and Mr. Clark suffered reverses, though he 
bore them with commendable fortitude during 
the winter of 18(39 and 1870 ; he was employed 
as Principal of the village schools, aud took the 
first steps toward organizing them undei- 
the Union system, with satisfactory results. 
Soon after his arrival in Wadsvvorth, he was 
chosen to the office of Village Clerk, and since 
then has constantly been honored with office of 
some kind — Clerk of village. Clerk of township. 
Councilman and Mayoi' of the village, from 
1872 to 1874, and can point with pride to all 
his official records. The energy and public 
spirit that Mr. Clark has always manifested, 
his devotion to temperance and other moral 
and religious principles, have placed him in the 
advance on those questions ; but, as a matter of 
course, antagonistic interests are arrayed 
against him in all their power. He is also an 
active Republican, aud stands as a conspicuous 
citizen ; he is at present editor of the Enter- 
prise, member of the Village Council, and as a 
Notary Public gives some attention to law and 
conveyancing. 

W. P. CURTIS, druggist, Wadsworth ; was 
born Oct. 26, 1822, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
He is a son of Cyrus and Orra (Lawrence) Cur- 
tis, who moved to the eastern part of this town- 
ship quite early in its settlement, aud engaged 
in farming for a few years. His mother died 
April 19. 182G, when he went to live with an 
intimate friend of hers, who came with the fam- 
ily to this State. He atteudeil the district 
school until about 1(J }'ears of age, and after- 
ward attended the academy- at Sharon, this 
count}', for several terms, then attended the 
academy at Wadsworth for a time, and then 
engaged in teaching for several terms, after 
which he began his mercantile pursuits, clerk- 
ing in Sharon for about ten j-ears, when he 
moved to Seville, where he engaged in the drug 
business, aud lived for about seven years. At 
the expiration of that time, he sold out and 
moved to Wadswortii, where he purchased the 
property in which he is now transacting busi- 
ness. He was married. May 28, 1850, to Ar- 
delia Lyman, daughter of Elijah and Margaret 



-7[-<. 



(Pope) Lj-man, who resided in Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio. By this union, there was born unto them 
one child — Willie Lyman, born Sept. 19, 1861, 
and died Nov. 26, 1871. Mr. Curtis has been 
a prominent and respected citizen of this place 
ever since his removal here. 

D. E. CRANZ, physician, Wadsworth ; was 
born Oct. 31 , 1854 ; is a son of William and Mary 
(Druschal) Cranz. the latter a native of Penn- 
sylvania, the former of rreruian}- — both, how- 
ever, moving to this State in early life, resid- 
ing, after marriage, in Holmes Co. for several 
years, afterward moving to Summit Co., where 
thej' now reside. Dr. Cranz enjoyed the ad- 
vantages of a district school until about 17 
years of age, aud afterward attended Buchtall 
College, at Akron, two years, beginning the 
study of medicine with Dr. Childs, with whom 
he studied four years, graduating, in the mean- 
time, at Hahnemann Medical College. Chicago, 
111., in February, 1877, and locating, March 14, 
1877, in Wadsworth, where he has been prac- 
ticing ever since, being the onlj' homoeopathic 
physician in the place, aud has established a 
large practice. He was married. Feb. 26, 1880, 
to Mary E. Butts, born July 28, 1857, whose 
parents were John and Mary Ann (Leacock) 
Butts, who were natives of Pennsylvania. 
They moved to this county in 1852, and en- 
gaged in hotel-keeping at Wadsworth until 
about 1864, when the mother died. The father 
then went to Ashland, where he engaged in the 
restaurant business. Mrs. Butts embraced the 
opportunity for educating herself, attending the 
Presbyterian Institute at W3-oming, Penu.; 
also, the Wyoming Seminar}', at Kingston, 
Penn. Dr. Cranz is a member of the Reformed 
Church ; his wife, of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Both are consistent Christians, and 
esteemed by their neighbors. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON DAGUE, minister, 
Wadsworth. Dague's Collegiate Institute is 
very pleasantly located in the village of Wads- 
worth. Its grounds consist of about 10 acres 
of land, a part of which is beautifully laid out 
in walks and dri^■es, and ornamented with ever- 
greens aud other trees, and clusters of shrubs 
and flowers. The main building is a massive 
brick, 65x85 feet, three stories liigh above the 
basement, and contains about thirty rooms. 
The first floor is devoted to tiie use of the 
school, for recitation and waiting rooms ; the 
second contains the chapel and family rooms of 



— e 



:^i 



^^H. 



708 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the Principal ; the third is devoted to the use 
of the assistant teachers and boarding students. 
The original cost of the property was about 
§17,000. The total expenses of a student 
boarder in any department, exclusive of books, 
clothing and traveling expenses, are S200. The 
institute was organized in 1876, at Chillicothe. 
Ohio, and graduated its first class in 1877. The 
object of tile institute is threefold: 1. To pre- 
pare young men most thoroughly for admission 
to our l)est colleges. 2. To provide a tliorough 
course of collegiate instruction for young ladies. 
3. To train young men and women wlio may 
not have either the means or inclination to fin- 
ish a collegiate course ; for the various avoca- 
tions of practical life. Tlu; plan of organization 
adopted was that of the leading preparatory 
schools of the East. There being a felt need 
of a first-class institution of this kind in the 
West, a correspondence was opened with about 
twenty of the best Eastern schools for second- 
ary instruction, which resulted in the present or- 
ganization and course of instruction. Its sub- 
sequent history has justified the plan adopted. 
During the first tiu'ee years of its existence, 
though laboring under great disadvantages in 
the way of incommodious grounds and build- 
ings, it attained quite a reputation among the 
best educators of this State, and won for itself 
no low rank among the best of our preparatory 
schools. In 1879, the Institute was removed 
to Wadsworth. where the present elegant 
grounds and buildings were purchased for its 
use by Mr. M. D. Dague. of Doylestown. Ohio, 
giving it facilities which, with an able board of 
instruction, give it a first-class standing among 
the educational institutes of the State. Thomas 
Jeflerson Dague. A. M.. the founder and pres- 
ent Principal, is the second son of M. D. and 
Elizabeth K. (McElheim) Dague. of Doyles- 
town, Ohio. His paternal ancestors were of 
German-English descent. His great grandfatiier 
Dague (or Deg. as it was then spelled) was 
born on the sea while his parents were en route 
from Germanv to America. His grandfather, 
Gabriel Dague (or Dage, as Zip spelletl it), be- 
longed to the pioneers of this region, having 
settled among the first in .Milton Township, 
Wayne Co.. Ohio, along with his two brothers. 
Michael and Frederick. acconii)anied also by 
other relatives, all emigrating from Washington 
Co., Penn. He was a man noted for his sterling 
good sense, and many excellent ipudities of 



mind and heart. In early life, he became a 
member of that branclt of the Baptist Church 
called the Dunkards. in which communion he 
lived a humble, pious life, and dietl a triumph- 
ant death, at the age of about 80 j'ears. His 
wife. Rachel Howe, was a niece of the celebrated 
p]nglish General of that name, who figured so 
conspicuously in the war of the Revolution. 
She was a lady of excellent sense and judg- 
ment, well educated, and of very refined man- 
ners. She was, tlirotigh a long life, a consistent 
member of the Presbyterian Church, and in 
that faith died a triumphant death, at about the 
same age as her huslwxnd, having survived him 
some yeai's. The maternal ancestors of J^rof 
Dague are of Scotch-Irish descent. His grand- 
father, Th(jmas D'Armon McElheim. furnishes 
the Scottish, and his grandmother, Margaret 
Aiken, the Irish, element. These, in their 
younger da3's, came also as pioneers to this re- 
gion, from Center Co,, Penn,, and settled in 
CliippewM Township, Wayne Co. They both 
lived and died ntembers of the Presbyterian 
Church, esteemed and honored by all who knew 
them. Mr. McElheim was a man of more than 
ordinary influence in the communitj* where he 
resided, having held for raanj- 3-ears the office 
of Justice of the Peace in Chippewa Township, 
Both died but a few years ago, at the age of 
more tlian 80 years. The father and mother of 
the subject of this sketch were, respectively, 
the second son and the second daughter of their 
respective parents ; both natives of Pennsylva- 
nia, bur migrated with their parents to this 
State when quite small, were brought up in the 
same neighborhood, and in due time were 
united in marriage by Rev. Varnum Noves. of 
Seville. They are still living, honored citizens 
of Doylestovvn. Ohio. Their second son, the 
subject of tills sketch, was born Dec, 1. 1843, 
in Chipi)ewa Township, AVayne Co,, Ohio, on 
what is known as the Slagle farm. In early 
life, he displayed a fondness for books, being 
averse to farming pursuits, the occupation of 
his father. His first lessons at school were 
taken at the old north schoolhouse, in Wadsworth 
Township, his father having moved to what was 
then known as the Agard farm, about two and 
one-half miles northeast of Wadsworth Village, 
He afterward attended the village school, when 
8 years of age, when his father purchased the 
old Griswold farm, in Norton, ."^umniil Co., Oiiio, 
near Western Star. He there attendecl the 






i±^ 



WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP. 



709 



public school during the winter, his summers 
being spent on the ftirm, until his 18th year, 
when he set out as a teacher, his first school 
being near Arlington, Hancock Co., Ohio, in an 
old log barn, at §22.50 a month without board. 
During this winter, the political troubles of the 
country reached their clima.x, and the war for 
the rjnion broke out. Fired with the enthusi- 
asm ol' the times, he enlisted on the 22d of Au- 
gust following, as a private soldier in Company 
Ct, 12()th 0. V. I., but was taken severely ill at 
Camp Mansfield, and was allowed to return 
home on furlough, where he remained for 
months, just on the verge between life and 
death. In the month of July, 1863. he rejoined 
the regiment in the rear of Vicksburg, arriving 
just the day before the surrender. From this 
time on. he served in the ranks, participating in 
the battles at Jackson, Miss., Snaggy Point, 
La., and Blakely, Ala. He was one of those 
on board the ill-fated steamer City Belle, but 
was fortunate enough to make good his escape ; 
he was then transferred to the 104th 0. V. I., 
and afterward to the -iSth 0. V. V. I., where he 
remained until the expiration of his term of 
service ; he was mustered out on the 14th day 
of October. 18G5. Engaged in business in the 
South until the fall of 1806, when ill-health 
obliged him to return North. During the whole 
of his armj' life, his fondness for books and 
study never left him, and even on the most 
tiresome marches there was found a place in his 
knapsack for his favorite books. He was also 
a regular correspondent of the press. Upon 
his return home, he devoted himself to teach- 
ing in the public schools for a time, and then 
opened a private academy in Doylestown. In 
the fall of 1869, he closed his institution, and 
entered as a student of Miami University, from 
which place he was graduated as a Bachelor 
and Master of Arts, in June, 1873. On the 
26th of December preceding this event, he was 
married to Miss Martha Josephine Held, daugh- 
ter of the late Andrew Reid, Esq., and Sarah 
C. Kelso, of Rockbridge, Va. Immediately upon 
his graduation, he was elected Principal of the 
Old Salem Academy, which position he occu- 
pied nearly four years, when he resigned his 
position, and established what is known as 
Dague's (JoUegiate Institute, at Chillicothe, Ohio. 
Since removing to Wadsworth, he has been li- 
censed to preach, by the Presbytery of Cleve- 
land, with a view to fullv entering the work of 



the Gospel ministr}', a work toward which he 
has long been drawn. In addition to his labors 
as Principal of the school for the past year has 
been engaged as supply to the La Fayette 
Church, situated near Chippewa Lake. As a 
writer. Prof Dague is rapid!}' winning a high 
place among literary men. During his resi- 
dence at Chillicothe. he wrote for the Scioto 
Gazetto. principally, articles on infidelity, that 
were widely read, and excited much comment. 
As a lecturer and writer, he is gaining a flatter- 
ing reputation. He was honored by being ap- 
pointed one of the members of the Board of 
Examiners for teachers, of Ross Co., which office 
he held for three years. 

W.N, EYLES," farmer; P. 0. Wadsworth;^ 
was born Jan. 31, 1838, in Wadsworth Town- 
ship, in the house in which he now lives, and is 
a son of William M. and Matilda Newcomb 
Ej-les. The former was a native of Connecticut, 
who moved to this State at 3 years of age ; the 
latter, of the province of Nova Scotia, whose an- 
cesters were noted for their Christian graces. 
His grandfather, Hon. William Eyles, settled 
on the farm now owned by W. N. Ejles, in 
1820. The subject of this sketch attended dis- 
trict school in winter, and assisted in the gen- 
eral work on the farm until about 1 6 years of 
age, when he attended one _vear in Wadsworth, 
and then went to Hiram College four terms, a 
part of tlie time under the instruction of Cen. 
James A. Garfield. After severing his connec- 
tion with Hiram College, he taught several 
terms ; then read law two years with Aaron 
Pardee, of Wadsworth ; he afterwartl attended 
the Law College at Cleveland for one term, 
and was admitted to the bar in Cleveland in 
1860. From there he went to Hillsboro, 111., 
where he engaged in practicing law and teach- 
ing school for some time, and afterward en- 
gaged in farming on account of his father's 
health ; at which business he has remained 
ever since. He was married Oct. 29, 1869, to 
Miss C. L. Hard, daughter of Dr. Hanson and 
Elizabeth (Whitney) Hard ; the former born in 
Middlebury, Summit Co., Oliio, the latterof York 
State. Their union has been blessed with three 
children, Frederick William, born Aug. 4, 1870 ; 
Caroline M., born Oct. 14.1872; Harry Han- 
son, horn Dec. 10, 1874. all of whom are living 
at home. Mr. Eyles and wife are members of 
the Disciples' Church, and much esteemed by the 
people of the community in which the\" live. 



710 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



SOLOMON EVERHARD, farmer; P. 0. 
Wadsworth ; was born June 22, 1825. in a log 
cabin on the farm on which he now lives ; his 
parents, John and Ann "SI. (Harter) Everhard, 
were natives, he of Armstrong Co.. Penu.. she 
of Center Co., Penu ; they came to this State in 
about 1810, the former to Mahoning, and the 
latter to Stark Co. They were married and 
came to Wadsworth Township in 1814 ; John 
was in the employ of Gen. Wadsworth. after 
whom this township and village was named, 
engaged in farming and dairying in Mahoning 
Co. for some time ; afterward purchasing from 
him the heavily timlxTcd farm upon wiiich he 
worked, clearing and tilling the soil until his 
death in 1854, aged (32 vears. His wife died 
on the same old place, in the care of her son 
Solomon, in 187G, at an advanced age. The 
subject of this sketch attended school but a 
short time each year until about 18 years of 
age, when he attended one term at McGregor's 
Academj' in Wadsworth. then taught school 
and engaged in farming ; he was married in 
1852, to Catharine A. Rensimer. daughter of 
Jacob and Ann M. (Snyder) Rensimer. who 
were natives of Pennsylvania. There were fif- 
teen children born to them, six of whom died 
in childhood ; those living are Alverna Alvira. 
who married Amlrew Keckler ; Frances Irene, 
married Rudolphus Heller ; seven are at home, 
named respectively. Otto O.. Solomon L., 
Jacob A.. Effle A.. Laura A.. Orpha D. and 
Nathan N. Mr. Everh.ard is a prominent man 
in the township, having tilled the office of Jus- 
tice of the Peace, and Townsliip Trustee for a 
number of years : he is also a member of the 
I. O. O. F.. having passed the chairs in the sub- 
ordinate lodge, and is a memlier of the Encamp- 
ment : he and family are members of the 
Lutheran Church. 

ALBERT HINSDALE, farmer ; P. 0. Wads- 
worth ; is a native of Torrington, Litchfield Co.. 
Conn., where he was I)orn on the 18th day of 
July. 1809. He was the fifth child, and only sur- 
viving one, of a family of six children born to 
Capt. Elisha Hinsdale, who was a son of Jacob 
and Mary (Brace) Hinsdale, also natives of Con- 
necticut, and Elizabeth Holcomb, his wife. The 
Captain was in the war of the Revolution three 
3-ears ; was also one of those who. in the most 
discouraging time of that strugglt!. wintered at 
Valley Forjie under that great commander La 
Favette. He was a member of tin? Connccticuc 



j Legislature ; also manufacturer of the cele- 
I brated "Clover Leaf" scythes and axes, in 
Torrington. Conn. He moved to Ohio in 1816, 
and settled in 1817, in Norton Township. Sum- 
j mit Co., formerly Medina. Co., on the Akron 
j Road, where he set up a blacksmith-shop, 
which was resorted to for work for miles 
around, on account of the ingenuity of the pro- 
I prietor. who was naturally a thorough me- 
i chanic. The year of their moving to this State 
was that memorable cold season, when the 
spots on the sun were visible with the naked 
eye ; they started in October, well equipped 
with two ox-teams. Init suffered all the incon- 
veniences attending such an extended trip, be- 
ing nearly eight weeks on the journe}'. at such 
j an unpropitious time. He was several times 
: elected Justice of the Peace in Norton Town- 
ship, where he acceptably served for many 
years as a peacemaker to the people, but was 
finally called by the great Peacemaker above, 
his spirit taking its flight June 22. 1827, 
I he being in the 07th year of his age. Albert, the 
subject of this sketch, was married to Miss 
Clai'inda Eyles . moved to the northern part of 
I Wadsworth Township, in 1835, where he still 
I resides, a respected citizen, with his youngest 
son and a housekeeper, his wife having Hlied 
j April 28. 1880, aged 05 years. There were 
1 five children born unto them, namelj' : Asenath. 
' born Oct. 2, 1834. died aged 13 years ; 
Burk Aaron, born March 31. 1837 ; R. 0.. 
March 27. 1840 ; Louisa, April 23. 1844. dying 
greatly lamented Sept. 8, 1876, aged 32 years. 
Hers was a beautiful life in every respect, it 
' being devoted to thought and the careful 
preparation of her mind as a teacher, and for 
the upbuilding and elevation of humanity. 
' Those coming in contact with her. seemed 
to catch the inspiration which characterized 
her, and rise up to nobler and purer purposi^s 
in life. Williert B., the youngest and only 
one living a single life, was born May 23, 1850 : 
he graduated at Hiram College. Rev. Burk A,, 
the oldest of the family living, was edui;ated at 
j the institution now known as Hiram College, 
and received the degree of A. M., in 1871, from 
! Bethany College, West Virginia, and from 
Williams College. Massachusetts. He entered 
the ministry of the Christian Church (called 
also Disciples'), in 1861 ; was Pastor in Solon, 
Ohio, and Cleveland, until 1868 ; also assistant 
editor of the ('hrhtiait Standard from 1866-60 ; 



,^ 



WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP. 



711 



Professor of Histor3' and English Literature in 
Hiram College, In 18(59-70, and became Pres- 
ident of this College in 1870. performing the 
duties of Professor of Philosophy, History and 
Biblical Literature, where he continues to the 
present time. He is also assistant editor of the 
Christiau Quarterly, Cincinnati. Mr. Hinsdale 
is the author also, of the " (reuuincness and 
Authenticity of the (lospel," published in 1873 ; 
also, " The Evolution of the Theological and 
Doctrinal Systems of the Ancient Church," 
and he has contributed much to periodical lit- 
erature, also an essay ou common school edu- 
cation, published b>- order of the Northeastern 
Ohio Teachers' Association. R. O. Hinsdale is 
a prominent farmer and lino-stock dealer in 
Wadsworth. The mother of the subject of this 
sketch died at his home Aug. 27, 1840, at the 
advanced age of 77 years. His youngest 
brother, George, a single man, also died at his 
home in March 1842, aged 25 years ; was a 
carpenter and joiner by trade, who, when 
stricken down b}- the disease which took his 
life, had the contract for building the Congre- 
gational and Disciples' Churches ; was a good 
mechanic, a 3'oung man of promise, loved and 
respected by all ; his was the first funeral held 
in the Disciples' Church. The wife of Mr. Hins- 
dale was born on the present site of Akron 
when a wilderness. The family of this old 
gentleman are all people greatly respected. 

P. C. HARD, lawyer, Wadsworth ; was born 
May 19, 1831, in Wadsworth, and is the son of 
Cyrus and Lydia (Hart) Hard, who moved to 
Middlebury, Portage Co., Ohio, in 1816, and, 
after a residence there of eight vears, moved to 
Wadsworth Township in 1824." The father of 
our subject established the first carding and 
cloth-dressing factory in this part of the State, at 
Middlebury, Summit Co., in 1819, which place 
became noted for the manufacture of woolen 
goods, and which is still a manufacturing town 
in that class of goods. He alscj started a fac- 
tory in this count}- in 1824, where it is carried 
on at present. The subject of this sketch at- 
tended the district school in Wadsworth until 
about 11 years of age, and then attended the 
academj- until about 17 ^-ears of age, when he 
engaged in the study of law with William Cun- 
ningham, Esq., at Canal Fulton. While en- 
gaged in the study of law with that gentleman, 
he also learned telegraphy, which proved to be 
valual)le knowledge to him in after life in a po- 



sition which he occupied for several 3-ears after 
his return from the armj' — that of traveling 
agent for the A. & (J. W. R. R. He graduated 
from the National Law School at Rallston Spa, 
N. Y., in August, 1832. He practiced law at 
Seville with James C. Johnson for some time, 
then went to Summit Co., Ohio, where he was 
a member of the bar for about six years at Ak- 
ron. He then enlisted in the service of his 
country under the first call ; afterward came 
home, anil recruited for and was a member of 
Co. D, 29th O. V. L, known as Joseph bid- 
dings' Regiment, until March, 1862, when he 
was discharged on account of disabilitj-. In 
1871, he resumed the practice of law in Wads- 
worth, where he now lives. He was married 
Aug. 19, 1855, to Miss Sarah C. Wittner, daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Jane J. (Metlin) Wittner, 
who were natives of Pennsjlvania — the former 
of Lancaster and the latter of Newcastle — who 
came to this State, and are still living in Sum- 
mit Co., Ohio, Mrs. Hard being the only child. 
Their union has been blessed with three chil- 
dren — Lydia Jane, Charles W. (who died in in- 
fancy) and Metlin W. Lydia was married to 
William Fedder, of Pittsburgh, Peun., who is 
interested in the steel works at that place. Mr. 
Hard is a member of the Republican Central 
Committee, and has taken a prominent part in 
the affairs of the community in which he lives, 
and in campaigning for Republicanism. He is 
also the inventor of the Imperial Spiral Spring 
Bed-bottom, which has been manufactured and 
sold extensivelv throughout the States. 

WILLIAM "KOPLIN (deceased) was boru 
March 25, 1829, in the State of Pennsylvania. 
He was a sou of William and Mar}' (Simpson) 
Koplin, who were natives of Pennsylvania, and 
of English-Irish descent. His parents moved 
to Wayne Co., Ohio, about the year 1831, 
where they lived for about eighteen years, and 
then moved to Rock Co., Wis., where they re- 
sided for al)Out ten years, when they again took 
up their residence in Wayne Co., Ohio, where 
they lived out the remainder of their da>-s. 
William received a moderate education, and 
assisted his fiither in the blacksmith-shop, 
where he learned the trade, afterward working 
at it several years in connection with farming, 
until within a few years of his death, when he 
engaged in the livery business. For two years 
prior to his deatii, which occurred Jan. 29, 
1880. of that dread disease, consumption, he 



-$i 






712 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was unable to perform aiij' labor at all. He 
was married. March 5. 1854. to 3Iarv Long, 
daughter of John 11. and Elizabeth (Rasor) 
Long, of German descent, By this union, 
there were six children, three of whom are liv- 
ing — Ella Letitia (born ^larch 4, 1857), Reuben 
Ar(Dec, 28, 1862) and Clara Belle, Sept, 28, 
1865) ; all are living at home and assisting their 
widowed mother, who is proprietress of the 
Koplin House, situated on Broad street. Wads- 
worth, Ohio, which hotel she has managed for 
the past two years for the purpose of providing 
for her family. A distressing accident occurred 
to them about four years ago. which caused the 
death of one of their sons, a bright boy. who 
was much esteemed and loved by all who 
knew him. He was riding with his father, who 
was driving a team of young horses, which be- 
came frightened, throwing him out over the 
dash-board, entangling him in the wagon 
dragging him over tlie rough roads until 
was extinct. Mrs. Koplin and family 



and 
life 
are 

this 



members of the Congregational Church ol 
village. 

C. N. LYMAN, physician, Wadsworth ; was 
born May 14. 181!)". in Wadsworth Town- 
ship, Medina Co., Ohio, and is a son of George 
and Ophelia (Cook) Lyman, George moved 
to this county in 1816, his family following 
him from Torriugton Township. Litchfield 
Co., Conn, They engaged in larraing on the 
Connecticut Western Reserve, suttering all the 
inconveniences characteristic of a very early 
pioneer life in a wild, wooded country. The 
Doctor attended the common district school, as 
held in the township, and assisted his father, 
until about seventeen years of age. His parents 
being New England people, tliey were concerned 
about the education of their children, and gave 
them all the advantages that a new country 
could afford. After his 1 7th year, he assisted 
his father in the manufacture of fanuing-mills, 
until about 19 years of age, when he entered 
the office of Elijah Kondriek, M, I),, of Wads- 
worth, with whom he studied for two years, 
when he was deprived of the instructions of 
his old preceptor, on account of his having re- 
ceived the appointment of Superintendent of 
the Insane Asylum at Columbus, Ohio. He 
then pursued his studies with l)r, (!, K. Pardee, 
of Wadsworth, with whom lie I'uti'red iut<i part- 
nership, after attemling lectures at Lexington, 
Ky,, and graduatinu >iar(li 1. IsC!. After the 



death of Or, Pardee, he attended to their ex- 
tensive practice himself. He is a member of 
the National Mcilical Association, the North- 
western Medical .Association, of which he was 
President one term, and of the ."^tate 3Icdical 
Association. He was married. JIarch 3. 1844, 
to Miss C. E. Beach, daughter of Luman and 
Lydia (Wright) Beach, By this union, there 
has been no issue. The father of Dr. Lyman 
is still living, in his 91st year, and they both 
advocate the principles of true Republican- 
ism. 

JUDGE JOHN H'GENBEEL. deceased: 
was born Dec. 26. 1792. in Frederick Co.. Md.. 
the son of John and Sarah (Worman) Lugen- 
bcel. who were also natives of Frederick Co.. 
Mil. He received a meager district-school ed- 
ucation, which, with a great amount of natural 
ability, enabled him to reach the goal of suc- 
cess in his long and checkered life. He first 
engaged in farming. Was elected Judge of the 
Court in Frederick City, Md,, and also engaged 
in mercantile pursuits for several years, when 
he moved, with his family, to Delaware Co,. 
Ohio, about 47 years ago. and engaged in 
farming there for about fifteen years. He was 
elected Judge of the Probate Court there one 
year after his settlement in this county, which 
office he filled for seven years. He afterward 
sold the farm and moved to the city of Dela- 
ware, where he lived a retired life for a few 
years, and then moved to Cleveland, Ohio, 
where he resided in retirement four years, at 
the end of which he went to Akron, Ohio, where 
he was not permitted to live the retired life 
which he desired, but was elected to different 
offices of responsibility, which he filled cred- 
itably for a number of years, when he again 
withdrew from active life, and moved to \\'ads- 
worth, thence to Western Star, where his wife 
is now living, at the advanced age of 84 years, 
a liright and interesting old lady, he having 
died Dee. 26, 1874, on his 8(Hli birthday. He 
was married May 12, 1S14. to I'aniela Poole, 
who was born Sept. 27, 1796, and is the daugh- 
ter of Brice and Achsah (James) Poole. By 
her he had live chiklren — Ephraim, Henry, 
Pinkney, Susan C. De Witt C. and Lucretia. 
three of whom are living — Col, Pinkney, a 
graduate of West Point, who is now located at 
New York Harbor : De Witt C. a school-teacher 
in Delaware Co,. Ohio, and Lucretia. now .Mrs. 
Burnham. a widow living at Burlington. Iowa. 



-® ^ 



WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP. 



713 



Mrs. Lugenbeel is a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. 

E. G. LOOMIS. Wadsworth. The .subject of 
this brief notice is the proprietor and Super- 
intendent of the Silver Creek Coal Jliues, and 
is also Secretary of the C. & T. V. R. 11. He is 
engaged quite extensively in farming, and is 
the lessee of extensive coal fields in various 
parts of this and adjoining counties, which are 
not, as yet, in operation. 

GEORGE W. LEONARD, fanner ; P. 0. 
Western Star ; was born in Cuyahoga Co. June 
1, 1857 ; is a son of Roland and IMalinda (Nor- 
man) Leonard, the former a native of Stark Co., 
and the latter of Coshocton Co. His grand- 
father, James F. Leonard, came to Stark Co. in 
about 1 805, as a land-jobber and surveyor ; his 
great-grandfather on his father's side of the 
house came from County Fermanagh, Ireland, 
early in 170((, and settled in York State. The 
subject of this sketch attended the Cleveland 
Pubhc Schools until his graduation at about 19 
years of age, when he attended Mt. Union Col- 
lege one year, his vacations being spent in as- 
sisting his father in the dry goods business in 
the city of Cleveland. He afterward engaged 
in the grocery and meat business, shipping 
stock two years, with his brother-in-law. His 
father having retired from business in Cleve- 
land, is now farming near Kent, Portage Co., 
Ohio. George was married, Dec. 20, 1877. to 
Melissa Young, who was born in Stark Co., 
Ohio, Oct. 14, 1858, and is a daughter of Cyrus 
and Margaret (Shatfer) Young, who were also 
natives of Stark Co., Ohio, by whom he has 
one child — Florence M. — born March 27, 1879. 
Mr. Leonard is engaged quite extensively in 
the stock business, and is also carrymg on a 
large farm. He is of L'ish-Freneh descent, a 
Republican in his political belief and a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

FRANK .^IILLS, farmer ; P. O. Wadsworth ; 
■was born May 14, 183G, in a house Imiltby his 
grandfather, on the farm which he settled in 
1818, and in which Frank now lives with his 
family and aged mother, his father having died 
about two years ago. Frank is a son of Philo 
P. and Amoret (Bates) Mills, after whose father 
the village of Bates' Corners is called, the for- 
mer born in Norfolk, Conn., July 8, 1805, 
and the latter in Hartland. Conn., in 1808. 
Their parents were among the earliest settlers 
in this county. Fi-ank received a district- 



school education, and attended a graded school 
at Western Star a few terms, till about 20 
years of age. when he engaged in farming with 
his father, having, before that time, rendered 
him considerable service while out of school, 
and. being the only child, his sister having died 
at 15 3ears of age, the care and management 
of the farm would devolve upon him. He was 
married, Feb. K!, 1858, to Julia A. Grotz, born 
Jan 1, 1840, and daughter of Abraham and 
Caroline (Hayes) (irotz. of Copley. Summit Co. 
Ohio ; by this union, there are four children — 
Fred P.," born Dec. 28. 1859 ; Edgar, born Dec. 
16, 1860, and died Feb. 27. 1861 ; Mattie, born 
Oct. 14. 1862 ; Harry, born March 20, 1866 : 
all those living are at home. Mr. Mills was 
elected for a term of three years to the office 
of Commissioner of the county about two 
3'ears ago, which office he has acceptably filled, 
as well as that of Township Trustee for several 
years, and is also Treasurer of the Village 
School Board, of which he has been a member 
for the last nine years. Mr. Mills is a strong 
Republican in his political views. He is an 
extensive stock dealer and shipper, in whicli 
occupation his time is diligently einploj'ed. in 
connection with the duties of his office. He is 
a prominent and enterprising business man, 
respected and esteemed bj' all who know him. 
ELI OVERHOLT, Postmaster, Wadsworth ; 
was born Jan 23, 1842, and is a sou of Martin 
L. and Elizabeth (Tinsman) Overholt, both na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, but moving to this 
county at an early date — forty-eight jears ago 
— and bought a tract of land of about 240 
acres, in the southwest part of the township, 
where the subject of this sketch was born, re- 
ceived his education and lived until his enlist- 
ment in Co. H, 29th O. V. I., Oct. 28, 1861. 
serving two years and over, being discharged 
Dec. 3, 1863, on account of a severe wound in 
the leg, received in the battle of Chaucellors- 
ville, Va. ; he was also at the battles of 
Winchester and Port Republic, Va., being taken 
prisoner at the latter place on the 9th day of 
June, 1862, and sent to Belle Isle : was released 
on parole and then exchanged after two months' 
confinement, and returned to his regiment, 
under Gen. Shields as division commander. 
He was married. Oct. 6, 1869. to Anna Baugh- 
man, of Wadsworth. daughter of David and 
Amelia (Deshlcr) Baughman. who were among 
the earlj- settlers of the county ; their union 



■:?ti 



^ 






714 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was blessed with two children — Olive Bell and 
Albert — the former born Aug. 9, 1870, the lat- 
ter Sept. 6, 1872. Mrs. Overholt died Nov. 23, 
1877, after a brief illness of two weeks, leaving 
two small children and a loving husband to 
mourn her loss. Mr. Overholt was appointed 
to the ottice of Postmaster of Wadsworth, Oct. 
1, 1S71. which place he has filled creditablj- to 
himself and acceptabl}- to the community. He 
is a stanch Repnblican, a member of the Con- 
gregational Church, a consistent Christian and 
a good citizen. His mother is living in his 
family, the father having died when he was 
quite small. 

HON. AARON PARDEE, lawyer, Wads- 
worth ; was born Oct. 8, 1808, in Skaneateles, 
which was then Marcellus, in Onondaga Co., 
N. Y. He is a son of Ebenezer and Anna 
(Minor) Pardee, natives of Norfolk, Conn., the 
latter a daughter of Dr. Minor, of that place. 
There were ten sons and two daughters in the 
family, of whom Aaron was the \-oungest son ; 
his father died in Deceml)er, 1812, leaving the 
mother with a large family in her care, the old- 
est 22 years, the youngest 2 years of age. 
Aarou attended district school in his native 
countj' until past 15 years of age, when he 
moved to this township with his mother and 
the family in wagons, one of which he drove. 
After coming to this county, he attended school 
one winter and taught two winters. He was 
married on his birthday in 1S27, at 19 jears of 
age to Eveline B. Eyles, daughter of Hon. 
William Eyles, who was prominent in the early 
legislation of the State, and Polly Derthick, 
his wife, who were natives of Litchfield Co., 
Conn. By this union, there were nine children 
— William, Henry, Charles, Don A.. George. 
Evelyn S.. Almira, Fanny and Elle. Six are 
now living, four sons and two daughters. Don 
' A. was a Major, and afterward promoted to Lieu- 
tenant Colonel, under (len. James A. Garfield. 
He has also held the ottice of District Judge in 
New Orleans, where he located after the war. 
George K. was a Captain in the same regiment, 
under Gen. Garfield, and is now an Attorney- 
j at law in Akron. Ohio. Aaron Panlee began 
the study of law in 1833, in connection with 
farm labor, and was admitted to the bar in 
i 1837, after which time he practiced law in 
I Wadsworth, where he has been ever since. He 
i was elected in the State Senate in 1850. was re- 
' elected under the new constitution and served 



until the expiration of his term, render Abra- 
ham Lincoln's administration, he was appointed 
Assessor of Internal Revenue, at the adoption 
of that law, serving in that capacity until 18(i(). 
He was the first JIayor of Wadsworth, and has 
filled other responsible offices in the village 
and township. He is an old citizen, and is re- 
spected and esteemed bj' the communitj- in 
which he lives. 

JUDGE ALLEN PARDEE, retired ; P. O. 
Wadsworth ; was born Feb. 7, 1790, in Norfolk 
Township. Litchfield Co., Conn., and is a son of 
Ebenezer and Annie (Minor) Pardee, who 
moved to Onondaga Co., N. Y.. where the father 
died. Allen came to this State in July, 1818, 
to Wadsworth Township, where he has lived 
ever since. He worked in the capacity of 
farmer until about 1835, when he engaged in 
buying and selling stock, he and a j'ounger 
brother, using the name of another brother in 
York State to strengthen the firm, engaged in 
mercantile pursuits, in which they were ver^- 
successful. They afterward built a large flour- 
ing mill, and made flour for the New York 
market, fllling a contract of GOO barrels of 
superfine flour, for which they recei\-ed the sum 
of SG.oO per liarrel, to be supplit'd in the month 
of June of that year. Another quite remarka- 
l)le incident in the Judge's life, was that he. 
with his own hands, unheaded, packed and re- 
lieaded 600 barrels of pork in one season, which 
he sold at a good price. The}' also built sev- 
eral of the first buildings in the village, besides 
improving the country and building and ma- 
nipulating mills. The Judge's education was 
very limited, having attended school liut a few 
days after 8 years of age ; he acquired, how- 
ever, by his own energy and remarkable ability, 
a good education. He served two terms on 
the bench (fourteen years) under the old con- 
stitution, and has been jjrominently identified 
with the early affairs of the county, and is 
probably better known in all parts of the 
county than anj- other man who ever lived in 
it. lie was married in December, 1812. to 
I'ha'be Foster, daughter of Thomas and Mary 
(Gage) Foster, who resided in Onondaga Co., 
N. Y. By this union, there were the following 
children — \Villiam N., Eugene, iiauratte. Ann 
S.. Norman C. and Editha. all of whom are liv- 
ing, exce]jt one who died in infancy. His wife 
died in 1S42. and he was remarried to liouisa 
Bates (Wilcox) in 1844. bv whom he had no 



>? Q 



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WADSWORTH TOWNSHIP. 



71-J 



children. She had two children by her former 
husband, who were well provided for by their 
stepfather, whom they loved. Their mother 
died in 1875. The Judge's children have all 
married ; his daughter, Ann S., who is a widow, 
is living at home with her lather, in his old 
age. They are all respected and admired by 
the citizens of the community in which they 
live. 

HORACE GREELEY SHEETS, farmer; 
P. 0. Wadsworth. Among the enterprising 
young men of Medina Co.. a .sketch of whose 
lives shall help to embellish the pages of this 
volume, is the subject of this sketch. No one 
is more widely known, none more deserving, 
and none more prominent in the respect, con- 
fidence and atfectious of the people than he. 
He was born Jan. 30, 1851, in Chippewa Town- 
ship, in the northern part of Wayne Co., where 
his parents, John F. and Catharine (Schrautz) 
Sheets, now live, respected farmers. They 
came to this State from Pennsylvania ; he, 
when 18 years of age, and was born Jan. 24, 
1821 ; she in 1835, and was born March 27, 
1827 ; they were married in 1845, in Stark Co., 
where they both settled when first coming into 
the State, and moved to the place which they 
now occupy. His father learned the cabinet- 
maker's trade while yet in Pennsylvania, at 
which he was employed for some time, finally 
devoting his life to agriculture. His earliest 
ancestors were natives of Switzerland, emigrat- 
ing to this countrj' at an early day. Mr. Sheets 
passed the first twenty-two years of his early 
life on his father's farm, and was married on 
his twenty-second birthday to Rebecca Hilde- 
brand, daughter of Manasseh and Rebecca 
(Hoover) Hildebrand, natives of York Co., 
Penn. ; her father died in 1854; her mother 
afterward married a Mr. Rohi'er and came to 
Milton Township, Wayne Co. Mr. Sheets' mar- 
riage has been blessed with two cliildren — John 
Franklin, born Dec. 30, 1875, and Clara Maud, 
born May 3, 1879. Mr. Sheets was educated 
in the district schools of his native place, with 
the additional advantage of two terms at the 
Doylestown Academy and two terms at the 
Smithville High School, afterward teaching for 
a short time. During his school days, he was 
looked upon as a thorough student and an ac- 
knowledged leader, which, in after life, is being 
more thoroughly' developed. He was elected 
Real Estate Appraiser of his township in the 



fall of 1879, the people thus showing their ap- 
preciation of his good judgment. He moved 
to Wadsworth Township, this countj-, in March, 
1873. 

WILLIAM STEVENS, hotel-keeper, Western 
Star ; was born Dec. 15, 1824, of English origin, 
in Middlefield, Conn. His parents, Ruben and 
Rebecca (Ives) Stevens, moved to Western Star 
in 1838, where they lived until their death. 
The father was a carpenter and joiner by trade, 
and a man noted in his occupation. William, 
the subject of this brief sketch, in his early life 
received a common-school education, and as- 
sisted his father, who afterward became a farmer. 
For two years after arriving at the age of 18, 
he assisted his brother in the mercantile busi- 
ness. At 21 years of age, he was united in 
marriage to Marj- McDermott, daughter of 
Thomas McDermott, a Presbyterian minister 
and farmer at Doylestown, Wajne Co. B}' her 
he had one child, Francis U., who died in infancy. 
In 1853, he and his Ijrother Henry started for 
California with a drove of cattle, arriving in 
the fall, after three months' traveling. Dispos- 
ing of their stock, they engaged in the mer- 
cantile business, and meeting with consider- 
able success in their enterprise. They then 
purchased a farm, and engaged in the stock 
Inisiuess on the Sacramento River, where they 
remained for five years ; then sold their prop- 
erty, and went to Virginia City, where he en- 
gaged in hauling goods to Austin to sell to the 
trading posts there. One year later, he i-eturned 
to California, where he again engaged in the 
stock business for a time ; then engaged in the 
mercantile business until his return to Western 
Star in 1857. His brother returned about four 
years earlier on the ill-fated (jolden Gate ; was 
saved, being more fortunate than some of his 
companions. However, he lost several thou- 
sand dollars of partnership money. After his 
return home, he was re-married to Julia McDer- 
mott, a sister of his first wife, by whom he had 
two children — Willie C. and Malcolm Chisholm. 
JOSEPH TYLER, fiirmer; P. 0. Wads- 
worth. This gentleman was born in Copley 
Township, Summit Co., Ohio. Aug. 14, 1822. 
His parents, Benjamin and Olive (Brown) Ty- 
ler, were natives — he of Uxbridge, Mass., she 
of Bennington, Vt. They were among the first 
settlers of Norton Township, formerly Medina 
Co., now Summit, settling in that vicinity in 
1816, and uniting in marriage June 8, 1820. 



^ a 



^- 



7ie 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



their uuioii being blessed with six children, 
nainel}-. Benjamin, Jr., Joseph (the subject of 
this sketch). Solomon. Mary, Rosaunaand Abra- 
ham — three of whom are living, Joseph being 
the oldest. He takes great pride in the pres- 
ervation of the histor}- of tlie familj*. his rec- 
ord extending through seven generations, and 
dating back to the birth of his greut-great- 
great-grandfather. Job Tyler, born in the North 
of England, but of Scotch descent, in 1620, 
emigrating to this countr}- when a very 3'oung 
man. He died in 1700, being the father of five 
children, his son John, born in 1G53. standing 
at the head of the second generation, dying in 
1742, leaving seven children, his son Joseph, 
born in 1701, heading the third generation: 
he died in 1779, leaving ten children, one of 
whom was Solomon, born in 1757. head of the 
fourth generation ; he died, having twelve chil- 
dren, one. Benjamin, of the 8fth generation. 
born in 1796. and father of the subject of this 
sketch ; died in 1875. Joseph received but a 
meager education, attending district school but 
a short time each vear, until about 19 years of 
age, the remainder of his early life being spent 
in assisting on the farm. The following five 
years were spent in different occupations, in 
which he was (juite successful; also, in later' 
life, his career has been one of signal success. 
the elements of which are found in an excellent 
judgment, a remarkable business tact, an in- 
domitable energy and perseverance, a strict in- 
tegrity in dealing, and a power, which few men 
possess, of commanding the respect and confi- 
dence of the people. He was married, Dec. 22, 
1846. to Eliza Ann Williams, a native of Stark 
Co., and daughter of John and Hannah (Al- 
bright) Williams, by whom he has three chil- 
dren—Augusta T..'born Oct. 16, 1847: Rush 
S., Oct. 15, 1851. married to Laura S. Stanard. 
by whom he has one child, Winifred Pearl, born 
June 21. 1876. he is engaged in farming in 
Wadsworth Township ; and Jessie R., born 
Sept. 17. 1856, now Mrs. J. W. Culbertson. liv- 
ing in Lorain, Ohio ; her husband is engaged 
on the railroad ; the^- have one child, Guy W., 
born Sept. 26, 1878. Mr. Tyler is a prominent 
man in his township, having held the offices of 
Justice of the Peace and Township Trustee for 
a number of years, acceirtalily filling both, be- 
ing a stanch old Republican in politics, and has 
been a member of the 1. O. O. F. for about 
thirty years. During the late rebellion, he en- 



listed in the naval service, but, after the lapse 
of three weeks as a sailor, was discharged, 
and appointed Paymaster Steward, with 
headquarters at Cairo, on the Clara Dolson 
receiving ship. After the surrender of Vicks- 
burg, he resigned his position and returned 
home. 

SOLOMON TYLER, deceased, who was born 
July 18, 1803, in the State of Massachusetts, 
came to Summit Co. in the year 1825, on foot. 
After prospecting a short time among the for- 
est hills, he returned to his native State, mak- 
ing the journey the second time on foot. Four 
years later, having been married in the mean- 
time, he returned, and began clearing up the 
home selected by him on his first trip to this 
part of the State, which has since been made 
beautiful and fruitful by himself and his com- 
panions in pioneer life, who have long since 
gone to a more beautiful home than the pio- 
neers of this State enjoyed. His wife was Lu- 
cretia Cook, bj' whom he had five children, two 
of whom were scalded to death in infancj' ; 
Cj'nthia (by whom this sketch was given) and 
Lemuel, living in Jasper Co., lud., and Malcolm, 
living near Wadsworth : Cynthia was married 
to a farmer. H. F. Hodges, 5Liy 28. 1853, at 22 
years of age. bv whom she had three sons — 
Tyler, born June 16. 1856 ; H. F., Jr., Sept. 29- 
1858 ; Cyrus J,, May 8, 1860, died in iufancy ; 
H. F., Jr., engaged in farming in Iowa. Tyler 
farming near Western Star. The Tyler family 
were quite noted in their native State, his only 
brother being a Representative to the State 
Legislature, and prominently identified with 
the interests of his native State. Mr. Tyler 
and family were members of the Disciples' 
Church. The 18th day of December, 1878, 
the life of this prominent Christian man came 
to a close, leaving a large circle of friends to 
mourn the loss of one who was greatly es- 
teemed and respected bv them. 

EPHRAIM WRIGHT, former and fine-stock 
raiser ; P. 0. Wadsworth. This gentleman, 
born in Northampton Co., Penn.. is a descend- 
ant of Jacob and Klizabeth (Schall) Wright, 
who were natives also, of Northampton Co., 
Penn., but came to this county in 1842, set- 
tling on the place on which the son now lives, 
and where they died, the mother Feb. 26. 1877, 
at 72 years of age. and the father following her 
to that " beautiful shore " eleven months after, 
where 



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WADSWORTII TOWNSHIP. 



n? 



"The winds breathe low, llie yellow leaf 
Scarce whispers from the tree; 
So gently Hows the parting breath 
When good men cease lo be." 

He did his part as a faithful friend, as a good 
citizen, and as an earnest Christian. The sub- 
ject of this narrative received only a meager 
education in the schools, but, by his own abil- 
ity, perseverance and industrj', he has acquired 
a store of knowledge. When quite a .young 
man, he learned the carpenter and joiner's 
trade, which he followed for about seven years. 
On Sept. 10, 1846. he was united in marriage 
to Catharine Widman, daughter of Jacob and 
Annie (Oeisinger) Widman, who resided in 
Guilford Township at the time of her birth, 
emigrating, in 1822, to that place from Can- 
ada, the native place of her mother, the father 
being a native of Pennsylvania, but served in 
tlu! British armj-, receiving a deed from the 
queen for 106 acres of land near Toronto, 
which the family knew nothing of until after 
his death, when it was litigated, the right of 
title being contested by parties who had held 
possession for manj* years ; it was, however, de- 
ckled in favor of the holder of the grant from 
the Queen. Mr. and Jlrs. Wright have been 
blessed with eleven children, four having ^died 
in childhood ; seven are living — AVilliam II., 
born Nov. 9, 1850, married Christa p]iehelber- 
ger March 4, 1870; Edgar J., born Nov. 0, 
1854, married Clara C. Lahr June 16, 1878; 
Elmer Francis, born March 9, 1857, married to 
Ada Bechtel July, 1880 ; Ida Ellen, born April 
25, 1861, married to William H. Dolmer Nov. 
29, 1877; Oliver Otis, born Feb. 26, 1864; 
Dora May, May 1, 1867; Charles Watson, 
June 8, 1872. Mr. Wright is a great temper- 
ance worker, and was the first man in his town- 
ship to refuse to give the whisky bottle to men 
in the harvest-field and at loggings, etc.; he 
was remonstrated with by his neighbors, and 
even his own father, but he was firm in the be- 
lief that it was an evil and useless practice, 
and was determined to abandon it, notwith- 
standing the declarations of the men that they 
would not work for him ; nevertheless, his 



plan worked well, and soon his neighbors fol- 
lowed him. Mr, Wright h.as been engaged in 
raising line Spanish merino sheep and Durham 
ctittle for several years, and has done more to 
impro\'e the stock in Wadsworth tlitui any 
other resident in the township. lie has filled 
several townshii) positions, at the solicitation 
of his m;my friends, with credit and satisfac- 
tion. He is, also, with his family, connected 
with the U. B. Church, and has been for over 
twenty years. 

PETER YODER, farmer; P. 0. Wads- 
worth ; was born Jan. 7, 1808. in Lehigh Co.. 
Penn., and is a son of JVshn and Susannah 
(Mover) Yoder, who were, also, natives of Le- 
high Co., and of German parentage. Mr. 
Yoder received a very meager education, at- 
tending school but a few weeks in each year, 
being employed the remainder of the time in 
assisting his father on the farm, until about 
16 years of age, after which he engaged in 
farming for his father until about 22 years 
of age, when he engaged work with a man 
at $7 per month. Some time afterward 
he built a saw-mill, which he run for about 
fifteen years, when he again became a tiller 
of the soil, in which occupation he has 
been steadily employed ever since. Mr. Yoder 
moved to this State about tweutj--six years 
ago, settling where he now lives. He was 
married in December, 1836. to Susannah Bech- 
tel, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Bechtel) 
Bechtel, who were natives of Berks Co., Penn., 
bj- whom he had eleven children — Lovina, born 
Jan. 12, 1838 ; JohnB., July 28, 1839 ; Henry, 
Dec. 1, 1840; Elizabeth. Sept. 1, 1842; Su.san- 
nah, May 15, 1844: Catharine. June 1, 1846 : 
Peter, Dec. 3, 1848; Franklin, March 11, 1851; 
William Harrison, July 24, 1853; David, May 
17, 1856 ; Edwin, Oct. 4, 1859 ; all of whom 
are living, the two j-oungest at home. All the 
rest ai-e married, and living in Wadsworth 
Township, except two, who are living just 
over the line in Summit Co. Mr. Yoder and 
his wife are members of the Mennonite Church 
of this place. 



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718 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



JOSEPH L. BECK, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. River Styx : was born in Northampton 
Co., Penn., Feb". 10. 1818. His fatlier, Ludwig 
Beck, was a nati\'e of that county, being a son 
of Jacob Beck, who came there from (iermany 
when in his youth. The country was then un- 
der English dominion, and tlie familj- were often 
compelled to flee from their homes when the 
country was harassed by the Indians, Ludwig 
secured his father's farm, and. being an ener- 
getic man, possessed at his death a tine propertj*. 
His companion through life was a native of 
Bucks Co,, Penn.. her maiden name being Eliza- 
beth Shuch. He died July 22, 1841 ; and 
his wife May 18, 1876. At the death of his 
father, Joseph commenced doing for himself, 
and afterward he and his brother secured the 
old homestead. He afterward sold his interest 
to his brother, and, coming to Medina Co., 
Ohio, in the summer of 1850, bought the farm 
on which he now lives. The following April, he 
moved here, and has since been one of the 
leading farmers of the count}', having done 
more, perhaps, than any other person for the 
improvement of stock in Medina Co. He 
brought the first Cotswold sheep here in the 
spring of 1853. and is one of the leading breed- 
ers in other kinds of stock, such as horses, cat- 
tle and hogs. That he is one of the honorable 
and conscientious breeders, is known to all, the 
herd books of Ohio bearing us out in the tes- 
timony. He is a stockholder in the Medina 
County Agi'icultural Society, and one of the lead- 
ing fair men of Northern Ohio. He was mar- 
ried, in October, 1841, to Eliza Long. She 
died Dec. 24, 1874. leaving seven children — 
Sarah, Catharine Jane, Maria, Mary, Jacob, 
Josephine and (ieorge. Jan. 10, 1878, he was 
united to Sarah Berry, of Northampton Co., 
Penn, where she was born Oct. 30, 1836. The 
family are all members of the Lutheran Ciiurch. 
in which he has been Elder for the last fifteen 
years. He is a Reuublican. 

ROBKKT BELL, farmer; P. 0. Seville. 
Among the early pioneers of Medina Co. who 
had to forego the luxuries, and, in many in- 
stances, the necessaries of life in order to secure 



homes for their families, we take pleasure in 
mentioning the Bell family, who were among 
the first settlers of Guilford Township. The 
first of whom we have any record is William 
H. Bell, who was born in Vermont, and from 
there accompanied the lamily Cortland Co., 
N. Y., where he was married to Miss Harriet 
Owen, who was born in Massachusetts, leaving 
there a few years previous to her marriage. In 
the year 1819, they came to Medina Co., and, 
being among the first adventurers, had to endure 
many hardships before their farm became suffi- 
ciently productive to render their situation one 
to be" envied. Mr. Bell died in July. 1829, 
leaving a family of five children, four of whom 
grew to maturity and are now living. 3Irs. 
Bell was again married, to John Bell, a brother 
to her first husband, and, in 1844, removed to 
Wisconsin, where she passed the rest of her life. 
Robert, one of the sous, was born Sept. 28, 
1827, and followed the family fortunes until of 
age, when he returned to his native county of 
Medina, and has since been one of the respected 
citizens. During the winter of 1850-51, he 
clerked in a store in ^ledina, and, then coming 
to Seville, followed the same vocation until 
1863. when he went to farming, and is one of > 
the successful tillers of the soil. He was mar- 
ried. April 17. 1854, to Margaret, daughter of 
Isaac and ^lary L. (Russell) Gray. She was j 
born JIarch 20. 1828. in Salem, Washington 
Co., N. Y., and came to this county in the year 
1831. Their union has proved a happy and 
prosperous one, and has been crowned with two 
children— Elbert J. and Helen M. Death, the 
common enemy of all, has visited the famil}- 
and robbed it of one of its brightest ornaments, 
the daughter being taken from them Aug. 21. 
1879, when in her 19th year. The son is asso- 
ciated with his lather in the management of the 
homestead, and already possesses a farm of his 
own. ]SIr. Bell cast his first ballot for John P. 
Hale, and is a strong adherent of the Republican 
party. 

PL ATT E. BEACH, piiysician and surgeon. 
Seville; is the eldest sou of Dr. A. P. Beach, 
and was born Sept. 13, 1855, in Wayne Co., 



r 



Ml 



GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



719 



Ohio. He received a good common-school ] 
education, and, when onl}- 15 years old. com- 
menced clerking in a store. He followed this 
business for three years, when he resolved to 
adopt the medical profession, and entered the 
office of his father. Here he was a careful 
student, and, less than two years later, he en- 
tered the medical institute at Pittsburgh, Penn.. 
where he remained about one and one-half 
years, and then attended the University of 
Michigan nearly the same length of time. 
Wishing to complete the course at an Eastern 
institution, he entered the Long Island College 
and Hospital, from which he matriculated June 
2L 1877. Contrary to the general rule, be lo- 
cated in his native village, and soon established 
a lucrative practice, which he yet retains. He 
was married, April 18,1878, Miss Sue Love- 
less becoming his wife. Tlieir union, although 
a happy and interesting one. was of lirief dura- 
tion, her death occurring April 2, 187!t. She 
was born in London, Ontario. Province of Can- 
ada, on the same day as her husband, Sept. 13, 
1855. Dr. Beach is a consistent member of 
the Presbyterian Churcii. He is a Repub- 
lican. 

J. C. BOISE, druggist. Seville : was born 
Oct. 2.3. 1843. in Milton Townsliip. Wayne Co.. 
Ohio. His father, William P. Boise, was born 
in the Empire State, and, when 12 years old. 
with his father's family, came west to Huron 
Co.. Ohio, being among the early settlers of 
that county, where they remained for several 
years, when they came to Medina Co.. and. after 
a few years' residence, the father returned, and 
passed the rest of his life in Huron Co. Will- 
iam P. was married at Seville to Lj'dia Saver- 
cool, who came here from New York State when 
10 years old. With the exception of two years, 
he lived in Wayne County shortl}' after his 
marriage. Mr. Boise lived in this county until 
recent years, when he moved to Lorain Co.. 
where he now lives. The subject of this sketch 
was oue of the patriotic young heroes who 
hastened to the defense of his country in her 
hours of peril. He was oulj- 17 years old 
when he enlisted in Co. B, 42d O. V. I., under 
Col. (afterward <4encral) (lartield. After serv- 
ing two years, his health became so much im- 
paired that he was discharged and sent home, 
and, although he receives a pecuniary recom- 
pense, it is only a slight compensation for his 
great loss. He was engaged in the manufacture 



of carriages, buggies, etc., at Spencer Center, a 
short time, but relin([uished that for his present 
business, keeping one of the finest lines of 
drugs to be found in Medina Co. He was mar- 
ried. Aug. 12, 1865, to Lorinda. daughter of 
Philip and Elizaljcth (Lance) Wideman. She 
was born in >Iedina Co., Chatham Township, 
March 13. 1847, and has crowned their union 
with one child — Lura. born Dec. 26, 1867. Mr. 
Boise is a successful business man, and in poli- 
tics is found in the Republican ranks. 

WILLIAM BKtH AM, pliysician and surgeon, 
Seville ; was born in Holmes Co.. ( )hio. Sept. 11, 
1834. A family of this name emigi'ated to 
Wayne Co., Ohio, as early as 1812. James Big- 
ham being the head of the family. He bought 
a farm near where Wooster now stands, but 
which then contained only a solitarj- cabiu. and 
commenced the battle of making a home in 
the dense forest. The following year, they be- 
came alarmed at the reported ravages of the 
Indians, and, burying their cooking utensils, 
returned to their native county in the Keystone 
State, where thej- passed one year, and then 
again ventured to return to their pioneer home 
in the wilds of Ohio. They lived here the re- 
mainder of their lives, and passed away peace- 
fully manj' jears ago. Ebenezer. one of their 
sons, was about 10 j-ears old when they came 
here, and his early life did not differ materially 
from that of other pioneer children, and. after 
arriving at manhood, returned to Westmoreland 
Co., Penn., and married Mary Cunningham. 
They lived in Wayne Co. one 3'ear, and then 
removed to Holmes Co.. where they passed the 
rest of their days de^■eloping a fine property 
and creating a truly interesting home. She 
died in 1858, and was followed by her husband 
in 1876. The subject of this sketch received a 
good common-school education, which was sup- 
plemented by a business course, and in 1855 
he went to Cumberland. Va.. where he was 
book-keeper for Cyrus Prentiss, a dealer in fire- 
proof brick in the Xevv Orleans market. In 
the political campaign of 1856. he was one of 
the twenty Free-Soil citizens that resided in 
that county, and these were all men of North- 
ern birth or else Northern eilucation. This 
handful of patriotic souls raised the first pole 
ever dedicated to their cause in Virginia soil — 
a monument to their fearlessness and heroism. 
He commenced the study of medicine in 1858, 
and during the winter of 1861-62 attended the 






720 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



University of Michigan at Ann Aitior. In 
April. 18G2. he located at Seville, vrhere be has 
since practiced, except diirina; the time he was 
in the arm}-. He was Captain of the IGGth 
0. N. G., Co. F. and located at Fort Ilichardson. 
He secured tlie right of way for the C, T. Y. & 
W. K. R. through this section of country, and 
was instrumental in securing the necessary 
local support. He was surgeon of the roail 
from 1872 to 1875. and was elected Mayor of 
Seville in 1862. and again in 1SG4 and 1S7S. 
His marriage was celebrated May 27. 185(5. 
Amanda L., daughter of Solomon and Martha 
(Davis) Geller becoming his wife. She was a 
resident of Mt. Gilead. Ohio. They have one 
child — Mattie 31.. born Aug. 7. 1857. He is a 
Republican. 

V.VN BEIjL. hardware. Seville ; was born 
in Guilford Township. Medina Co.. Ohio. Feb. 
3. 1835. His father. Nathaniel Boll, came here 
from New York State at a very early da}-, per- 
haps in 1819. being a single man at the time. 
He was prominently identified with the grow- 
ing interests and improvements of the countv 
during the pioneer times, and was married to a 
lad}- reared under like circumstances as him- 
self, coming to the county during her early life, 
and also schooled to adversity. Her name 
was Sarah L. Cook. and. in 1837. they gathered 
together their worldly effects and moved to 
Wisconsin, where they passed the rest of their 
lives, she dying in ISifi and he in 1868. When 
15 years old. Yan returned to this county from 
^^'isconsin and attentled school lV)r three vears. 
and then, after living at iiome one vear longer, 
came here and learned the carpenter's trade. 
He remained three years, and the same length 
of time he passed successively in Wisconsin 
and Illinois. The golden land of California 
next attracted his attention, the journey being 
made by the overland route. There he worked 
at the trade of millwright for three years, and. 
having been successful, he resolved to again 
visit Ohio. He came to Seville, and. after five 
years' experience in the furniture l)usiness, he 
engaged in the hardware trade, whicii has 
proved successful. He was married, in Febru- 
ary. 1857. to Kmeline Caugliey. at Seville. She 
died in May. 1871. having borne three children 
— Wallace (who died when young), .\lary and 
Maggie. In 187(i. he was united to Nellie 
Harper, a native of this county. .Air. Bell was 
a iH'mocrat in earlv life, and cast his first 



Presidential ballot fcir Stephen A. Douglas. 
He is now a Republican. 

LEYI J. CONKEY, farmer; P. 0. Seville. 
Among the early settlers of Me(lina Co. that lo- 
cated in what is termed Guilford Township, we 
take pleasure in mentioning the Conkey family, 
wiio first came here in 1828. Ezekiel Conkey, 
Sr., with his family, were residents of Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., and, wishing to better his cir- 
cumstances in life, lived a short time sue 
cessively in the States of Yermont and New 
York. He flnall}- removed to Ohio in the year 

1818, and located in Jefferson Co., where he 
lived ten years before he came to the county of 
Medina, and even then Jived here only a short 
time, during which they erected a cabin and 
started a home in the forest. Returning to Jef- 
ferson Co., they remained there until 1833, 
when they once more removed to this county, 
where they ever after lived. Ezekiel Conkey, 
Jr., who was born about the year 17116. fol- 
lowed the fortunes of the family and bought 
the farm in Medina Co., which he himself de- 
veloped, there being 250 acres at first, a part of 
which he sold. Oct. 25, 1841, he was married 
to Elizabeth Haughey. She was born in Allen 
Creek Township. Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 9, 

1819, her father being a native of New Jersey, 
and her mother of Erie Co., Penn. In 1837, 
they removed from Jefferson to Wayne Co., 
Ohio, where he entered a tractof land, on which 
he lived until 1864. when he removed to Indi- 
ana, where he died. After his marriage. Mr. 
Conkey settled on the farm he had secured, 
where himself and wife struggled bravely and 
successfully with the world, and were bounti- 
fully rewarded for their labors. He died Nov. 
8, 1868, having devoted the gi'eater part of his 
life toward the improvement of Medina Co. 
Their union gave four children — Robert F. 
(born Aug. 19. 1845), Hannah M. (born July 9, 
1847), LeA-i J. (born March 12, 1849) and Caro- 
line L. (born March 18, 1851). The oldest son 
is married and lives in Williams Co.. Ohio. 
The daughters died young, and the youngest 
son still lives under the parental roof Both 
mother and son are consistent members of the 
United Brethren Church, and have recently 
erected a tasty and attractive residence in the 
northern part of AVa}-ne Co., to which they re- 
moved in the spring of 1880. They still retain 
the old homc^stead. and thus the county of Me- 
dina contains many associations dear to them. 



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GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



721 



lI^ 



MARY E. COOK, Seville ; was born July ! 
30, 1840. in Medina Co.. Ohio. Her father. 
Charles C. Mead, was horn and reared in Caju- 
ga Co., N. Y., and learned the trade of tanner 
and currier in the cit}- of Auburn. He was mar- 
ried to a lady by the name of Nancy Lyon, who 
was born at Saratoga, N. Y.,and went to Cayu- 
ga Co. when 10 years old ; she was a daughter 
of Daviil and Nancy (Cotter) L3-on, both of 
whom were natives of Westchester Co., N. Y. 
Her father served in the Revolutionary wai-, and 
at one time both he and his father were cap- 
tured, but managed to escape shortly afterward. 
In the spring of 1829, Mr. Mead moved to what ; 
is now Icnown as Medina Co., Ohio, and built a 
tannery, which he conducted as long as his 
health would permit. He then became a farmer, 
cleared a farm from the dense forest, and fol- 
lowed agricultural pursuits until November, 
1857, when he moved to the town of Seville, 
where he ever after lived, following the trade of 
painter. He died Feb. 14, 1S7G, and his wife and 
two cliildren survive him. The younger, who is 
the subject of this sketch, received a good com- 
mon-school education, which she completed at 
Medina, and commenced teaching when 1 7 years 
old. Dec. 12, 18G0, she became the wife of Lam- 
bert E. Cook, who came here from New York 
State when only 8 years old. He was born May 
27, 1809, and throughout his life was an indus- 
trious and frugal man. He passed the latter 
part of his life a resident of Seville, having a 
pleasant home in the suburbs of the town. He 
died July 20, 1876. Their union had given two 
children, one dying in infancy. The one living 
is named Bert A. Mrs. Cook is a member of the 
M. E. Church, her husband also having been a 
memljer manv years l)cfore his death. 

JOHN CdOLMAN, farmer; P. 0. Seville; 
was born April 15, 1815, in Stark Co., Ohio. 
His father, George Coolman, was born in 
Dauphin Co.. Penn., and from there went to 
Center Co., where he married a lady bj' the name 
of Susannah Emrich, who had also come there 
from Dauphin Co. Farming was his principal 
occupation in life, although he worked occa- 
sionally at some trade, being somewhat familiar 
with several different ones. In 1811, he re- 
moved to Stark Co., Ohio, and, while living there, 
entered the army as a musician, serving two 
diflferent enrollments in the war of 1812, one 
being as a substitute for his brother. In the 
autumn of 1817, he removed to Wavne Co., 



Jlilton Township, and remained there until the 
spring of 1826, he came to Guilford Township, 
.Medina Co., where he passed the rest of liis life, 
dying in 1828. having just got his clearing fair- 
ly started and an independent life assured. 
There were eight children then living, .and the 
eldest sons developed the farm and finished the 
work left by the father, tluis assuring an inde- 
pendence to their mother, who died November 
17, 1880. John commenced doing for himself 
when 18 yeai's old, and worked out for two 
years at $10 per month. Witii the wages re- 
ceived, he liought his first farm, where he now 
lives, consisting of 54 acres, at 84 per acre. It 
was all forest except enough for a potato patch, 
and, heeding the old command of '• It is not good 
for man to l)e alone," secured a companion in 
the person of Miss Anna King, the ceremony 
l.ieing performed in Februarj-. 183li. Together 
he and wife battled wit^i the elements of nature, 
and were successful from the first. He now 
owns 220 acres of land, much of which he has 
cleared himself besides assisting his children 
when starting in life. With the exception of two 
terms, he has been Justice of the Peace for 
thirtj^ years, and held other township offices 
much of the time. In such business as admin- 
istrator, guardian, etc., he has had more expe- 
rience perhaps tliau any other man in the county. 
His wife died Nov. 1. 1874, having borne six 
children, four of whom are living, and all are 
married — Jacob, Ephraim. Sarah and Susannah. 
All the family are members of the Lutheran 
Church, which Mr. Coolman joined when 18 
years old, and in which he is Elder. He is a 
Democrat, and voted first for A'an Buren for 
President. 

C. C. DAY, editor and proprietor of the Se- 
ville Timis, Seville ; was born JIarch 6, 1842, 
in Susquehanna Co., Penn., and is the youngest 
of a family of thirteen children born to Lysan- 
der and Hannali (Smith) Day. Both were na- 
tives of tlie '• Old Bay State," from which they 
moved after their marriage to Pennsjlvania. 
and there passed the rest of their lives. His 
father was a wagon-maker by trade, and at the 
same time conducted a farm. The subject of 
this sketch went into a printing office when 14 
years old, but shortly after quit to attend 
school, as he saw the necessity of a more tlior- 
ough education if he wished to succeed in his 
chosen profession ; accordingly, he attended 
two years at Homer. N. Y., and then finished 



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i^ 



JUOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



his education at the ' Mount Rose Xonnal 
School," conducted by Prof. Stoddard. While 
in the latter school, he worked in a printing of- 
fice during vacations, and has ever since been 
engaged in the business. He has conducted a 
number of different papers, the first he ever 
owned being at Corry, I'enn. In January, 
1875. he came to Medina, Ohio, and was mana- 
ger of the Medina (lazcth- one year. He then 
bought the Seville Times, and, under his careful 
management, it has prospered as never before. 
He was married at Jamestown, N. Y., July 4, 
1805, 5Iiss ^lary E. Harris, of Corry, Peun., 
becoming his wife. The}- have four ciiildren 
living — Eddie. Frank, Mellie and Ross. 

JOHN Dk WITT, marlile-dealer, Seville ; 
was born at Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. 20. 1849, 
and is a son of William and Hannah De Witt, 
both of whom were reared in tiermany. His 
father was born in the city of Berlin, received 
a splendid education, and for some time was 
one of the Government officers. He came to 
America soon after his marriage, and settled 
in Cleveland, Ohio, where he ever after lived ; 
for many years he was a contractor in carpen- 
ter work in tliat city, altliough he did not work 
at the trade himself; he relimjuished it for the 
practice of law, for which he seemed fitted by 
nature, as well as adoption, and which he fol- 
lowed about fifteen years before his death. He 
died in 1878; his wife survives him. John 
w^ent to work in a marble-shop when 14 years 
old, and thoroughly mastered the trade, which 
he has since followed, although he has done 
little work in the last few years. In the latter 
part of the year 187(1, he came to Seville, Ohio, 
where he has conducted a shop of his own to 
good advantage. He was married Dec. 28, 
1872, to Miss Emma Cannon; she was born 
Feb. 7, 1850, and is a daughter of I. J. and 
Margaret Cannon. In 1873, Mr. De Witt en- 
gaged in the mercantile l)usiness. keeping dry 
goods, notions and millinery goods, tlie busi- 
ness being conducted principally liy his wife. 
Their union has been crowned with one child, 
a boy named Frank, Both he and wife are 
members of the Grace Reformed Church of 
Akron, Ohio, He is a member of the Royal 
Arcanum, and has held municipal offices. He 
is ii {{('publican. 

JOHN GHISIN(!1-:R, farmer; P. O. Seville ; 
is one of the enterprising and prominent farm- 
ers of this lownsiiii), in which he was born 






April 2, 1849, His father, whose name was 
also John Geisinger, was born Oct, 18, 1792, 
in Northampton Co., Penn. He learned the 
trade of weaver, and also to run a saw-mill. 
He married a lady there by the name of Susan 
Histand, who bore him one son, named Nathan- 
iel. In 1833, he came to Medina Co.. Ohio, 
where he had previously bought 832 acres of 
land, paying for the same the sum of $3,300. 
It was all located in Guilford Township, and, 
being forest land, he erected a saw-mill on a 
small stream that passed through the farm, 
which he conducted for a nunilier of years. It 
is said tliat he had his loom in the mill, and, 
while the saw was slowly making its way 
through the log, improved the time by weav- 
ing. His wife having died, he conducted his 
own household duties for several years, when he 
secured another companion in the jierson of a 
Mrs, Briner, He was an energetic, thriving 
and successful man, clearing the greater part of 
his farm before his death, at that time being 
the largest landholder in the township. He 
died Feb, 25, 1854, and his wife, March 30, 
1S5G, John, being the only child, and then 
only in his childhood, passed through various 
ordeals before reaching manhood. He lived 
one year with his guardian, Samuel Miller, and 
then eight ^-ears in Summit Co,, when he re- 
turned here, where he has since lived. He owns 
over 400 acres of land, on which he has placed 
improvements that render his home one of the 
best in the township. He was married, Sept, 
16, 1870, to Amelia T,, daughter of Joseph A, 
and Margaret Overholt, She was born June 3, 
1851, iu Medina Co,, and has crowned their 
union with four children — George G,, Edwin F., 
Isaac N, and Samuel A, Both lie and his wife 
are members of the Lutheran Church, He has 
served as Constable four years, and also as 
Scliocjl Director. He is a Democrat. 

J. T. (! RAVES, Mayor and attorney, Seville; 
was born June 22, 1838. on the banks of the 
Erie Canal, in Niagara Co,, N, Y,, and is a son 
of Ansel and Sophia (Leland) Graves, His 
father was a practical farmer, and, iu 184(5, 
moved to Medina (lo,, Ohio, and located on a 
farm in the southern part of (iuilford Town- 
ship, near Wayne Co, He lived there until re- 
cently, when he disposed of his farm and moved 
to Seville, The subject of this sketch received 
a good common-school education, wiiich he im- 
proved by attending liie Medina High School, 



s 



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J^ « 



"k^ 



GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



723 



When IS j'ears old, he commenced teaching 
school, which he followed for man}' 3-ears dur- 
ing the winter season. In 1864, he served a 
short time in his country's service, being in Co. 
F. Idfith 0. N. (r. He commenced reading law 
about the year 1861, although he had no idea, 
at that time, of practicing the profession. His 
health would not admit of close application to 
stud}', and he ultimately came to the conclu- 
sion, that, for his own good, he had best forego 
the completion of his studies. However, he 
was admitted to the bar in 1871, and, in the 
summer of 1875, entered Johnson's offlce at 
Seville. The same year, he received the nomi- 
nation of the Republican party for Prosecuting 
Attorney, unsolicited on liis part, and held the 
office for four years. He was elected member 
of the Town Council in 1870, and, the follow- 
ing spring, was elected Mayor of Seville. 

JOHN P. HARRY, physician and surgeon, 
Seville ; was born in Lewistown, Mifflin Co.. 
Peun., Dec. 21, 1816, and is a sou of Joel and 
Hannali (Chorel) Harry, both of whom were 
natives of the Keystone State. In 1818, they 
removed to Ohio, and settled in Wooster. Mr. 
Harrj', being a man of business tastes and 
habits, at once embarked in the mercantile 
business, which he followed the rest of his life, 
dying about the year 1825. The mother, with 
the assistance she received from her sons, kept 
the family lionds unbroken, and reared her 
family to maturit}-. She died in 1877. at a 
ripe old age. John received a good common- 
school education, and, while yet in his youth, 
commenced clerking in a store. His health 
becoming somewhat impaired, he commenced 
reading medical works for the purpose of bet- 
ter understanding the nature of his dis- 
ease and the remedy therefor. He subse- 
quently resigned his position in the store 
and entered the offlce of Dr. Overholt, of 
Wooster, with whom he remained two years, 
and then entered the Eclectic Medical College 
at Cincinnati, from which he graduated in 
1 844, Locating at Wooster, ho practiced there 
some eight years, and then came to Medina 
Co., where he has since resided, and enjoyed a 
lucrative practice, his first location in this 
county lieing at River Styx, afterward at his 
present home north of Seville. In 1848, he 
was married to Mary Sheller, of Wooster, 
Ohio, her birthplace being in Pennsylvania. 
By this union, two children have been born — 



Franklin and Mary Jane, the younger of whom 
died in infancy. The son is married, and con- 
ducts his father's farm. Dr. Harry cast iiis 
first Presidential ballot for (Jen. Harrison, and 
is now a Republican. 

JOHN N. HIGH, hardware. Seville; was 
born Sept. 1, 1834, in Onondaga Co., N. Y. 
His ftitiier, Nathan High, was born at Sandy 
Hill, Wasliington Co., N. Y., Jan. 25, 1790, 
and was a son of an emigrant from Scotland, 
He was a saddler l)y trade, and married while 
residing in the Empire State, Maria Gray. 
In the month of Ma}', 1886, he removed to 
Ohio, and passed the rest of his life a resident 
of Seville, one of the flourishing villages of 
Medina Co. In 1852, he followed his eldest 
son to the Golden State of California, and re- 
mained there two years, when he returned to 
Seville. He died Aug. 27, 1870. His com- 
panion preceded him several 3'ears on that 
"mysterious journey from whose bourn no 
traveler returns," dying March 28, 1872. John 
learned the trade of carriage trimmer, and 
worked for E. Briggs, of Medina, six j'ears, 
and afterward at various places throughout the 
country, but, wishing to engage in business of 
a more permanent nature, he relinquished it 
and went into business at Seville. He first 
engaged in the boot and shoe trade, and, after 
following it two years, engaged in the clothing 
business for the same length of time. He 
again went to work at his trade, and, in the 
latter part of the year 1860. secured an inter- 
est in his present business with J. C. Stoaks, 
as partner. In 1871. Mr. Bell I)ecame a mem- 
ber of the firm, and. Mr. Stoaks withdrawing 
in 1876, the business has since been conducted 
under the firm name of High & Bell. They 
have undoubtedly tiie best assortment of goods 
as well as the best trade in Medina Co. Mr. 
High was married, Oct. 16, 1856, Miss Rebecca 
Ross becoming his wife. She is a daughter of 
Thomas and Lucinda (Shane) Ross, and was 
born Oct. 22, 1886, near Steubenville, Ohio. 
Laura Wilson, now the wife of William Dodge, 
was the recipient of kindness from them, and 
reared by them from her childhood. Both Jlr. 
and Mrs. High are meraliers of the Presbyte- 
rian Church. 

THO.MAS HUNTER, physician and surgeon, 
Seville ; is a son of John and Mary (Patton) 
Hunter, and was born Jan. 14, 1814, in County 
Donegal, Ireland. His father was a physician 



I 



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;r 









734 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and (lispeusarv surgeon iu that place, and was 
a man of generous impulses and kindness of 
heart toward all. He died in 1843, and his 
companion two years later. The subject of this 
sketch, possessing a mind both intuitive and 
retentive, passed the required examination in 
Latin and Greek to secure his apprenticeship to 
an apothecary, when only 15 years old. Three 
3'ears later, he eutered the Medical Department 
of the Trinity College at Dublin, where he re- 
mained tw(j years, and then passed the same 
length of time at the Universit}' of Edinburgh. 
April 17, 1837, he graduated at (Glasgow, and. 
although a good situation was open to him in his 
native land, he shortlj^ embarked for America. 
He landed at New York, and, making his way 
from there to Baltimore, passed his first winter 
in an apothecary store. Determining to locate 
and practice his chosen profession, he came to 
Ohio, and, after remaining a short time in Zanes- 
ville, he pushed on to Seville, in Medina Co., 
where he has since remained, except a short 
time that he was in Trumbull Co. He has here 
had a large and lucrative practice, although he 
has of late years been endeavoring to get on 
the retired list. He was married, Dec. 10, 1846, 
to Martha R., daughter of Daniel and Sophia 
(Gray) Terboss. She was born Sept. 11, 1824, 
in Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., and was liv- 
ing in Mahoning Co., Ohio, when she accepted 
her Irish lover against the wishes of her parents. 
Their union has given two children — Martha 
A. and John T. The daughter died Nov. 6, 
1868. Dr. Hunter is a man of matin-e judgment, 
and one who has made his waj* unaided through 
the world. He is a Democrat. 

JUDGE HENRY HOSMP]R, retired farmer ; 
P. 0. Seville. Among the emigrants to America 
from Count}- Kent, England, were three broth- 
ers b}' the name of Hosmer, who settled at 
Cambridge, Mass., and one of these was a mem- 
ber of the Hooker colony that went from there 
to Connecticut. The subject of this sketch is a 
descendant of that emigrant. His father, Will- 
iam Hosmer, was born at Hartford, and he and 
seven brothers entered the Continental Army, 
and fought gallantl\' for the cause of American 
Independence, one laying down his life at the 
battle of White I'laius, and anotlier dying in 
iiospital from wounds received in l)attle. Will- 
iam married Kiixabeth Barker, a native of his 
own State, and for man\' years was engaged in 
the manufacture of coaches and chaises ; but 



eventually relinquished it for farming. In 1814, 
he moved into Soutliern Massachusetts, where 
he remained until his removal to this State, 
where he died July 18, 1839, lacking only three 
months of being a centenarian. His wife de- 
parted this life, the 19tii day of August the 
previous year. The subject of this sketch, 
whose portrait appears in tiiis history-, was born 
May 22, 1793, and was apprenticed to a black- 
smith when in his Nth year, and worked for 
him two 3'ears after coming of age. On his 23d 
birthday, he started for the great West with 
a single companion, accomplishing the whole 
journey of over 600 miles in eighteen days, on 
foot. After prospecting through several coun- 
ties, he selected a tract of land where the village 
of Seville now stands, and returning home on 
foot b}- the wa}' of Pittsburgh, told the storey of 
the new country-. The last day of December, 
1816. together with his brother Chester, sister 
Mar}' and Shubael and Abigail Porter, he again 
made the journey to this place. It lieing mid- 
winter, the}- bought an Indian cabin for $1, in 
which they lived until better accommodations 
could be prepared, and immediately went to 
work clearing away the forest and getting ready 
1 for a s})riug crop. Henry returned once more 
to the Old Bay State, and brought the rest of 
his father's family to the pioneer home. He 
has done much for the improvement and ad- 
vancement of this part of the county, and is a 
respected and esteemed citizen. He has held 
various township ottices ; was the second Coro- 
ner ol" the county ; served as County Commis- 
sioner, and for five years was Associate Judge 
of Medina Co.. being on the bench when the 
present Constitution of Ohio was adopted. He 
was married, Oct. 30, 1820, at Avon, Lorain Co,, 
Ohio, to Lucy Hayes. She is of Scotch descent, 
and was born April 10, 1798, in Hampden Co., 
JMass. Her mother dying when she was young, 
she was reared by her grandparents, and came 
to her sister's home in Ohio after reaching ma- 
turity. Their union has l)een Iruitful of ten 
children, live of whom are living, viz.. Louisa 
M., Henry H., Julia J., Mary Y. .and Leavitt K. 
Judge Hosmer is still living on a part of the 
farm lie secured wiien he lirst came here. He 
servefl in the war of 1812. and iuis been a uiem- 
l)er of the Masonic Order since IS24. He is a 
stalwart Republican. 

HON. J. C. JOHNSON, attorney, Seville. 
Anionii' the memliers of the liar of this county. 



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tiL. 



GUIl.FORD TOAVXSHIP. 



725 



who have risen to prominent positions from the 
humble walks of life through their own ex- 
ertions, we mention Mr. Johnson, who was born 
in Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1820 ; a son of Daniel 
and Elizabeth (C'rabtree) Johnson, who were 
natives of the State of Maryland. His father 
moved to Ohio in 1804 ; served in the war of 
1812, and. in 1832. moved to Medina Co. He 
was a farmer by pursuit, and passed the rest of 
his life here, dyino; in 1857. and his companion 
in May, 1874. James passed his early life on 
his father's farm, receiving, only an ordinary* 
common-school education, and, in 1840, com- 
menced studying law. Some three years later, 
he was admitted to the bar, and has -since been 
one of the leading practitioners at the Medina 
C<.)unty l)ar. He was first elected to the State 
Legislature in 1848, and has served three terms 
there as member of the lower branch, being 
Speaker of the House the last term. For man}- 
years, he has been prominently identified with 
the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Co.. at first as a 
Director, but latterly as President of the board. 
He is a Democrat. 

ISAAC KULP, boot and shoe dealer; Se- 
ville; among the enterprising and prosperous 
business men of this town, we mention the gen- 
tleman above named, who was born in North- 
ampton Co.. Penn., Aug. 3, 1813, and a sou of 
Samuel and Lj'dia (Naragang) Kulp, both of 
whom were natives of Bucks Co., Penu. His 
father was a shoemaker by trade, and, in the 
spring of 1827. moved to Ohio and settled in 
Wadsworth Township, Medina Co., where he 
developed a piece of land, besides vvorking at 
his trade. He passed the rest of his life in 
this county, living successively- in Wadsworth, 
Sharon, Montville and Guilford Townships, 
dying in the one last named. Isaac received 
only a meager education, as one might judge 
from the schools here when he was a youth, but, 
in all the elements that relate to labor, he ob- 
tained a proficient drilling. Learning the trade 
with his father, he commenced doing for him- 
self when 18 j-ears of age, anil would travel 
through the countrj- from house to house, carrj-- 
ing his ''kit of tools." and perform all the 
work pertaining to his trade liefore leaving. 
He at length settled down in Guilford Town- 
ship, where he has since lived. His marriage 
was celebrated June 4, 1832, Miss Elizabeth 
Walker becoming his wife. She was born in 
Center Co., Penn.. September 3, 1813, her 



fiither, Matthias Walkei'. being a native of (ier- 
many, coming to America when in his youth, 
and her mother, a native of Maryland, her 
maiden name being Elizabeth Zigler. They 
moved to Wayne Co.. Ohio, in 1818, where they 
passed the rest of their lives. Mr. Kulp con- 
tinued to work at his trade a number of years 
after his marriage, when he relinciuishod it for 
the pursuit of farming, as he desired to bring 
up his family of children to habits of industry, 
and wisely- considered the farm the most desira- 
ble place. After their growth to maturity, he 
again returned to his old vocation, and con- 
ducted a large business in manufacturing, but 
now is only a dealer. Mr. Kulp's marriage has 
been fruitful of seven children, six of whom 
are living — Mary Ann, Samuel, Elizabeth, Sarah, 
Lovina and Kcbecca. All these are married, 
except the youngest, who is attending the 
Cleveland Homfeopathic Hospital College. Mrs. 
Kulp is a member of the Lutheran Church. 

HON. ALVAN D. LICEY, attorney at law ; 
River Styx; was born Sept. 13, 1832, in Hill- 
town Township, Bucks Co., Penn. His father, 
John Licej-, was a native of the same town- 
ship, and was born Sept. 20, 1798, being a 
descendnnt of an emigrant from Alsace, Ger- 
many, who bought his land from William Penn. 
He married a lady l)y the name of Catharine 
Derstine, who was born Feb. 28. 1810, in Bucks 
County. In the spring of 1849. he removed to 
Medina Co., Ohio, where he ever after lived a 
respected and useful citizen. Death, the com- 
mon enemy of mankind, deprived him of his 
companion, Dec. 12, 1874, and Nov. 3, 1880, he, 
too. passed away. The subject of this sketch 
had few advantages for obtaining an education, 
his school life terminating when he was only 12 
years old. He then engaged as Clerk in a 
store, and, finally, entered the mercantile busi- 
ness on his own account at River Styx, Ohio, 
in which he was eminenth' successful. While 
thus engaged in April, 1857, he was elected 
Justice of the Peace for Guilford Township, 
and, recognizing the utility of a better knowl- 
edge of law, he employed his leisure time in 
that study. Cpon retiring from the business 
of merchant, his ability had already been recog- 
nized as an Attorney, and he immediately en- 
tered into a lucrative practice. He served as J us- 
tice for a period of eighteen years, and, in 1870, 
was a member of the State Board of Ecjualiza- 
tion. In 1879. he received the nomination of 



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736 



I3I0GP.APIIICA1. .SKETCHES: 



the Repuhlican party for Representative to the 
Ohio Legislature, and was elected bj- the 
strongest majoritj- ever given in Medina County. 
He was married Oct. 19, 1858. to Martha, 
daughter of John and Elizabeth (Sweet) Wil- 
son ; she was bora in Medina County, Feb. 17, 
1829. Her father, one of the first 'settlers of 
the townshii), was. for eighteen years. Justice of 
ttuilford Townsliip, He died" Nov. 30. 18(il. 
Their union has been crowned witii four chil- 
dren — Desdemona. Ilzaide. John 0. and Kate. 
His wife is a member of the Disciples' flmrcli. 
and he of the I. 0. 0. F. 

(IEORCtE p. lee, farmer ; P. O. Seville ; 
was born in Guilford Township. Medina Co.. 
Ohio, Aug. 6. 1840. His father. Henry Lee, 
was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio. Aug. 30, 1812. 
and is a son of John and Sarah (Lance) Lee, 
who came to Wayne Co. in 1821. where they 
underwent the usual hardships and privations 
that fall to the lot of early settlers. Henry re- 
ceived but little schooling, and the experience 
he obtained while helping devt'lop his father's 
farm, fitted him for the task of clearing the one 
he now owns in this county. He bought it in 
1833. and. in 1S3G. was married to Eleonora 
Bowen. who was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 8, 
1819, and came to Wayne Co. in her youth. 
Mr. Lee's farm was covered with a dense forest, 
which he cleared away as fast as possible, and, 
by a lifetime of industry, created a valuable 
and productive property. He is now living a 
retired life, enjoying the reward that usualh- 
follows a well-spent and industrious manhood. 
Both he and his wife are members of the Bap- 
tist Church. George remained under the paren- 
tal roof until his marriage to Aldisa. daughter 
of B. B. Squires, of this township. He has re- 
sided on the one farm ever since his marriage, 
erected substantial and tasty buildings, and 
surrounded his home with many attractions. 
On his farm we find one of the finest orchards 
in the county, and other e\idenceR of thrift and 
industry. When 20 years old. he learned the 
trade of broom-maker, which lie has since fol- 
lowed with favorable results. His marriage has 
been fruitful of seven children, viz.. Judson 
(deceased). Chester U.. Richard. Grade. Bertie. 
Earnest, and one unnamed. It is the purpose 
of Mr. Lee to give his children a good and 
tiiorough education, wisely considering this of 
more value than riciies. He is an earnest ad- 
vocate of the cause of temperance, and a mem- 



ber of the Baptist Church, of which he is Trus- 
tee. He is a Republican. 

JACOB MILLER, farmer: 1*. O. Hiver 
Styx ; is the youngest son of Samuel and 
Elizabeth (App) Miller, and w:is born Nov. 12, 
1842, in Medina Co., Guilford Township. He 
received a good common-school education, and. 
having a natural taste for music, he cultivated 
this. and. for three summers, was a music 
teacher. He also has acted as agent for the 
Estey Organs for several \ears. but does not 
allow this business to interfere with the man- 
agement of his farm. His marriage was cel- 
ebrated Feb. 3. 1867, Miss Laura Rasor becom- 
ing his wife. She was born in Wadsworth 
Township. Medina Co., March 22. 1848. and her 
father. Eli Rasor. son of Christopher and Chris- 
tiana Rasor. born June 15, 1815. is said to be 
the first white child born in Wadsworth Town- 
ship. As may be inferred, his educational 
privileges were poor, the greater part of his 
youth being devoted to the improvement of his 
father's farm. He was married Nov. 21, 1834, 
to p]liza. daughter of James and Sabilla (James) 
Boak. She was born Aug. 29. 1813. in Dauphin 
Co.. Peun.. her parents removing to Wayne Co., 
Ohio, in 1824. After his marriage, 3Ir. Rasor 
developed a farm, their first home being a cabin, 
and. for some time, she did the cooking by a 
fire out of doors, as they possessed neither stove 
nor fire-place. The}' were, in later years, in (juite 
pleasant circumstances, and had a valuable 
home, created through their (uirly labor. He 
died Dec. 20. 1871; his companion is yet living, 
making her home with her daughter, .Mrs. .Mil- 
ler, since 1878. Mr. Miller has a pleasant home, 
and is noted alike for his hosiiitality and so- 
ciable disposition. Their union has been 
blessed with one child — Edwin J., born Dec. 
27. 1867. Both are members of tlie Lutheran 
Church, in which he fills the offices of Treas- 
urer and Oruanist. He is a Republican. 

JOSEPH" H. MILLER, veterinary surgeon, 
M'adsworth ; is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(.Vpp) Miller, and was born in Northampton 
Co.. Penn.. Feb. 28. 1836. His father was a 
carpenter by trade in early life, and, in the fall 
of 1837, removed to Ohio, where he has since 
lived, being a resident of Medina Co.. Guilfoi'd 
Township. For a few years after his arrival. 
he worked at the trade, l)ut relin(iuished it for 
the pursuit of farming, iiimself and eldest sons 
developing a large farm. He withdrew from 



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jHI 



i^ 



GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



727 



the active duties of farm life several years ago, 
and is yet a vigorous and well-preserved man ; 
his companion departed this life April G, 1879. 
The subject of this article was reared to the 
pursuit of farming, which he followed in the 
main until 1869 ; he, early in life, evinced a 
great desire to umlerstand the nature and dis- 
eases of the horse, and. whenever possible, 
would buy books treating on this subject. lie 
soon, through his own exertions, became well 
informed, and. his services being demanded 
much of the time, he withdrew entirely from the 
farm to follow the profession for which he seems 
designed by nature. He has been uncommonly 
successful, and after a two years-course, grad- 
uated in the spring of 1879, from the Ontario 
Veterinary College, at Toronto, Canada ; he 
was married in February, 1859, to Miss Eme- 
line Greisemer ; she was born November 28, 
1840, in Bucks Co., Penn., and came to Me- 
dina Co. in the spring of 1853, being a daugh- 
ter of Isaac and Mary Greisemer ; their uniou 
has proved fruitful of eight children, of whom 
the youngest three are living — Isaac Gilbert, 
Clayton Forest and George Franklin. Mr. and 
Mrs. Miller are members of the Lutheran 
Church ; he is a Ri'i)ublican. 

H. E. MATTES(3N, clothing store and insur- 
ance agent, Seville ; was born Oct. 11, 1826, in 
Cortland Co., N. Y., and is son of Cyrus and 
Catharine (Maydole) Matteson. His father was 
a farmer by occupation, and in 1836 moved to 
Medina Co., Ohio, and settled iu Litchfield 
Township, where he cleared over 200 acres 
of forest laud, beiug ably assisted by his 
sons ; he was a frugal and industrious farmer 
and devoted to his cliosen pursuit. He died in 
1870 in his 71st year, and his earthly compan- 
ion is yet living, being in her 82d year. The 
subject of this sketch commenced teaching 
school when 18 years old, a profession he fol- 
lowed during the winter season for several 
years. He commenced as agent for the " Ohio 
Farmer's Insurance Company," in Ma}', 1848, 
and has the honor of writing the first applica- 
tion ever presented them. A few years later 
he commenced carrying various kinds of silver- 
ware and jewelry on his tours through the 
country, at the same time attending to his du- 
ties as insurance agent ; he followed a business 
of this nature for twelve years, when he en- 
gaged in the mercantile and clothing business 
at Seville, keeps a grocery store, boots and 



shoes, etc., and for the last eight \ears has been 
a heavy dealer in wool. He has been uniformly 
successful in his undertakings, and is an ener- 
getic and prosperous business man. lie was 
married in 1852, to Mary, daughter of Halsey 
and Betsey (Moses) Hulburt, of Westfield 
Township, Medina Co. Their union has been 
fruitful of seven children — Ida M.. Charles F., 
Claude L., V. (Jliflord, Halsey H., Mary and 
David M. ; the eldest is married. Mrs. Matte- 
sou is a consistent member of the Baptist 
Church ; he is a stalwart Republican, and cast 
his first vote for James G. Birnej-, for Presi- 
dent. 

JAMES S. PALMER, former ; P. 0. Seville. 
Among the successful farmers and enterprising 
citizens of Guilford Township, we have no hes- 
itation in ranking the above-named gentleman 
as one of the first in the count}'. He was born 
in Jefferson Co., Ohio, March 20, 1829, his 
father, George Palmer, being also a native of 
the same county. Nathaniel Palmer, George's 
father, was one of the first to secm'e a farm 
there of Government land, and died when but 
little of it had been cleared, leaving a famil}' 
of small children to the mother's care. George 
was reared in the family of a neighboring farm- 
er, and, after reaching maturity, he secured the 
whole of his father's farm, b}- purchasing the 
interests of the other heirs. He was married 
to a lady of that county, b}' the name of Elma 
Coulter, and passed his life in the development 
and care of his farm, dying in October, 1863. 
His companion is yet living on the ■ old home- 
stead '' with her youngest son. James passed 
the earl}' part of his life on his father's farm, 
and has always been devoted to agriculture and 
stock-raising. His marriage was celebrated 
Nov. 21, 1850, Miss Margery Grafton becoming 
his wife. She is a daughter of Isaac and Jane 
(.McParland) Grafton, and was born iu Jefl'erson 
Co., Ohio. March 30. 1830. Her mother died 
in the fall of 1863, her father is yet living. 
March 20, 1851, Mr. Palmer removed to Guil- 
ford Township. Medina Co.. where he has since 
resided, owning a pleasant and attractive farm 
north of the village of Seville. Their union 
has been crowned with one child. Stella, born 
Jan. 15, 1855. Death has visited this family 
once, taking their only child, the 12th day of 
Jinie. 1S()2. Mr. Palmer is independent in his 
political views, being at present identified with 
neither of the leading parties. 






'^ 5) 



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728 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCIIE.'s: 



JACOB N. REESE, former; P. 0. River 
Styx ; was born in Stratford Township. Mont- 
gomery (]o., N. Y.. Jan. 2G. 1814. His latiier, 
Niciiolas Reese, was a native of that county, 
anil was married to a lady by the name of Anna 
I'utnam, her parents beiiiu; emigrants to that [ 
county from New I'Ingland. He was a farmer 
by pursuit, and in 1^:!! removed with liis fam- 
ily to Oiiio. settling at ^Iiddl('bnry, in Summit 
Co.. where he passed the rest of his life, dying 
at the advanced age of 75 years. His conipan- i 
ion departed this life in the month of October, 
1872, in her S2d year. Jacob has always been i 
a tiller of the soil. Dec. 31, 183.'). he was mar- 
ried to Jane S., daughter of William and Aurelia i 
Phelps. She was born May 22, ISID, in what | 
is now Summit Co., Ohio, her parents coming- 
there from Vermont in 1815, and thence to Me- 
dina Co., in 1836, settling in Wadsworth Town- 
ship. In the spring of 1837. Mr. Reese re- 
moved to Medina Co., where he has since re- 
sided, owning a valuable and attractive farm, j 
on which he can pass the rest of his life a con- j 
tented and happy man. By the union of tiiis 
couple, twelve children have been born, viz.: \ 
Aurelia A., born Dee. 1. 1837; William J., 
born Sept. 2. 1840 ; Elizabetli J., born Dec. 25, 
1842; Newton N.. born April 2, 1845; Lucia 
v., born Sept., 15, 1847; John B., born Doc. 
4. 1849 ; Jacob L., born Dec. 23, 1851 ; Clara 
J., born Jan. 5. 1854; John C. Fremont, born 
June 13. 185G ; the twins, Frederick S. and 
Frank 8.. born .'Vua;. 5, IStiO ; (rerlrude J., born 
Nov. 27. 18fi2. John died Fel). 14, 1854; 
Frederick, Oct. 28, 1800 ; and Fremont. April 
20, 1875. The two eldest sons served in the 
army during the late war. and all are married 
except the youngest two. ^Ir. Reese has served 
as Justice of the Peace, and hi'ld other local 
offices, being now one of the Trustees of (luil- 
ford Township. He is a Republican. 

RICHARD B. SQUIRES, retired farmer ; P. 
O.Seville; was born July 10, 1819, at West 
Windsor, Conn. His father. Sherman S(inires, 
was a native of that place, and son of Al)ner 
Squires, one of the heroes of tiie Ivevolutionary 
war. and a life-long resident of Windsor. Sher- 
man was a farmer liy pursuit, and married a 
lady of Ins native place by the name of Aldisa 
Blanchard. In .Alay. 1824. lie removed to Cuya- 
hoga I'^alls. Ohio, where he conducted a saw- 
mill for Henry Ni'wberrv. and boanled the 
hands engaged in the mill, living in the first 



house ever built there. In 1820, two j-ears 
later, he came to Medina Co. and .settled on a 
small tractof land in Guilford Township, vvhicli 
he had previously secured. He developed this, 
and added materially to its size as well as 
value. He taught school iluring the winter 
season for a few years in order to assist him 
linancialh-. and in his latter daj-s relinquished 
the farm entirely. His wife died June 10. 
1802, having borne two children — Henry and 
Richard. He was again married, and himself 
passed away in 1809, at the residence of his 
youngest son. with whom he was living. Rich- 
ard commenced teaching school when 20 years 
old, and followed this during the winter season 
for six years. The rest of his life was devoted 
to agricultural pursuits. He was married, Feb.- 
3, 1842, to Caroline Miller. She was ijorn Sept. 
15, 1817, in New York State, her father. Jacolj 
Miller, coming to this country from Holland 
when 14 years old. and. his father dying soon 
after, he was compelled to do for himself He 
served in the war of 1812, and lost his property 
through reverses that overtook him at that 
time. He was married to Sally .May, who died 
after having borne one child, also named Sally. 
He was then united to Emma Dis. who was 
born in Massachusetts, and was fruitful of 
twelve children. In 1837, they came to Ohio, 
and settled in Medina Co., which was ever after 
■their home. He died in 1800. and his com- 
panion Sept. 13. 1870. After his union, Mr. 
Squires lived in Montville Township for some 
time, and there partly improved a tarm. He 
sold it, however, to buy the old homestead 
when it was offered him by his father, and re- 
sided on it until May. 1879. when he removed 
to his present residence in the suburbs of Se- 
ville. Three children have blessed their union 
— Victoria A., Amy Aldisa and Sherman li. 
All are married, and the oldest and youngest 
have taught school. In this i)rofessiou, the 
family is somewhat remarkable, the father, 
mother, son. daughter and grandfather having, 
at various times in life, been teachers. Mr. 
Squires has sei-ved as Trustee for several years. 
He is a Democrat, and cast his first ballot for 
Wilson Shannon. 

J.VMES C. STOAKS. planing-mill ami lum- 
l)er-dealer. Seville ; was born .March 13. 1827. 
in St(!uben Co., N. Y. His father, John Stoaks. 
was born in New Jersey, reared in Orange Co.. 
N. Y., and is a sou of Alexander Stoaks. wlii> 



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GUILFORD TOWNSHIP. 



■iaQ 



came to America from Irelainl. He was a 
school-teacher by profession, and served with 
distinction in the Revolutionary' war. John 
was a wagon-maker by trade, and married a 
lady by the name of Clarissa Sutton, a native 
of Orange Co. Her lather, William Sutton, 
was of Scotch descent, and one of the heroes of 
the Revolutionary war. in which he was taken 
prisoner, and suffered without a murmur in de- 
fense of his country. In 18-f4, John Stoaks, 
with his wife and family of nine children, re- 
moved to Seville, Ohio, where he died the fol- 
lowing year, being then in his 50th year. His 
wife died in 1852. James learned the trade 
with his father, but, unlike many others who 
leaA'e the parental roof when of legal age, he 
supported the family until the death of his 
mother, which sepai'ated the family. He fol- 
lowed the trade, and was doing a good business 
in Seville, but, in 1864, he closed his shop, and 
he and his thirteen hands, with one exception, 
entered the army, that one being unfit for mili- 
tary duty. He "enlisted in Co. F. 16(jth 0. N. 
Gr., and was detailed for duty in the commis- 
sar}- department. On his return, he farmed 
four years, and then engaged in the hardware 
business, which he followed until recentlj-, 
when failing health induced him to withdraw 
and enter into his present business relations. 
His marriage was celebrated Sept. 26, 1851, 
Maria L. Cook becoming his wife. She was 
born July 4, 1830. in Jledina Co., Ohio, being 
a daughter of Alva and Lydia (Cooper) Cook, 
old settlers of the county. Mr. Cook died in 
1860. and >Irs. Cook in February, 18S0. Mr. 
Stoaks' union has been fruitful of three chil- 
dren — Hattie (wife of William Cunningham). 
Mar}- E. (teacher in the Seville schools) and 
Sarah B. They are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, which Mr. Stoaks joined when 
14 years old. and in which he has been Elder 
twenty-five years. Is a Republican, and voted 
first for Van Buren, on the Free-Soil ticket. 

C. A. STEBBINS, druggist. Seville ; is one 
of the energetic and successful business men 
that we find in the pleasant town of Seville, 
and a desirable acquisition he is in all respects. 
He was born in Wayne Co.. Ohio, June 6. 1852, 
and his father. W. P. Stebbins. is also a native 
of the same county and a descendant of one of 
the early pioneers. He was reared to the pur- 
suit of farming, which occupation he followed 
until recently, when he engaged in other busi- 



ness, being at present in the banking business 
at Seville. He secured for his companion 
through life, a lady by the name of Mary 
Glime, who was born in Niagara, N. Y., and 
came to Wa\'ne Co., Ohio, during her child- 
hood. The subject of this sketch passed his 
early life on his father's farm, but, considering 
a business career more suited to his taste, he 
embarked in the drug trade at Pike Station, in 
November, 1877, where he remained until Feb- 
ruary, 1879. when he came to Seville. He was 
married, Jan. 29, 1874, to Mary E., daughter of 
Henry M. and Jane (Cook) Viets. She was born 
Oct. 12. 1854. Both Mr. and Mrs. Stebbins are 
members of the Presbyterian Churcii, and, al- 
though they have no children of their own. have 
befriended a motherless child named Winnie 
Hull. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, 
and is identified with the Republican party. 

L. B. WILSON, farmer ; P. O. River Styx. 
Among the early settlers of Medina Co., who 
underwent the hardships and privations inci- 
dent to all pioneers, we have the pleasure of 
chronicling the Wilsons as the first to settle 
in the township of Guilford. David Wil- 
son was born Oct. 12, 1790, in Ohio Co., Va., 
and is a son of William Wilson, who came to 
America about the year 1775, from County 
Antrim, Ireland, and at that time was a single 
man. He espoused the cause of his adopted 
country in her struggle for independence, and 
fought gallantly till the close, except the one 
year he was a prisoner, having been captured 
at the battle of Brandywine. He married a 
Pennsylvania lady by the name of Jane Mar- 
tin, and in the year 1806 removed to Trumbull 
Co.. Ohio, where he passed the rest of his life. 
David served one year in the war of 1812. In 
the latter part of the year 1816, accompanied by 
his brother John, came to Medina Co., and to- 
gether they started a clearing in the northeast- 
ern part of Guilford Township, the site having 
since been known as "Wilson's Corners." They 
remained here only a few weeks, however, then 
returned to their home in Trumbull Co., where 
the}- passed the winter, coming again in the 
spring, making this their permanent home. 
The first marriage in the township was cele- 
brated Dec. 15, 1818. Abigail Porter becoming 
the wife of David Wilson. She was horn July 
5, 1792. and was a member of tiic Hosmer 
colony that settled in this township soon after 
the Wilsons. Their union extended over a 



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730 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



period of uearh' fifty vears. her death oceurring 
July 19, 1866." Mr. Wilson is yet living. The 
subject ol" this sketch was born Nov. 22, 1833, 
iu Guilford Township, Medina Co.; is the 
youngest son born to the above couple, and re- 
ceived a good common-school education, which 
he completed at the Baldwin I'niversity. lie 
chose the pursuit of farming, as it seemed con- 
genial to his tastes, and in this he has been quite 
successful. He was married, May 27 1S7H, to 
Jane Sabilla Colbetzor, of Wadsworth Town- 
ship. She was born July C, 1845, and has 
blessed their union with two children, viz.: 
Hallie Kathleen, born Aug. 17, 1874; David 
Dudley Lamar, born March 16.1876. In April, 
1876, Mr. Wilson was chosen Justice of the 
Peace for Guilford Township, an office he has 
since held. He was a Republican at first, but 
has been identified with the Democratic party 
since the administration of Andrew Johnson. 

GEORGE H. WUCHTER, physician and 
surgeon, River Styx ; was boru in Wadsworth, 
Medina Co., Ohio." Sept. 4, 1858. His lather, 
Jonas H. Wuchter, was born and reared in 
Lehigh Co., Penn.. and there learned the trade 
of cabinet-maker. He was married to a ladv 
bj' the name of Mary A. Brobst. and, coming 
directh" to Ohio, located in Medina Co., where 
he has since resided and worked at his trade, 
for man}- years having kept a cabinet and fur- 
niture store at Wadsworth. The subject of 
this sketch, like most other sons in similar cir- 
cumstances, p.assed an uneventful and quiet 
youth, graduating from the Wadsworth High 
School iu 1877. He studied medicine success- 
fullj- in the offices of Dr. Briggs and Dr. Ly- 
man, and, in September. 1877. entered the 
medical department of the Unixersity of Penn- 
sylvania, from which he graduated in March. 
1880. The following May, he located at River 
Styx, where his ability and worth were soon 
recognized, and will undoubtedly secure him 
the practice he so well deserves. 

A. D. WELDAY. farmer and stock-dealer ; 
P. 0. Seville ; was born in Wavne Co., Ohio. 
Jan. 14, 1831. His father. Abraham Weldax . 



was born and reared in Jefl'erson Co.. Ohio, 
and enlisted to serve in the war of 1812, but 
the war closed before he reached the scene of 
action. He married a lady by the name of 
Jane Hofl'statter, who was born iu ^'irginia, and, 
when young, accompanied her parents to Jef- 
ferson Co., Ohio. Shortly after his marriage, 
3Ir. Welday moved to Wayne Co.. and settletl 
on a farm of forest land. He worked at his 
trade of carpenter and millwright during the 
summer, and cleared on his farm in the winter 
season. In the course of years, after enduring 
many hardships, the farm became one of the 
most arable in the county, and annuallj' re- 
warded him for his earlv toils. He died in 
the fall of 1866, his companion some two j'ears 
previous. The subject of this sketch com- 
menced doing for himself when of age. and 
earned his first money at the carpenter's trade. 
receiving S9 per month for sis months. The 
next winter he went East with a horse-dealer, 
for the purpose of seeing the country, and paid 
his way by leading and helping care for the 
animals. Going to work at his trade again, he 
soon broke his leg. which disal)led him perma- 
nently for that business, and he has since fol- 
lowed farming and stock-dealing with good suc- 
cess, making at present a specialty of thorough- 
bred cattle. He assisted in securinsi the right 
of way for the C. T. Y. & W. R. R., and Superin- 
tended the fencing of the road as well as repairs 
and constructions. He moved to this county 
in 1864, where he owns over 200 acres of land, 
besides ha^•ing Western property. He was 
married. Oct. 16, ls56, to Mary E.. daughter of 
Oren and Dorcas (Cronk) Foster. She was 
born Aug. 3. 1834. in Essex Co., X. Y. In 
1836. the family moved to Pennsylvania where 
thej' li\'ed four years, when they removed to 
this State. Their union has given seven chil- 
dren — Francis L., Willis W.. Elsie H. (deceased). 
Charles B.. Leslie L.. Mary Effie, and Ray. The 
eldest is married. He is a member of the .Ma- 
sonic order and Royal .Vrcanum, being Regent 
of the latter order. He is a Democrat. 



A 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



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731 



k 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



FRANKLIN BURT, Mallet Creek ; was bom 
in Granger Township, Medina Co., Ohio, Feb. 
13, 1881. He is a son of Matilda and C. C. 
Burt, the mother's maiden name being Hiekox. 
The Burts came from Now England to Medina 
Co., Ohio, in March, 1819, and to York Town- 
ship in 1842, where the parents are yet living. 
Franklin Burt passed his youth and early man- 
hood on a farm, receiving a common-school ed- 
ucation. When 21 3ears of age, he began for 
himself, laying aside his wages until he had 
enough to start a home. He was married, in 
December, 1853, to Jane Crissman, daughter of 
Daniel Crissman. To this union there were 
born seven children, six of whom are yet liv- 
ing — Clara (now wife of E. H. Phillips), Ver- 
non, Floyd, Phaxon, Harvey, Mary and Elva. 
Mrs. Burt was born July 27, 1831. Mr. Burt 
owns 127 acres of excellent land ; is a Repub- 
lican in politics, and he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Protestant Methodist Church at 
York Center. Mr. Burt is an enterprising and 
industrious farmer, and is among the best citi- 
zens in York Township. 

L. B. BRINTNALL, deceased ; was born in 
New Haven Co., Conn., Dec. 19, 1814. He is a 
son of Thomas and Lydia (Wright) Brintnall, 
who were parents of six children, as follows : 
James M., Lemuel B., Melissa, Aurelia, Monroe 
W. and Franklin T.; Monroe died in Jefferson 
Co., 111., March 23, 1845. Lemuel B., together 
with his parents, moved from Connecticut to 
Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1815, and, in 1831, 
emigrated to York Township, Medina Co., Ohio, 
coming the .second j'ear after the earliest settler 
in the township had arrived. They came over- 
land with a neighbor, each having a team. Mr. 
Brintnall owned a yoke of oxen, and these were 
used to draw the household goods of the two 
families, while thej' rode in their neighbor's 
wagon, which was drawn b}- a team of horses. 
The men took turns walking and driving four 
milch cows, and thus they arrived in York 
Township. Mr. Brintnall located in the east- 
ern part of the township, and immediately be- 
gan clearing and improving a farm. Here the 
subject of this biography- passed his youth un- 



til he reached his majority. From the time he 
was 17 until he was 21, his time was employed, 
in the winter, in teaching school. In 1843, he 
was united in marriage with Lydia, daughter 
of Thomas Sayles, Esq., and to them were born 
eleven children — Francis, born June 10, 1844 ; 
Emma I, Oct. 23, 1845; Thomas, Jan. 13, 
1847; Eliza, Sept. 13, 1848; Charles, Dec. 24, 
1849 ; Dwight, Feb. 13, 1852 ; Helen J., Dec. 
1, 1853 ; Arthur, Nov. 7, 1855 ; E. W., April 
13, 1868; Elmer E., July 2, 1860 ; and Wesley 
L., July 15, 1862. Mrs. Brintnall was born 
Feb. 16, 1817. Mr. Brintnall was a Repub- 
lican in politics, and a member of the Congre- 
gational Church at York Center. On Feb. 2. 
1879, he was taken down with typhoid pneu- 
monia, and, after five days of suffering, died. 
Mr. Brintnall was a fond husband and a kind 
father, and his death was tleeply deplored by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. The 
widow still continues to reside on the old home- 
stead. 

H. C. A. BACKER, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; 
was born in Hanover, Germany, March 11, 1825. 
He is a sou of Henrj' and Dora (Dethers) 
Backer, who were parents of seven children, 
onlj' three of whom are now living. The father 
was a farmer, and, to better his circumstances 
and give his children proper advantages for se- 
curing an education, emigrated to the United 
States, landing in New York in 1830. After a 
year's stay in New York, he, with his family. 
came to Cleveland, aud, in 1831, came to Medina 
Co., Ohio, locating in Liverpool Township, 
where they lived until their parents' deaths. 
Mr. Backer was a hard-working and industrious 
citizen. On his arrival, he ran in debt for 30 
acres of land, which was all paid for at the time 
of their respective deaths. Our subject passed 
his earl}- career on the farm in Liverpool Town- 
ship ; and. in 1845, was united in marriage with 
pjlizabeth, daughter of Conrad Rinner. and by 
her had seven children — Henry, Kat}-, Louisa, 
Henry, Jr., Frederick, Wilhelmina and William. 
Of these, onl}' Kat}', Frederick and Wilhohnina 
are now living. Mrs. Backer was born in (ior- 
many in 1 823. After the death of his parents. 



^1 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



our subject bought out the heirs aud com- 
menced liviuo- ou the old homestead. In 1869, 
he came to York Township, and has ever since 
resided there. He is independent in politics, 
and lie aud wife are members of the German 
Lutheran Church. Mr. Backer owns 119 acres 
of well-improved land, which he has gained 
principally hy hard labor, honesty and frugality. 
His father was a soldier under the great Napo- 
leon, and was a sharp-shooter. He was in that 
never-to-be-forgotten battle — Waterloo — where 
Napoleon received such a crushing defeat. 

E. A. BRANCH, farmer; P. O.^Medina; was 
born Sept. 3, 1818. in New York, and is a son 
of the old pioneer. Judge Levi Branch, of whom 
appropriate mention is made elsewhere in this 
work. !Mr. Branch was reared on a farm, re- 
ceiving but a taoderate education. He came 
with his parents to York Township, in 1830, 
and, on the 16th of November. 1842, was 
united in marriage with Sarah S. (rardner. 
daughter of Levi and Lydia (Stickney) Gard- 
ner, and by her had six children — E. L., now 
wife of Lyman Watkius ; Ella F.. widow of M. 
Gardner ; Martha, now deatl. and three others 
who died in iutancy without being named. Mrs. 
Branch was born in iMonroe Co.. N. Y.. in 1824, 
and her folks were old settlers in York Town- 
ship. Besides their own children. Mr. and ^Irs. 
Branch have adopted three boys, whom they 
have raised from infancy, they adopting the 
surname of Mr. Branch. These were Theo- 
dore (deceased), Fremont A. and Willis A. Mr. 
Branch is a Republican in politics, and has held 
various township ortices. He owns 148 acres of 
well-improved land. He and wife are members 
of the Congregational Church, and are well- 
known and hiiihlv respected citizens. 

A. C. BOWKX. farmer ; P. (). Mallet Creek ; 
was born in Berkshire Co.. Mass.. March 16, 
1812. He is a sou of Peter and Polly (Apthorp) 
Bowen, and is a descendant of old and honored 
families of New England. !Mr. Bowen was 
reared upon a farm, and in youth received a 
good common-school education. During the 
month of June, 1837. he came to Medina Co., 
Ohio, locating in La Fayette Township. In 
1850, he moved to York Township, where he 
has ever since resided. On the 6th day of Sep- 
tember. 18;')8, he was united in marriage with 
Mi.ss Cecelia M. Branch, daughter of Klisha 
Branch, and by her had live children — .Vngclina 
M., now wife of A. Depew ; .^lyron E.. dead ; 



Mvra E., dead ; Delia S.. dead, and M. M., now 
the wife of S. W. Bachtell. Mr. and Mrs. Bowen 
are hard-working and industrious people. They 
are consistent and devoted membei-s of the 
Congregational Church at York Center. Mrs. 
Bowen is a refined and well-educated lady. 
They own 61 acres of well-improved land, and 
are classed among the old settlers of York 
Township. 

NELSON T. BURNHAM, farming ; P. O. 
Medina ; is a native of Connecticut, and was 
born ou a farm in Hartford Co. Dec. 26. 1811. 
His early life was passed on the farm, during 
which time he received a limited education in 
the common schools of his neighborhood. On 
becoming of age. he engaged as salesman with 
a clock establishment, receiving a salary of $35 
per month the first year, and S50 per mouth the 
second j^ear, after which he continued the bus- 
iness on his own responsibility, buying aud sell- 
ing for himself and operating by team in Penn- 
sylvania and the western portion of Virginia. 
After a total experience of five years in the 
clock trade. Mr. Burnham settled down to mer- 
cantile business in IMiddletown. Conn., where he 
remained until 1846. in the fall of which year 
he came to Ohio, locatino' on his present place. 
May 26, 1842. he married Miss Emily Clark, a 
native of Litchfield Co.. Conu. She. together 
with her parents, came to Medina Co.. Ohio, 
about the year 1837. To her marriage with Mr. 
Burnham, there were born eight children, of 
whom five are now living — Nellie !M., wife of 
Prof Hendricksou, Professor of Mathematics in 
the Naval Academy, at Annapolis. JId. : Mary 
E., now Mrs. Packard, of Covert, Mich.; Franklin 
Y., farmer, lives on part of the home farm ; Ed- 
ward, at home, and Andrew L. is in business in 
Medina. Of the deceased, Arthur N. died in 
infancy ; Frederick N. and Josephine E. lived 
to maturity ; all died at home, and were buried 
at ^Medina. Though starting in life with no 
capital but a stout heart and willing hands. 
Mr. Burnham has. by economy and well directed 
eftbrt. been very successful in business. He now 
owns over 500 acres of land, on which he is just 
completing an elegant brick residence, and one 
of the finest in the county. The interior of this 
house was arranged according to Mrs. Burn- 
hara's own orders, and. as a house of convenience, 
it is not excelled by any in tlie county. Taking 
the house as a whole, it is a model of conven- 
ience and architectural beautv. reflcctintr much 



^V'la 



r^ 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



733 



credit to Messrs. Thomas Gower, mason, and 
Richard Gibhings, carpenter, under whose man- 
agement the buildini; is beinsz: completed. 

WILLIAM BOW.^IAN, Ihriner ; P. 0. Mal- 
let Creek ; is a son of Christopher and Sylvia 
(Shaffer) Bowman, and their parents were natives 
of Pennsylvania, w'here they wore married. 
From Pennsylvania, they moved to Stark Co., 
Ohio, in 1820. After pioneers' experience there 
for seven years, they removed to Sugar Creek 
Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, and from there to 
La Fayette Township, Medina Co., in 1835. They 
resided here in the wilderness, building up a 
home, until their respective deaths, vrhich oc- 
curred the same day in September, 1863. On 
his arrival in La Faj'ette Township, Mr. Bowman 
had but about $10 in all, and this he advanced 
on his farm, which consisted of IK) acres. By 
degrees, and by the hardest labor, this farm was 
finally cleared of all expense in about 1855. 
William, the subject of this biography, was born 
in Wayne Co., Ohio, June 1, 1830. and is one in 
a family of fourteen children. He passed his 
j-outh and early manhood on the farm in La 
Fa3-ette Township. On Dec. 11. 1852. he mar- 
ried Sarah J., daughter of Jlichael and Lena 
(Wheeler) Troxler. and by her had live children 
— Willis, dead ; Delpha. Silva, Silvinia and 
Frank. Mrs. Bowman was born in Summit Co., 
Ohio, Oct. 16, 1833. May 2, 1863, Mr. Bowman 
enlisted in Company D, 166th O. Y. I., and 
served 113 days. Both of his grandfathers 
were in the Revolutionary war. serving the col- 
onies faithfully. His daughter Pelplia is the 
wife of Levi Stone, and is a resident of York 
Township. Mr. Bowman owns 150 acres of well- 
improved land. He is a stanch Republican in 
politics, and he and wife are members of the 
Disciples' Church at La Fayette Center. 

DAYID H. BENNETT, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; P. 0. Mallet Creek. There is no family 
more worthy of a sketch in this work than the 
family of Mr. Bennett, of York Township. Mr. 
Bennett is a son of Oliver and Betsey (Ford) 
Bennett, who came to Brunswick Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, in 1827. Mr, Bennett was a 
native of New Hampshire, and his wife of Jlassa- 
chusetts. The}- were married in New York, 
and were parents of ten children, seven of whom 
arc yet living. Our subject was born in Orleans 
Co., N. Y., March 5, 1820, and was reared on a 
farm, and, in after years, has made that his 
business. His father died August, 1863, and 



i 



his mother August, 1859. On the 10th of April, 
1845, he was united in marriage with i^Iar}' 
Tillotson, daughter of the old pioneer Daniel 
Tillotson, who came to Urunsvvick Township at 
the early date of 1815. To this union, were 
born six sons anil one daughter — Lucius H., 
Francis ()., Charles K., Fred D., Elmei- K., Milo 
A. and Ida M. Francis, Charles and Fred are 
married. After his marriage, Mr. Bennett 
W'Orked his father's farm four years, receiving 
one-third of the proceeds. In 1819. he came to 
York Township, and settled on the farm he 
now owns, buying at that time 50 acres, paying 
$250 cash, with a balance of $550 to paj-. He 
worked very hard here, and, at the end of a few 
prosperous years, was enabled to pay the full 
amount for the land. By degrees, he has since 
added, until he now owns a fine fivrm of 97 
acres, which is clear of all incumbrances, which 
he has gained by legitimate farming. Mr. Ben- 
nett is a stanch Republican in politics, and an 
earnest worker in the advancement of education. 
]\Irs. Bennett was born in Brunswick Township 
Oct. 11, 1821. Mr. Bennett's father served all 
through the war of 1812 ; enlisting as private, 
he was promoted to Orderl}- Sergeant. 5Ir. 
Bennett and wife are esteemed citizens of York 
Township. 

LEYI H. BRANCH, deceased. He was 
born in Monroe Co., N. Y., July 21, 1816. He 
is a son of Judge Levi and Polly (Stone) 
Branch, the old pioneers of York Township. 
He, together with his parents, came to York 
Township in the fall of 1830. and, up to his 
death, always made York his home. IMr. 
Branch was reared on a farm, receiving a good 
common-school education. April 16, 1839, he 
was united in marriage with Miss ]Mary A. 
Bowen, daughter of Peter and Polly (Apthorp) 
Bowen, and sister of A. C. Bowen, a sketch of 
whom appears in this work. Peter Bowen was 
born Nov. 20, 1788. and Polly Apthorp. his 
wife, was born March 11, 1787. Thej' were 
married Dec. 23, 1810. and to them were born 
ten children, eight of whom are yet living. 
They came overland by wagon from Berkshire 
Co., Mass., to York Township. Medina Co.. 
Ohio, in 1838. Mr. Bowen departed this life 
Sept. 29, 1871, and Mrs. Bowen Nov. 15. 1861. 
To the union of Levi H. Branch and .Mary A. 
Bowen, there were born the following family' : 
Alvin L., Sidney S., Nelson L., Henrv'.M.. Hvlas 
K., Milo E., Caleb B. and Marv E. " Alvin and 



VM! 



734 



BIOGKAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 



Nelson are now dead ; Sidney served his coun- 
try in tlie late war, in Co. K, 8tli 0. V. I. He 
is now iu Michigan, having married Anna Hud- 
son. Hylas and Henr^- are in the same State, 
the former marrying Josie Barragar and the 
latter Agatha Gardner. Milo married Miss 
Alma Gardner, and resides with his mother. 
Mary is single and lives at home. Mrs. Branch 
was born April \2. 1819. In about 1SU2, Mr. 
Branch's health began failing, and Anally ter- 
minated iu his death, which occurred July 19, 



187 



He was a kind husband and an affec- 



tionate father. He was regarded b}' his friends 
and neighbors as an excellent farmer and an 
honorable, upright gentleman. Mrs. Branch 
survives him, and continues to reside on the 
home place near Erhart, iu York Township, i 
The homestead consists of 137 acres, while 
Milo owns 77 acres adjoining it. The Branches 
and Bowens are among the l)est and mo.st in- 
fluential citizens in Y<jrk Township. 

ZIMRI COOK, former ; P. 0. Mallet Creek; 
is one in a family of fourteen children, their 
names being as follows : Zuriel, Zerena, Zer- 
ema, Zimri, Zephrona, Zerusha. Zetna, Zegus- 
tus, Zclora. Zethaniel, Zeruth, Zelotus, Zedelia 
and Zejames. Of these. Zurial and Polly (Lum- 
bard) Cook were the parents. Zimri Cook was 
born in Jefferson Co.. N. Y.. in January. 1813. 
In 1832, he, with his parents, emigrated to 
Ohio, locating in York Township, Medina Co., 
where the parents remained until their respect- 
ive deaths ; the father died Aug. 2(i, 1849, and 
Mrs. Cook died Aug. 26, 1869. On their ar- 
rival iu the county, there was but a sixpence in 
money in the entire iamily, and with this start 
the parents struggled on, and at the time of 
their deaths were worth consideralile propertj'. 
AVhen ten years old, Zimri hired out to the 
neighbors to work on their farms, and assist 
the settlers generally. He continued working 
out in that manner until 1830. He was mar- 
ried in the State of New York, Jan. 11, 1843, 
to Elizabeth E. Brown, daughter of Charles 
Brown, E.sq., and b^' her had the following- 
named family : Margaret E., Charles B., Tham- 
son E., Horatio Z., Elizabeth and Medora. Me- 
dora is now dead. Margaret resides in Mich- 
igan, the wife of W. H. Brooks. Charles is an 
express messenger, in Omaha, Neb. Thamson 
is single and lives at home with his parents. 
Horatio married Elva Pritchard, and lives in 
Kansas. Elizabeth is the widow of Nathaniel 



Firman, and she resides with her parents. The 
mother of these children died July 3, 1861, and 
Mr. Cook married Fanu}- .Merriman as his sec- 
ond wife, the marriage taking place May 24, 
1865. The present Mrs. Cook was a daughter 
of Oliver Caswell, and the wi<low of Nathaniel 
Merriman. Mr. Cook is a Republican in pol- 
itics, and an intelligent gentleman. 

ORLANDO DICKEllMAN. tanner; P. O. 
Mallet Creek ; was born in Medina Co.. Ohio, 
Nov. 15, 1826; he is a son of Clement and 
Almira (Ormsby) Dickerman ; his parents were 
among the early pioneers of Medina Co., and 
their coming to the county influenced many 
other families to come. Orlando was reared on 
a farm, receiving a common-school education. 
Jan. 1. 1851, he was united in marriage with 
Elizabeth, daughter of Arza and Achsah 
(Lampson) Pearson, and by her has three chil- 
dren — Achsah (deceased), Clark P. and Henry 
C. Mr. Dickerman is a Republican in politics, 
and is the owner of 10(1 acres of finely im- 
proved land. He and famil}- are well respected 
wherever known, and are among the euterpris- 
ing citizens in York Township. 

REUBEN GARDNER, former and stock- 
raiser ; P. 0. JIallet Creek. Among the old and j 
honored pioneers of York Township are Reu- 
ben Gardner and wife. Mr. Gardner was born 
in Monroe Co., N. Y., Dec. 6. 1816 ; his par- 
ents, Levi and Lydia {Stickne}) Gardner, were 
natives of New England, and parents of a 
family of ten children, three of whom are 
now dead. Reuben's early youth was passed 
on his fother's farm, at which period he re- 
ceived a good common-school education. Dur- 
ing the fall of 1831, Levi Gardner and family 
moved into York Township, Medina Co., Ohio, 
settling on 160 acres of woodland, for which 
he had previously traded 30 acres in New 
York, making an even trade. Mr. Gardner, Sr., 
was a man of good education, and proved to 
be a valuable addition to the little colony of 
settlers then beginning to locate in this town- 1 
ship. He and wife are both dead. They lived ' 
long enough, however, to see the work they 
had so successfully begun in clearing and im- ■! 
proving merge into pleasant iiomes and valua- 
ble land for their descendants. Reuben (Gard- 
ner was married, Aug. 9, 1840, to Mary E. 
Branch, daughter of ' Judge " Levi Branch 
and Polly (Stone) Branch ; to this union were 
born the following family : Polly (deceased), 



^f 



to 



^ 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



735 



Theodore C, Almeda M.. Liicretia, Fanny A., 
Cliloe M.. Lydia L., Eva A.. Harry R., .Martha 
H. (deceased), and one unnamed that died in 
infancy. Theodore is a merchant in Mill- 
brooli, Mich.; Ahneda married a Mr. Pond, and 
lives in Brooklyn, N. Y.; Lucretia is the wife 
of B. H. Hale, and resides in York Township ; 
Fanny is a missionarj- among the idol-worship- 
ing inhabitants of Japan ; Chloe is the wife of 
E. L. Phillips ; Lydia is the wife of H. F. Cum- 
mings, and both reside in Mecosta Co., Mich.; 
Eva is the wife of J. D. Holcorab, and resides 
in York Center ; Harry is a young man not yet 
of age, and is attending business college in 
Brooklyn, N. Y. Mrs. Gardner was born Jan. 
1 9, 1 822 ; her parents came to York Township 
in 1830, and were among the earliest settlers in 
the township. Mr. Gardner is a Republican in 
politics, while he and his wife are members of 
the Congregational Church at York Center. 
They own a large and well-improved farm. 

JACOB GAYER, farmer; P. 0. Medina; 
was born in (Germany Feb. 4, 1808 ; he is a 
son of Charles and Susan (Miller) Gayer, who 
were parents of se^ven children, onlj- four of 
whom are yet living. In 1823, Jacob, with his 
parents, emigrated to the United States, coming 
direct to Medina Co.. settling in Liverpool 
Township. In 1834, he was united in marriage 
with Frances R. Gollmer, daughter of Joachim 
Gollmer. In 1850 he purchased his present 
place, where he has lived peacefully ever since. 
He now owns 76 acres of well-improved land, 
about one mile northwest of Medina. Mr. and 
Mrs. Gayer's children are as follows : John 
(dead), Caroline (dead), Henry, Gotleib, 
Charles, Frances, Jacob, William. Augustus 
(dead) and Caroline. Henrj' married Sarah 
Keller, and lives in Medina ; Gotleib married 
Mary Katzmier, and lives in Wood Co., Ohio ; 
Frances is the wife of George Sheldrick, and 
lives in Medina ; Jacob married Frederika 
Mayer, is a carpenter and lives in Akron, Ohio. 
William married Christina Beck, and is in the 
same business with his brother Jacob in 
Akron. Mrs. Gayer's parents came to Liver- 
pool Township, Medina Co., Ohio, from Ger- 
many in 1830, and they were the first Germans 
in the county, and to their coming can be at- 
tributed the German clement now in Medina 
Co.; Caroline, the daughter of Mr. and Jlrs. 
Gayer, is a young lady of more than usual ac- 
complishments, upon whom the parents have 



bestowed a finished education. She has taught 
in a numlier of colleges and normal schools of 
Northern Ohio, and is a competent and thor- 
ough instructor in Greek, Latin. German and 
English. Henry and Gottleib were brave and 
efficient soldiers in the late war, and served 
their country faithfully. Mr. Gaj'er is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics, and he and wife are members 
of the German Lutheran Church. 

FRANCIS GARDNER, farmer and Post- 
master, Abbeyville ; was born in Baden, Ger- 
many, in 1823 ; he is one in a family of six 
children, only three of whom are yet living. 
The parents of this famil}- were Francis and 
Genevieve (Burkard) Gardner, who were also 
natives of Germany. The father was a miller 
by trade, and Francis. Jr., learned this trade 
thoroughly of his father. In 1845, he was 
united in marriage with Clara Slauo;hter, daugh- 
ter of Francis Slaughter, In 184^9, Mr. Gard- 
ner, with manj^ others of his countrymen, re- 
belled against the King of German}' for his 
tyranical conduct, and he was immediatelj' as- 
signed to Gen. Franz Sigel's corps with the 
rank of Lieutenant. The history of that rebell- 
ion is well known, and is needless of a repeti- 
tion here. Mr. Gardner served gallantly in this 
war, but, with the rest of the troops, was com- 
pelled to surrender after a bloody struggle, 
Gen. Sigel bareh- escaping with his life to 
Switzerland. After his capture, and when the 
insurrection had ceased, a great many of the 
prominent offenders were executed, and Mr. 
Gardner expected daih- that his turn would 
come next. Finall}-, by the aid of friends, he 
escaped, and, boarding a vessel bound for 
America, sailed for that refuge beyond the 
Atlantic. He arrived in New York in 1852. 
after a voyage of forty days ; he remained here 
a short time, and then, together with his fam- 
ily, came to York Township, ^ledina Co., Ohio, 
and has ever since made that his home. To 
his union with Miss Slaughter, there were born 
eleven children, all being dead InU the follow- 
ing : Philomena, Maria, Caroline, Theressa and 
Lucy. The mother died in April, 1804, On his 
arrival in York Township, Mr. Gartlner pur- 
chased the mill at Abbeyville of Martin Flick, 
and after four years of adversity sold out and 
commenced butchering, and this he followed 
about six years. In December, 1869, he pur- 
chased 150 acres of his present farm, and that, 
with the little lot he owned besides, made him 



r^ 



736 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



a nice farm of 1(j2 acres. In April. 1S70. lu; 
was commissionetl Postmaster at Abbeyville. 
and has retained tliat oliice up to the present. 
.Mr. (lardner is a Republican and a member of 
the Catholic Church, and is an intelligent and 
influential citizen. 

KLI HUBBARD, farmer; P. O. Medina; is 
a native of the ■ Nutmeg State." and was born 
Jan. 23, 1828. He is a son of A. W. and 
^Miranda (Prince) Hulibard, who were parents 
of a familj- of six children, four <if whom are 
yet living — Almira. Eli, Julia, Lysander T.J' 
Cjnthia A., deceased ; and one child, a twin 
brother to Hli. who died in childhood without 
being named. The parents of these children 
were from New England. Thej' came to York 
Township from Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1837, 
and are classed among the earl3- settlers of 
York Township. These parents were honest ; 
and industrious, and were among the town- 
ship's best and most highly respected citizens. 
The subject of this biography was reared on a 
farm, receiving a common-school education 
in \'Outh. Sept. 15, 1855, he was united in 
marriage with Emily C. (roodrich, daughter 
of Joshua Goodrich, descendant of an old 
family. To his marriage with ^liss Goodrich, 
there were born two children — 3Ielva J., now . 
wife of Henry Caswell, and Frankie A. The 
latter is a }'oung man, single, and resides with 
his parents in York Township. Mr. and Mrs. | 
Hubbard ai'e memljers of the Congregational 
Church in Medina. Mr. Hubbard owns 100 
acres of fine farming and grazing land. Is a 
Republican in politics, and a kind, enterprising 
gentleman. 

J. R. HOLCOMB, of the firm of J. R. Hol- 
comb & Co., Mallet Creek ; was l)orn in Hud- 
son, Ohio, June 15. 1847. He is a sou of 
Walter and Jane E. (Candee) Holeomb, who 
were parents of five children. Of this family, 
only J. R. and Charles F. are now living. The 
parents are 3et living, and their home is in 
York Center. The Holcombs, like a large pro- 
portion of the earliest settlers, and like many 
who came to Ohio in later years, were from the 
New England States, and were honest and in- 
dustrious people. Prior to his becoming 18 
years of age. J. R. Holeomb spent much of his 
time going to school. After thai, and until 
1870, he followed the occupation of house- 
painting, and, during the n( xt three years, fol- 
loweil a variety of pursuits. In 1 873. he came 



to York Center, and, with only a small hand 
printing-press, began a general business of 
card printing. By degrees, and hj judicious 
advertising and close attention to business, Mr. 
Holeomb increased the scope and extent of the 
enterprise, until it atlbrded him a fair revenue. 
Soon after his commencement in York Center, 
he. in connection with his card-printing, started 
a general novelty business, and this he has con- 
tinued ever since with success. In 1875. his 
business had so increased as to render necessary 
the building of a larger establishmeut, and ac- 
cordingly he erected a large and commodious 
two-story building, in which is now carried on 
the business of the partnership. In September, 
1879. J. R. and J. D. Holeomb formed a part- 
nership, the firm name beiug J. R. Holeomb & 
Co., the latter partner owning one-third of the 
stock. During the spring of 188U, Charles F. 
Holcomli was admitted as a partner, the name 
of the firm not undergoing any change. Each 
of the partners owns an equal share of the stock. 
It was during the year of 1875 that Mr. Hol- 
eomb commenced the publication of a small 
school journal entitled T/n- Ti'tuhi-r's Guide, 
This little journal met with profitable support, 
and to-day it ranks among the first in the 
United States as a school journal, with a circu- 
lation equal to any. The Teacher. ^ Guide was 
first issued bi-monthly, but in 1880 it was 
changed to a monthly periodical. It is ablj- 
edited bj- J. D. Holeomb, who is deeply inter- 
ested in the educational work. It is an invalu- 
able assistant to the teacher and normal con- 
ductor, and is warmly commended by able 
educators. J. R. Holeomb & Co. do a most 
extensive business. They have in store, among 
a great many other novelties, school supplies 
of all kinds, improved elastic ruljbcr stamps, 
musical instruments, both foreign and domestic, 
books, etc. In 1878, J. R. Holeomb invented 
an automatic telephone, aud it proves to he one 
of the best. The popularity of these instru- 
ments is attested by the sales, which amount 
to over ten thousand sets since their invention. 
In order to give a short sketch of the business 
done by this firm, we can say. tiuit, in 1875, J. 
R. Holeomb was commissioned I'ostniastcr at 
York Center, with a salary of $200 per annum. 
Their business has so increased since that time, 
as to give the Postmaster a salary of §1,100, 
owing almost wholly to the increase of patron- 
a<;e to tiiis firm. They have two commodious 



^ (i 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



737 



buildings, erected and especially arranged to 
meet the requirements of their business, in 
which they have three steam printing-presses, 
several hand-presses, lathes and other machin- 
ery, a full assortment of mi^dern styles of t3'pe, 
and a large and complete stock of specialties. 
Their varied stock and extensi\'e connection 
with the trade in the great commercial centers 
enable them to supply promptly all goods in 
their line, whether found on their regular lists 
or not. 3Iore of this firm svill be found in the 
history of York Township, in this volume. In 
connection with the post otliee. J. K. Holcoml) 
owns a grocery and provision store. Tliis gen- 
tleman was married to Mi,ss Minnie Damon, of 
Litchfield Township, in October, 1876. This 
lady died in 1878, and, some time afterward, 
Mr. Holcomb married Miss Hattie M. Nicker- 
son, of Wadsworth. Mr. Holcomb is a promi- 
nent and influential man, and a stanch Repub- 
lican in politics. 

JOHN B. KNAl'P, farmer; P. (). Mallet 
Creek ; was born in ^ledina Township. Medina 
Co., Ohio, March 10, 1822. He is a son of Jo- 
seph and Betsey (Hagerman) Knai)p, and grand- 
son of John B Knapp, after whom our subject 
was named, Joseph Knapi) was born in (jtsego 
Co., N. y.,Aug. 3, 1792. He lived with his par- 
ents in this count}' until 1810, when his 
mother died, and young Knapp packed all liis 
possessions in a little bundle, which he carried 
over his shoulder, and thus started out, as 
many liad before, to seek fame and fortune. 
His flrst stopping-place was in Dutchess Co., X. 
Y., and, liking the people, and the " lay of the 
land," young Knapp concluded to tarry awhile 
here. He was well received bj' the people, and, 
instead of going on as he expected, he remained 
there nine years, gaining a wife in the mean- 
time. He was married in 1817, and two years 
later, started overland with his wife and two 
babies, for Ohio. His traveling outfit consisted 
of a horse hitched before a yoke of oxen, that 
were j'oked to an old-fashioned wagon, in which 
were seated Mr. and Mrs. Knapp and family, 
with what little belonged to them. Thus 
equipped, tiiej- started on their long journey to 
Ohio, via Pittsburgh. Tiiey arrived in Me- 
dina Township, Medina Co., Ohio, in Oct. 1819, 
and immediately located at '■ Hamilton's Cor- 
ners," where they lived until March, 18.':i3, when 
tliey moved to York Township, and cleared 
and settled on the farm now owned by Lewis 



Molock, They had lived here but five months, 
when the mother died, in August, 1833. 
Mr. Knapp remarried in July 1834, his wife 
being Betsey Lampson, who died October, 
1863. Mr. Knapp died May 1863. Mr. 
Knapp's union with his flrst wife, was blessed 
with these children — iSarah.Mary, Charles, John, 
Zenas, Gilbert and Betsej', John B. lived with 
his parents until his mother's death, when he 
went to live with L. L. Chapin, with whom he 
remained until he reached his majority. He was 
married Jan. 11, 1854, to i^allj- M. Crawford, 
daughter of Josiah Crawford, and by her had 
the following famil}' — Joseph L., one that died 
without being named, Charlie J., Emerj- J. 
(deceased), and Catharine R, !Mrs. Knapp was 
born Feb. 9, 1832, and her folks were old set- 
tlers, coming to ^Medina Co. in 1821. Mr. 
Knapp is a Republican, and he and wife are 
members of the Protestant Methodist Church. 

THOMAS MILLER, farmer; P.O.Medina. 
The subject of this biography was born in Cam- 
bridgeshire. England, Feb. 24, 1826. He is a 
sou of Robert and Ann (Poolly) Miller, who 
were also natives of England. Mr. and Mrs. 
^liller were parents of eleven children, all dv- 
ing in childhood except four. Mr. Miller died, 
and was buried in England, in 1838. Mrs. 
Miller continued to reside in England until 
1849, and then, complying with the request of 
friends in the United States, took three of her 
children and set sail for that country. After a 
long and eventful voyage of eight weeks on the 
Atlantic, and a total of ten weeks from the 
time they left England, 3Irs. Miller and children 
arrived in Jledina Co., Ohio, where her deceased 
husband's Ijrother then lived. She purchased 
the farm now owned b}' her son, and immedi- 
ately located on it. She continued to reside in 
Medina Co. until the time of her death, which 
event occurred at her daughter's residence in 
Medina, in about 1871. This family, for some 
reason, has been very unfortunate, and, out of 
a large family of eleven, onlj- the subject of 
this memoir is living. He was reared on a 
farm, working hard for the support of his wid- 
owed mother. In 1854. he married Miss Lou- 
isa Clara, and by her had two children — Rob- 
ert W. C, and one daughter, who died in in- 
fanc}-. His wife died in 1856, and, Jan. 27, 
1857, Mr. Miller was united in marriage with 
his present wife, Miss Sarah H. Clark, daughter 
of Roljert and JIarv (Slater) Clark. To this 









A 



738 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



union were born eight children, as follows : 
Lizzie M., Ann M., John T., Laura M., David 
A., Susie B., Electa R., and Mattie, who died 
when 5 months old. Mrs. ;\liller was born in 
Derbyshire, England. July 18, 1834. This fam- 
ily is of pure English extraction, and there is 
not a more intelligent family in York. Mr. 
Miller owns 86 acres of land in York, and 21 
acres in Medina Township. He is an earnest 
advocate in the advancement of education, and 
is an influential citizen. His wife is a member 
of the Baptist Church. 

L. D. NETTLETOX, farmer. Among the 
many excellent farms in York Township, ^le- 
dina Co., Ohio, is that owned by L, D. Nettle- 
ton. This farm consists of 108 acres of finely 
improved farming and grazing land, and is sit- 
uated in Tract No. 2. on the diagonal road run- 
ning from .Aledina to York Center. 3Ir. Nettle- 
ton, the owner, is a native of Litchfield Co., 
Conn, Fie was Iiorn March 7, 1822, His par- 
ents, Daniel and Polly (Clark) Nettleton, came 
with their family to Medina Co. in 1832,- and 
were among the pioneers of ;\Iedina Township. 
The names of their children are Clark, Derwin, 
Harmon, Noble, L. D. and Mary ; Harmon is 
now dead. Mrs. Nettleton departed this life in 
1866, and, two years later, Mr, Nettleton joined 
her in the spirit land. These parents were 
among Medina Co.'s best and most honored 
citizens. They were members of the Congre- 
gational Church, and their death was deeplj- de- 
plored bj- a large circle of friends and acquaint- 
ances, L, D. Nettleton passed his 3'oiith on a 
farm, receiving a good education. He was mar- 
ried. Oct. 6, IS-te, to Charlotte Buckingham, and 
by her had a family of six children — Charles 
(dead), Frank, Winthrop. Willie (dead), James 
(dead) and Carrie (dead). The two sons, Frank 
and Winthrop, are both married, the former to 
May Holcomb, and the latter to .Miss Fanny 
Baird, both living in York Township. .Mr. 
Nettleton's wife died Nov. 14. 1861, and. April 
1, of the next year, he married Mary Pritchard, 
daughter of Joseph Pritchard. The Pritch- 
ards were old settlers, coming to Medina Co. in 
182(1, Mr, Nettleton is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and takes an .active part in the advance- 
ment of education. Mr. Nettleton is an intelli- 
gent, enterprising farmer. 

JOHN PEARSON, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. O. Mallet Creek. The deeds of lineal ante- 
cedents are always of great interest to members 



of a family who love to review the motives of 
their ancestors, and boast, in a (juiet way, of 
having descended from a wise, a hardy or a 
noble stock. The details of family life are al- 
ways interesting to its meml)ers, some taking a 
greater and some a lesser interest. No family 
in Medina Co. takes greater pains or more 
pride in their family record than does the fam- 
ily of John Pearson. Mr. Pearson was born in 
Rutland Co., Vt, June 6, 1825. He is a son of 
Arza and Achsab (Lampson) Pearson, and 
grandson of Josiah and Sarah (Howe) Pearson, 
and great-grandson of John Pearson, for whom 
he was named. The Pearsons are of Scotch 
descent, the great-grandfather of our subject 
having come to the United States from Scot- 
land early in 1700, and who, after living a long 
and eventful life, died peacefully at his home. 
Joshua, his son, was but a youth when the 
Revolutionary war between the Colonies and 
Great Britain broke out, and, his youthful 
blood being fired for the cause of liberty and 
justice, he immediately joined the command of 
Gen, Gates. He bravely participated in the 
battles of Bunker Hill, Beemis Heights, Still- 
water, and many other noted engagements, 
serving through them all without being 
wounded. He finally died, after the close of 
the war, of a cancer. Arza Pearson, the father 
of the subject of this sketch, was born Dec, 7, 
1790, He spent much of his youth in the back- 
woods, receiving but a moderate education. In 
1822. he married, and this union was blessed 
with a family of seven children — Amelia L., 
John, Elizabeth, Mary A., G, C. and Lydia. liv- 
ing ; the one dead is Arza C. Elizabeth mar- 
ried Orlando Dickerman, a short sketch of 
whom appears in this work. The mother of 
these children was born in Massachusetts Oct. 
17, 1799. In 1S35, Arza Pearson and family 
moved into York Township, Medina Co., Ohio, 
it being then but a wilderness. He and wife 
are yet living, hale and hearty, and it is hoped 
that they may live many years to come, Mr. 
Pearson was (juite an active politician and 
prominent man in his earlier years, serving at 
one time as County Commissioner. His son 
John, like himself, has always been a farmer. 
He was married to .Miss Sarah Rowley in 1846, 
and by her had seven children — J, E,, Eugene, 
Arza C. and .Mary E.. living, and James E., 
Olive E. and Charles F., dead. Mr. Pearson 
owns 160 acres of good land, and is a Repub- 



w^ /; 



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k. 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



739 



lican in politics. He and wife are members of 
tlie Congregational Chureli, and are prominent 
and influential citizens in the township. 

KMOKY PIERCK, farmer; P. 0. Mallet 
Creek ; is one of a family of eight children, and 
was born in Berkshire Co., Mass., Jan. 5, 18il8. 
He is a son of Levi and E)olIy (Thompson) 
Pierce, who came to York Township, Medina 
Co., Ohio, in 1840. Nine years after their ar- 
rival, small-pox commenced a work of de- 
struction, and Mr. and Mrs. Pierce were among 
its victims. Emory Pierce passed his youth 
and early manhood on a farm, receiving a good 
common-school education. He was married, 
March 17, 1831, to Lydia M. Watkins, who 
died March 22, 18.32. Aug. 2, 1832, he mar- 
ried his deceased wife's sister. Miss Rosilla 
Watkins, and by her had six children — Lj'dia 
M., wife of Martin Bowen ; Wilbur F., married 
to Martha Branch ; Ward N.. married to Ade- 
lia Wilbur ; Orlin I)., married to Mary Judson ; 
Martin T., who died in the army, and ^Martha, 
deceased. Wilbur, Ward and Martin were in 
the late war, Wilbur as Captain, and Ward as 
Commissary of Co. K. 8th 0. Y. I. Martin L. 
served in Co. E. 10th O. V. C, as Corporal, and 
died at Murfreesboro, Tenn.. from disease con- 
tracted in the service. These three boys en- 
listed at an early period of the struggle, and 
no braver soldiers were there than these. Mr. 
Pierce's father, Levi Pierce, was a military 
man, and served with distinction as Captain in 
the war of 1812, and afterward in the State 
militia as Colonel. Mr. Pierce is a Republican in 
politics, and owns 170 acres of flue farming and 
grazing land. He and wife are members of 
the Congregational fUuircli at York Center, and 
they are well-informed and highly respected 
citizens of York Township. 

ARZA PEARSON, retired ; P. O. Mallet 
Creek ; whose name stands prominent among 
the few living pioneers of IMedina Co., and 
whose portrait appears in this work, was born 
in Chittenden, Rutland Co., Vt., Dec. 7, 1797. 
His father, Josiah Pearson, was born in Ster- 
ling, Worcester Co., Mass.. June 24, 1755, and, 
at the breaking-out of the war of the Revolu- 
tion, he entered the service of his country as a 
soldier. He participated in the memorable bat- 
tles of Lexington and Bunker Hill, in the latter 
of which he received a flesh wound in one of 
his thighs ; this, however, did not disable him 
for service, as he was afterward in all the bat- 



tles under Oen. Oates which resulted in tiie 
capture of Burgoyne's army. In 1812, when 
the country was once more iu danger of inva- 
sion by a foreign foe, and wiien the cry of 
" Free trade and sailors' rights " was familiar to 
all loyal citizens, the old vc^teran again shoul- 
dered his musket iu the cause of liberty and 
the rights of ever}- American citizen, and helped 
to beat back Provost and drive the whole Brit- 
ish army back into Canada. He became a pen- 
sioner of the Government, and died at the ripe 
old age of 81, in Chittenden, Vt. The boyhood 
of Arza was spent on a farm ; his advantages for 
attaining an education were very meager, consist- 
ing onl3of the imperfect schools in the country 
of that period. On the 18th of December, 1822, 
he was married to Miss Aeiisah Lampson, who 
was born Oct. 17, 1709, in Pittsford, Rutland Co., 
Vt. Shortly after their marriage, they began 
keeping house on a farm that Mr. Pearson 
rented and culti\ated ; they continued to reside 
there until 1835, and, during that time, there 
were born to them four children, viz.: Amelia 
L., born Dec. 15, 1823 ; John, born June 6, 
1825 ; Elizabeth, born May G, 1827 ; and Mary 
A., born April 18, 1831. Not liking the cold 
winters of New England, Mr. Pearson, in the 
fall of 1833, came to Ohio, and spent some 
time looking over parts of Medina Co., in quest 
of a desirable locality for a future home. He 
found it and returned to A^ermont, determined 
to sell out and remove to Ohio. With this ob- 
ject in view, he, in the spring of 1835. sold his 
farm in Vermont, fitted out a strong two-horse 
wagon, and, with his family and household 
goods, started on a journey across the country 
to their new home. After a tedious ride of 
twenty-two dajs, they arrived, on May 31, 1835, 
at the Center of York Township, where, for 
a time, they stopped with Mr. R. M. Lampson, 
who was a brother of Mrs. Pearson, and who 
at that time kept a " tavern." Leaving his 
family at York, Mr. Pearson started on horse- 
back through Huron, Erie, Seneca and Lorain 
Cos. Being as well satisfied with the country- 
about York as any he found on his prospecting 
tour, he purchased of one Philo Fenn a farm of 
100 acres, lying one mile west of York Center. 
and to it removed his family on the last of June. 
Mr. Pearson has since retained the ownership 
of that property, and, at the present date, is 
living with his wife upon it, with their son-in- 
law, Mr. 0. Dickerman. He has taken an 



\ b — »- 



JU 



740 



BIGG R A Pli 1 C A L SKETCHES : 



active interest in Ijuilding up and establisliinij; 
cliurehes and schools in York Township, and, 
to the former, he has contriljuted liberally toward 
the erection of four substantial buildings. He 
helped to •■ chop out "the wagon road, both north 
and south, through the center of York Town- 
ship, and he has lived to see the day that beau- 
tiful homes now dot the lands then covered by 
heav\' timber. At the election held in the town- 
ship in April of 1837, Mr. Pearson was elected 
Justice of the Peace, in which otiice be was 
subsequently continued for twenty-four jears. 
In the year 1847, he was appointed Real Estate 
Assessor for the townships of Brunswick. ,^Ie- 
dina, .Montville. La Fayette, Westtield and York. 
In 1850, he was appointed Assistant Marshal, 
under Gen. Jones, of Mt. Vernon, and took the 
census of the townships of Sharon, Granger, 
Hinckley, Brunswick, Medina, Liverpool, Spen- 
cer and York. In the summer of 1858, at the 
county convention, he was nominated, and. at the 
ensuing election in October, he was elected one 
of the Commissioners of Medina Co., which 
office he tilled for three years to the entire sat- 
isfaction of all interested. He has always been 
a strong partisan, acting with the Whig party 
until the organization of the Republican party, 
of which he has since been an active member. 
Even now, though he is past 83 3ears of age, 
he takes an active interest in the political is- 
sues of the day. and in the prosperity of his 
countr}'. Since their becouiiug residents of : 
Medina Co., there have been born to Mr. and j 
Mrs. Pearson three children — George C., the 
first of their Buckeye children, was born on 
Aug. 26. 1836 ; on April 2!), 1838, Arza C. was 
born ; he lived to manhood, and, on Juh' 17, 
1861, his death occurred, caused by consump- 
tion, this being the only death that has ever 
occurred in their family ; Aug. 21, 1840, Lydia 
A., their youngest child, was born. A happj' 
event in their history was the celebration of ] 
their golden wedding, which occurred on Dec. 
18, 1872. they having, at that date, lived to- 
gether as man and wife for just lift}' years. On 
this occasion, they were congratulated l)y their 
children, grandchildren and great-grandchil- 
dren, all of whom then living were present. 
Another nine years have been added to I'ach of 
their lives since that event, and still they re- 
tain, to a reuiarkaljle degree, the possession of 
both their mental and physical powers. They 
are now th(! olch'st living married couple in 



York Township, and. possibly, the oldest in 
3Iedina Co. They have passed the limit al- 
lotted to man, and are now fast passing down 
the western s]oi)e of life. They have lived an 
eventful, useful and bus}' life, and are loved by 
their children, and held in high esteem by the 
people among whom thev have lived so long. 
GEORGE C. PEARSON, farmer ; I'. (). Mal- 
let Creek : is a native of the township in which 
he lives, and was born Aug. 26, 1833. Arza 
and Aclisah (Lampson) Pearson, his parents, 
are among the old and time-honored residents 
of York Township, and much of them and the 
Pearson family will be found in another part of 
this work. The subject of this biography 
passed his youth and earl3- manhood with his 
parents, and, when his majority was reached, 
he embarked on his own responsibility, bj' 
working his father's farm until he was married. 
Oct. 15. 1862, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Lydia L. Drake, daughter of Daniel and 
Almira I)rake, and by her had two children — 
Frank Leland, liorn in York Sept. 15, 1863, 
and Lulu May, born in York April 30, 18()5. 
Mrs. Pearson was born in Dickinson, N. Y., 
Aug. 2. 1841, and was one of a family of four 
children, Seymour, Sumner and Lyman being the 
three besides herself The two former ser\'ed in 
the late war, Seymour as Sergeant. Seymour 
died at Ft. Scott, from disease contracted in 
the army, while Sumner was killed by a ball 

: from the enem3', at the battle of Winchester. 

{ L3'man is a teacher in the Reform ScIkjoI. at 
Piainfleld, Ind. !Mr. Pearson's wife died from 
consumption, in July, 1868. >Ir. Pearson is the 

I owner of 60 acres of good land. He is a Re- 
publican in politics, and an intelligent and en- 
terprising citizen. 

JESSE SEELEY. retired farmer ; P. 0. Mal- 
let Creek ; was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., 
Aug. 8. 1808. His lather, David Seeley, was a 
native of Connecticut, and his mother, Ursula 
(Sweetman) Seelej'. was a native of New Jer- 
sey. Jesse was raised ou a farm, and, as his 
father's health was very poor, the care of the 
family fell upon his shoulders, as he was the 
eldest. Ho thus learned in early \-ears to be 
self-reliant, wliich proved to be of great bene- 
fit in later years. He was married in Schoharie 
Co., N. Y., to Miss I'rudence Brown. .Mr. Seele\' 
is one in a family of twelve children ; .Mrs. See- 
le_y is one in a family of thirteen, and together 
they are the parents of fifteen children. They 



® - 



^^ 



YORK TOWNSHIP. 



741 



have one son, Samuel B., now living in Michi- 
gan, who is tlie father of twelve children. Mr. 
and Mrs. Seeley's children are : Marietta, John 
V. K., Hester M., Caroline F.. Elizabeth P., 
Wesley A., Samuel B., George J)., Harmon J., 
Emma J., Adelia, Niroom, Nathau S., David 0. 
and Charley M. Mr. Seele^' and wife came to 
York Township, Medina Co., Ohio, in 1835, 
where he has remained ever since, with the ex- 
ception of seven years, when he lived in Me- 
dina. Mr. Seeley was a farmer until 18G3, when 
he took the office of Sheriff of Medina Co., 
having been chosen bv the people to fill that 
office the year before. He was an efficient 
officer, and, while in that office, conducted the 
execution of Streator, the murderer, a detailed 
description of which is found elsewhere in this 
work. He served two years as Sheriff, and the 
five following years remained in Medina, in the 
agricultural implement Imsiness. He then 
moved to York Center, where he at present re- 
sides. Mr. Seeley had five sons in the late war, 
all of whom served their country faithfully. 
He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife 
are among the best citizens of York Townsliip. 
They are the grandparents of fifty-one lineal 
descendants, and have five living great-grand- 
children. 

PAUL SWARTZ, farmer; P, 0. Mallet 
Creek ; was born in Northampton Co., Penn., 
July 26, 1832. He is a son of Michael and 
Sarah (Shook) Swartz, and grandson of Heurj- 
Shook. When Paul was but 2 years old, his 
mother died, and the next year, his father, with 
five motherless children, moved to Medina Co., 
Ohio. They arrived in Litchfield Township one 
Saturday evening, and, as their wagon was 
heavily laden, stuck fast in the mud within sixtj- 
rods of where he afterward built a log cabin. 
He remained in this condition until the next 
Monday morning, and then, with some assist- 
ance, extricated his wagon and journeyed on to 
the place he selected for his house. Mr. Swartz 
was in very straitened circumstances at this 
time, and very often he and ciiildren would go 
to bed hungry. These children hardly knew 
what it was to have a mother. Their childish 
pleasures and troubles were not soothed by the 
tender influence of a mother, and thus they 
lived many years. The eldest ciiild, Elizabeth, 
who was but 13 years of age when they came 
to the township, was the onlj' housekeeper 3Ir. 
Swartz had for many vears. and right nobly did 



this heroic girl fill the void destiny had made 
in taking away the mother, often denying her- 
self little comforts that the 3-ounger children 
might have them. Mr. Swartz lived in Litch- 
field Township a number of years, then married 
Mrs. Laurana Anson, and in 1859 moved to 
Lorain Co. Mr. Swartz's third wife was Mag- 
daline Glossar. He was a model farmer, but 
his poor start prevented him ever gaining a 
competenc}-, and he struggled through life 
working hard, and finallj- died in December, 
1870, gaining in death a rest that had been de- 
prived him in life. The subject of tiiis sketch 
was reared on a farm, his early manhood being 
given to assist his father. When he reached 
his majoritj', he commenced working on a farm 
by the month, and continued at this two years. 
Nov. 2, 1854, he was united in marriage with 
JMiss Amy Wil.son, and to this union were born 
three children — George W., born Jan. 25, 1856, 
married Florence Williams and lives in York 
Township ; Mary E., born Nov. 27, 1858, is the 
wife of G, B. Oviatt, and also lives in York 
Township ; and Luna G., b(irn Jan. 29, 1870. 
^Irs. Swartz was born in Summit Co., Ohio, 
Jan. 29, 1838. Mr. Swartz enlisted Aug. 5, 
1862. in Company K, 103d O. V. L, and was 
discharged Oct. 11, 1863. His father was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Swartz has 
profited much by his father's experience. He 
started out in life with but a very small amount 
of capital, and has, b}- economy and hard la- 
bor, gained a tine farm of 128 acres. He is 
regarded as an excellent farmer, and is an hon- 
est, upright gentleman. He is a Republican in 
politics, and Mrs. Swartz has been a member of 
the Protestant Methodist Church twenty-two 
years. 

RICHMOND C. VAN ORMAN, miller. Mal- 
let Creek ; was born in Ontario Co., New York, 
June 26, 1829 ; is a son of James and Orpha 
(Flemming) Van Orman, who were parents of 
twelve children, six of whom are yet living. 
These parents emigrated to Granger Township, 
3Iedina Co., Ohio, in 1S3U. where they lived 
until Mr. Van Ormau's death, which event oc- 
curred in 18G8. For some time the widow 
continued to reside on the old homestead until 
she discontinued housekeeping, when she com- 
menced living with her son with whom she has 
ever since continued to reside. Richmond Van 
Orman was reared on a farm, receiving a com- 
mon-school education. In 1866, he purchased 



^ 



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J^' 



fk: 



742 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the "Hart Mill," in Richfield. Summit Co., 
Ohio. He remained there two years and then 
traded his mill for one in Wayne Co.. and soon 
traded that property for a mill in Lodi. Medina 
Co. In 1872, he exchanged this property for 
a mill in Weymouth and 104 acres of land. He 
had run this mill but one year, when it took 
fire and was burned to the ground. Tiie general 
belief is that it was the work of an incendiary. 
Soon after the burning of his mill, Mr. Van 
Orman disposed of the land and in 1874, re- 
moved to York Center, where he began the 
building of a grist and saw mill combined, 
which has since been completed. The capacity 
of the grist-mill is about 300 bushels per day. 
while that of the saw-mill is from 11,000 to 
12,000 feet per day. It has an excellent 40- 
horse steam engine, and is prepared to do 
a general custom business. Mr. Van Orman 
was man-ied June 16, 1851, to Miss Ann R. 
Young, of Granger Township, and by her had 
seven children — Francis F.. dead. Ida J.. Nor- 
minda, Jennie. Richmond G.. Wilua and one 
that died in intancy without being named. Ida 
married George Bruce ; Xorrainda married F. B. 
Smith, and both reside in York Center. Mrs. 
Van Orman was born June 14. 1839. in Gran- 
ger Township. Mr. Van Orman enlisted August, 
1862. in Co. C, 7th 0. V. I., and served faithfully 
in that regiment, when he was transferred, dur- 
ing the spring of 1864. to Co. D, 17Sth 0. V. I., 
in which he served until the close of the rebell- 
ion. His final discharge was dated July 
11, 1865. In the last regiment, to which he 
belonged, Mr. Van Orman served in the capaci- 
ty' of Sergeant. He participated in the battles 
of Stone River. Kingston and Leesburg. and 
was one of the brave men who captured the 
rebel Capt. Gruli and seventy men. Mr. ^'an 
Orman was an excellent soldier, and the least 
that can be done for the defenders of our coun- 
try is to keep a record of their deeds that the 
future generation may read with interest the 
battles of their forefathers, and live over in 
their imagination the scenes of the past. 



MRS. L. A. WARNER. Mallet Creek ; was 
born in Addison Co., Vt.. July 25, 1816. Her 
parents were Zina and Betsey (Pierce) Denni- 
son, who were parents of the following family : 
Laura A., George L. (deceased), Julia A., now 
wife of Lucius H. Wanier. and Lucinda M., 
wife of John Depew. The father. Mr. Den- 
nison. was born in Goshen. Conn., in 1790. and, 
when but a boj'. moved with his parents to 
Waltham. Vt., where he was raised, and where 
he met her who afterward became his wife. She 
was born in Waltham. Xt. After their mar- 
riage. Mr. and llrs. Dennison moved to Medina 
Co.. Ohio, remaining in a little log house op- 
posite where F. T. Brintwall lives, in York 
Township, during the winter of 1833, In 1840, 
they removed to Litchfield Township, same 
county, where the}' lived until Mr. Dennison 
died, that event being April 10, 1872. Mrs. 
Dennison lived there a short time and then 
passed the remainder of her daj's with her 
children. She died in 1877. Laura, the eldest 
child, and the suliject of this sketch, married 
Horace Warner, in 1840. he being a son of 
Johnson and Abigail (Munson) Warner. The 
Warners are natives of Connecticut, and Hor- 
ace was born in Waterbur}". in 1805. and to 
his union with Miss Dennison there were born 
five children — Elizabeth J.. Horace D., Emma 
I, (died when 4 years old), milliard J. and 
Frank E. Elizabeth lives in Westfield Town- 
ship, the wife of William Chivings. Horace 
married Isabel Smolk. and resides in Litchfield. 
Millard married Mary Goodrich, and also li\es 
in Litchfield. Frank is single and lives at home 
with his mother. After her marriage with Mr. 
Warner, Mrs. Warner lived in Lorain Co.. Ohio, 
until Mr. Warner died, his death being caused 
by consumption. In 186G, Mrs. Warner located 
on the farm she now owns and lives upon. This 
farm consists of 173 acres of good land. The 
Dennisons and Warners were excellent citizens, 
and Mrs. Warner and her children are to-day 
regarded as among the best in Medina Co. 



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LITCHFIKl.D TOWNSHIP. 



743 



LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



WILLIAM H. BROOKER, molder, Litch- 
field; was born in Wolcottville, Litchfield Co., 
Conn., Feb. 9, 1826, and came with his father's 
family to this State and county in September, 
1834. When he was 13 years old, he went to 
live with a Mi'. Frederick Graves, who then 
resided in Seville. His occupation at that 
time was the care of horses, in which Mi\ 
Graves dealt quite extensively. At the age 
of 20, throiigh love of adventure and boyish 
curiosity, he resolved to enlist for the Mexi- 
can war; with two other boys, he sallied out 
on foot to seek a recruiting oifice. Going to 
Wooster, Ohio, they were fated to disappoint- 
ment, and trudged back, via Seville, to Litch- 
field, and thence to Mom'oeville; but again 
disappointment awaited them — the recruiting 
ofiicer having met with an accident which dis- 
abled him. Nothing daunted, the three, being 
out of funds, laid their case before the land- 
lord, oflering him one-half of their bounty of 
$8 each if he would keep them over night and 
carry them to Sandusky City the next day. 
With this he cheerfully complied, and the 
young men were soon made glad by then* ac- 
ceptance in the 6th U. S. Regular Infantry, 
February, 1846. Soon after, they were sent 
via Cincinnati, to New Orleans, whei'e they 
took a steamer for Vera Cruz, Mexico. They 
arrived the same night the city surrendered 
to the victorious army under Gen. Scott. 
The fii'st battle in which he engaged was that 
of Cerro Gordo, followed by that of Contre- 
ras, Chiu'ubusco, Molino del Rey, the Castle 
of Chapultepec, and the taking of the Mexi- 
can capital. Ml-. Brooker was wounded by a 
musket ball passing thi'ough his leg, and at the 
same time three ribs were broken ; this was in 
the fight at Churubusco. Peace was declared, 
and he was sent home to be mustered out of 
the service at Jefferson Barracks, Mo., in 
August, 1848. Upon his return to Litchfield, 
he learned the trade of molder in the fur- 
nace ovroed by Harvey Rice, in the creek bot- 
tom in the western part of the township. He 
married, Feb. 22, 18D0, Miss Alsina Herrick, 



born in Montgomery Township, Hampden 
Co., Mass., Feb. 2, 1828. Mr. Brooker con- 
tinued to work at his trade until the breaking- 
out of the rebellion, when he entered the serv- 
ice as Lieutenant of Co. E, 10th Ohio Cav- 
alry, Capt. Nathan W. Filkin. They were 
mustered in at Cleveland, Jan. 15, 1803. He 
was in several skirmishes in Tennessee, when, 
on account of some disagreement with his 
regimental commander, he resigned in Febru- 
ary, 1865. He remained at home about six 
weeks, when he again entered the service as 
Lieutenant of Co. E, Capt. Nobles, 182d 
O. V. I. They were mustered in at Toledo, 
Ohio, March 27, 1865, and were mustered out 
of the service at Columbus, July 7, 1865. 
With this regiment, he participated in the bat- 
tle of Nashville, which was the last battle of the 
182d Infantry. Mi-. Brooker's father. Wan-en 
Brooker, was born in Connecticut, in the year 
1800, and maiTied Miss Mary Ann Keys, 
April 24, 1825. She was born in Middle- 
town, Conn., in 1807, and is now living in 
Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio. Mi-. Wan-en 
Brooker died Nov. 21, 1875. Their children 
are — William H., born Feb. 9, 1826; Mary 
A., Aug. 24, 1827 (now Mrs. Hem-y Kellogg); 
Frederick M., March 17, 1829, died March 
12, 1880; Emeline E., born Nov. 12, 1830; 
Wan-en, Feb. 25, 1833; Liu-y J., Oct. 22, 
1834 (now Mrs. William Nickson); Lucius E., 
Oct. 18, 1837; Nettie v., Nov. 30, 1841 (she 
married Mi-. Walter Travis, and died March 
18, 1864); Hiram R., Sept. 24, 1842; Merritt 
W., July, 1845, died Oct. 28, 1845; Alfred J., 
Sept. 4, 184»'); Merritt W. second, April 30, 
1848. There were foiu- of these brothers in 
the army — William H., W^an-en, Lucius and 
Hiram; the last two were mustered out as 
Lieutenants; thi-ee veteranized and served 
throughout the war, 

JAMES HARVEY CARPENTER, physi- 
cian, Litchfield. James Harvey Carpenter, 

I M. D., was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Feb. 
8, 1818, and taught school from his 15th year 

' until 1839. He came to Ohio in 1838. Read 



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744 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



medicine with Dr. Tolman, of Litehlield. and 
attended lectiu'es at Willoughby and Cleve- 
land, beginning the practice of medicine in 
1845. Previous to this time, he had been as- 
sociated with Dr. Tolman in medical practice, 
and, when the latter left Litchtield, he contin- 
ued alone. In 1830, Dr. Carpenter was mar- 
ried to Miss Sarah Sperry, of Greece, llom-oo 
Co., N. Y., who bore him several childi'en : those 
still living ai'e as follows: Elmira L. (wife of 
A. B. Cxulis. of Cnyahoga Falls), was born in 
1839, and married in 1867; Chai-les N. Cai'- 
penter. of Litchtield, was born in 1842: Jo- 
sephine H. Carpenter was born in 1854 and 
resides at home. Mrs. Sai'ah Sperry Cai-peu- 
t«r died in 18()4, and. in 18()5, he married a 
sister of his tirst wife, who has borne him two 
chikken — Edna M., born in 1S()(), and Frank 
A., born in 18f)7, both of whom are living at 
home. 

H. HARTA^'ELL DO AXE. physician, Litch- 
field. H. Hartwell Doane. M. D., was bom in 
La Fayette, Medina Co., Ohio, Oct. 11, 1844. 
He attended school in Muskegon, Mich., until 
he began reading medicine with Dr. "\V. J. 
Sloan, of Muskegon, from whose olfice he went 
to attend lectm'es at the Chicago Eclectic Med- 
ical Institute; he graduated fi-om that insti- 
tution in 1860, and immediately began the 
pi-actice of medicine with his former precejjtor 
at Muskegon. He continued there three 
years, removing at the end of that time to 
Grand Ka]iids, where he remained aliout the 
same time. In 1872, Dr. Doane removed from 
Grand Rapids to Litchfield. Ohio, and has 
since resided here in the successful practice of 
his profession. In 1874, he was married to 
Miss Maiw A. Caswell, of Litchfield, who has 
bome him one child — Bertha j\I., now 5 years 
of age. During his medical practice. Dr. 
Doane has been very successful in the use of 
electricity as a remedy for v;u'ious diseases, 
and has provided himself with tlie latest and 
best instrmnents for its appliance. One un- 
fortunate circumstance atteutling his practice 
in Litchfield was the bm-nintr of his dwellintr 
and office, in 1879, by which he lost his books, 
instruments and medicines. In other respects 
ho has been extraortlinarily successfid in his 
professional ])ractice. 

MOSES HALL.IDEY, farmer: P. O. Litch- ; 



field. Is of the old New England stock, and 
was born in Hampden Co., Mass., March Ki, 
1810. He was married to Miss Emily Allen, 
who was born in the same coimty and State, 
Sept. 16, 1818. Their children were William 
D.. born April 9, 1833 : Chester F., April 6,1835, 
both born in Massachusetts : John Tyler, born 
here May 10, 1840: he enlisted in the thi-ee 
months' ser\-ice, and after his discharge was 
ch'afted,but on account of business was obliged 
to hire a substitute to take his place. Hem-v 
C, born Aug. 4, 1843: Ethan A., March 10, 
1845; Emily D.. Sept. 10. 1850, died in Aug. 
1853. ]yir. Halladey bought the north pai't of 
his brother Solomon's farm, a lot of 30 acres, 
afterward buying 18 acres more. There was 
a log house upon the place, which they moved 
into, and then commenced to clear the place and 
reclaim it from the wilderness. His brother 
Solomon's fai'm at fii-st consisted of 300 acres, 
but he sold a part of it. He was born FeVx 
2, 1800, and died Sept. 1, 1S7S. He man-ied 
Jliss Dotia Chamberlain, born in Otsego Co., 
N. Y.,in 1819. Moses Halladey"s father was 
born in Comiecticut, in 1 753. but moved to 
Massachusetts in his younger days, and. tak- 
ing up a tract of wild land, began the life 
of a pioneer. His wife, ill's. Submitta (Wright) 
Halladey, was born in Connecticut in 17()7, 
and died in 1826: he died in 1831. Their 
children were eight in number: James, Le^T, 
Ruth, Solomon, Tallethy, Betsey. Moses and 
Delia. Moses Halladey came to this State and 
county in 183('), and ten year's after, or in 
184(3, had the misfortune to have his house 
bm-ned to the ground, losing in the fire all 
the records and books of the family. The 
only fumitiu'e saved was the family spinning 
wheel and a few light ai-ticles. Ethan A., 
then one year of age, naiTowly escaped, he 
was saved by one of the neighbors. Mi's. Halla 
dey's mother, Rachel (Babcock) Allen (widow 
of 'Sis. Ransford Allen, of Westfield Farms 
Mass.) was born in Norwich, Conn., Feb. Hi. 
1778, and is, therefore, 103 years of age. and 
the oldest person living in that State. She 
is mother, gi'andmother, great-gi'ancbnother 
and gi'eat-gi'eat-grandmother of 105 lineal de 
scendants. eighty-one of whom are still living 
in Massachusetts. Connecticut. Rhode Island, 
Ohio. Wisconsin, ilinnesota. South C;u\)lina 



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LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



745 



and Georgia, and the eighty-one, with those 
connected by marriage, will give a present 
total of 125 who may be numbered in her 
family. Of the eighty -one, eight are children, 
thirty-eight gi'andchildren, twenty-nine great 
grandchikh'en, and six great-great-grandchil- 
di'en. At 100 years, she was bright, active and 
intelligent, and the only sign of failing was 
evidenced by a dimness of vision, which pre- 
vented the recognition of the features of a 
person, except they addi'essed her, when she 
would know them by the voice. 

ANSEL S. JENNE, farmer: P. O. Litch- 
field. Was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 
25, 1808; was married to Nareissa Men-ill, 
Sej)t. 27, 188(1 He came to Ohio in 183(>, 
and earned money by mowing grass to make 
a payment on fi5 acres of land on the Smith 
Road, {laying $(} per acre. He had to endm-e 
all the hardships of pioneer life, and for many 
years had a hard struggle to keep the wolf 
from the door. At one time he conceived the 
idea of collecting the ashes left by the burn- 
ing of logs and trees in clearing the laud, and 
for many years carried on a good business in 
manufactimng " black salts " and pearl-ash, 
for which he found market at Elyria. At one 
time he started for that place in a wooden- 
wheeled cart, driving a pair of -l-year old 
steers, when he became mired, and only got 
out with the assistance of his faithfiil wife. 
On that occasion, he promised her that she 
should ride over that self-same road some day 
in future in a carriage of her own, and with 
as good a team as any one in the township, a 
prediction which he has since fiiltilled. To 
Mr. and jVIi's. Jenne were born ten childi'en, 
five of whom are still living. The names of 
those who grew up are as follows: Allison was 
born in the State of New York, Jan. 2it, 1832, 
and died in Maple Rapids, Mich.. Oct. <), 1872; 
Samantha M..was born in Litchfield, Ohio, June 
0, 1S37, and died Aug. 14, 1857: Marv J. was 
born June 21, 1847, and died Aug. 18, 1850; 
Margaret A., wife of Philander Starr, of Litch- 
field, was born Oct. 1, 1880, married May 20, 
1852; Fannie R., wife of Nelson Han-is, of 
Lodi, was born March 13, 1835, married Feb. 
22, 1855; Ann Eliza, wife of John Price, of 
Fulton, Mich., was born in Litchfield, April 
22, 1840, married in 1878; James, of Fulton, 



Mich., was born in Litchfield, Ohio, Oct. 
25, 1845, married in 18(56 ; Harvey was 
born in Litchfield, July 17, 1851, man-ied 
Jan. 12, 1874. Mr. Jenne is, in the strictest 
sense of the word, a self-made man, and his 
success is due, under Providence, to his own 
exei-tions. He has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church since about his 
25th year. His wife, who was born in 1810, 
has been a member of the same denomination 
since her eighteenth year. By hard work and 
strict integrity, .this worthy pioneer couple 
have built up a name and fortune which are 
an honor to them and to their posterity. In 
the early days it was very common to see deer 
among the few cattle which were tiu-ned out 
to graze, and Mr. Jenne has frequently shot 
them by keejiing along with the cattle, and 
using them as a decoy and screen at the same 
time, until he got in shooting distance. "Wild 
hogs were also killed, but it was necessary to 
make sure work, or the hunter would have to 
run to " save his bacon," as the porkers were 
very ferocious when wounded. To di-ess the 
hogs was somewhat difficult, as few iron kettles 
were to be had. It was necessary to heat 
large stones in a log-heap and throw them 
into a wooden trough tilled with water, thus 
brijiging it to a boil. Such was life at that 
time in the conomunity in which he has lived 
for so manv years. 

MRS. CLARA P. JUDSON, Litchfield. 
Mrs. Clai'a Pickett Judson was born in Coles- 
ville, Broome Co., N. Y., in 1812. She was 
married to Orville Nickerson in 1829; came 
to Ohio in 1881, and settled in Litchfield, 
Medina Co. 'Mrs. Nickerson bore her first 
husband several children, the names of those 
now living being given below: Jane A., wife 
of Francis Peck, of Litchfield Township, was 
bom in New York State in 1881, and was mar- 
ried in 1S49; Sarah E., wife of E. C. Minor, 
of Jonesville, Mich., was born in 1884, and 
was married about 1854; Cornelia C, wife of 
Edward Campbell, of Hillsdale, Mich., was 
born in 1888, and married about the year 
1858; Benjamin F. Nickerson, of Greenwich, 
Huron Co., Ohio, was born in 1S4(); Orville 
Nickerson, of California, was bom in 1840. 
Mr. Nickerson died in 1848. In 1850, the 
subject of this biogi'aphy was maiTied to Mr. 



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746 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Nelson Judsou, of Litchfield, and bore him 
one child — Mary L., wife of Frank P. Smith, 
of Michif;fan. Mrs. Judson is the only person 
now living in Litchfield Township who was 
here when the tu'st chiu'ch society (Congrega- 
tional) was organized, and of which she was a 
member. 

JAMES LIFE, general merchandise, Litch- 
field. This gentleman's ancestry is traced 
back to a prisoner in one of the wars in Den- 
mark, who was exiled to the British Islands, 
and settled in Scotland. After several gener- 
ations, the family moved to England, this 
time settling in Hull, Yorkshire, on the prop- 
erty known as the Cockgrove Farm. Mi\ 
George Life, grandfather of the subject of this 
biogi'aphy, married Miss Ann Swinglehiirst, 
the last descendant of the generation of the 
Helms and Hays families. They had owned 
and occupied the ancient property known as 
St. Johns of Jerusalem, a freehold landed 
property, which descended to the Life family 
by the marriage as mentioned above, and 
which is still held by them. Mi'. John Life, 
the father of oiu- subject, was born in the 
northern part of Yorkshire, England, and 
came to this country in 1854, and settled in 
theto^vnship of Royalton, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio. 
He was born in ISOo, and was, by occuj^ation, 
a farmer and shoemaker. He was known and 
respected as an honest and industrious citi- 
zen, strictly moral and conscientious in all his 
intercoiu'se with his fellow-men. He married 
Miss Mary Bramley, of Lancashire, England, 
who was born in 1803, and they were married 
in 1830. Their chikh-en were James, Mary 
Ann (now Mrs. Isaac (rififord, of Cuyahoga 
Co., Ohio), Swinglelnu'st and Richard. Mr. 
John Life died Nov. 10, 187i), in the triumph 
of a faith in Chi'ist. Mi-. James Life was born 
Feb. 15, 1829, in Biu-y, Lancashire, England, 
and maiTied Miss Susan Barefoot, of Oxford. 
They were maiTied at Preswich, Lancashire, 
Aug. 29, 1854, and, for a wedding tour, 
the day after, set sail for the United States, 
and, after a safe sea voyage, settled in 
Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. Their childi-en are 
William, born Sept. 12, 1855; Emily, born 
March 17, 1857; Hemy, born June 1, 1859; 
Arthur Helm, June 1(), 18(51, and Celestia, 
born Autj. 20, 18(55. Mr. Life, while in En 



gland, served as an attendant and nurse in the 
Preswich Hospital under the celebrated Dr. 
Joseph Holland and Dr. Willson, of Paris. 
It was while there he became proficient in the 
use of drugs and in the care of the sick. This 
enabled him to render his adopted country 
good and efficient service during the war, as 
he went south in the fall of 18()2, as a volun- 
teer Hospital Steward under Drs. Harvey and 
Flack, of Illinois. The first service rendered 
was at the battle of Perryville, and here his 
experience in the English hospital was very 
valuable to this country, as there was a scarcity 
of educated help, and, night and day, he was 
busy di'essing the wounded and caring for 
those in his charge. The battles of Lebanon 
and Murfi-eesboro followed, while the work of 
the hospital attendants was very severe and 
arduous. The soldiers whom he had relieved 
api^reciated this, and in some of the news- 
papers published their thanks to Mr. Life for 
his kindness and devotion to the sick and 
wounded in his care. Mr. Life engaged in 
the di'ug business for some two years, and then 
went into the general merchandise business 
at Royalton, moving to Litchfield Aug. 1, 1880, 
where he now conducts the same business with 
the help of his sons. His thoughts and ideas 
of both religion and politics are of the liberal, 
progressive kind, and he has always lent 
a helping hand to the permanent reforms of the 
day, and toward such enterprises as help build 
up society and benefit the town in which he 
lives. 

MILES LEACH, farmer: P. O. Litchfield: 
was born Oct. 1(5, 1809, in Litchfield, Conn., 
and was the fifth of a family of nine children. 
His father's name was Benoni Leach, whose 
ancestors came fi'om Wales. Thi-ee of his 
grandfather's brothers served in the Revolu- 
tionary war. In his younger days, he helped 
his father in his occupations and worked very 
hard. After coming of age, ho sold the clocks 
manufactured by North, in Connecticut, trav- 
eling prineijially in the State of Pennsylvania. 
He came into this State via Cleveland, and 
bought his present farm of one hundi'ed acres, 
paying $() per acre for it. There were only 
two and a half acres of slashing done on the 
])lace, and he has imjiroved it to its ]iresent 
liiirh state of cultivation bv great industrv and 



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LITCHFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



747 



toil ; his farm buildings are of the substantial 
sort, and no one has a better right to be proud 
of his achievements than ]\L\ Leach. He is 
independent in thought, so far as religious 
subjects are concerned, and believes truth 
should be taught in preference to creeds and 
dogmas. He was maiTied in Litclifield, Ohio, 
in 1843, to Miss Martha E. Bradley, who was 
born in Suffield, Conn., July 8, 1817. Their 
children were William E., born April 2, 1844, 
who left the college in Oberlin, Ohio, and en- 
listed for one hundi-ed days in the army, but, 
during what is known as Early's raid upon 
the capital, he was wounded, and died in front 
of Ft. Stevens, "Washington, D. C, July 11, 
-13, 1864. Thus fell the eldest of the family, 
in his young manhood, for his devotion to the 
old flag. Harvey E., born Aug. 13, 1845; 
BjTon B., born May 2, 1851, and died Nov. 4, 
1851 ; Harvey E., who man'ied Miss Matilda 
Kinney, who was born in La Fayette Town- 
ship, this county, Jan. 8, 1850; they were 
married Sept. 26, 1871. Their children are 
Willis E.. born Julv 24, 1874; Orra L., born 
June 29, 1876; Came E., born Aug. 10, 1879. 
He takes an active interest in the temperance 
question, and has held for two terms the posi- 
tion of President of the Temperance Chi-istian 
Union Association of LitcMeld Township. 

EDWARD R. McKENZIE, M. D., Litch- 
field. Edward R. McKenzie, M. D., was born 
in New Haven, Conn., Oct. 5, 1819. His 
father, Alexander McKenzie, was a woolen 
manufacturer, and removed from New Haven 
to Litchfield, Conn., when Edward was very 
young, whence he came to Ohio with his 
brother-in-law, Russell Brooker, when he was 
13 years of age. He read medicine under 
Dr. L. E. Jones, of Cincinnati, and graduated 
from the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College, 
in 1851, coming to Litchfield, Ohio, immedi- 
ately upon finishing his medical course. He 
has since remained here in the successful jjrac- 
tice of his profession. Dr. McKenzie's early 
educational advantages were not the best, and 
his success in life is due to his ovra exertions. 

JAMES H. OLCOTT, farmer; P. O. Litch- 
field Center; was born in Litchfield, Conn., 
March 5, 1815. He came to Litchfield with 
the family of his father, Benoni, when he was 
19 years of age. Together with a younger 



brother, Mr. Olcott chopped down the trees 
and cleared the spot now covered by the Litch- 
field Hotel, and a portion of the park, about one 
square acre in area. After cutting, hewing and 
laying up the logs for his father's dwelling, 
he went through the mud for ten or twelve 
miles from the settlement, until he had col- 
lected sufficient lumber to finish the house. 
The i-oof was of what is known as "shake," 
no nails being used, but weight poles in their 
stead. With the exception of one small rock- 
ing-chair, which the family brought fi-om their 
home in the Nutmeg State, the seating accom- 
modations of the family consisted of benches 
split out of whitewood. The table and floor 
were of similar material. ^Tien the young 
folks went to an old-fashioned countiy hoe- 
down, it was necessary to stoop when passing 
under the low joist of the ceiling, or a bumped 
head was the consequence. Mi'. Olcott danced 
in the fii-st set ever on the floor of the old 
Litchfield Hotel, some forty-thi'ee years ago. 
On the 4th of January, 1838, ]\Ir. Olcott 
was man'ied to Miss Lovisa Snow, of Chat- 
ham, Sledina Co., who bore him two childi-en. 
Newton R. Olcott was born Aug. 24, 1841, and 
maiTied Miss Kate S. Miu-jjhy, of Marshall, 
Tex., Oct. 6, 1874, and is now living in Hous- 
ton, Tex. Adalaide D. Olcott was born Nov. 
25, 1846, and is now living at home. Mr. 
Benoni Olcott donated the gi-ound upon which 
the Congregational Chiu'ch in Litchfield now 
stands, and subsequently assisted in building 
the edifice. He also gave one acre of ground 
to the Township Trustees, which was laid out 
for a place of interment for the dead, and is 
now used for that piu-pose. Also, one and a 
half acres of ground for the first steam saw- 
mill and grist-mill which was built in Litch- 
field; this he donated to David Hinman, now 
deceased. 

A. C. STRANAHAN, farmer; P. O. Litch- 
field. Augustus C. Stranahan was born in 
Plainfield, Windham Co., Conn., Nov. 21, 1809; 
he came to Ohio in 1831, and remained in 
Columbia, Lorain Co., dm-ing the winter and 
summer of 1832, and then returned to Con- 
necticut; remaining there thi'ough the winter 
of 1832-33, he again came to Ohio, and 
bought a farm of 55 acres near- Columbia, in 
the spring of 1833, for which he paid $'S per 



w^ ft 



A 



748 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



acre. Jan. 1, 1834, he mairied Miss L. C. Rood, 
of Litclitield Township, Medina Co., Ohio. In 
1842, he removed his family to Litchfiekl, and 
bought SO acres of land, north of the village, 
where he lived until 1878, when he came to 
Litchfield, and has since resided there. Be- 
sides farming, ilr. Stranahan has worked at 



the trade of a carpenter for some years, when 
not actively engaged in farming. His wife 
bore him two sons, both of whom are dead. 
Soon after his removal to Litchfield, Mr. 
Stranahan received a fall which dislocated his 
hip, and he has since been incapacitated for 
active labor. 



LiVERPOOL TOWNSHIP. 



FREDERIC A. BAYER, AbbeyviUe, Ohio. 
Among the talented and prominent citizens of 
his township is Frederic A. Bayer, who was born 
in Westphalia, Prussia, in 1830. He attended 
the sciiool of his native town, after which he 
learned the trade of tailor with his father. In 
this he proved an adopt, completing his trade 
and becoming a jourueymau when but 15 years 
of age, thus learning it in a remarkably short 
time. He embarked in life Idv going to Brus- 
sels, where he spent one year, at the end of 
which he went to Paris. This was in 1847, 
when tlie French Revf>lution raged in all its 
fury. During this time, iie witnessed the sudden 
departure and escape of King Louis Philippe, of 
France, to England. He left Paris in 1848, re- 
turning home. Here lie remained one month, 
when, in company with liis parents, he emigrated 
to America, landing in New Orleans by sailing 
vessel, from which place he went to St. Louis, 
and remained there six years. He then went 
to New Orleans, but. the yellow fever being prev- 
alent, he went North as far as Jacksonville, 
111. Here, by appointment, he met Barbara A. 
Walker, a native of Liverpool Township, to 
whom he was married in 1855. They remained 
in Jacksonville until 185!1, when they returned 
to St. Louis, remaining there until 1875. Dur- 
ing this time he was an eye wituess to the bat- 
tle of Camp Jackson, the lirst battle of 
the civil war. He came to Medina Co. Jan. 
1, 187(1, and has resided there since. On 
Nov. 13, 1880, they celebrated their silver 
wedding. The Gruninger, Renz, Eekert, Stoss- 
kopf, Hertneck, Gayer, Wagener, Spith. Beutel, 
and Walker families being present, they all 
being highly respected pioneer families of tlie 
township. A most glorious time was had. 
Mr. Bayer is a gentleman of refinement and cul- 
ture, and, by his application of the ''Golden 



Rule." has the esteem and good will of all witii 
whom he is ac-qnaiuted. He is a Republican in 
politics, joining the party in 185G. when it was 
formed. 

IRA BURKE. Copopa ; residing in Colum- 
bia Township, Lorain Co. ; is one of the oldest 
and first settlers in this region. Although never 
a resident of Medina Co.. his younger days were 
passed in it. Many a hnnt has he taken with 
Dan Mallet, who figures such a prominent part 
in the histor3' of Liverpool and York Town- 
ships. It was lie who carried the chain when 
the latter was being surveyed into lots. Many 
a turkey, bear, wolf and deer has fallen lifeless 
from the effects of his sure ttint-lock rifle. He 
and Dan Mallet ate many wild turkeys that were 
roasted over their camp-fires. When the can- 
nons on Lake Erie thundered, foretelling Perry's 
victory, he was one who heai'd them, and now 
survives to tell of their deadly peals. He was 
born in Euclid, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, in 1803. 
His parents were ' Yankees." He came to Co- 
lumbia, just north of Liverpool, in 1809. and has 
resided there ever since. He was married in 
1828 to Relief Adeline Fuller, a native of New 
York State. She was born in 1811. They have 
no children. He was at one time a member of 
the ^lethodist Church. Is a Republican in 
politics, and has served as Township Trustee. 

JACOB BAUER, farmer; P. 0. Liverpool; 
he was born in Liverjjool Township in 1842, 
and attended the common school, beginning his 
early manhood by working on the farm. He is 
one of the model farmers of his county. He 
was married in ISfil to Christena Behiier, a na- 
tive of Liverpool Township, and has three chil- 
dren — Julia, Ida and Eilward. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics. 

GILES n. DAVIS, farmer ; P. O. Liverpool ; 
was l)orn in 1825 in Liverpool. His father, 






nv 



^z 



^ — ^t^^ 



LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP. 



749 



Clarke Davis, was married to Mary Bates. 
They were botii from Rhode Island. They 
came to Liverpool when '' it was all woods," 
and here the subject of this sketch was born. 
He worked on his father's farm, and attended 
the district school of his township. He was 
married, in 18;i0, to Alethia Ames, a native of 
New York, her parents coming to Liverpool 
when she was but 4 years old. They have two 
children — Frank M. and Lillie I. The former 
had the good fortune to have a father who took 
an interest in his education. He was sent to 
Leipsic, Germany, where he develo)ied and cul- 
tivated the musical talents with which he was 
born. He is at present one of the Faculty of 
Oberlin College, and has charge of the musical 
department of that institution. He is married 
to Annie McGraw. Mr. Davis is a Republican 
in politics, and was one of the first to vote that 
ticket in his Democratic township. 

WILLL\M DIJECKER, shoemaker, Liver- 
pool ; born in Saxony in 1846. He emigrated 
to America in 1867. Learned the trade of 
shoemaker in Medina, Ohio. Is at present a 
thriving and industrious business man of Liver- 
pool. He was married, in 1870, to Jliss Su- 
sanah B. Friedt, a native of Pennsylvania. He 
has five children — Noah. ]Mary, Luther F., Eliza- 
beth, Christian J. C. They are both members 
of the Evangelical German Lutheran Church. 
He is a Republican in politics. 

JOHN DYE, farmer ; P. 0. Liverpool ; was 
born in New York in 1818. He went to Por- 
tage Co., Ohio, in 1830. and remained there five 
years, learning the trade of stone-potter, after- 
ward coming to Medina Co. in 1835, and has 
been a resident ever since. He was married, in 
1840. to Sarah Kibbe, a native of New York 
State, and has three children — Judith E.. Lloyd 
and Olive. He is one of the most industrious 
farmers of his township, and takes pride in rais- 
ing fine hogs and cattle. He has held theofflce 
of Constable. Supervisor, Trustee and Assessor 
a number of times. He is a Democrat in poli- 
tics. 

SAMUEL DOLLAMORE, farmer; P. 0. 
Liverpool ; was born in England in 1826. He 
emigrated to this country in 1841, and settled 
in Lorain Co., Ohio, living there until 1850, 
when he removed to Jledina Co. He was mar- 
ried, in 1851, to Mary Jlarsh. a native of Liver- 
pool Township. They have two sons, both of 
whom are married — David and Franklin. He 



has by his industry and economy amassed some 
wealth and property, and ranks as a very poj)u- 
lar farmer of his township. He is a member of 
the Methodist Church, and is a Republican in 
politics. 

DAVID DOLLAMORE, farmer; P. O. 
Liverpool ; was born in Liverpool Township in 
1854 ; the son of Samuel DoUamore. He was 
married to Emma Betsicover, who has born him 
one son — George. Mr. DoUamore is one of the 
prosperous 3-oung farmers of his township. Is 
a member of the Slethodist Church, and a 
Democrat in politics. 

JOHN EUG A, farmer ; P. 0. Liverpool ; was 
born in Liverpool Township in 1842. He at- 
tended the common school, and learned the 
trade of carpenter and joiner. He labored in 
Michigan, Indiana, and Geauga Co., Ohio, at 
different periods, up to 1878. He was married 
in 1864, to Blar}' McWilliams. and, she dying, 
he was remarried in 1800, to Rhoda Reed. He 
has three children — Russell, Burt and Clara. 
He has been Township Trustee three terms, 
and is a Democrat in politics. 

DANIEL FORD, farmer ; P. 0. Abbeyville ; 
was born in Grafton Co., N. H.. in 1796. He 
removed into the State of Maine in 1802. and 
in 1812 into Genesee Co., N. Y., and obtained 
his education in the common schools of New 
York State. In 1817, his parents came into 
Medina Co., settling in Liverpool. He went to 
Marietta, Ohio, and remained thei'e until 1821, 
when he also came to Liverpool. He began to 
farm, at the same time manufacturing wooden 
bowls and repairing watches and clocks. He 
was married in 1825 to Joanna Golden, a na- 
tive of New I'^ork. Five children were born to 
them, two of whom are dead. Those living 
are William Fa^-etto, Vienna and Clarinda. 
He has been elected Justice of the Peace on 
several occasions, and has also been Notarj' 
Public for twenty-five years. He is a member 
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and 
is a stanch Republican. 

MICHAEL GRrNINGER, farmer; P. 0. 
Abbeyville. Among the oldest settlers of the 
count}" is the subject of this sketch. He was 
born in Wurtemberg in 1817; attended the 
schools of his native countrj", and learned the 
trade of carpenter and joiner. He came to 
America in 1837, and settled in Liverpool 
Township, working in Cleveland at his trade 
for a period of three years, his place of resi- 



j «< 

"^ 



¥ 



J^l 



750 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



dence being in Liverpool To^viiship. lie was 
married in 183S to Frederiea Kaufman, a na- 
tive of Wurt<nnberg. They had tlii-ee chil- 
dren — Charles. Ctiroline and Louise, In 1S43, 
death robbed him of his bosom companion, 
and he was remarried, in 1S47, to Rosanna 
Renz. a native of Wurtemberg, she arriving 
in this country when G years of age. They 
have nine chililren — Andrew J., Geoi'ge F.. 
Gustave W., Helen. Katherine R., Lydia M.. 
Anna B.. Julia F. and Eva S. He is a mem- 
ber of the (rerman Lutheran Church, and has 
been Deacon for twenty-five years. He has 
carried on tb.e business of undertaker, in con- 
nection with farininsi. for the last thirtv vears. 

GREGOK III TTIXGER. tanner: P.' O.Liv- 
erpool. He is an old settler of the township, 
and was born in Baden. Germany, in 1S21. He 
attended school, and learnet.1 the trade of wagon- 
maker. Came to Medina Co. in 1842. and has 
been residing hei-e ever since. He was mai*- 
ried. in 1S4-I. to Catharine Eharte. a native of 
Baden. They have eight children — Theresa, 
married to Geoi^ge Armbruster : Louise, to 
Charles Pfeil ; Fnmk. to Mary Feist : Ambrose, 
to Theresa Vonderhart : Catharine, to John 
Iloeffler : Mary, to Jacob HoetHer : Henry and 
Anna. He is a member of the Roman Catholic 
Church. He has been Township Trustee for 
eighteen years. He has. by industr}- and econ- 
omy, amassed some property. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics. 

ALBERT G. HEATH, faimer: P. 0. Liver- 
pool : was bom in 181(5. in ^Massachusetts. He 
came to Medina Co. in 1824. and was maiTied. 
in 1845. to Maria Green, a native of ^'ermont. 
They have four children — Giles. Sarah. Albert 
and Alvin. He is a veiT industrious farmer, 
and has been Clerk of the School Board several 
terras. He is a Democrat in politics. 

ROBERT LOOM IS. tarmer; P, 0. Liverpool ; 
was bom in Berkshire Co.. Mass., in 1797 : the 
son of Loren Loomis. He attended the com- 
mon school, and. when sixteen years of age. en- 
listeil in the armv. and was a participant in the 
war of 1812. He served under (ien. Brown 
and enlisted under Captain Ingersoll. After 
the war closed, he rcturneil to Massachusetts 
and remained there several years, coming to 
Medina Co.. in 1825. when the land was yet un- 
settled. He located on the banks of a creek, 
and has liveil there ever since. He was married 
in 1817. to Ruth Davis, a native of Massachu- 



setts. Their children are — Melvin, Truman, 
Robert and Phebe. His wife died in 1870. 
He is one of the few old settlers who can relate 
of the times when deer, bears and woh-es reigneil 
in the thick forests of the county. He is a 
member of the F^ee-^yill Baptist Church, and 
has serveti as Township Trustee several terms. 
He is a sturdy old veteran Democrat, having 
alwavs voted that ticket. 

CH.VRLES J. MESSMER, lawyer; Liver- 
pool ; was born in Bavaria in 183!;>. His 
parents emigratotl to America in 1841. settling 
in Liverpool, where he h:is s|>ent the major part 
of his life. He attended the common school, 
and. by industrj-. obtalneil an education, thus 
enabling him to teach, which he did very suc- 
cessfully for a number of years. He studied 
law and was under the instruction of Judge 
Walker, of Medina. Ohio, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1872. He was married, in 1877. to 
Mary Bay. a native of Liverpool. They have 
one son — George F. He h:is held the offices of 
Township Clerk and Assessor, for five years and 
three years, respectively, being at present 
serving the second term as'Justiceof the Peace, 
He has, by his honesty and fidelity, won the 
esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, 
which he richlv deserves. 

CHARLES M. METZGER. farmer: P. 0. Liv- 
erpool ; is one of the most prominent fai-mers of 
Liverpool. His parents are natives of Germany. 
He was born in Liverpool Township iu 1844. 
He was raised on a farm and at present is fol- 
lowing that occupation. He was married in 
18G8. to Sophia E. Setlher. a native of Summit 
Co.. Ohio. They have one child. Charles Ed- 
ward. He h:is been Township Trustee for sev- 
eral terms, has served as Justice of the Peace 
and also Land Appraiser. He is one of the in- 
fluential and enterprising formers of his town- 
ship, and is very popular throughout the 
county, as was demonstrated when he was a 
candidate for County Auditor, he running 
ahead of his ticket, his party being in a minor- 
ity. He occupies the {wsitiou of Director of 
the Fanner's Life Insurance Company, and is a 
member of the German Lutheran Church. 

JOHN MARSH, tanner : P. 0. Liverpool: 
was born in Bennington Co.. Vt, in 1804. 
He is one of the pioneers of the town- 
ship : coming into it as early as ISIO. and has 
made it his residence ever since. He learned 
the trade of cooper with his father, and was 






rv 



h^ 



LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP. 



751 



married in 1824, to Hepzibah Brainard, a na- 
tive of Connecticut. Tiiey had four cliildren^ 
Mar^-, Franklin, Elezar and Elmer. His wife 
died in 1844. He was remarried in 185.S, to 
Sallie E. Webster, a native of Massacliusetts, 
by whom he had one son — Irvin J. He has 
been Constable and Trustee of his township 
several terms ; has been Justice of the Peace 
for fifteen years, and is a Democrat. All his 
children are married. He is, at present, living 
a retired life, and has the reputation of being 
an upright citizen and a good neighbor. 

WILLIAM H. NEWTON, farmer; P. 0. 
Briinswicli. Hollis Newt^>n, the father of the 
subject of this sketch, was born in South- 
boro, Worcester Co., Mass., in 1798. At 8 
years of age, he went witli his parents to Onon- 
daga Co., N. Y. ; after living there eight years, 
he moved to Cayuga Co.. N. Y. ; at the end of 
two years, they moved to Canandaigua. N. Y. 
He was married to Debbie F. Beebe in 1824 ; 
he set out for Ohio in 1824, loading his house- 
hold goods and wife in a lumber wagon, drawn 
by two yoke of oxen. He arrived at Abram 
Beebe's, in Liverpool Township. Sept. 17, 1824, 
making the journe}- in eighteen da\-s. He pur- 
chased land of Daniel L. Coit, one mile south 
of the northeast corner of Liverpool Township. 
Here he settled and lived in habits of industry, 
temperance and religion, raising a family of 
nine children, of whom W^illiam H. Newton, the 
subject of this sketch, was one. He was born 
in Liverpool Township in 1838. and was mar- 
ried in 1861 to Mary E. Thomas, a native of 
Stark Co., Ohio. They have two children — 
Charles H. and Addie C. He is a devout mem- 
ber of the Free- Will Baptist Church. 

CHARLES H. PARKER; P. 0. Liverpool; 
was born in Liverpool in 1836, and spent his 
youth in working on the farm and attending 
school. He was married in 1861 to Lucinda 
Lewis, a .native of Lorain Co., Ohio. The}' 
have two children — Edna and Arthur, who are 
possessed of rare and wonderful musical talent. 
Mr. Parker is selling sewing machines, and is a 
leading business man of his community. He 
is a Republican in politics. , 

DWIGHT A. PARMELEE. Liverpool ; was 
bom in Liverpool in 1852. He attended the 
common school of his native village, and, 
after going through the regular course there, 
attended Oberlin College. He was married in 
1876, to Ella M. Jordan, and has one daughter, [ 



Pearl. He is one of the prominent young men 
of Liverpool. 

A. S. PARMELEE, miller, Liverpool ; was 
born in Madison Co., N. Y.. in 1808 ; attended 
common school and learned the trade of car- 
penter and joiner. He came to Medina Co. 
in 18.34, and built a saw and grist mill, and has 
been in the business ever since. He was mar- 
ried, in 1840, to Clarinda W'ilmot, a native of 
Liverpool. This marriage brought forth two 
children — Ashel D. and Charles E. His wife 
died in 1844 ; he was remarried, in 1845, 
to Fannie W^. Bates, a native of Ashtabula Co., 
Ohio, and is the father of four children from 
this marriage — Susan C, William E.. James S. 
and D wight A. Mr. Parmelee's parents were 
of Massachusetts, and he may Ije properly 
termed a '-Yankee." He is. at present, run- 
ning a woolen-factorv and grist mill, and is do- 
ing a flourishing business. He is the pioneer 
miller of the township, and his acquaintance is 
very extensive. He is a Republican in ix)litics. 

WILLIAM W. PURDY, farmer. Liverpool ; 
was bom in Westchester Co., N. Y., in 1813 ; 
he attended the common school and learned 
the trade of shoemaker, and came to .^ledina 
Co. in 1846, and has lived here ever since. He 
was married, in 1833, to Olivia Dean, a native 
of Westchester Co.. N. Y., her ancestors being 
the Deans who took such a prominent part in 
the Revolutionary war. They have seven 
children — Louise M.. Hannah L.. Thomas D., 
Zachary T., Sarah 0., Joseph V. R. and Will- 
iam W. Mr. Purdy has been Supervisor and 
Trustee for a number of terms ; he is at pres- 
ent living on the farm he cleared, on which are 
white sulphur springs , his home occupies one 
of the fine-st sites in the county, which he has 
made pleasant and comfortable by hard labor 
and industry. He boasts of being an old-time 
Democrat, and remains one to this day. 

WILLIAM E. PARMELEE, Justice of the 
Peace, Liverpool ; was bom in Liverpool in 
1848, and attended the common school of that 
village. He was married in 1871, to Melissa 
E. Noble, a native of La Grange, Lorain Co., 
Ohio ; they have two children, a daughter 
named Ella, and an infant. Mr. Parmelee 
was Postmaster of his village for five j'ears. 
and, though he is a Republican in politics, was 
elected Justice of the Peace, which is all the 
more an honor, inasmuch as Liverpool is a 
strongly Democratic township ; he is a young 



*?1 



A 



753 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



man and bears a good name and reputation 
wherever he is linowu ; he is an energetic, in- 
dusti'ious citizen, and has a large circle of 
friends and accjuaintanees. by whom he is 
highh" esteemed ; his wife is a member of the 
Methodist Church. 

L. B. PAKKER. M. D. ; Liverpool. Of 
those members of the medical profession of 
whose histor3- dates back to pioueer da^ys. the 
name of Dr. L. B. Parker, whose portrait is 
found in this work, stands among the most 
j prominent. He is the son of Elijah and Me- 
; hetabel (Barber) Parker ; the former was a 
I descendant from one of three brothers who 
emigrated from England in an early day and 
settled near Boston, Mass. ; but little of the 
surroundings of the early life of Elijah Parker 
are known. At the age of IG, however, we find 
him a soldier in the Revolutionary arm}-, where 
he remained six years, fighting for his country's 
freedom. He subsequently moved to what is 
now Naples. Ontario Co., X. Y., wiiere he mar- 
ried Miss Mehetabel Barber. He remained a 
resident of that place until his deatli. which 
occurred in 1813. This sad event left Mrs. 
Parker with a family of eight children, of whom 
the Doctor was the seventh, and at that time 
only 3 years old. ilrs. Parker was a lady 
of more than ordinary energy, and, through her 
tireless exertions, the family was kept together 
and such advantages given them as her limited 
means would allow, and. as the Doctor says, 
'■ Thanks to her teaching, I cannot remember 
the time when I could not read well." Books 
were scarce in those days, and. though the Doc- 
tor was possessed of an ardent desire to attain 
an education, the advantages for his doing so 
were very limited. He read all books that he 
could procure, and among them the Bible, and 
the latter so thoroughly as to ever after be 
thoroughly familiar with j^cripture. During 
his early life he was assisted greatly in gaining 
an education by the kindness of a Presbyterian 
clergyman, through whose assistance he gained 
quite a knowledge of mathematics, the sciences 
and Latin. At the age of KJ years he prac- 
ticed surveying. Though the Doctor desired 
very much to take a collegiate course, he had 
not the means to enable him to do so. About 
this time the Presbjterian Church of Naples 
offered to send him to college, willi a view of 
preparing him for the ministry ; an ardent 
desire to attain an education added to this 



tempting offer ; but, feeling that he could not 
subscribe to their creed, he was not so dishon- 
orable as to accept their bounty and afterward 
disappoint them by selecting some other pro- 
fession ; he therefore, at 1(5 years of age, began 
the study of medicine, under the direction of a 
graduate of Yale College. After three years 
spent in study, he attended lectures at the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of New York. 
Soon after this, he attended another term of 
lectures at the Geneva Medical College, where 
the degree of M. D. was conferred upon him. 
In 1833, he came to Ohio, and, finding an open- 
ing at Liverpool, Medina Co., he located there, 
and at once began the practice of medicine. 
Since that time he has ilevoted his time and 
attention almost wholly to his profession. The 
result of his life labor is a competency, and 
now, in his old age, he is reaping the reward of 
his early industry and econom}-. He has been 
possessed of strong physical powers, and even 
now, at 71 years of age, he is still engaged in 
the practice. Dr. Parker was married, in 1834, 
to Miss Maria Hastings, of Pembroke, 
esee Co., N. Y., who died in 1 864. In 
he was married to IMrs. Lavina Wait, 
whom he now lives. Ten children have 
born to him, five only of whom are now living. 

ALFORD RICHMOND, farmer; P. 0. Liv- 
erpool. Among the old settlers and natives, is 
the subject of this sketch. His parents were 
natives of New York. He was l)orn in Colum- 
bia, Lorain Co., Ohio, in 1821. He is the old- 
est of ten children — seven sons and three daugh- 
ters. His young days were S[)ent on a fiirm, 
and he obtained his education in the district 
school. He was married, in 1843. to Abigail 
Hance, who was born in New York in 1819. 
Her father. Jeremiah Hance. served in the war 
of 1812. They have three sons — Byron. Har- 
ris and Harrow. He has been Township Trust- 
ee for seven years ; ser\'ed as Justice of the 
Peace for a period of nine years, and is a Dem- 
ocrat in politics. He is one of the sturdy citi- 
zens and pioneers of the township. He took 
an active part in clearing the land, and is one 
of the oldest and most highly respected citizens 
of his township. 

HIR.\M RICHMOND, farmer; P. O. Liver- 
pool. Hiram AV. Richmond, a native of New- 
York State, was born in 18(10. and was married, 
in 182(t. to Betsey Martin. They came to Me- 
dina Co. in 1819. Seven children were born to 



Creu- 

18(H, 

with 
been 



ip 



Ml 



^ 



LIVERPOOL TOWNSHIP. 



753 



them, of whom Hiram Richmond, the subject 
of this sketch, was one. He was Ijorn in Liv- 
erpool Township in 1827, and was raised on the 
farm, and has been engaged in that occupation 
ever since. He was married, in 1855, to Dian- 
tha Olin, a native of New York State. They 
have one son — Hiram W. He has been Town- 
ship Trustee and Assessor several terms. At 
present, he is farming, and has charge of a 
cheese-factory, in wliich he is a partner. He is 
a quiet, unassuming and energetic citizen, and 
enjoj'S an eu\iable reputation as one of the 
foremost citizens of his township. 

GUY E. RING, farmer; P. 0. Liverpool. The 
subject of this sketch was born in New Hamp- 
shire, in 1815. He came into Medina Co. in 
1833, and learned the trade of millwright. He 
was married in 1842, to Rebecca Fuller, a na- 
tive of New York State. They have ten chil- 
dren — Mary, Martha, Alethia, Anna, Nellie, 
Jane, Elmer, Ira, Josephine, Leslie. One of 
their sons (Jonathan) died in the civil war. Mr. 
Ring is a Republican in politics. 

DUDLEY P. STRANAHAN, farmer ; P. 0. 
Brunswick ; was born in Windham Co., Conn., 
in 1823. His parents went to Cleveland in 
1830, remaining there one year, after which 
they went to Columbia and remained there un- 
til 1860. He learned the trade of carpenter 
and joiner with his father. He came to Liver- 
pool and cultiv-iited the farm, and carried on a 
lumbering and saw-mill liusiness. He was mar- 
ried, in 1846, to ('ornelia Tillotson, a native of 
Massachusetts. They have four children — 
Rolla, Helen, Miles and John. He is a mem- 
ber of the Disciples' Church ; is also a member 
of the I. 0. 0. F., and is a Republican " ever}- 
time." 

MRS. J. L. SPOONER, Liverpool. The sub- 
ject of this sketch is a daughter of Ebenezer 
Wilmot, an old settler of Liverpool Township. 
She was born in Liverpool Township in 1826. 
Her parents were among the first families, her 
father having been a soldier in the war of 1812. 
She was married, in 1844, to Miles S. Spooner, 
a native of Liverpool. They have four chil- 
dren — Martha C, Joseph W., Elisha and Hat- 
tie. She is a member of the Methodist Church. 

JOHN G. SCHOETTLE, Pastor, Liverpool ; 
was born in Wurtemberg. German j'. He ob- 
tained his education in the Rhein Mission Semi- 
nar}' of Germany. He is a graduate of this 
popular institution, and immediately after gi-ad- ! 



nation was installed as a minister of the Gospel. 
He emigrated to America in 1864, and has had 
charges in Wisconsin, Indiana and Kentuek}', 
at ditferent periods, for sixteen 3'ears. He came 
to Liverpool in 1877. He was married, in 1865, 
to Julia Lautenschlaeger, a native of Wurtem- 
berg, and has three children — Julia, Paul and 
Amanda. Mr. Schoettle has a large German 
congregation of the Evangelical denomination, 
some of its members being the best and most 
influential citizens of the township. There have 
been about ten additions to the church since his 
services began here. 

LOUIS WEBER, farmer ; P. 0. Liverpool ; 
is the son of George Weber, who married Mary 
Ann Eichert. The subject of this sketch was 
born in Alsace in 1830. His [larents settled in 
Liverpool in 1834, when he was but 4 years 
old. He spent the greater part of his life on 
the farm, where he now resides, and was mar- 
ried, in 1855, to Margaret Flannigan, a native 
of Ireland, she being the daughter of John and 
Odelia (Graham) Flannigan, who came to this 
countr}' in 1842. They have six children now 
living — George, Louise, Joseph, Cecilia, Caro- 
line and Rosa. Two of their children are dead ; 
Louise, who died in 1858, and John, who died 
in 1876. He is a member of the Roman Catho- 
lic Church, of which he has been director for a 
number of years. 

HELI M. WARNER, retired flirmer ; P. 0. 
Liverpool ; was born in Liverpool in 1816. 
His parents were from Connecticut, and were 
some of the oldest settlers of the count}-. He 
attended the common schools, and began farm- 
ing in 1828. He was married in 1841 to Re- 
becca Cosset, a native of Livei'pool, and has 
two children — John J. anil Charles Henry. He 
is at present living a retired life, and it is said 
that he is one of the first children who were born 
in Liverpool Township. He is a Republican in 
politics. 

MELETIAH WARNER, retired, Bruns- 
wick, Ohio. Jleletiah Warner is the widow of 
the late Lucius AV'arner, deceased. He was 
born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1805, and came to 
Medina Co. in 1815. He was married, in 1828, 
to Miss Millie Tillotson, a native of Berkshire 
Co,, Mass, They have one daughter (JMary) 
living, and two other children are now dead. 
The surviving daughter is married to Mr. A. 
C. Armstrong, the purchasing agent of the L. 
S. & M. S. Railroad, and is now located at 



-V 



^1 



754 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. "Warner were two of 
the oldest settlers in the county, and their set- 
tlement is narrated in another part of this 
work. Mr. Warner died in 1875. He was a 
man of pure, noble character, and had the 
esteem of his fellow-citizens. He is spoken of 
as one of the great and noble men of his town- 
ship. Mrs. Warner is now familiarly known 
as "Aunt Millie," and is a type of pioneer in- 
dustry. 

ELIAPA WARNER, retired farmer ; P. O. 
Liverpool ; was born in Waterbur\-, Coun.. in 
1798. He attended the common schools of his 
native place, and, in 1818, came to Medina Co., 
and has been farming ever since. He was mar- 
ried in 1820. by the Rev. Alpheus Geer, to 
Margaret A. Nichols, a native of Waterbury, 
Conn., and has one son. Leonard, who is at 
present farming. Mr. Warner has filled the 
offices of Assessor and Land Appraiser on sev- 
eral occasions. He and his wife have been de- 
vout members of the Methodist Church since 



1822. and were the first members of the first 
church. He is a Republican in politics. 

JOSEPH W. WARNER, farmer ; P. 0. 
Brunswick ; was born in Liverpool Township 
in 1818. He is the son of William Warner, 
who came into Medina Co. in 1815. He ob- 
tained his education in the district school of his 
township, and worked on his father's farm from 
his boyhood, and is now one of the most 
esteemed citizens of his township. He was 
married, in 18-10. to Emily a Mathewson, a na- 
tive of Connecticut. Thev have five children — 
Lucius W., Ellen H., Olive A.. Philip L. and 
Joseph F. He is a member of the Methodist 
Church, a Republican in politics, and was 
elected Township Trustee, his township being 
overwhelmingly Democratic — an evidence of 
the popularity and good character of >Ir. 
Warner. He is known throughout his whole 
township as an honest, industrious and up- 
right citizen, well worthy the esteem and 
confidence of his fellow-citizens. 



SPENCER TOWNSHIP. 






ISAAC BETZ, farmer; P. O. Spencer; he 
was born May 17, 1818, in Lewistown. Mittlin 
Co., Penn.. and came to this State with his father 
in the spring of 1820. They settled in Chip- 
pewa Township, Wayne Co.. Ohio. His father, 
John Betz. was bom in Berks Co., Penn., on 
Feb. 28. 1773, and died in Norton Township, 
Summit Co., in 1852, at the advanced age of 
79 years. His mother. Catharine (Troxell) Betz. 
was born in Pennsylvania May 24, 1778, dying 
in 1862, at the age of 84, in the same locality 
where her husband departed this life. Father 
Betz was a prominent man in iiis day. and was 
for years tlie choir leader, organist and school- 
teacher in his native town. and. when following 
the custom of the fatherland, the teacher was 
furnished a dwelling, and was a personage 
looked up to and advised with as were the 
ministers of the Gospel in the early days of the 
New England colonies. They had eleven chil- 
dren — Sarah, born Jan. 28, 1795 ; Catharine, 
Dec. 25, 1706; Abraham, Jan. 17, 1800; he 
died Dec. 26, 1878: George, Oct. 26. 1803; 
Daniel. Februarv, 1806 ; John. March 2. 1808. 
and died Feb. l'lS63 ; Samuel, October, 1810 ; 



William. Sept. 12. 1813; Rebecca. Nov. 30. 
1815 ; Isaac and Jacob (twins). May 17. 1818. 
We will now continue the family history by 
taking up the record of Isaac's famih. He 
married Miss Mary Hartman, Oct. 14. 1831. 
She was born June 11. 1815. in LohiU Town- 
ship. Northampton Co., Penn.. and their chil- 
dren's names are as follows : Jonas W.. born 
Dec. 7, 1832 : Rebecca. Nov. 25. 1841 ; she 
died Au2. 12. 1844 ; Sarah K., now Mrs. J. W. 
Mantz. Feb. 12, 1843 ; John H., March 1. 1847 ; 
Mary A.. Jan. 28. 1849. and died Feb. 20. 1867 ; 
Isaac J.. Dec. 21. 1851. Mr. Betz moved to 
this county from Wayne. March 14. 1843, and 
settled in Spencer Township, on a tract of land 
bought two years previously. There was but 
little, if anything, done toward making a farm. 
The giant forest stood before him as if it would 
dispute the farther advance of the hardy pio- 
neer. It must disappear before any crops could 
be raised ; but he attacked it with a determined 
will to subdue it for his use. and level to the 
earth everything that stood in his way. How 
well he has succeeded, let the farm of over 200 
acres, and the buildings thereon, tell the story ; 



ni* 



-K* 



SPENCER TOWXSHIP. 



755 



the.y will speak for themselves. He has a com- 
fortable home, in which to pass'fhis declining 
years, as a recompense for past toil and priva- 
tions, such as is liut little understood by the 
dwellers on prairie lands, or the youth of to-day. 
The familj' used to attend the Methodist Church 
at River Corners, Rev. Abel Wood. Pastor, in 
the early days, when they had but one l)uilding 
for church and school purposes, Mr. Betz re- 
lates an incident of the earl}' days, in the settle- 
ment of Wayne Co., that illustrates the newness 
of the country, and the advancement made in 
his day. <_)ne time, his twin brother and him- 
self when they were mere children, strolled out 
a little way from the house, and found a large, 
buck deer lying down ; hurrying back, they 
asked their mother to come quick and see " the 
little cow with the big horns," giving their own 
name, as children sometimes will, for what they 
had seen. 

MRS. S. A. BEMENT nee Miss Sally A. 
Raineer, Penfield ; was born in Genesee Co., 
N. Y., April 9, 1817. Her husband, Edmund 
C. Bement (deceased), was born in Lowville, 
N. Y., Sept. 25. 1813, and they were married 
Dec. 25, 1833. His last sickness, of but very 
few days, terminated in death July 15, 1875. 
They came to this State in the year 1837, and 
settled in La Grange, Lorain Co., where they 
remained until 1862, when they moved to 
Spencer Township, Medina Co., Ohio. The 
children were twelve in number — Edwin R., 
born March 2, 1834 ; Edmund D., March 22, 
1835 ; Julia F., June 2, 183(1 ; William H., May 
3, 1838; Emily J.. Nov. 5, 1839; Lydia L., 
April 2, 1841 ; George A., Aug. 14", 1843 ; 
Sarah A.. March 28, 1846 ; Hiram N., May 20, 
1848; Amanda M., Aug. 20, 1850; Ellen M., 
July 15, 1853 (she died July 31, 1854) ; Charles 
S., now living with his mother on the home- 
stead, was born Jul}- 3, 1856. Four members 
of the family were in the army during the re- 
bellion, their patriotism l^eing shown by devo- 
tion to the LTuion, and two of them laying 
down their young lives on the altar of a beloved 
country, a bloody sacrifice, that we and all the 
coming generations might live where the bless- 
ings of a free government abound. Commenc- 
ing with the eldest, Edwin R. enlisted in Bat- 
tery E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, on the 25th 
day of August, 1864, at Wooster, ()hio, and 
was mustered out of the service at Camp Den- 
nison, July 12, 1865, He was in the battle of 



Nashville and Hood's raid. William H. en- 
listed in the llltii N. Y. V. I., and was instantly 
killed by the enemy's sharpshooters at Hatch- 
er's Run, Va., by a shot through the head, April 
2, 1865. George A. enlisted in Capt. A. H. 
Nickerson's Co. I, of the 8th 0. V. I., and, after 
participating in a number of battles, died on 
July 11, 1864, in Emory Hospital, Washington, 
D. C., from the effects of a gun-shot wound re- 
ceived in one of the battles around Petersburg, 
Va. The writer regrets that fuller information 
could not be readily obtained of the list of 
battles in which these brothers participated. 
George A. was promoted twice to non-commis- 
sioned otHcer for special bravery on the field of 
battle, and is highly spoken of by his com- 
manding officer. 

JOEL CURTICE, farmer; P. 0. Spencer. 
He owns New York as the land of his nativity, 
having been born in Cayuga Co., Jan. 20, 1804. 
In his younger days he worked on the Erie 
Canal, and learned the trade of molder in 
Rochester, N'. Y., working there some fifteen 
i years. He came to this State in May, 18.33, 
t and settled in La Grange, Lorain Co., taking a 
contract for 166 acres, and giving $400 for it. 
He then worked at his trade in the foundry at 
Elyria, and made some improvements upon the 
land by building a log cabin upon the lot and 
clearing some of it. He afterward wrought at 
his trade for two years more, then went on his 
farm again and cleared fifty acres, having the 
land all paid for in four years from the time he 
bought it. In April, 1843, he traded his farm 
there for one in this township, and moved here, 
cleared 105 acres, with some help. Later on, 
he bought 54 more acres, making a good-sized 
farm of 159 acres. His father, Hosea. was 
born in Deerfield, Mass., in 1773, and his mother 
in the same State about 1775. Her maiden 
name was Catharine Moore. Their children's 
names were Philena, Worthy, Amos, Hosea, 
Joel, Reuben, Harlow (died when a child), 
Alonzo, David. Susannah, Solomon and Cath- 
arine. His father died Feb. 5, 1864, in La 
Grange, Ohio, and his mother in the spring of 
1850. Mr. Curtice was married June 6, 1826, 
in the town of Summerhill, Cayuga Co., N. Y., 
to Miss Emma Freeman, who was born in Ot- 
sego Co., N. Y., March 12, 1801. They had 
the following children : Clarissa A., born April 
1, 1827; Harold. June 26. 1829; Joshua E., 
Nov. 11, 1831 ; Joel N.. Oct. 6, 1834; Emma 



^n« 



r 



^ 



iii. 



756 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



C, Dee. 8. 1837 ; Lauriiida E., June 24, 1840 ; 
William. May 23, 1843 (he died June 9, 1843 ; 
David A., April 22, 1845 ; Reulten P]., March 
24, 1849 ; riiram A., Dec. 25. 1852. The great 
great-grandfather of Hosea Curtice was bom 
in i^ngland. four brothers coming over to settle 
in the New World. Tliere was a grand family 
re-union and golden wedding held liere four 
3'ears ago, on June G, 187(3 ; 105 relatives and 
friends of Mr. and Mrs. Curtice assembled to 
do honor to tlie event, coming from Wisconsin, 
Michigan and Ohio, marking a day l<jng to be 
remembered b}- those who participated in the 
festivities. There were music and singing, short 
and appropriate speeches were made bj' Rev. 
Cyrus Inman. Dr. Willey, Messrs. Smith and 
Cornell ; and Josliua E., one of the sons of the 
aged pair, alluded in feeling terms to the advice 
his father gave him when he went out into the 
wide world for himself — to always be honest, 
and never, by word or deed, disgrace the family 
name. Mr. and Mrs. Curtice might be justly 
called typical pioneers, and, for persons at their 
time of life, still enjoy good health and buoy- 
ant spirits, acquired by active lives, temperance 
and frugality. 

EPHRAIM COOLMAN, farmer; P. O. 
Spencer ; was born in this township Feb. 5, 
1849, and was married, April 20, 1873, to Miss 
Julia M. Dickinson, who was born Nov. 13, 
1852 ; they have two children — Alice B., born 
Aug. 14, 1875, and Emma K.. Sept. 5. 1876. 
Mr. Coolman owns the farm where he was 
born, and where his fiither first settled in this 
township, of 12(j acres ; it formerly consisted 
of 13() acres, but a small part of it has been 
sold. Upon this homestead his father toiled 
for many a wearj- day. clearing the land that 
was to be his home and the home of his chil- 
dren ; showing all of the enterprise and firm- 
ness that used to characterize the early settlers 
of this county, and persevered until victory- 
crowned his efforts and a fine farm well re- 
warded him for all the toil and privations he 
was obliged to undergo during those early 
days. He bought the first mowing-machine 
(Ball's) in the neighborhood, and left his son 
his father's fire-lock, a relic of bygone days ; 
al.so the family clock, of Connecticut make, 
still running and marking the time of day as 
it did forty years ago. Mr. Coolman had a 
brother named John, who enlisted in tlu! 2d 
O. V. C., Co. B, Capt. Lindsley, and died in the 



service at Ft. Leavenworth Feb. 20, 18l>2. 
Joseph Coolman, the father of the subject of 
this sketch, was born in Stark Co., Ohio, Jul}' 
16, 1814, and died Oct. 14, 1875. in Spencer 
Township. He married, June 1. 1837, Miss 
Sarah Lance, born July 19, 1819, in Milton 
Township, Wayne Co., Ohio ; their children 
were Marv, born June 8, 1838, died Aug. 28, 
1878 ; Clara, born May 7, 1840, died Aug. 2, 
1841 ; John, born Sept. 19, 1841, died in' the 
service Feb. 20, 1862 ; Charity, born Oct. 24, 
1843, now Mrs. Calvin Krvder ; Harriet, Aug. 
20, 1845, died March 31, 1846 ; William, born 
Jan. 29. 1847 ; Ephraim. Feb. 5, 1849 ; Milton 
W., May 18, 1851, died Oct. 15, 1877 ; Frances 
M., born April 7, 1853, now Mrs. F. Cornelius ; 
Edward F., Aug. 22, 1855, died Feb. 13, 1874 ; 
Joseph A., born Sept. 24, 1858, died Jan. 16, 
1862; Orville B., born June 19, 1864, and 
Sarah A., April 27, 1866. Mrs. Joseph Cool- 
man is living at Spencer Center with the 
younger members of her family in a quiet re- 
tirement. Her husband came to this county 
in 1838, making it some forty-two years since 
they became identified with the history of 
Spencer Township. 

JAMES B. DICKINSON, farmer; P. 0. 
Spencer. The subject of this sketch has led a 
somewhat checkered life until within the past 
few years, but has managed to hold his own 
against all assailants, until now his life passes 
on the even tenor of its wav. He was born in 
Wayne Co., N. Y., Nov. 8," 1832. His father, 
John Dickinson, was born in Macedon. Wayne 
Co., N. Y., June 3, 1807, and came to this 
State in the spring of 1851. settling in Spencer 
Township. He died June 1, 1880. ''The mother 
was born in one of the New I'lngland States, 
the date not obtainable, and died in 1834 ; her 
maiden name was Catharine Bradford. The 
children by this first marriage were James B. 
and an infant sister who died when a child six 
months old. His father married again, in 
1834. a Jliss Catharine Foote, who was born 
in Marion Townshij), Wayne Co.. N. Y.. July 6, 
1815. They had the following children : .Mer- 
ritt (dead), William N., Mary, David L. (born 
July 24. 1845. died in the service). Staley H., 
and Julia M. (now Mrs. E. Coolman). James 
has a good record as a soldier among his old 
comrades of the 8tii. He enlisted April 19, 
1 861. under the first call of I'resident lAn- 
eoln for troops for the three montiis' service, 









<a w. 



"k^ 



SPENCER TOWNSHIP. 



757 



in the 8th 0. V. I., Co. K, Capt. W. M. Pierce. 
The}- re-enlisted for three years, or during the 
war, before their first term expired, at Camp 
Dennison, near Cincinnati. While in camp the 
only incident that transpired worth}' of note, 
except tlie usual routine of dress parades, 
camp and guard duty, was his attempt to swim 
the river and back again, in which he came 
near being drowned, but was rescued by a 
comrade named William Bacon, now of Medina. 
The first battle in which he participated was 
that of Kernstown, Va. They were under the 
command of the heroic veteran Oen. Shields, 
who drove "Stonewall" Jackson, after the bat- 
tle was decided in our favor, up tlie famous 
Shenandoah Valley, in an almost continuous 
skirmish for many miles. Col. Ashb}-, of the 
Black Horse Confederate Cavalry, covered the 
retreat of the rebels. A good shot was made 
by him at an officer said to be Ashlij', who was 
mounted and at a distance of half a mile from 
our advancing line. Having received permis- 
sion from his Captain to trj- a shot at that dis- 
tance, he threw the sights of his Entield rifle to 
900 yards and fired. The bullet, sent true to 
its aim, struck the bullet-proof breast-plate of 
the officer and nearly carried him off his horse, 
the impact being heard plainl}- at that distance. 
His Colonel, coming up soon after, commended 
the good marksmanship displayed. The next 
action of an}- importance was that of Romney, 
W. Va., where they drove the enemy out of 
town, followed by the fight at Blue Gap. They 
went into winter quarters at llomne}-, perform- 
ing picket and guard duties ; wliile here he 
was taken sick and transferred to the conva- 
lescent camp at Alexandria : upon liis recover}', 
he rejoined his command and taking transports 
were moved to the Peninsula under Gen. Mc- 
Clellan. They were generally held as a reserve 
force in the battles of that period. He was also 
in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellors- 
ville and Blooming Forge. Again they faced 
the enemy at Mine Run, with Gen. Meade as 
commander, and in the many skirmishes along 
the Rappahannock. In the last battle (that of 
Gettysburg), he was wounded three times ; first, 
in the early part of that great battle by a small 
piece of shell which wounded his fore-finger, 
but did not disable him ; then by another frag- 
ment of shell, which struck him on the right 
leg ; soon after a bullet pierced his right arm 
just above the elbow, shattered the bone, and 



he was obliged to retire from the fight. He 
was sent to tiie corps hospital, and transferred 
to Pittsburgh, then to Philadelphia and lastly 
to Newark, N. J., and put into the Invalid 
Corps, afterward sent to New York, where the 
duty consisted in guarding the deserters and 
prisoners of war. He was mustered out of 
i service on the 2!)th of .June, 18t:i4. The month 
previous, May 21. he married Miss Harriett E. 
Gage, who was born in Rochester, X. Y., Nov. 
28, 1843. Coming back to Ohio, soon after his 
discharge from the service, he wont to Jones 
I Co., Iowa ; has been there and back several 
1 times in periods of five or six years at a time, 
I but finally settled down permanently in this 
township in 1871. He has the reputation of 
being a fearless soldier and faithful in the dis- 
charge of his duties as such, obeying every 
order with alacrity, unmindful of the dangers 
he might encounter. 

SOLOMON F. DIMOCK, farmer; P. O. 
Spencer ; was the son of a clergyman, and the 
sixth child of a lamily of twelve members. He 
was born in what was then known as the county 
of Montrose, Penn., Feb. 15, 1816, moving with 
his father's family to this county in 1834. He 
afterward settled in Spencer Township, where 
he now resides. He was married Nov. 7, 1839, 
to Miss Cynthia Warner, who was born April 
10, 1821, in Genesee Co., N. Y. She was the 
daughter of William Warner, of Montville 
Township, and a sister of Dr, Henry Warner 
(deceased), whose biography will be found in 
the medical department of this work. Mr. 
Dimock, buying the laud where he now 
lives with only fifteen or twenty acres of 
slashing that might be called improvements, 
has made a fine farm of 10(1 acres as a home- 
stead, although owning, at times, other pieces 
of real estate. The present improvements, con- 
sisting of a substantial farmhouse, barns, etc., 
attest the energy and industry of its occupant. 
For many days has he taken his ax and walked 
three miles to work for 50 cents per day, and 
board himself The father of the above-named 
gentleman. Rev. S. Dimock, was a native of the 
Green Mountain State, and was born in Ben- 
nington, Sept. 22, 1780. He was married in 
1804, to Miss Clarissa Phelps, of Pownel, Vt. 
She was born April 16, 1788. They moved, in 
1813, to the State of Pennsylvania. He was 
licensed to preach the next year, and was or- 
dained as a clergyman of the Methodist Epis- 



19 , 



-«^ — 



758 



BIOGHAPIIICAL SKETCHES: 



copal Church, in 1818. They again moved, this 
time to Allegany Co., N. Y.," in 1828 ; and. after 
laboring in the Master's vineyard in different 
localities there, they came to Sharon, Medina 
Co., in the year 1834. Here he preached the 
Word, the Truth and the Life, until, worn out, 
his age and infirmities began to tell upon him, 
when he selected a home with his youngest 
daughter in Olmsted, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where 
he calmly gave up this life, spent in doing good 
to his fellowmen. He died Aug. 8, 1873, at 
the good old age of 93 ; his wife, Clarissa, died 
at the same place, April 18, 1877. Their chil- 
dren were Sally P., Tlieoda B., Horace N„ Will- 
iam P., John P., Solomon P., Clarissa H., Sally 
P. (2d), Davis H.. Laureuia G., Mary J. and Au- 
gusta M. William Davis Dimock, only child 
of the subject of this slietch, was born in 
Sharon, this county, Dec. 2(!, 1840, and was 
married July 4, 1S<j4, to Miss Helen L, Hol- 
land. She was born in Huntington. Lorain Co., 
July 24. 1840. Her parents were Abram and 
Mary A. Holland, and were from the State of 
Massachusetts. The}- have one child, named 
Bertha A., born Aug, 0, 1873, and an adopted 
son, Hallv F., born in Wooster, Wavne Co., 
Ohio, Feb, 16, 1864. His father, Henry D. 
Warner, is a cousin of Mr. Dimock. W. D. 
Dimock is one of the rising j'oung farmers 
of this township, owning and managing a 
large form, and is respected by the people 
of the community for his integrity and moral 
worth. 

ALFRED D. DONARD, farmer ; P. O. Spen- 
cer ; is a well-to-do and prominent citizen of 
this township, and was born April 18, 1843, in 
Schuylkill Co.. Penn. He came to this Stat« 
Nov. 18. 1859, and was married in Spencer 
March 21, 1867, to Miss Mercy J, Driskell, who 
was l)orn in this count}- and township Sept. 6, 
1848. Their children are Mertie M., born Julv 
6, 1868 ; Hattie F., Oct. 29, 1870 ; Alice L„ 
April 6. 1873 ; Hugh E.. Aug. 8. 1875 : Lou 
Gertrude, May 21, 1879. Mr. Donard has a fine 
farm of 225 acres that constitutes his home- 
stead, and another farm of 130 acres, three- 
quarters of a mile east, all valuable land, and 
under tlic best of cultivation. There are two 
good houses and barns upon the home lot, 
which he lias liuilt. besides other improvements, 
such as belong to a well-ordered farm of the 
American type. His business, conducted upon 
a systematic, liberal plan, cannot be other than 



remunerative, as industry and economy will 
brina: their own reward. 

REUBEN FALCONER, farmer; P.O.Spen- 
cer ; his father, a gentleman of English de- 
scent, whose given name was Henry, was 
born in 1763, and died in 1836. The moth- 
er's maiden name was Fannie Thoekmorton, 
of French extraction, was born in 1774, 
died in 1827. The record of their mar- 
riage is not available, and we omit the date. 
They had ten children — Samuel A.. Esther, 
William, Keziah, Abraham, Daniel. Francis, 
Belinda, Gilbert D. and Reuben ; all dead except 
the latter and Belinda. Reuben was born May 
9, 1818, in Wadsworth, Medina Co.. Ohio, and 
wedded Oct. 1, 1840. Mrs. Lncinda :\Iay Booth, 
who was born in Leroy. Genesee Co., N. Y. 
Nov. 25, 1814. The children by this marriage 
were Reuben Henrv, born Oct. 27. 1841 ; 
Fanny L.. July 26. 1843. died Feb. 16. 1855 ; 
Lncinda M.. Ausc. 14, 1845 (now Mrs. George 
W. Gallatin) ; Archalaus R.. Sept. 21, 1847 ; 
Amandus D., Sept. 27, 1849 ; Roswell G., April 
5, 1852 ; John E., Feb. 10, 1855. Names of the 
children of Mrs. F. by first marriage with 
Daniel Booth were Laura G. and Lebues Lu- 
man. Mr. F. came to Spencer Township in 
1828, taking up 50 acres in the southeast part 
of the township. Afterward removing to his 
present location one-half mile north of River 
Corners, on an unimproved place, cleared it up 
himself and made the improvements now to be 
seen upon the premises. And now. in the de- 
cline of life, he can enjoy the fruits of his early 
labors and self-denial. His life, the repetition 
of the struggles and hardships of hundreds of 
others who begin life in the forest, and. persever- 
ing, surmount all impediments, and succeed by 
force of will and energy. He has a good farm 
of 100 acres, which, although of forbidding na- 
ture at first, has been made prolific by applying 
the modern methods of farming. Good books 
are his delight, and his mind is stored with val- 
uable ti'easurcs of information. Enlisting under 
the first call of President Lincoln, for three 
months in the Sth O. V. I., Company K, com- 
manded by Capt. Pierce ; his regiment mus- 
tered in at Cleveland, April 27. 1S61, and were 
sent to Camp Dennison, and mustered out -Vug, 
18, 1861, without Mr. F. seeing much service, 
except the ordinary routine of drill, guard and 
camp duty. His eldest son, Reuben H., enlisted 
in Capt. Williams' Company B, of the 42d 0. 



ai — 



J^ 



>^ 



SPENCER TOAVNSHIP. 



759 



V. I. (President-elect J. A. Garfield's old regi- 
ment), serving as drummer until promoted to 
the position of Drum Major, which he held to 
the close of the war. The company were mus- 
tered iu Sept. 22, 1861, and were mustered out 
at Camp Chase, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1804. 

RICHARD FREEMAN, farmer; P. 0. Spen- 
cer. He was born in December, 1837, and is 
one of the go-ahead, active farmers of this part 
of Medina Co., enterprising and full}- up to the 
times. He married Miss Mary C. Aldrich, a 
lad}' of refinement and culture, by whom he has 
two children — James W. and Minnie M. He is 
located upon a good tarm, with permanent im- 
provements and well-settled neighborliood, and 
has a host of friends throughout the township, 
which speaks well for his uniform kindness and 
conduct to all. His parents, James and Eliza- 
beth (Gull) Freeman, were born iu Lincolnshire, 
England, and came to this State in 1837, set- 
tling in Akron, Summit Co., but moved to Spen- 
cer Township, this county, in the year 1842. 
Richard Freeman left this county in 1858, go- 
ing to Iowa, where he remained until the firing 
upon Ft. Sumter, when he enlisted iu the 12tli 
I. V. I., Company K. They went to Camp 
Benton, Mo., remaining there about two months ; 
drilling, guard and routine duties comprising 
the labor of those days, but fitting them for 
the more serious work of the near future — 
for they were soon sent to take part in the bat- 
tles and victories of Fts. Henr}' and Donel- 
son. That they performed their allotted tasks 
faithfully, winning the plaudits of the nation, 
for the first victories, we well know, bearing 
their part in those actions with the undaunted 
bravery which characterized the Western sol- 
diers. In the next battle, that of Shiloh, Mr. 
Freeman was taken prisoner, April (5, 1862, and 
was paroled and exchanged Oct. 16, 1862. 
After rejoining his regiment, lie participated in 
the battles of Raj-mond, Champion Hills, etc., 
and was at the surrender of Yicksburg, also the 
second battle of Jackson ; he was with the 
disastrous Red River expedition, under Gen. 
Banks, comprising the battles of Pleasant Hill, 
Peach Orchard (J rove, and Sabine Cross Roads. 
Among the other engagements were those of 
luka and Franklin, near Nashville, where the 
rebel army, under Gen. Hood, met a terrible de- 
feat, and were driven out of Tennessee. He 
also participated in the pursuit of Gen. Price 
across the State of Missouri, for hundreds of 



miles, our army suffering greatly by reason of 
forced marches and privations. Serving out his 
time of enlistment, he returned north and set- 
tled upon the farm where he now resides. 

ALVIN W. GANNETT, farmer ; P. 0. Spen- 
cer ; was born June 8, 1824, iu Genesee Co., N. 
Y., and was married (Jot. 1, 1846, to Miss Mary 
Stuart. She was born April 11, 1821, in Cort- 
land Co., N. Y. The names of their children 
are — Frank A., born Nov. 16, 1847 ; Sarah M., 
May 17, 1849 ; Martha D., Aug. 20, 1850 (now 
Mrs. Henry Franks) ; Worthy H., April 24, 
1856 ; Warner A., May 26, 1808, he died March 
80, 1862 ; Willie A., May 26, 1860. The father 
of the suljject of this sketch, Joseph Gannett, 
was born June, 1774, and was a native of the 
Old Bay State, his occupation being the oldest 
known to man, viz., farming. He married Miss 
Martha Stone, who was born in March, 1783, in 
the State of Massachusetts. They moved with 
their family to this State in the year 1835. Mr. 
Gannett died in this county in 1846. They had 
the following children — Aleck, Ruth, Olive, Jo- 
seph, Hannah, Alvin W, and Mary J ; there are 
four now living — Olive, Joseph. Hannah and 
Alvin W. Mr. Gannett says their present tine 
farm was a perfect wilderness when he and his 
father moved upon it. Together they felled the 
forest and subdued the land for their chosen 
occupation, and in common with others felt the 
privations of pioneer life. Theirs was the first 
frame house between the centers, and for a long 
time they were nearly alone. He has seen farm 
after farm gradually brought under cultivation, 
until now a landscape spreads out to the view, 
of well-cultivated fields dotted in all directions 
by homes of friends and neighbors. The farm, 
consisting of 150 acres of high, rolling, easily 
drained land, lies on both sides of the north-and- 
south road, is well fenced, has a good, commo- 
dious farm dwelling and convenient barns. Mrs. 
Mar}' (Stuart) Gannett had two brothers in the 
Union army who served their country faithfully 
during the war, in the 23d 0. V. I., President 
Hayes' old regiment. Elijah R. was twice 
wounded, and once had the misfortune to be 
taken prisoner of war, and confined at Danville, 
Va. 

JOSEPH GIAR. farmer; P. 0. Spencer. 
The father of our subject, Henry Giar, was born 
in Westmoreland Co.. Penn., in June, 1787 ; 
was by occupation a tanner, and married, in 
1814, to Elizabeth Bender, who was born in 



V 



760 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1707, and whose father, Jacob Bender, served 
througliout the time " that tried men's souls " 
— the Revolutionar}' war. The names of the 
children b\' this marriage were IMary, Joseph 
(the subject), Samuel, John, Elizabeth, Francis, 
Henry W. and James J. — all living at the date 
of this writing. Joseph was born in what is 
now called Carroll Co., Ohio, May 31, 1817, 
and came to this county April 1-1, 1834. He 
was married Nov. 1, 1840, to Relepha Tanner, 
born in Wayne Co., Ohio. September, 1818. 
Celia Lovina was the only child, who was born 
Feb. 11, 1843. and died June 27, 1850. Mrs. 
Giar departed this life Aug. 9, 1843. Mr. Giar 
was married again, May 22, 1845, to Miss Almira 
A. Turner, who was born June 23, 1827, in 
Orleans Co., Vt. The names of the children 
by the second marriage were — Emma M., Net- 
tie R., Williard S., LctI W. and John H. Mr. 
G. came to Spencer Township at a time when 
there was but very little improvement in the 
south part of the town, helping to chop and 
clear of timber twenty-six miles of road, and, 
taking the farm where he now resides, which 
was a solid block of forest, has chopped and 
cleared, in the vicinity, 201! acres of beech and 
maple woods. In tliose early days a source of 
revenue was derived from the ashes of l)urned 
log heaps, by making what was called black 
salts, from which pearl-ash was made. After 
making enough for a load, he would haul it 
with an ox team to Litchfield to find a market. 
He has seen the wilderness blossom as the rose, 
and the primeval forest disappear before the 
sturdy blows of the ax in tiie hands of the 
daring, progressive pioneer. We can have but 
a faint conception to-dav of the ditliculties our 
fathers had to contend witli ; we hear the reci- 
tal from ag(Ml lips of the iuirdships and priva- 
tions of those early days, but, surrounded with 
our present civilization, cannot realize what our 
progenitors endured while erecting a home in 
the wilderness. Friend Giar made a division 
of his property a short time ago, bequeathing 
to each of his five children forty acres, retain- 
ing the buildings with nine acres of land, but 
has since bought back from one of the heirs 
the portion allowed, for §1,000, wiiich leaves 
him a homestead proper of about 50 acres. 

M. H. HUFF.M AN, farmer ; P.O. Spencer; 
His father was Jacob Hulfman, born in Wasii- 
ington Co., Penn., in 1804. and married Elizabeth 
Protsman. in Wayne Co., Oiiio, in lS2(i. Tlie 



children were David H., Malachi H., Mary E., 
Melinda, John E., Jacob, George F. and Eliza- 
beth L.; but five living at this date. Malachi 
H. was born on the 24th of August, 1830, in 
Chippewa Township. Wayne Co., Ohio ; married 
June fi. 1858, to Miss Ann J. Rice, born in the 
same county, April 12, 1840. The children of 
this union were Horace Porter (dead), Charles 
T. (dead), Ada R., Francis :\I. (dead), Redella 
M., Eugene H. (dead), and Lilla B. .Mr. Huff- 
man came to Spencer Township in 1802, and. 
buying the farm of 106 acres where he now 
resides, has made a beautiful home Ijy building 
a large, well-arranged and convenient house, 
warmed by a furnace, and supplied with other 
modern improvements, a good-sized library 
of valuable books, as well as other articles 
which evidence taste and refinement. His 
home is noted for its boundless hospitality and 
solid comfort, while a cheerful, smiling hostess 
dispenses the bounties of a well-filled table ; an 
interesting, intelligent family of children, make 
up the sum of happiness to be found in this 
well-ordered household. In 1853, Mr. Huff- 
man journeyed to Ii>wa, where he remained for 
several months, coming back to (Jhio only to 
return in the spring of 1855, traveling on foot 
over a large part of the State, with the object 
of exploration and adventure. While there he 
bought a tract of land near Fort Dodge, after- 
ward sold for lands in Medina County. He 
was a volunteer to repel a threatened Indian 
attack upon the frontier settlements of Western 
Iowa. The farm he now owns there is located 
four miles west of Des Moines. Mr. H., like 
many others, finally returned to his first love, 
Oiiio. to settle down permanently in the every- 
day, uneventful life of a farmer, and he may 
well have a pardonable pride in his home and 
its surroundings. He has been President, for 
several years, of the Union District Fair, of 
West Salem, composed of members from the 
three counties of Ashland, Wayne and .Medina. 
SILAS KITCHEN, farmer; P. O. Spenct-r. 
Father Moses Kitchen was born in 1778, in 
Northampton Co., Penn. His occupation was 
that of tanner. He was married to .\nn M. 
Andrews, of the same State. Their children 
were in the following order of birth : Elizal)elh, 
Hannali, Jacob. Thomas, Christ can. Susan, FiVe, 
Silas (tiie sulijiM't of this biography), Jeremiah 
and Simon Peter — only three now living. Mr. 
K. came to the ^Uile of Ohio in the fall of 






~S) \> 



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SPENCER TOWNSHIP. 



761 



1818, stopping in Jackson Township, Wayne 
Co. then, but now known as Asliland Co. 
He died March 18, 1848. Silas was born May 
5, 1819, in what is now Ashland Co., Ohio, and 
married p]lizal)eth Dickason, who also was 
born in Ashland Co., April 29, 1826. They 
moved in the spring of 1854 to this county. 
Ann M., James W., Sarah L., Zachariah H., 
Willard (dead), Elmer Ellsworth and Jeremiah, 
are the names of this interesting family. Mr. 
Kitchen has made the extensive improvements 
now seen on the homestead ; has a large farm 
(380 acres), making additions from time to 
time to the original 100 acres of the old farm. 
The house, a large, substantial frame structure, 
gives promise of the comfort and contentment 
within. The grounds, adorned with shade trees, 
and the well-kept surroundings, show the handi- 
work of the intelligent, go-ahead American 
farmer. The well-.stored book-case shows that 
Mr. K. intends to keep posted in all that per- 
tains to advancement and literature, and he 
needs these helps, for a family of school-teach- 
ers have grown up around the hearthstone, and 
these books have played an important part by 
aflfording them general information so necessary 
to a successful teacher. An obliging neighbor. 
a friend in time of need, and a well-spent life, 
characterizes his record, an example that will 
Jive in the memories of children and friends 
long after he has passed away. 

ALONZO H. MILLER, farmer; P. O.Chat- 
ham. Samuel Miller, the father of the gentle- 
man whose name appears above, was born A. 
D. Dec. 2, 1821, and married March 26, 18.37, 
to Miss Susanna Rice, who was born in Wayne 
Co., C)hio. Nov. 11. 1815 ; his occupation was 
that of cabinet-maker, learning his trade in 
Massillon, Ohio; he died Nov.' 27, 1850. The 
children were Edwin R., born Feb. 15. 1838 ; 
Orlando died when a child ; Alonzo H., May 
HI. 1841 ; Emma E.. Julv 2, 1843 ; Charles E., 
Dec. 30, 1845, and fleorge W., Nov. 11. 1848 ; 
all born in Stark Co., this State. Alonzo 
wedded Rachel A. Inman, March 26, 1867. 
(Her father, John Inman, was born in the State 
of New York, Aug. 5, 1822 ; he died Aug. 29, 
1877 ; he was one of the earliest settlers of this 
township ; her mother, Pollv E. (xraves, born 
July 26, 1827, and died July 18, 1862.) There 
were seven children, Frank I., born Jan. 8, 
1868 ; Lecta E., Nov. 5, 1869 ; Clyde. Oct. 6, 
1871 (dead) ; Lillian. Feb. 23, 1873. died March 



20, 1873; John H., Sept. 11, 1874; Charles, 
July 11, 1877 ; Rachel A., Dec. 4, 1880. Mr. 
Miller met with the greatest misfortune that 
can fall to the lot of man, by losing the part- 
ner of his joys and sorrows, the mother of his 
children, who died Dee. 4, 1880 ; she was an 
estimable lady, and loving wife and mother. 
Upon the breaking-out of the war, Mr. Miller, 
impelled by patriotic ardor, enlisted in the 42d 
0. V. I., Company B, mustered in Sept. 22, 
1861, and served three years and eight days. 
The regiment rendezvoused at Camp Chase, Col- 
umbus, Ohio, and were sent from there to East- 
ern Kentucky. The first battle in which he 
engaged was that of Middle Creek, Ky., march- 
ing from there to Cumberland (iap, where they 
had a number of lively skirmishes about that 
part of the State ; were withdrawn from Cum- 
berland Gap to Jackson, Ohio, and marched 
from there to Charleston, W. Va., the enemy re- 
treating, thence back to Gallipolis, taking a 
steamer to Memphis, Tenn. The next engage- 
ments in which the regiment took an active 
part were Chickasaw Bluffs and Arkansas Post. 
From there to Young's Point, where they 
worked on the canal, intended to change the 
channel of the Jlississippi, but the fiither of 
waters was too much for engineering skill, and 
the forces engaged were defeated in the at- 
tempt. He was with the expedition to obtain 
cotton l)ales for the purpose of protecting the 
men and boats preparing to run the batteries 
of Vicksburg. As the country was inundated, 
it was not so difficult to obtain it by poling 
flat-boats across the plantations wherever cot- 
ton could be found, but not so easy to return 
against the current. The succeeding action 
was that of Thompson's Hill, in the rear of 
Grand Gulf followed by that of Champion 
Hills, near Vicksburg ; he was in two desperate 
charges upon that besieged city ; also the light 
at Black River and Jack.son (the second battle 
of that name). The regiment were then sent 
to New Orleans, thence to Opelousas, West 
Louisiana, and back to Plaquemine, where the 
majoi'ity of the regiment, tired of '-tramp, tramp, 
the boys are marching," offered to veteranize as 
cavalry, but were refused the boon, and 
marched to Baton Rouge, near which place 
they had a skirmish, the last fight in which 
Mr. Miller was destined to be engaged. He 
was placed upon detached service soon after, 
under Adjt. Gen. Thomas ; serving his country 



'C <i 



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763 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



long and well, true to the old flag, conscious 
of having performed his duty as a citizen and 
a man. he was finally mustered out at Camp 
Chase, Ohio, Sept. 3U, 1864. In civil life, he 
has the respect and confidence of his neighbors, 
who have several times elected him to the of- 
fice of Township Trustee and Justice of the 
Peace 

JOHN ORISOX MARSH, farmer; P. 0. 
Spencer. The father of Mr. Marsh. John P. 
Marsh, is known as the first settler in this 
township, coming in the spring of 1823, buying 
104 acres of land of Simon Parkmau, two miles 
and a half east and north of the ^•illage of 
Spencer, by road. The person named at the 
head of this article was tlieu 9 j-ears old ; born 
Jan. 2, 1814, in Smith-i'ille, N. Y.; he married 
Hannah Inman in the year 1839. Their chil- 
dren were named as follows ; Maria, Elizabeth, 
Samuel P. and John A. His wife died Jan. 
12, 1867. July 12, 1868, he married Miss Mar- 
tha Murray, sister of Squire John C. Murray, of 
Spencer. Samuel P. Marsh, a brother of John 
0., was the first white child born in this town- 
ship. A. D. March 25. 1826 ; he is now a resi- 
dent of Oregon, doing well and amassing con- 
siderable property. John O., taking the gold 
fever in 1849. started that year for the land of 
promise, crossing the plains in wagons, until 
the}' reached Humboldt, where they took to sad- 
dles and pack-mules for the rest of the journey. 
After mining and prospecting two j'ears, he 
started to return via Panama, but for some 
reason the vessel got out of its latitude, w^as be- 
calmed for over sixty da3-s, and the passengers 
and crew were put on short allowance of food 
and water, for that time sutlering greatly, but 
were finally relieved after being out of sight of 
land ninety-four days. This trip and journey, 
with its scenes of excitement, danger and suf- 
fering, identifies Mr. Marsh with the celebrated 
" 49-ers" of that era. The writer was shown, as 
a relic of early days, by Mr. ^larsh, the family 
clock, which he has had in his family for forty 
years, and which cost $40. It was made at 
Bristol, Conn., and has needed but trifling re- 
pairs, and is still running, keeping good time. 

y. W. PARENT, farmer; P, 0. Spencer; 
was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., Jan. 9, 1819, 
and married. June 23, 1842, Miss Luc}- A. 
Baldwin, who was born Aug. 21, 1821 ; their 
children were William, born July 18, 1843, 
died Dec. 29. 1844; Paulina. nowMrs. H. J. 



Foster, born Sept. 18, 1844 ; Julia and Julius 
(twins), born Sept. 9, 1847 ; Julius died Dec. 
28, 1847 ; Edgar, born Sept. 18, 1849 ; Isabel, 
now Mrs. J. W. Ross, born Nov. 11, 1851 ; 
Alonzo. born April 9, 1855, died Feb. 2, 1874 ; 
Cora, now Mrs. Roswell G. Falconer, born 
Aug. 2, 1858. Mrs. Lucy A. Parent died Nov. 
28, 1862 ; Mr. Parent married again, Feb. I'. 
1863, Mrs. Julia A. Rounds, of Hampden C".. 
Mass.; she was born March 12, 1820. V. W. 
was the fourth child of William and Lois 
(Robbins) Parent. His father was born in New 
Jersey Ma}- 5, 1775, and died Jan. 21, 1873. 
aged 98 ; his mother was born Nov. 28. 1790 ; 
she died Jan. 13. 1878, aged 86 years. The 
names of his brothers and sisters, in order of 
their birth, are as follows : Calista, born June 
13. 1810 ; Roxana. born Aug. 27, 1811 ; Ben- 
jamin, born May 3, 1813 ; V. W., born Jan. 9, 
1819 : Lois, born Oct. 11, 1820; William W., 
born Jan. 19. 1822 ; Hezekiah. born April 29, 
1823 ; Margaret, born Sept. 19, 1825 ; Abigail, 
born Nov. 27, 1827 ; Elmina, born Aug. 12, 
1829 : Lucy, born June 21, 1839. Mr. Parent 
came to this county in 1837, a boy of IS, and, 
in the past forty-three years, has seen man\- and 
important changes occur in Spencer Township. 
Fruitful fields and happy homes have taken the 
place of the wild woods and bark wigwams, 
the home of the savage. In place of the tor- 
tuous ti'ail, winding in and out among the 
trees and stumps, are broad highways with 
good Ijridges over the streams they were wont 
to ford. He is a well-to-do farmer ; has over 
200 acres of good laud ; keeps a large herd of 
stock, and is rugged and hearty for a man of 
his age. but would now hardly enjoy the pio- 
neer life of forty years ago. He had two 
brothers who lost their lives in the army dur- 
ing the great rebellion — William W. enlisted 
in the 67th 0. V. I., Co. F, Capt. E. Woodford, 
and participated in the battles of Winchester, 
Mt. Jackson. Edinburg. Harrison's Landing, 
Va.. and Morris Island. Ft. Wagner, and the 
siege of the same, in South Carolina, Chester 
Station, Drury's Bluti's and the Cross Roads, 
Va., also at Richmond and Petersburg. 

LEVI C. WILLIAMS, civil engineer, Spen- 
cer ; was born Juno 16. 1834, at Shoal Creek, 
Lauderdale Co., Ala. He came to this State 
April 11, 1866. and settled in the eastern part 
of Spencer Township. He was married, March 
31. 1855. to Sophia L. Blackman, who was born 



*^ 



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^£ 



SPENCER TOWNSHIP. 



763 



iu the towu of Walworth, Waj'ue Co., N. Y., on 
the 6th of December, 1835. Their children 
were named George T., Jennie A., Alvan J., 
Jessie M., Flora A., Norman H., Ada L. and 
Seymour B. On the breaking-out of the war, 
he enlisted, on the 19 th of April, 1861, iu Co. 
A. (Capt. Lockaby) 96th N. Y. V. I. Their 
Captain deserting them, Earl Pierce was trans- 
ferred from another regiment to the command 
of Co. A. Stephen Moffltt was Colonel, and 
George W. Hindes, Lieutenant Colonel. The 
regiment rendezvoused at Auburn and Elmira, 
N. Y., going to the front at Washington June 
11, 1861, and were assigned to the First 
Division, Second Brigade, Sixth Corps. He 
participated in the following battles : York- 
town, Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Jones' Ford, 
Malvern Hill, Charles Citj" Cross Roads, Black- 
water, Kingston, Whitehall, Swift Creek, Little 
Washington, Gardner's Bridge, Petersburg, 
Drurj-'s Blufl', Cold Harbor, Ft. Harrison, and 
the second battle of Fair Oaks in 1864, and in 
the campaign resulting in the fall of Richmond, 
the rebel capital. Mr. Williams was, at differ- 
ent times, under Gens. Devens, Curtis, Nelson, 
Butler and Terrj-, and was twice slightlj' 
wounded. The father of the above-named gen- 
tleman was Theophilus Williams, born at Red 
Hook, Dutchess Co., N. Y., Dec. 20, 1799. His 
father moved to Oneida Co. while it was yet a 
wilderness, and he and his family endured 
great hardships and privations during the 
early years of the settlement. Mr. Williams 
was emphatically a self-made man, and, al- 
though he attained to quite an eminence in his 
profession as a civil engineer, vet he had no 
advantages for obtaining an education, but 
fought against early poverty, without teachers, 
and almost without books, except the few that 
were kindly loaned or given him. He taught 
school in the townships of Lee, Western, Fish 
Creek and other places, from 1822 to 1826. 
The somewhat celebrated Maj. Gen. H. W. Hal- 
leck, when a boy, was a pupil of his in one of 
these schools. He was married on the 10th of 
July, 1823, to Miss Aunis A. Seymour, and, in 
1826, received an appointment as civil engineer 
(under Judge Roberts. Chief Engineer) on the 
Ohio & Chesapeake Canal, also to the United 
States Topographical Engineers, under Col. 
Abert, in 1827. A year later, we find him 
making a survey and map of the Potomac 
River under Col. James Carney (or Karne}'). 



In the fall of 1831, he was sent to the State of 
Alabama, under Judge Roberts, to engage in 
the construction of a steamboat canal around 
Muscle Shoals, on the Tennessee River. He 
succeeded Judge Roberts as Engineer in Chief 
iu 1833, and finished the work in 1836, when he 
was promoted to the rank of Colonel in the 
United States Topographical Engineer Corps, 
and placed upon the staff of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson, then President, iu 1838. He after- 
ward resigned for a more active service — that 
of Consulting Engineer of the State of Tennes- 
see, on a State system of JIcAdam and turn- 
pike roads. In this position he remained until 
the summer of 1843, when he resigned and 
came North to Oneida Co., N. Y., but removed 
in the spring of 1846 to Western New York, and 
settled in Ontario Township, Wa3ne Co., where 
he followed the plow until 1850, when he was 
called to a more congenial pursuit as Chief En 
gineer on the enlai'gement of the Erie Canal, 
with an office located at Lockport, where he re- 
mained until removed by the opposite political 
party, when he obtained a situation as Chief 
Engineer on the Auburn & Syracuse Railroad 
in 1852 and 1853. He resigned to accept the 
position of Resident Engineer on the enlarge- 
ment of the Erie Canal during the years of 
1853 to 1856, having sole charge of the con- 
struction of forty -three miles of the canal, from 
Spencer Port to Reynale's Basin. He was 
again removed by the accession to power of 
the Know-Nothing party, to make room for 
some party favorite, in the fall of 1856. In 
1860, Mr. Williams labored earnestly for the 
election of Abraham Lincoln, espousing the 
cause of the North, the more heartily from his 
knowledge of the evils of slaver}-, which his 
residence in the South had given him. He 
tendered his services to the Government, but 
was refused on account of his age. He became 
identified with the liistor^- of Medina Co. by 
moving to the eastern part of Spencer Town- 
ship, where his son Levi C. now resides, in the 
spring of 1866, and purchased what was then 
known as the Peter Rice farm, where he lived 
until his death by apoplexy, Oct. 29, 1879. He 
experienced religion a few j-ears before, and 
was a man universally respected as upright, 
just and charitable in all his dealings — a friend 
of the need}' and oppressed, a champion of 
every reform. We cannot close this interestino' 
biography without speaking of the life com- 



^^ 



764 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



panion of Mr. Williams. Annis Amanda Sey- 
mour was born in the town of Lee. Oneida Co., 
N. Y., June 19, 1807. She was related directly, 
on her father's side, with ex-Gov. Seymour, of 
New York. Her father was one of the earliest 
settlers of Oneida Co. She followed her hus- 
band with unerring devotion in all his various 
professional wanderings. She was the mother 
of seven children, three girls and four boys ; 
only four of them are now living. She was 
ever the faithful, affectionate wife and kind, 
loving mother. After Mr. Williams' death, she 
bought a house and lot in the village of Chat- 
ham Center, this county, where she still lives, 
at the age of 73 vears. 

REV. ABEL AVOOD, farmer and clergj-man, 
Spencer. His jiarents were Francis Wood, born 
Oct. 12, 1764. in New Jersey ; his mother, Rachel 
(Dodd) Wood, born in New Jersey, in January, 
1774. They were married Oct. 22, 1722, in New 
Jersey. The father died Jan. S, 1853. in this town- 
ship, and his mother died in Sullivan. Lorain Co., 
Ohio. Mr. Abel Wood was born Oct. 9, 1802, 
in New Jersey", and married Jan. 9, 1823, in 
Richland Co., Ohio, Miss Catharine Rowland, 
who was born Aug. 6, 1800. ' The children by 
his first marriage were Rachel M., William B., 
Joseph R., Francis 31., Christina R., James A. 
and Charles D. His wife and infant child died 



April 7, 1838. The second marriage was with 
Mrs. Sophia (Graves) Tubbs, who was born 
Sept. 19, 1810. in Leroy, Genesee Co., N. Y. 
The children were Lucena S., Lebbues A., Char- 
lotte C, Parmelia A., all born in Spencer 
Township. Mr. Wood has belonged to the 
Methodist Church for fifty-one years, and has 
assisted in the services, first, as Class-leader 
and Exhorter. and was ordained Deacon in 
1853. and Elder in 1862. He was one of the 
earliest settlers, and a pioneer preacher ; a con- 
scientious earnest worker in his Master's serv- 
ice, sometimes, in order to meet appointments, 
walking to Sullivan. Brighton, Rochester, and 
many other places to hold divine services on 
Sundays. For further details of his pioneer 
life, see history of Spencer Township. His son. 
L. A. Wood, is a farmer, living a mile and 
three-quarters north of River Corners, formerly 
called Spencer's Mills. He was married March 
22. 1869. to Miss Caroline Koons. who was 
born in Homer, ^ledina Co., Ohio, Feb. 20, 
1850. The names of their children are as fol- 
lows : Monroe H, born April 26, 1871. and died 
April 24. 1872 ; Mary A., March 15, 1873 ; Ar- 
thur Sidney. July 10." 1875. Mr. Wood's farm 
contains 103 acres, and shows the evidences of 
thrift and good management usual toour j-oung 
American farmers. 



BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. 



GEORGE BARRY, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. Among the prominent farmers and stock- 
men is the subject of this sketch. He is the 
son of George Barry, Sr., a native of New York, 
who married Catharine Faussaur, a native of 
France. They had three children — Henry, 
Stephen and the sulyect of this sketch. He 
was born in New York City in 1820. He was 
emploj'ed as a clerk in a wholesale establish- 
ment of his native city, and came to Brunswick 
in 1853. He was married to Maria Beadle, a 
native of New York. The\- have fourteen chil- 
dren — Catharine, Alice. Raphael. George, Car- 
rie. Edward, William, Ella. Charles. Jessie, 
Stephen, Moses. Ernest and Oliver. Catharine 
is married to Joseph Beebe ; Alice is mamed 
to Frank Beebe ; Carrie is married to H. E. 
Bolles ; George is married to Rosetta Heacox. 



He was a participant in the great sleigh ride. 
He is a lover of fine stock, and takes pride in 
having some of the liest horse-flesh extant, 

WILLL\M WAYNE BROWN, farmer; P. 
0. Brunswick, Samuel B. Brown, a native of 
New York, was born Nov. 16, 1803, and was 
married to Svbel Seton Oct. 24, 1824. She was 
horn in New York July 19, 1806. Three of 
their children are now living — William W,, Ed- 
win B. and Amelia E. William Wayne was 
born in Hinckley. Medina Co., Dec. 11, 1831. 
He received a common-school education, and 
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He 
was married. June 6. 1851, to Jane Furniss, a 
native of Royalton, Ohio. She died a short 
time after their marriage. He was re-married, 
to Sophronia Sarles, a native of Royalton. 
They have four children — Bernice C. married 



9 V 



^1 



J^, 



BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. 



765 



Bertha Parker : Frank W.. married Masgie M. 
Sell ; Elmer 0.' and Ida JI. He has held the 
office of Assessor of his township. 

HENRY BENNETT, farmer; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. Among the prominent farmers of Bruns- 
wick is the subject of this sketch. His father, 
Capt. 0. R. Bennett, was a native of New Hamp- 
shire, and was in the war of 1812. He was 
married to pjlizabeth Ford. Thej- came here in 
1828, and were the parents of seven children, 
among whom was Henry. He was born in 
Brunswick Jul3-29, 1829. He obtained a com- 
mon-school education, and has been an hon- 
ored resident and farmer ever since. He was 
married, in 1851, to Eunice Squier. a native of 
New York. They have two children — Addie 
M. and Hallie W'. The former is married to 
Egbert Benjamin ; the}- have three children — 
Clarence C., Alda C. and Anna L. 

WILLIAM BENNETT, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick ; was born in Orleans Co., X. Y^., Sept. 18, 
1820. He is the son of John Bennett, who 
married Hester Johnson. They had four chil- 
dren, of whom he is the oldest. The}' came 
here in a wagon, when the country was new, in 
1826. He was married, in 1849." to Sarah M. 
Pritchard. a native of New York. They have 
one daughter — Alice. He is one of the prom- 
inent farmers of his township, and has served 
as Township Trustee several terms. He has 
been President of the Medina Countj- Agri- 
cultural Society for a number of years, and is 
extensively known throughout the county. 

NEWELL M. COWLES, farmer; P. 0. 
Brunswick. S\'lvester Cowles was born March 
4, 1796, and was from Amherst, Mass. He mar- 
ried Sophronia Mason, of Covington, 3Iass. 
They had four children — Newell 31.. Sheperd 
B.. Malma A. and Emily J. The subject of 
this sketch was born in Amherst, Mass.. in 
1822. His parents removed to New Y'ork in 
1826. where they remained until 18.35. when 
they came to Brunswick. Tliej- cleared some 
land, and made it fit for farming. Newell 31. was 
married in 1852, to Helen 3L Davis, a native of 
Garland, Maine. They have four children — 
Lucy D., Mason E., Mary A. and Martha A. He 
is a member of the Conaregational Church. 

PETER FOLEY, famer ; P. 0. Brunswick. 
Among the farmers of this township is the sub- 
ject of this sketch, who was born in Wexford, 
Ireland, in 1838. He is the son of James Folc}, 
who was born in 1799. He married Margaret 



CaiTigan, who was the daughter of Patrick Car- 
rigan. Tliey had six sons and two daughters ; 
two of the sons are now living, James and 
Peter. His parents emigrated to this country 
in 1848. He has been living in Brunswick for tlie 
past fifteen years. He was married in 1870 to 
Mary McDonald, a native of Montville Township, 
this county. They have four children — Mary 
Jane, born Jan. 6, 1872 ; iMars;aret, born Jan. 
26, 1874 ; William, born Feb. 9^; 1877 ; James, 
born Aug. 20, 1879. They are members of the 
Roman Catholic Church. 

LANSON GRAHAM, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. He was born in Brattleboro, "\^t.. in 
1818. His father, Caleb Graham, was married 
to LutT Whitney, a native of Vermont. They 
had nine children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the oldest. His parents came to 
Medina Co. in 1819. His father started from 
Vermont with a horse and wagon, and, when 
within fifty miles of Buffalo, the horse died. 
They then came to Cleveland in a boat, and 
the familj- was left there until the father came 
to Brunswick, and obtained a j'oke of oxen 
with which he went to Cleveland, and brought 
his family to their new home in the wilderness. 
He obtained his education in the common 
schools, and was married in 1842, to Jane Ste- 
phenson, a native of New York, she coming 
into this county when 12 years old. They 
have six children, two sons and four daughters. 
He has held the office of Township Trustee for 
several terms. He was at one time a member 
of the I. 0. 0. F., and is now a Freemason. 
Below, we give the names of children and mar- 
riages ; Almira C, married to George Wait ; 
Helen M., married to Charles Strong ; Ella J., 
married to Nelson Forschner ; James M., Har- 
old B. and Zelma E. 

MARTIN GANYARD, farmer; P.O.Bruns- 
wick. His father, James Ganyard, a native of 
New Y''ork, was married to Sallie Low. They 
settled in Granger, this county, in 1818. They 
had six children — James S., Almira, Martin, 
Matilda, Ansel and Roenus, Martin, the sub- 
ject of this sketch, was born in Granger, Me- 
dina Co., Ohio, in 1827. He obtained a com- 
mon-school education, and worked on the farm. 
He came to Brunswick in 1868. He was mar- 
ried, in 1853, to Eliza 3L Briggs, a native of 
NewY''ork. They have three children — Almond, 
Willis, who is married to Jennie Harrington. 
They have two children — Leona and an infant, 



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766 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and Ella, who is married to Arthur W3-man. 
They have one child. This is a record of a 
family of musicians. The}' are relatives of the 
celebrated violinist Ganvard. of New York. 

WILLIAM KENNEDY, farmer; V. O. 
Brunswick. He was born in Scarboro, 
Canada, in 1S18. His father, Andrew Ken- 
nedy, was a native of New Y'ork. He was mar- 
ried to Mary Perkins, a native of Maine. There 
were seven children, five sons and two daughters. 
The subject of this sketch was the second son. 
His education was obtained in a common 
school. He spent his younger da3-s on his 
father's farm. When he became 20 j'ears of 
age, the patriot war was raging in Canada. He 
was an American, and was styled as a '' Y'ankee." 
His life was threatened and he was compelled 
to escape. He came to Medina Co. in 1838, 
and was married, in 1841, to Elizabeth Hamil- 
ton, a native of Medina County. They have 
seven children — Henry P., Albert H., Irving 
H., Mary E., Loretta E., Mola E. and Hattie 
E. He is a member of the Congregational 
Church. He has been Justice of the Peace for 
twelve years, and has served as County Com- 
missioner eight years. His grandfather, John 
Kenuedj-, was in the Kevolutionary war, and 
drove the oxen that drew bales of hay up 
Bunker Hill for fortifications. Tradition says 
he steered the boat when Washington crossed 
the Delaware. Thus it will be seen that pa- 
triotic blood flows in the veins of the subject of 
this sketch. 

THEODORE KEHREN, farmer; P. 0. 
Brunswick. Laurent Kehren was a village 
schoolmaster. His ancestors were frona Hol- 
land. He was married to Catharine Metzger, 
a native of Alsace. They had thirteen children, 
among whom was the subject of this sketch. 
He was born in Ilommanswiler, Alsace, Nov. 
9, 1831. He worked at the trade of candle- 
maker for the paltry sum of SI per month. He 
came to America in 1848, and worked a short 
time in Milton, N. J., in a wadding factory, and 
then went to New Y'ork City, where he learned 
the trade of a watch-case maker. At this : 
he labored incessantly for sixteen 3'ears, and. 
b\' economy and prudence, amassed some means, 
with which he bought the farm on which he 
now resides. He came to Brunswick in IStU, 
where he lias been living ever since. He was 
married, in 18t)3, to Caroline Hammon, a native 
of Liverpool, this county. They have two chil- 



dren — George L. and Florine. He has the es- 
teem and respect of his neighbors, and all those 
with whom he is acquainted. His sentiments 
and ideas are liberal. He is no slave to any 
church or secret organization. He takes for 
his religious standard ■ a true, moral, positive 
science. " He is a firm believer and supporter 
of the constitution, and takes pride in being a 
kind and indulgent father, and a true, honest 
and upright citizen of the United States. 
Although he has made some enemies b}' his ex- 
pression of sentiments, he fears not to speak 
what his conscience dictates him to be right 
and just. He is a deep and liberal thinker, and 
does not shirk an expression of sentiment. 
These traits are evidences of true manhood and 
nobility, and adored by him when compared 
with deception and bigotry. But, with all these 
traits, he claims to be far from perfection, but 
human and liable to err, 

EPHRAIM LINDLY, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick ; whose portrait has been selected and 
appears in connection with the history of Bruns- 
wick as a fit representation of the old pioneers, 
was born in Rutland, "\'t., Sept. 16, 1796, and 
is the son of Abia and Nancy (Power) Lindiy, 
So far back as we are able to give it the geneal- 
ogy of his father's people, onlj- reaches to the 
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Jacob 
Lindiy, his grandfather, was a soldier in the 
Revolutionary war. He married Mindwell Pond, 
and the}- reared a famil}' of ten children, three 
daughters and seven sons, Abia, one of the 
latter, was the father of Ephraim. He was a 
loyal citizen, and served his country in the war 
of 1812. In 1802. he, with his wife, went to 
Connecticut, where they remained until 1811. 
The}- then came West, and settled in the West- 
ern Resen'e. This trip was made overland in 
a two-wheeled cart, drawn by a yoke of oxen, 
and one horse, driven at tandem. They were 
two months on the journey, Ephraim attained 
only a common-school education, he being ob- 
liged to spend much of his early life helping his 
father to clear land. On his mother's side, Na- 
thaniel Power, her grandfather, was born in 
Cumberland. R. I.. June 23, 1748. He died 
April 17, lS3(i, in Lenox, Penn., in his 89th 
year, Lucy Tingly , the wife of Nathaniel Power, 
was born in Attleboro, Mass., in 1758, and 
was married to Nathaniel Power on Nov. 29. 
1774 ; Nancy Power, daughter of Nathaniel and 
Lucy, was born in Attleboro, Mass.. on Dec. 



"^ 



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BRUNSWICK TOWNSHIP. 



767 



15, 1777, and was married to Abia Lindlv, on 
Jan. 1, 1794, in Kingsbury, N. Y. In October, 
1816, Ephraim Lindlv became a resident of 
Brunswick Townsliip, and, in 1821, he was 
married to Miss Mary Crittenden, who is a na- 
tive of Massachusetts. Their beginning in life 
was under difflculties to be overcome, re- 
quiring the stoutest hearts and the most willing 
of hands. Pew of the present generation, who 
are residents of Brunswick Township, can com- 
prehend the loneliness of their little cabin home 
in a vast wilderness, surrounded b_v wild ani- 
mals and Indians. Yet, under these ditticulties, 
thev have in the years of their residence in 
Brunswick, builded for themselves a home and 
a reputation that stands as a monument to their 
honesty and industry'. Mr. Lindly has been a 
member of the JJ. E. Church for about half a 
century. For the past fort}' j-ears, be has been 
Superintendent of the M. E. Sabljath school 
connected with his church. For thirtj-flve 
years, he has been exhorter in the church. He 
was also elected a delegate to the Annual Con- 
ference held in Wooster, Ohio. The citizens 
have honored him with the office of Township 
Trustee. They have reared a family- of six 
children, named as follows : Julia, now wife 
of James 0. Johnson ; -Marj', now wife of David 
S. Saflbrd ; Rachel, now wife of Edward Hulet ; 
John W., George E. and Francis W. The lat- 
ter, who married Miss Hattie M. Stevens, has 
taken a very active part in the prosperity of 
the M. E. Cijurch and Sabbath school, in which 
he has been elected Steward and Recording 
Steward for the Brunswick Circuit. He was 
born in 1830, and now lives with his father. 
During the war of the rebellion, he served his 
country nobly in the 103d O. V. I., Co. K. 
While in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, he 
was wounded, bj' which misfortune he lost one 
of its limbs. 

HANNAH M. LOCKWOOD ; P. O. Bruns- 
wick. Andrew Loclvwood was born April 6, 
1763, in Stamford, Conn. He married Elizabeth 
Webb, who was born ^larch 16, 1771, in the 
same place. They had six children — Benja- 
min, Isaac, Webb, Oliver F., Maria Jane and 
Rena. Oliver F., the husl)and of the subject 
of this sketch, was born in Stamford, Conn., 
April 26, 1807. He learned the trade of shoe- 
maker. He was married, in 1829, to Hannah 
M. Finney. They removed to Ashtabula, Ohio, 
in 1834 ; remained there until 1847, when they 



removed to Brunswick. They have five chil- 
dren — Mary E., who married Daniel Strong ; 
Josephine E., who married Lewis T. Rogers ; 
E. Webb, who married Marietta Doolittle ; 
they have two children — Frank R. and Burton 
M.; John A., married to Mary J. Moon; the}- 
have four children — Gertrude L., Harley F., 
Jesse L. and Lena ; Maria J. 

PETER LEISTER, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick ; was born in Prussia Jan. 5, 1825, and 
obtained a common-school education. He emi- 
grated to America in 1846. and went to Cleve- 
land, and remained there until 1850, when he 
came to Brunswick, where he has been living 
ever since. He was married, in 1850, to Anna 
C. Krause, a native of Prussia. She emigrated 
to America with her parents in 1845 ; they 
have four children — Anton A., Adam, Eliza 
and Caroline. 

OMRI MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Bennett's Cor- 
ners. Simeon Morton, the grandfather of the 
subject of this sketch, was married to Sybil 
Graves ; they had three children, among whom 
was Reuben Morton, who was married to Mary 
Frary. They had eight children. Omri Morton 
was born in Whately, Franklin Co., Mass., Jul}' 
24, 1815. He attended the common schools, 
and learned the trade of stonemason. He came 
to Medina Co. in 1840, and was married to Se- 
lecta Carpenter, a native of Strongsville, Cuya- 
hoga Co., Ohio. They have four children — 
Bradley C, married to Sarah Beaham, who 
have three children — Lena. Lucy and Alma ; 
Mary, married to W. Clement, who have one 
child — RoUin ; Alexander H. and Marcus. He 
is a highly respected citizen, and is extensively 
acquainted throughout the township. 

JOHN W. MORTON, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick ; was born in Massachusetts in 1819; 
came to this county in 1833, and has lived here 
ever since. He was married, in 1841. to Harriet 
Hall ; they had four children — Emma, Pollen, 
Mary and Frank. She died in 1870 ; he was 
remarried to Mary A. Collycr, a native of 
England. He is a meml)er of the M. E. Church. 
He has served as Township Trustee several 
terms, and also as Assessor. 

ZEPHANIAH OAKLEY, bridge-builder; 
Brunswick. Abraham Oakley, a native of 
New Lisbon, N. J., was married to Hetsey Tay- 
lor. They had four children — William, Em- 
manuel, Jlary a.nd the subject of this sketch. 
He was born in Wavne Co., Ohio, in 1826. He 



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Lk^ 



768 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



came to Medina Co. in IS/il, and lias resided 
liere the major portion of his lite. His educa- 
cation was received in the common schools. 
He learned the trades of blacksmith and car- 
penter. He vvas married, in 1851, to MorivaE. 
Wells, a native of Summit Co.; she is a daugh- 
ter of Jared Wells, one of the pioneers of the 
count>'. She is a woman of refinement, a Chris- 
tian, kind-hearted lady in every sense of the 
word, as all her neighbors and acijuaintances 
testify. They are one of the model fami- 
lies of Brunswick, bearing the esteem, confi- 
dence and good-will of all. They are members 
of the 31. E. Church, and the needy and com- 
fort-seeking are never forgotten by them. They 
have two children — Alvin A., who is married to 
Anna Stevenson, and Clara E., who is married 
to Albert Marshall. Mr. Oakley is in the em- 
ploy- of the King Iron Bridge Company, of 
Cleveland, and superintends the construction 
of bridges in all parts of the countrv. 

THEODORE PERKINS, farmer; P. 0. 
Brunswick. The grandfather of the subject of 
this sketch was born in Enfield, Conn., June 
7, 1797. His grandfather, Daniel Perkins, was 
a Representative in the Legislature. He mar- 
ried Rebecca Wadsworth, a sister of Gen. 
Wadsworth, a Revolutionar\- otTicer. Thej- had 
two children — George and Daniel. The latter 
married Persus Billings ; her father was a par- 
ticipant in the French and Revolutionarv wars, 
and witnessed the death of Gen. Wolfe. They 
had hve children — Norman, Theodore, Henry, 
Horace and Samuel. He worked at the color- 
ing business, when young, and farmed some. 
He accumulated some wealth and went into 
the peddling business with Maurice Matthews, 
an Englishman of wealth. This they carried 
on verj- successfully, and erected a business 
house near Rochester, N., Y., which was de- 
stroyed by fire. He took the means he had left 
and purchased land in Medina Co., and has 
resided here since 18;J2. He was married to 
Polly M. Johnson, a native of Fairfield, Vt. 
They have four children. Maurice M., who 
married Rachel Davis ; .six children — Myrtia 
E., William T., Thomas J., JMary A., Stelhi M., 
Maurice M. Peter married to Mary Bryan, 
four children — Josephine, Frederick, Theodore, 
(jcorge. William married to Mary Stone, two 
children — Kmnia. Be.ssie. Charlotte married 
to Linus Thayer, three children — Cora, Frank, 
Eva. He has sutfered loss several times Ijv 



fire, and his house, with all its contents, burned 
to the ground recently. He is a member of the 
honorable fraternitj' of Ancient, Free and Ac- 
cepted Masons, and "governs himself accord- 
inglv." 

ALBERT F. ROOT, store, Brunswick. The 
ancestors of the subject of this sketch were 
prominent people, and were extensively ac- 
quainted throughout the county. William 
Root, a native of Connecticut, was the father 
of sis sons and one daughter. One of the 
sons, James A., was the father of the subject 
of this sketch. He was born in Brunswick 
Jul}' 14, 1818. He was married to Susan H. 
Whitman, a native of Connecticut. His younger 
da^'s were spent on a farm. His educational 
facilities were very limited, and all the prestige 
he won in his town was through his own exer- 
tions. His father kept a tavern, where he had 
an opportunity of judging human nature and 
learning the lesson of life. By his honesty of 
character, sincerity of purpose and traits of 
true manhood, he won the esteem and confi- 
dence of his fellow-citizens. His whole life 
was marked by deeds of chtirity. Was a fam- 
ily in need by unforeseen occurrences, such as 
fire and sickness, he was always ready to con- 
tribute abundantly to alleviate their sutlerings. 
He had a moral infiuenee such as no other man 
can boast of. He was ever ready to do a char- 
itable act ; to make the suffering happy was 
his joy ; doing good was his element. He held 
the office of Justice of the Peace for twent}-- 
one years. He was elected to the Legislature 
in 18G4, and was on the Ways and Means Com- 
mittee ; he introduced the •■ bill to raise the 
wages of jurymen." His greatest aim in life 
was to be honest. He was the father of one 
son — Albert P., who was born Aug. 14. 1841. 
His younger days were spent in attendini; 
school. His father kept a store, and, when he 
had finished his education, he aided him 
in carrying on his business. His father died 
Nov. 2, 1878 ; this left the son in charge of the 
business, which tliej' had by their strict atten- 
tion and fair dealing made an object. He was 
married, in 1871, to Sarah Buckingham, a na- 
tive of New York. After a short and hapjjy 
union, death again came to his door, and she 
expired Oct. 29, 1880. 

MOSKS SIlI'llLMAN, farmer; 1\ 0. Bruns- 
wick ; was born in Newport, U. I., in 1803 ; he 
received a common-school education, ami went 



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fc. 



BRUXSAVICK TOWNSHIP. 



769 



to Steuben Co., N. Y., with his parents in 1825, 
where he learned the trade of cooper, and re- 
mained until 1832, when he came to Brunswick 
and has lived here ever since. He cleared con- 
siderable land, and by his industry has made 
for himself a beautiful home. He was mar- 
ried, in 1831, to Mercy Laraphear, of Montreal, 
Canada ; they have twelve children living and 
one dead — Byron W., married to Sallie Benja- 
min, three children — Cora. Mertia, Ella ; Har- 
riet, married to William Dickey, one child — 
Winfred ; Olive, married to M. Fenn, five chil- 
dren — Harriet, Elma, Frederic, Francis, Irving ; 
Amanda, married to William Bradford, three 
children — Minnie, Mertia, Hay ; Addle, married 
to Charles Saulsbury, two children — Beruice, 
Blanche ; Mary (deceased), married to William 
Bradlej-, three children — Sherman, Clayton, 
Linius ; Martha, married to Frederic Lance, 
two children — Orrin, Byron ; Mertia, married 
to Charles Dickey, three children — Albert. 
Claude, Alice ; Sadie, married to Byron Bab- 
cock ; Moses, married to Lettie Bradley, three 
children — Stephen, Delazon and Orrin. 

CORNELIUS SHERMAN, farmer; P. O. 
Brunswick ; was born in Newport, R. I., May 
14, 1805. He worked at the trade of cooper, 
and came to Brunswick in 1832. He was mar- 
ried to Samautha A. Hier, a native of Vermont. 
They have seven children living — William H., 
who married Lucia Cleveland, has the following 
children — Frank, Eva, Anna and IdaS.; Frank 
W., who married Ida Oviatt ; Cornelius, who 
married Louisa Allen, has three children ; 
— Irviu, Nora, Harland ; Charles H., who mar- 
ried Addle Cole, has three children — Howard, 
Grace, Charles ; Richard M., who married Eliz- 
abeth Liew, has one child — Ora ; Sarah Ann, 
who married E. Piper, two children — Luella 
and Ford ; Ida E., who married Harry Will- 
iams, two children — Earle and Maud ; Hiram 
went into the war, took sick and died. 

JOHN WARD STOW, farmer; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick, Jonathan Stow, a native of Connecti- 
cut, who carried on the business of '• chaise- 
maker," was married, in 1802. to Rhoda Ward, 
a native of Connecticut ; her father, John Ward, 
was a soldier in the Revolution. Jonathan 
Stow died Dec. 14. 1813. and his wife, Rhoda, 
Jan. 10, 1841 ; they had two children to per- 
petuate their name — Daniel B. and the subject 
of this sketch. He was born in Pittsfield, 
Mass., in 1808. He attended the schools of 



his native village, and came to Brunswick in 
company with his uncle, Isaac Ward, in 1818. 
He completed his education in the district 
school of Brunswick. He obtained his liveli- 
hood in clearing land and fitting it for farming. 
He was married, Jan. 12, 1837, to Fidelia 
Averj', a native of Massachusetts ; they had 
two sons — Charles A., who was born Oct. 21, 
1842, and Frederic S., who was born March 10, 
1850. His wife died Oct. 10, 1853; he was 
remarried, April 12, 1855, to Sarah Rounds, a 
native of England ; they have one daughter 
— Clara F., who was born Aug. 25, 1856. He 
has by hard laljor amassed some property, and 
what he now has was obtained by hard and ex- 
cessive toil. He has the confidence and esteem 
of his fellow-citizens, and has served as County 
Commissioner, Justice of the Peace, Township 
Tru.stee, Clerk and Constable, 

JONATHAN D. STOW, Sheriti', Brunswick. 
He is the son of Daniel Stow, and was born in 
Brunswick in 1832. He attended the schools 
of Brunswick, and spent the major part of his 
life on the farm. He was married in 1860, to 
Georgia N. Root, a native of Brunswick. They 
have three children — Ernest D., Libbj- B. and 
Katy I. He is a member of the Congregational 
Church ; has been Township Clerk six j-ears, 
and Trustee two years. He was recently elected 
Sherifl;', and will begin the duties of that office 
on the first Monday in Januar}-, 1881, He is a 
member of the I. 0. 0. F. He is a good citizen, 
and has, by his good character, won the esteem 
and confidence of the people of Medina Co. 

ROBERT TIBBITTS, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. Thomas Soden Tibl)itts was a native of 
England, and was married to Jane Carter. 
They had nine children, the ^youngest of whom 
was the subject of this sketch. He was born in 
Soham, England, Feb. 6, 1840, and came here 
with his parents in 1852. He carried on the 
business of huckster and worked on the farm. 
He was married Nov. 2, 1862, to Margaret 
Soden, who was born in Shilton, England, Nov. 
26, 1837. They have two children— Matthias 
and Walter ; the former is attending college at 
Berea, Ohio. The^^ had no opportunitj- to ob- 
tain an education, and intend to give their chil- 
dren all the advantaoes of education possible. 

MARY WHEELOCK; P. O. Brunswick. 
Solomon Harvej, a native of ^Massachusetts, 
was married to Polly Stearns, of the same State. 
He was a farmer, and emigrated to this county- 



-*--^- 



770 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



at an early date. He was one of the pioneers 
of this township. The)- had six chihlren. five 
of whom are now living- — Mary, John, Sarah, 
George and Solomon, Mary, the subject of 
this sketch, was married to Ithamar Wheelock 
in 1830. He was a native of Massachusetts, 
and came into this county in 1825. His edu- 
cation was obtained in the common schools. 
He was a useful and honest citizen, and a kind 
and obliging neighbor. He, by his industry, 
became the possessor of real estate. He died, 
leaving a widow and five children — Louis. Sarah 
Ann, Adeline, John and Lester. She is a mem- 
ber of the Jlethodist Kpiscopal Church. The 
following is the marriage record : Lewis, mar- 
ried to Jane Blackman ; Sarah Anne, married 
to Joseph Bell ; Adeline, married to Daniel 
Brant ; Lester, mamed to Katie Tibbitts. 

JOHN W. WELLING, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. He was born in New Brunswick, 
July 2, 1807. His parents came to New 
York State the same year ; he attended the 
common school, and went to Vermont in 1826 ; 
he learned the trade of carpenter. He came to 
Brunswick in 1835. and cleared 70 acres of 



land, where he has ever since resided. He was 
married in 1820 to ^Margaret Carpenter, a na- 
tive of Vermont, who was born Sept, 23, 1809. 
The following is the record of the familj- Ijirths ; 
Edward, born Sept. 26, 1831 ; Peleg J., Aug. 
19, 1833; Jemima. Aug. 27, 1835; Orvill M.. 
Nov. 25, 1838 ; Eunice M., Oct. 11. 1841. The 
deaths were Orvill JL. died at Harper's Ferrv. 
Nov. 26, 1862 ; 3Irs. Welling died Nov. 6. 1878. 
All the living children are married. 

JAMES 1). WILSON, farmer; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. Darius Wilson, a native of New York, 
was born March 28, 1803, He was a carpenter, 
and was married Oct. 13, 1825, to Temperance 
Chace, who was born Jan, 8, 1806, in Pompey. 
N. Y. Tliree of their children are now living — 
Homer E., Martha A. and the subject of this 
sketch. He was born in Brunswick May 13, 
18-11, and was married to Helen A. Porter, a 
native of Springfield. 111., May 24, 1862. They 
have two children— Clara B., born Sept. 8. 1863, 
and Minnie F.. born March 7, 1872. He has 
served as Township Trustee several terms, and 
is a member of the Disciples' Church. 



HiNCKLEY TOWNSHSP. 



JUSTUS A. BABCOCK. farmer ; P. O. Ben- 
nett's Corners ; was born in Columbia Co., N. 
Y., Feb, 11, 1808. He is a son of William and 
Anna (Lovejoy) Babcock. His father died 
when he was but 4 3'ears old ; his mother sub- 
sequently married Martin Benjamin, and re- 
moved to Brunswick Township, Medina Co., 
where she resided up to the time of her decease, 
Sept. 18, 1861. Justus remained in New York 
State until he was 24 3-ears of age, following 
the occupation of a farmer. He was united in 
marriage in Columbia Co., Sept. 13, 1829, to 
Miss Rachel Jones, also a native of that county ; 
she was born May 7, 1811. In the fall of 1833, 
they removed to Ohio, locating in Hinckley 
Township, upon the western township line, 
where they are still living, enjoying the fruits 
of tlieir industr}-. Mr. Babcock first took up 
70 acres of timljered land, anil cleared it by his 
own individual eflbrts. He has since added 60 
acres adjoining, and has 17 acres in the south- 
ern part of the township ; his land is well im- 



proved and conveniently located. Their family 
consists of the following children — Eliza Ann, 
married to Uri Squiers, now living in Michigan ; 
James S., who died at the age of 3 j-ears ; Es- 
ther J,, married to Harvey Crooks, now residing 
in Michigan. Susan H., the wife of Darius Co- 
nant, living in Hinckley Township ; Dan J., 
married to Miss Ann Waite, and living in Mich- 
igan ; Jay, married to Miss Helen Olds, living 
with parents ; Mary, married to Frank Brooks, 
and residing in Brunswick Township ; and 
Celia, who died aged about 14 mouths, Mr. 
Babcock has served the township in many 
offices of trust, all of which he has discharged 
with ability and honor. He has been actively 
identified witli the educational matters of tlie 
township, having been a teacher for about ten 
winter sessions. 

HARRISON H. BEACH, farmer; P, O. 
Remson's Corners ; was born in Schoharie Co., 
N. Y., in August, 1817. His parents were Alger 
and Mary (Near) Beach ; his father was a na- 



vll 



^f^ 



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HIXCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



771 



tive of Connecticut ; his mother was born in 
Hudson, N. Y. The^- moved from Sciioharie 
Co., to Ohio in 1818, and first located in 
llichfleld Township, which was in IMedina Co. 
at. that time ; they remained in Richfield about 
fifteen years and then removed to Granger 
Township, where thej- resided about two years. 
About 1835, they removed to Hinckley Town- 
ship, locating on the south town line, where the}- 
remained until their deaths ; his father's death 
occurred in November, 1838 ; his mother's in 
August, 1847. Their children, who are now 
living, are as follows : Elijah, now living in 
Knox Co., 111.; he was a soldier in the Mexican 
war. James now a resident of Ionia Co., Mich., 
where he is an extensive farmer ; Harriet Post 
now residing in Knoxville, 111.; and the subject 
of this slvetch. Harrison's occupation all 
through his life has been that of a farmer, com- 
mencing in his youth, when the land had to 
be cleared of timber before it could be tilled, 
up to the present time when ingenious ma- 
chinerj- malces the occupation less laborious. 
He was united in marriage Aug. 18, 18-12, to 
Miss Sylvia L. Bradley ; she was born in Cana- 
da West, May 1, 1822 ; her parents were resi- 
dents of Hinckley Township for several j-ears, 
but finally returned to Canada, where her 
mother still resides. Her father died in Cana- 
da ; he was in the English service during the 
war of 1812. In 1844, Harrison bought the 
old homestead farm, where he has since i-esided ; 
it contains sixty acres, and, with the exception 
of a few acres of woodland, is finely improved 
land. Thej' have four children, all residents 
of Hinckley— Emily E. Vaughn, Henry, 0. G. 
and Marv A. Duncan. 

S. F. CODDING, Postmaster and merchant, 
Hinckley. One of the prominent business men 
of Hinckle}- is S. P. Codding, the subject of 
this biography ; he was born in Granger Town- 
ship in 1826. and is the son of George and Jer- 
usha (Spencer) Codding, who were pioneers of 
Granger Township. They were both nati\es 
of New York State ; he was born in Bristol, 
Ontario Co., and his wife in Geneva ; they 
were residents of Granger Township up to their 
deaths ; he died in 1845 and she a few years 
previous, about 1841. They had seven chil- 
dren — Myron C, S. F., Nancy, who died aged 
16 years; Albert died when young; Harriet 
M., deceased ; Lucy A., deceased ; William E., 
living in Ottawa. 111. ]\Ir. Codding, bv a sec- 



ond wife, had one child, who is now married 
and living in Medina. Our subject's early- 
life was passed upon his father's farm, as- 
sisting in clearing up the land ; he remained 
upon the farm until he attained his ma- 
jority. He was married to 3Iiss Sarah M. New- 
ton in 1848. Her pai-euts, Mathew and Relief 
(Straight) Newton, were natives of New York, 
and old residents of Granger Township. Mr. 
Codding bought a farm in Granger Township 
in 1849, and for several years followed the oc- 
cupation of a farmer in different parts of the 
township ; he came to Hinckley in 1864, and 
bought 75 acres of land, located northwest of 
the Center, remaining upon it for eight years, 
he then sold it and bought a general stock of 
goods in Hinckley Center, and has been in 
trade there up to the present time (1880). For 
the past six years he has been Postmaster ; has 
also served the township as Trustee one term, 
as Assessor one term. Justice of the Peace for 
five years, and as County Commissioner two 
terms ; is a member of Hinckley Lodge, No. 
304, 1. 0. 0. F. Mr. Codding's family consists of 
five children, as follows : Nancy J., Evangeline 
M., HenrA" H., Willis L. and Jesse, deceased. 

A. L. "CONANT. farmer ; P. 0. Hinckley ; 
was born July 18, 1802, in Herkimer Co., N. 
Y. His parents were Timothy and Rhoda 
(Lyon) Conant, natives of New York State. 
His father was born April, 1771, and his 
mother June 18, 1769. Thej' were married 
April 4, 1794. They came to Richfield, then 
in Medina Co., in July 1819, and in the fall of 
1825, removed to Hincklej- Township, locating 
on the Ridge road. They resided in Hincklej' 
Township most of their days. She died in the 
township June 29, 1845. After her death her 
husband went to Chesterville. Morrow Co., and 
resided with his son. Rev. Daniel M. Conant, 
where he died March 21, 1859. The children 
were as follows ; Rev. Daniel M. Conant. born 
Feb. 19, 1796, died at Nevada, Ohio, Dec. 27, 
1873 ; Timothy B., now living in Hinckley 
Township ; Chester, born Sept. 27, 1800, now 
living in Michigan ; Aaron L., the subject of 
this sketch ; Rhoda Darrow, widow, living in 
Michigan, born July 4, 1804 ; Patty McGoon, 
born May 6, 1806, deceased; she was the first 
person married in Hinckley Township, which 
occurred in the spring of 1826 ; Almeda Buck, 
born Feb. 23, 1808, now a widow, living in I'ut- 
nam Co.; Lewis Conant, born June 13, 1810, 



d±^ 



1 72 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



died Oct. 12, 1812. Aaron worked with his 
father until 20 years of age. and then started 
out in life for himself He went to New York 
and farmed for three years ; he then returned 
to Hinckley and bought a farm upon the 
'■ridge," remaining there until 1S3-1. He then 
purchased the farm where he now resides, and 
has made his home there up to the present time. 
He has 70 acres of fine. Improved land, and 
about 10 acres of timber. He was married 
Sept. IG, 1830, to Miss Victoria C. Kellogg, 
daughter of Joshua and Clarissa (Alvord) Kel- 
logg, old residents of Hinckley Township, She 
was born in Hadley, Mass., Sept. 8, 1809, They 
have had six children — Hiram, deceased ; Mor- 
timer, deceased ; Emeline Dunham, living in 
Michigan ; Daniel, deceased ; Elvira V, Perrin, 
living at home, and Ethan, living at home, 
Mr, and Mr,s, Conant are members of the Meth- 
odist Church, 

TIMOTHY B, CONAXT, farmer; P, 0, 
Hincldey, One of the pioueers of Hinckle}- 
Township is T, B, Conant, He is a native of 
New York, and was born in Herkimer Co, Sept, 
22, 1798, His father, Timothy Conant. was a 
carpenter and joiner, and, while a youth, young 
Timothy learned the trade, and assisted his 
father until he was about 20 years old. He 
then decided to come to (Jhio, and arrived in 
Eichfleld in March, 1819, He went to farming 
immediatel}', and remained there about fifteen 
years. He then disposed of his property and 
came to Hinckley Township in 1834, buying a 
farm, on which he has resided up to the present 
time. He has 121 acres of wheat, and about 
25 acres in woodland. He was married, Oct. 
11, 1820, to Miss Nancy Buck, daughter of 
Enoch and Alice (Babcock) Buck, pioneers of 
Richfield Township ; she was born in New 
I'ork State Dec. 23, 1797, and died Aug. 19, 
1837. The}" had eight children — Alice Fluent, 
living in (J ranger; Parraelia Fluent, deceased ; 
Lewis, living in Hinckley ; J^lympton, living in 
Kansas ; Timothy, living 
lissa Richardson, living 
Nancy Ganyard, deceased 



m California ; Me- 

in Ashtabula Co,; 

; Amanda Svlvester, 



living in Kansas, Mr, Conant was married to 
a second wife — Miss Abigail B, Buck — April 
1, 1838: she was born in New York Jan 23, 
1810, and died Oct, 20, 1880. They had four 
children, as follows : Sanford, deceased ; Olive ; 
i)arius, living in Hinckley Township, and 
I.saiah, living at home. 



JULIUS and NATHAN DAMON, farmers; 
P, 0, West llichlield, Thej- are the sons of 
Nathan and Hannah (Shaw) Damon, who were 
natives of Massachusetts, Nathan was born in 
1793, and his wife in 1797, They were married 
in Massachusetts, and came to Ohio in 1828, 
locating in Hincklej- Township, buying 178 
acres of land. They were residents of the 
township up to the time of their decease, which 
occurred in September, 1843, and June, 1869, 
Julius was born in Massachusetts, Nov, 29, 
1824, He was married in 1848, to Miss Electa 
Eastman, of Cuyahoga Co,; she died in 1855, 
leaving one child — Ella — who is married and 
living in Cleveland, He was married the sec- 
ond time to Miss Kate Babcock, daughter of 
Joshua Babcock, now living in 3Iichigan, 
They have three children — George J,, Herbert 
L, and Lulu J, — all living at home, Mr, Da- 
mon's occupation has alwa^ys been that of a far- 
mer, and in it he has been ver}' successful. He 
now owns about 240 acres, and, with the excep- 
tion of 50 acres of timber land, all improved. He 
is making a specialty in stock and sheep, and 
has devoted some time to fruit culture, having 
at present about 35 acres of apple orchard and 
several acres of peaches. He has served the 
township as Trustee several terms, and as As- 
sessor two terms, Nathan A Damon was born 
in Hinckle}' Township in 1832, He has, since 
his youth, been at home and working on the 
old homestead, and, since the death of his par- 
ents, it has fallen into his possession. He has 
S3 acres of laud, about 30 of which is in tim- 
ber. He devotes his time to general farming, 
making no specialty. He was married Feb, 
11, 1869, to ^liss Adeline Searles, a daughter 
of Daniel Searles, of Hinckley TowTiship, They 
have three children — Harley A.. Owen H, and 
Fred S, 

OLIVER E, ELLSWORTH, saw-mill; Hinck- 
lej' ; was boru in Vermont in 1833 He is the 
son of Walter and Ruth (Peckham) Ellsworth, 
natives of ^'ermont, and who came to Ohio in 
183G, The}' first located in Royalton, Cuya- 
hoga Co,, on the township line joining Hinckley. 
In 1852, they came to Hinckley Township, and 
settled upon the farm where they now reside. 
They have had ten children — Jlelinda, a widow, 
now living in Michigan ; William, who died in 
Royalton, aged 23 years ; Oliver K. the subject 
of this sketch ; Rhoda, living at honu> ; Z, W,, 
now workiuu' the old homestead ; Ruth, mar- 



'C « 



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'Ji^ 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



773 



ried and living in Cleveland ; Dela, married 
and residing in Cuyahoga County ; J- P., now 
living at home ; Chancy, living in Cuyahoga 
County, and Frank, living in Cleveland. Oliver 
has been a resident of the townshii) .since his 
parents' removal there. He was married in 1858 
to Miss Rosetta Keyes ; she died in February-, 
1861, leaving one child, Fred W. He was mar- 
ried to his second wife, A. 1^]. Edgerton, Oct. 1, 
1865. The}- have foui- children — Elmer C, 
George L., Rosa R. and Lillie. Mr. Ellsworth 
enlisted x\ug. 12, 1862, in Company A, 124th 
0. V. I., and served nearly three years. This 
regiment was in active service, and he passed 
tiirough some of the most severe battles of the 
war, going through the whole Atlanta cam- 
paign, and escaping unhurt. He received his 
discharge June 9, 1865, and returned to Hinck- 
ley. Previous to going to the war, he built a 
saw-mill upon his land, and, since his return, 
has been operating it. His property is located 
in the northeastern part of Hinckley Township, 
and consists of 8 acres of land with the mill 
property. 

Z. W". ELLSWORTH, farmer; P. O. Hinck- 
ley ; a sou of Walter and Ruth (Peckham) Ells- 
worth, was born Jan. 1, 18-12. in Ro^'alton, 
Cuj-ahoga Co., Ohio. He passed his early life 
upon the farm, and about two years in Michi- 
gan, previous to the war. He was married in 
Michigan, to Miss Lodema Lamphear, Dec. 25, 
1871." He enlisted July 29, 1862, in Company 
A, 124th 0. V. L, and was in the active service 
that his regiment saw, numbering some twenty- 
eight battles ; he was wounded at Chickamauga, 
slightly, but not enough to disable him, and, 
after three 3'ears of arduous service, was dis- 
charged Jan. 9, 1865. In 1867, he returned to 
Michigan, and resided there about nine years, 
at the end of which time, he returned to Ilinck- 
lej', and is now working the old homestead. 
The farm consists of 100 acres of good im- 
proved land, and is situated about three and a 
half miles northeast of Hinckley Center. He 
has one child, Jarella. a girl, born May 8. 1879. 

DR. G. S. GILLET, Hinckley Center ; was 
born in Eaton, Lorain Co., Ohio, March 7, 1841. 
His early life was passed in that county, and his 
education commenced in the common schools. 
He learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade 
when a youth, and, as he grew older, worked at 
his trade in the summer and taught school in 
the winter. He then went to Oberlin and at- 



tended school there, for several terms, and then, 
having decided upon the practice of medicine, 
went to I'lymouth. Oiiio, and entered the office 
of Drs. Tucker & Sykes. He al.so attended lec- 
tures at the Cleveland Medical College during 
the sessions of 1864-65 and 1866-67, and, at 
the end of these terms, he graduated and com- 
menced the practice of medicine in Hinckley 
Center, in 1867, at which place he has been in 
active practice up to the present time, being the 
only practicing physician in the township un- 
til 1880. He was married in Milwaukee, Wis., 
to Miss Rachel Baldwick, Jan. 9, 1868. Her 
parents were natives of England, and came to 
America in 1847, first locating in Xew York, 
and afterward in Wisconsin. They have had 
the following children — David, Ada, deceased ; 
Lida, Reuel S. and Ralph. >Ir. and Mrs. Gillet 
are members of the Church of Christ, of Hinck- 
lej", and have always taken an active interest in 
the affairs of the church. Mr. Gillet having been 
an Elder during the past ten years. Though a 
young man, he has had an extensive experience 
in the practice of his profession. One of the 
most noteworthy cases coming under his pro- 
fessional skill, was a compound comminuted 
fracture of the skull, the subject being the doc- 
tor's son, a bright lad, who had been kicked on 
the head by a horse Nov. 12, 1879. The boy, 
David N. Gillet, aged 10 years, received the 
kick on the right temple, and, by actual meas- 
urement, four and one-half inches of skull bone 
were removed. The stroke was so severe as to 
have loosened the cranial sutures in the region 
of the removed skull segments, and lacerate the 
inclosing brain membranes b}" slivers of bone 
which penetrated the anterior lobe of the cere- 
brum, causing an ounce or more of brain to es- 
cape. No signs of consciousness were shown 
until the end of four days, and no certain signs 
until six days had elapsed. Two weeks passed 
away before the patient was sufficientlj- recov- 
ered to know what had happened. Four daj'S 
after the accident, fungus of the brain set in, 
and, at the end of a week, the growth was as 
large as a hen's egg. An eminent surgeon of 
the county was called in for consultation and 
assistance, and, after the wound had been 
dressed, gave as his professional opinion that 
the boy could not possiljly recover. But Dr. 
Gillet, with a father's love to actuate him, re- 
fused to believe that there was no hope, and 
immediatel}' emploj-ed his utmost skill and at- 



w 



^ 



774 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



tention to save the child. A different mode of 
treatment was adopted than the one laid down 
in the books, and, at the end of two weeks of 
incessant care and sleepless anxiety, the devo- 
tion of the father was repaid by the gradual 
^eco^'ery of the son ; it was five weeks before 
the boy was sufficiently recovered to be removed 
home. The recovery was one of the most re- 
markable ever occurring in the field of surgerj', 
and reflects high honor on the professional 
skill of Dr. Gilfet. No effect of the accident 
can be seen upon the boj-, who is as bright and 
intelligent as though nothing had happened. 
Dr. Gillet, since February of 1880, has devoted 
part of his time to ministerial duties, a move- 
ment he has long contemplated, and which he 
expects to continue. If in the future he dis- 
continues the practice of medicine, as he at 
present contemplates, he intends to devote his 
whole time to preaching the Word of God. 

JOSEPH GOUCH, tVirmer ; P. 0. West Rich- 
field ; is a native of New England, and was 
born in Northampton, Mass., in ISlil. He is a 
son of Joseph and Keziah (Alvord) Gouch. na- 
tives of New England. The\- were neighbors 
of Judge Hinckley, in ^Massachusetts, and re- 
ceived from him the first deed of land given in 
the township of Hinckley. They located in 
Hinckley in 1875. on the farm where Joseph 
now resides. With the exception of eight 
years' residence in Berea, where he removed to 
give his children the advantages of these 
schools, he has always been a resident of 
Hincklej- and of the old homestead first set- 
tled upon bj- his parents ; his farm consists of 
88 acres of land. 20 acres of which is woodland, 
which contains a great number of sugar maples, 
from which he makes annuallv about 1,000 
pounds of sugar. He also makes a specialty of 
fruit, and has taken a great manj- prizes on 
specimens of peaches and pears, having at one 
time, seventy-five different varieties of pears. 
He has given considerable attention to small 
fruits, which have proven generally' profitable. 
He was united in marriage, in 1842, to Miss 
Charlotte C. Culver, of Rochester, N. Y. Their 
union has been lilessed with eight children — 
Frederick; he enlisted in tlie 41st <). V. I., 
commanded by Col. Hazon ; he served for two 
years in all the engagouients of his regiment. 
At the battle of Stone River he waded tiie river 
and lying down went to sleep ; wiien found, his 
clothes were frozen upon him. ami he was taken 



to the hospital, but his constitution had be- 
come so weakened by previous disease that he 
died April 20, 1863. He entered the service 
as a private and was distinguished for his brav- 
ery and daring in the last battle, for which, 
had he lived, he would have been promoted 
to Second Lieutenant, although at the time of 
his death he w.as but 19 years old. From the 
letters received bj- the bereaved mother, from 
his Colonel and the officers and commander of 
his regiment, it appeared he was a favorite of 
the whole regiment, and his death was de- 
plored b}- them all. Frank A., also a volun- 
teer in the service ; he now resides in Hinck- 
ley Township ; Norman, living in Cleveland ; 
George L., Lyman deceased, Florence J., Char- 
lotte and James, who died in Berea, aged 12 
3'ears. 

WILLL\:\I HEACOX, farmer ; P. 0. Bruns- 
wick. Mr. Heacox is a native of Connecticut, 
and was born in Litchfield Co., March 20. 1800. 
His parents were Harvey and Elizabeth (New- 
ton) Heacox. who were also natives of Connecti- 
cut. His father was a sea-faring man and went 
to sea when he was 3 months old ; he did not 
see him again until he was 14 years, of age ; his 
early life, until about 15 years, was passed in 
Connecticut ; at this time his parents removed 
to Ashtabula, Ohio, and he went upon the 
lakes, which occupation he followed uearlj- all 
the time for twentj- j-ears. In the spring of 
1836, he removed to Medina Co., locating at 
Weymouth, at which place he bought a farm of 
80 acres and a mill property ; he devoted his 
time to farming and milling until 1868, when 
he removed to Hinckley Township, buying 50 
acres of land, where he now resides ; his farm, 
with the exception of 14 acres of timber, is all 
improved, and is located about two and one- 
half miles west of Hinckley Center, on the town 
line road. Mr. Heacox was married in 1822, 
to Miss Harriet Welton, also native of Con- 
necticut ; she is the daughter of Mark and 
Sarah (Davis) Welton, and was born June 17, 
1801 ; she is the lineal descendant of and the 
sixth generation from, John and Mary (Upson) 
Welton. who came from England about 1679, 
and located at Waterbury. Conn. Nine gener- 
ations of this family have been reared in this 
country ; they have nine children — William J., 
deceased ; George H,, deceased ; Harvey F., 
deceased : Harriet ^I.. married to Jehiel 
Squires, and living in Sharon Township : John 



'5 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



775 



H., now living in Cleveland ; Sarah J., married 
to 0. W. Avery ; Edward L., now living in 
Brunswick Township ; Samuel W., deceased ; 
Anson F., deceased. During his residence in 
Medina Township, Mr. Heacox served as Jus- 
tice of the Peace for nine years, as Township 
Trustee for one term, and, since his residence 
in Hinckley, three terms. 

G. W. HURD, farmer ; P. 0. Bennett's Cor- 
ners ; is one of the prominent farmers of Hinck- 
ley Township ; he was born in Amsterdam, N. 
Y., May 20, 1827 ; his father, Hiram Hurd, 
was a native of Vermont, and was born Nov. 27, 
1805 ; his mother was Louisa Sherburn ; she 
was born Aug. 12, 1806 ; they emigrated to 
Ohio and located in Strongsville, Cuyahoga Co., 
about 1832, where they remained about ten 
years, and then removed to Bennett's Corners, 
where they resided until his father died, Feb. 
22, 18C5. His mother is still living, residing 
with his family. Our subject, as was the cus- 
tom, remained with his parents until he at- 
tained his majoritj- ; he was united in marriage 
March 8. 1848, to Miss Abigail C. Brown, a 
daughter of John and Orrilla (Warner) Brown, 
who were early settlers of Hinckley Township ; 
she was born in New York State. Mr. Hurd 
has, since his marriage, with the exception of 
one year's residence in Minnesota, always been 
a resident of Hinckley Township ; his home- 
stead is located on the western township line, 
and consists of 186 acres, which, with the ex- 
ception of about 30 acres ol' woodland, is as 
fine farming land as there is in the township, 
presenting, with its improvements, commodious 
and extensive outbuildings, barns, etc., and a 
new and attractive residence, a picture of thrift 
and prosperity. Their family is as follows : 
Wilson H., born Dec. 15, 1848, he was married 
to Miss Jennie E. Pay, Sept. 25, 1870 ; he re- 
moved to Kansas in 1880, where he is now liv- 
ing engaged in farming ; Clark S.,born Dec. 18, 
1852 ; he was united to Miss Josephine Olds, a 
daughter of M. Olds, of Hinckley- Center, May 
18, 1873, they are now living in Hincklej- 
Township ; Arthur E. was born Oct. 12, 1861, 
and Martha J., both living at home. Mr. Hurd 
has served the township in several otBces of 
trust, and has taken an active interest in 
schools, but devotes his time priucipall}' to the 
cultivation and care of his extensi^e farm. 

S. W. ISHAM, farmer ; P. 0. Hinckley ; was 
born in Geauga Co., Ohio, Sept. 1, 1831. He 



is the son of Truman and Matilda (Dickson) 
Isham, old residents of the township. He 
came to Hinckley Township when but 2 years 
old, and has resided in the township ever since. 
He was married, Aug. 17, 1854, to Mary Mc- 
Creary, daughter of Andrew and Hannah (Tru- 
man) McCreary. He was born in Washington 
Co., Penn., March 16, 1798. She was a native 
of Seneca Co., N. Y., and was born Jan. 24, 
1805. She died May 21, 1853. Mr. McCreary 
was one of the pioneers of Hinckley, coming 
there in 1829, and a resident of the township 
up to his death, Nov. 20, 1880. They had the 
following children: Sarah, born July 2, 1825, 
married, and living in Nebraska ; Peter, born 
Aug. 15, 1828, deceased ; Margaret, born March 
17, 1830, deceased ; Mary, bom May 13, 1836 ; 
Eliza, born June 2, 1840, married, and living 
in Trumbull Co.; Emma, born Dec. 27, 1844, 
deceased. Mr. JlcCreary was married to his 
second wife, Louisa A. Finch, Dec. 6, 1854. 
She died May G, 1880. Mr. Isham is a tinner 
by trade, and worked at it for ten years in 
Hinckley Center. He is now living on his 
farm, about one and a half miles north of the 

ELIAS KEYES, farmer; P. 0. Hinckley; 
was born in New York in 1811. His parents 
were Elias and Elizabeth (Noble) Kej-es, who 
were pioneers of Royaltou, Cuyahoga Co. Thej' 
located there in 1819, and were citizens of that 
county up to the time of their decease. Elias 
worked for his father, as was customary, until 
he was of age. In 1837 (Feb. 2), he was united 
in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Swift. She was 
born in Cecil Co., Md., March 2, 1817, and was 
the daughter of Richard and Letitia (Welch) 
Swift, who were also natives of Mar3land. Her 
parents were old residents of Hinckley Town- 
ship, coming there in 1825, where they lived 
the rest of their lives. They had ten children, 
as follows : Mary Ann Keyes ; Eliza Cleve- 
land, deceased ; Martha Wait, living in Hinck- 
ley ; P]dward, now a resident of Michigan ; 
Richard, accidentally shot at Hinckley ; Har- 
riet Wait, living in Ilinckley Township ; Henry, 
now living in Oberliu, Ohio ; Lois Howland, 
residing in ^Michigan ; Jane E. Swift, now liv- 
ing in Hinckle}', and Frank Swil'l. living in 
Hincklej'. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes moved to Iloy- 
alton. and were residents of that township for 
seventeen years subsequent to their marriage : 
then came to Hinckley, and located where they 






^- 



776 



J5I0GRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



have since made their homo. Tliey have 85 
acres of «;ood improved land, and are comfort- 
ably situated in tlieir old aije. They have had 
the following children : Charles 1)., now a resi- 
dent of Rovalton. Cuvahoga Co. He was born 
Nov. 8, 18;J7 ; .Melissa, born .May 11, 1840. died 
Mav 22. 1842; Klizalieth, born May (5. 1842, 
died Jan. IG, 1880; Hiehard U.. born April 1, 
1845; be enlisted in 18(i4, in Co. H. 2d O. V. 
C; he was wounded at the battle of Five 
Forks, Va., in IStJ,"), and was di.scliarged June, 
18(53; he died May 8. 187H; and Ellen R., 
born Dec. 28, 1858. wife of James Mattingly, 
now livinii' in Hinckley. 

IIIRA.M B. .MILLKK, fanner; !'. (). Hinck- 
ley. One of the best-known men in Hinckley 
Township is Hiram IJ. Jlillcr ; he is a native 
of New Vork State, and was l)orn April li, 1807, 
in Ontario Co.; his parents were Lyman and 
Cclia (Wheeler) .Miller, sdso natives of the Km- 
pire State. While a youth, his parents re- 
moved to Henrietta, .Monroe Co., where they 
purchased a hotel property and a farm. The 
liotel was known as the ■• Coffee House," and 
run by the Millers for over twenty years. 
Hiram was marriiMl in 1820, to Miss Maria 
Deming. daughter of David and Sarah (Lewis) 
Deming, who were residents and old settlers of 
.Monroe Co., N. Y.; .^laria was born in Massa- 
chusetts, and, at the age of 10, walked the 
entire distance from Mass.ichusetts to Roches- 
ter, N. Y., at the time of her parents' emigra- 
tion to Monroe Co. At the time, of his mar- 
riage, Hiram had nothing to begin life with, 
excepting good health, energy, and a iletermi- 
nation to succeed ; thus, without a dollar of 
spiire money, did he begin tlu^ liattle of life ; how 
well he has succeeded, the following lines will 
portray. In 1831, with his wife, he went to 
Canandaigua. N. Y., where his grandfather re- 
sided, and for two years he worked one of his 
farms. At the end of that time, he removed 
back to Henrietta, having saved about S800 
within that time ; he then went to work ujjon 
his father's farm, but, after having put in the 
crops, linally induced his father to sell out the 
whole property. Ohio at this time was pre- 
senting an inviting tield to emigrants, and 
here tlie .Miller family came, locating in Hinck- 
ley Township, in 18;!8, on the western township 
line; here they liought, together, ti50 acres; 
Hiram buying about 100 acres ; his parents 
died on the old homestead after living to see 



the unbroken forests blossom into fertile fields. 
Ilirara has resided, ever since coming to the 
township, upon the land he purchased on first 
coining into the county, and which he has 
cleared by his own exertions ; his wife died 
March 10, 187G ; he has seven children living 
— Cordelia M., Arethusa H.. Sherman Ij.. 
Henrietta, IJetsej- A.. Frank I), and Harvey T. 
Frank 1). was in the service, l)elonging to loOtli 
O. N. (}., serving 100 days. Harvey T., was in 
Barber Sharpshooters, and served all through 
the war. Mr. .Miller has been one of the fore- 
most men in the township upon educational 
matters, always taking an active interest ; he 
has also been an ellicient worker in the temper- 
ance cause ; he is a meml)er of .Aleridian Sun 
Lo(lge,No. 2Gti,A..F. &A. M.,ofRichtield. I'rior 
to the war be gained an extende<l reputation 
from his prominent connection with the under- 
ground railroad. Kven hc'fore the enactment 
of the fugitive slave law, in 1850, he had 
deemed it his religious duty to use his best ef- 
forts in aiding run;iway slaves to escape. But. 
upon the i)assage of that law. believing as he 
did. that Divine approval would sanction its 
violation and avoidance, he made it a part of 
his religious duty to assist the frightened and 
fiecing slaves to Canada. Some residents in 
his neighborhood vvere hostile to his move- 
ments of humanity, and often sought to dis- 
cover slaves in his care, in hopes of getting the 
promised reward ; but no runaway who sought 
his protection was ever captured. ''Why,'' said 
he, '■ Mr. Reporter, I've had as high as five poor 
runawa\'s eating at m}' table at one time, for 
each of whom a reward of $500 was offereil. 
One day. while moving in the field, siuldeuly a 
gigantic negro rose from the grass in front of 
me and said : -Oh, .Massa, can ye tell me whar 
' Nigger ' Miller lives '?' ' Why bless your 
soul, you poor fellow,' said I. 'Fm' Nigger' 
Miller.' ' Oh Massa Miller,' exclaimed the de- 
lighted slave, while his dark face lighted with 
joy, ' you look better to me than money.' " It is 
needless to say that the runaway reached Can- 
ada. In company with Joe .Mason, a gifted 
colored man, Mr. Miller began lecturing in 
schoolhouses and barns in this and adjoining 
counties. He was jinnounccd to leetin'e at his 
home schoolhouse, but a neighbor was deter- 
mined that he should not do it. In an alterca- 
tion at the house, the neighbor seized Mr. Mil- 
ler by the throat, threw him with great force on 



^7- 



^! 



!>> 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



777 



JOHN 

IFiiickley 
'rrmiibiil 



tho floor, witting an ugly wound on liis head, 
from which the blood flowed in streams down 
his neck. Money was otTered to roi)air the in- 
jury, but Mr. Miller nobly rolusod. saying that 
money was not what was wanted, that the sin 
of slaver}' and the irreparable wrong done the 
poor slave was what he wished every one to 
seriously consider. Scores of instances can be 
mentioned, but these will suffice. Mr. Miller, 
for his noble efforts, deserves to be classed 
with such men as " Old " John Brown, Owen 
Lovejoy, and others, who fought for years 
against the degrading and cruel intUiences of 
slavery. 

MUSSER, retired farnur ; P. O. 
Center. Mr. Musser was born in 
Co.. Ohio, Nov. 0, 1814. Mo is the 
son of David and I'olly (Reed) .Musser. who 
were natives of Pennsylvania and came to 
Trumbull Co. in 18i;i In 1840, they removed 
to Norton, Summit ('o., where they remained 
until their deaths. Mr. Musser's early life was 
passed in Trumbull Co., where he learned the 
carpenter and joiner's trade, which occupation 
he followed until about 30 years of age. Aug. 
12, 1843. ho was married to Esther F. Can- 
field ; her father, William, was a native of 
Litchfield Co., Conn., and her mother, Submit 
(Post), a native of West Hampton, Mass. They 
came to Summit Co.. in 1817, and lived there 
all of their lives, her father dying in lH,j2, and 
mother in 18G7. After his marri.ago, Mr. M. 
wont to Huron ('o., and worked at his trade for 
one year, at the end of which time he moved 
back to Summit Co., buying a farm of 50 acres 
and working it al)out four years. He then 
came to Hinckley Township, April, 1851, and 
bought a fixrm of 110 acres, located in the 
southern part of the township. He remained 
upon this place until 1870, when he sold out 
and l)ought 25 acres about one-fourth of a mile 
north of the Center, vvhore he now resides. 
The}' have had four children — Daniel ()., born 
June 27. 1844 ; he was married September 
18C3, to Nancy M. Wait, daughter of John and 
Martha (Swift) Wait, residents of Hinckley 
Township, and is living about one and oue-half 
miles west of Hinckley Center. He enlisted in 
1864, in Co. I), 178t;h O. V. I., and was out 
until the close of the war ; Florence, born Oc- 
tober, 1848, died March 17, 1852; William A., 
born Jan. 27, 1853, now living in Hinckley 
Township ; Ida A., born June 8, 1857, married 



to William Tshain and living in Hincklc}' Cen- 
ter. .Mr. .Musser and wife are in(Mnl)ers of the 
Disciples' Church of Hinckley Center. 

SOLO.MON (t. NI':\VT()N.(ioceasod, was born 
in Ontario Co., N. Y., Sept. 5. 1825; he was a son 
of Mathew and Relief (Straight) Newton, old resi- 
dents of Granger Township, (^ur subject came 
with his parents to Granger Township when 
he was quite young, and where his early life 
was passed. He was married Jan, 4, 1849, to 
Miss Sarah A. Oviatt. She was born in Trum- 
bull Co., Ohio. Jan. 4. 1827 ; her parents were 
Stephen and I'rudenoe (Davidson) Oviatt, pio- 
neers of Wayne Co., where her father died ; her 
mother sul)se(iuently moved to Hinckley Town- 
ship, Medina (!o., where Sarah was married. 
Since their marriage 1 hey resided most of the 
time in Hinckley Township. In April, 1803, 
they removed to the southern portion of the 
township, purchasing a farm which consisted 
of about 100 acres ; here Solomon died Nov, ti, 
1878. His wife and family still reside upon 
the old homestead. Mr. Newton was a mem- 
ber of the Baptist Church, and had always 
been an earnest and active worker in the 
church and Sabbath school ; his earnest Chris- 
tian life and the honorable and upright maimer 
which characterize all his dealings, make his 
death deplored by all who knew him. The 
chililren are as follows: James !'. was born in 
Hinckley Ti)wnshi|), in June. 1853. and lived 
with his parents until he attained his majority ; 
he was married b'tib. 28, 1875, to Miss llowena 
Morris ; her father, George Morris, was an old 
resident of Granger Township ; her mother was 
Rebecca Waltman ; she .also was an early 
resident of the county ; they have two chil- 
dren — Earnest J. and Minnie. James now 
resides in East Cleveland, where he is engaged 
in raising fruit and gardening. ( Gertrude I. 
deceased, .May, .\llie R., Stephen M., Gertie S. 
and Dell. >Irs. Newton and the four elder 
children are members of the Baptist Churc^h. 
His family will cherish through their lives, 
with loving regret, the memory of the devotion 
and gooilness of the husbaml and father. 

-M. OliDS, retired engineer, Hinckley Center; 
is the son of Rufus and .Vbigail (Kent) Olds, 
natives of New York State, who came to Ohio 
in 1836, locating in Royalton, Cuyahoga Co. 
They were residents of the county, where th(!y 
settled, up to their deaths. His father died in 
Ft. Wayne, Ind,. in ]^::^. .•md his .,i..I|„t in 



^ 



778 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1848, at Royalton. Our subject was born in 
Cayuga Co,' N. Y.. Feb. 22. 1825. and came 
to Ohio with his parents. He worked on the 
farm for a number of years, and then, at the 
age of 16, went to Cleveland, and commenced 
learning his trade at the Cuyahoga Steam Fur- 
nace Company's works ; he remained with them 
about two 3'ears. He was married, in 1850, to 
Miss Amelia Marcelus, daughter of John and 
Esther (Hall) Marcelus, pioneers of Cuyahoga 
Co., and residents of Royalton Township. Mr. 
Olds came to Hinckley Township in 1856, and 
bought the old Wetmore saw and grist mills, 
which he ran for two years and then sold out. 
He built (in 1857-58) the first steam grist-mill 
in the township. In 1859, he went to the Lake 
Superior country, and had the management of 
building a large lumber mill, taking charge of 
the whole work until the year was out. Return- 
ing to Hinckley, again went into the milling 
business, which he continued for two years, and 
then bought an interest in the Durham Foun- 
dry. In September, 1862, he responded to the 
call of Gov. Tod to repel an attack upon Cov- 
ington and Cincinnati ; 16,000 men responded ; 
they were known as the •■ Sijuirrel Hunters." 
L^pon his return to Hinckley, within a few daj's, 
he was drafted. He went to Camp Cle^'eland, 
where he procured a substitute ; he watched the 
course of his substitute, and finall}- learned he 
was killed at Chickamauga. He immediately 
determined to try it himself, and within a few 
daj's he enlisted, at Wooster, Ohio, as a private 
in Co. E, 1st Ohio Light Artillery, and was im- 
mediately sent to the front, joining his battery 
on the Tennessee River. In the spring of 1864, 
was detailed to go on the gunboat fleet of the 
Upper Tennessee, as engineer. He placed the 
engine in the gunboat (Jeneral Sherman, and 
remained with the fleet until July, and then 
joined his battery at Bridgeport, Ala. ; he re- 
mained with it until the close of the war. He 
was in the siege and battle of Xashville, which 
lasted for sixteen days, a heavy artillery fire be- 
ing waged bj' both sides every day. He was 
mustered out July 17, 1865. Upon his return 
home, he built a tin-shop in Hinckley, and ran 
it for one year, then bought a saw- mill, which 
he ran about a year. In 1868, he went to Sand 
Lake, Mich., and built several saw-mills for 
Capt. Small. In 1869, went to Missouri, and 
had charge of clearing out the Buckeye copper 
mine ; returned to Hinckk'V, and bought a saw- 



mill at Bennett's Corners, which he ran for about 
one j-ear. In 1873, he removed with his family 
to Marquette City, Mich., and had charge of the 
city water works for one year, and while there 
lost his right hand. The nest year, he took the 
contract for supplying the city with water, and, 
at the expiration of his contract, on account of 
his health, returned to Ilinckle}- Center, and 
bought the old Wetmore place, where he at 
present resides. He has added several pieces 
of laud to the original purchase, until he has 
about 80 acres of improved land, which is 
worked by his son-in-law, Mr. Olds having re- 
tired from active business, only doing some fire 
insurance business to occupy part of his leisure 
hours. Mr. and Mrs. Olds have had six chil- 
dren — Claj'ton, died at the age of 21 : 'Willie, 
aged 19. at Marquette Citj' ; Josephine Hurd, 
living in Hinckley Township ; Frank and Car- 
rie, twins ; Carrie, married to John Wvman, 
and living in Hinckle}' Center ; and Frederick, 
living at home. Mr. Olds is a member of 
Hinckley Lodge, No. 304, I. 0. O. F. 

NATHANIEL PORTER, farmer ; P. 0. West 
Richfield. New York has furnished the major- 
ity of the pioneers of Hinckley Township, and. 
in Schoharie Co., Sept. 7, 1815. our subject was 
born. His father, Samuel I'orter, was also a 
native of that State, and was born in Albany 
Co., Aug. 4, 1796. His parents removed to 
Schoharie Co. when Samuel was but 4 j-ears 
old, locating in Broome Township. Here he 
passed his early life, and was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Rebecca Jacobs. She was a na- 
tive of New York, and was born December, 
1796. After remaining at his father's house 
until the spring of 1818. they started for 
Ohio with all their worldly effects in a wagon 
which was drawn bj- a yoke of oxen. After a 
month's journey, they finally reached Richfield 
(now Summit Co.). where they first located, re- 
maining there until the spring of 1825, when 
the}' removed to Hinckley Township, locating 
upon the '-ridge." Here the worth}- couple re- 
mained until they were called to their heavenly 
home. He died June 6, 1848, and his wife, at 
the home of her son Nathaniel, Jlay 10, 1869. 
Their children are as follows : Nathaniel, Al- 
mira. deceased. Rev. Joseph Porter, a minister 
of the Methodist Church, now a resident of 
Steuben Co.. Ind.; he published, some years 
ago. a small volume relating the life of his 
father ; it is a most interesting work, giving 



>? G 



l^ 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



779 



his pioneer life and Christian experience ; Olive 
S., deceased, and ^Marietta, deceased. Nathaniel 
was about 10 j'ears of age when his parents 
came to Hincklcj*, and he has been a resident 
of the township ever since, following the occu- 
pation of a farmer. Nov. 3, 1873, he bought 
a small piece of land where he now resides. 
He was married, November, 1837, to Almira 
Brown. She died Maj- 5, 18-1:8, leaving one 
child — Julia J., now the wife of H. W. Davis, 
Deputy Sheriff of Grand Rapids, i\Iich. Mr. 
Porter was married to a second wife, Sarah 
Ann Crofoot (widow of Cj'retus Crofoot. a resi- 
dent of Brunswick Township), Nov. 19, 1848. 
Her maiden name was Sarah A. Brown. She 
was a daughter of John and Orella (Warner) 
Brown, old residents of the countj', who located 
in Hincklev in 1829. She was born in Scho- 
harie Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1818. At the time of 
her marriage with IMr. Porter, she had three 
boys — Levi L., Joseph J. and Lewis L., each 
of whom died while in the service of his coun- 
try-. Levi and Joseph enlisted, and, while in 
service in Missouri, both contracted diseases 
which resulted fatall}', Joseph djing Nov, 16, 
1861, and his brother Levi Nov. 28, 1861, 
Lewis L. enlisted to guard prisoners at Camp 
Douglas, and died from disease contracted 
while on duty, Sept. 14, 1862. Mr. and Mrs. 
Porter have two children — Sanford P., married 
and residing in Richfield, Summit Co,, and 
Pvmma Y,, living at home. Mr. Porter has 
been a resident of the township for nearly 
threescore years, and has been closely identi- 
fied with the gi'owth and development of this 
part of the county, and is one of its most val- 
ued citizens. In religious belief, with his wife, 
is a member of the 3Iethodist Episcopal Church. 
He is a man of generous impulses, a friend to 
the poor, and, although assailed frequently bj- 
misfortune, has always been disposed to look 
upon life's bright side. He is intelligent, social 
and genial in his manner, and a thorough Chris- 
tian gentleman. He has been honored with 
many otHces of trust by his townsmen, and is 
now serving his third term as Justice of the 
Peace. 

N. W. PEEBLES, farmer ; P. 0. Brunswick , 
was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., July 21, 1828 ; 
he is a son of John W. and Eliza A. (Eaton) 
Peebles, and came with his parents to Hinck- 
le3' Township, when thej' removed there from 
New York State in 1836. He remained at 



home until 20 years old, when he went to 
Brunswick and entered a machine-shop to learn 
that trade ; he worked in all about nine years 
at that calling, and then traveled in the patent- 
right business for some six years ; he then en- 
tered the employ of the King Iron Bridge Co., 
of Cleveland, as traveling salesman, and was 
connected with that company eleven j'ears. 
Since that time he has been back upon the old 
homestead, having bought out the heirs of the 
estate, and is now engaged in farming; he has 
130 acres in Hinckley and about 35 acres in 
Brunswick Township, His land lies on the 
western town line road, and consists of as good 
laud as there is in the township. He was 
united in marriage, July 1, 1857. to Miss Polly 
A. Jenkins, a daughter of Solomon and Mar- 
garet (North) Jenkins. They have three chil- 
dren — Frank W., Ida Wait and Alice. Mr. 
Peebles has served the township in various of- 
fices, as Trustee and also as Assessor, his act- 
ive business life for so many 3-ears having 
adapted him to discharge any office with abili- 
ty. In educational matters, he has taken a 
very active interest, serving as a member of the 
Board of Education. The district in which he 
resides now ranks as the second in inter- 
est in the township. Mr. Peebles has two 
brothers and two sisters liviug, and a brother 
deceased, as follows : John H. (see biography) ; 
Jane A. Chidsey, married and living in Hinck- 
ley Township ; Rensselaer R., a dentist living 
in Cleveland, and Elizabeth A. Card, living in 
Cleveland. William H, died at the age of 33 
years in Hincklev Township, 

JOHN H. PEEBLES, farmer ; P. 0. Hinck- 
ley. John H. Peebles, the subject of this sketch, 
was born in Otsego Co,, N. Y,, in 1823. His 
father was John W. Peebles, a native of Ire- 
land ; he was born 3Iay 15, 1797, and his 
mother was Eliza Eaton, a native of Coop- 
erstown, N. Y.; she was boru March 26, 1801. 
They came to Hinckley Township from New 
York State in 1836, and always resided there ; 
he died May 1. 1879, and liis wife followed 
Jan, 16, 1880. John H. was 13 years old 
when his pareuts came to this count}-, and he 
worked upon his father's farm until he was 21. 
In 1845, his father gave him 50 acres of land, 
where he now resides. Since that he has added 
several pieces of land to his possessions, until 
at present he has o\er 300 acres. He was mar- 
ried August, 1854, to Miss Parmelia Johnson, 



:^7. 



^1 



780 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



daughter of Sherman and Anna (Patterson) 
Johnson, who came to Hinckley Township in the 
spring of 1S3G ; he was a native of Connecticut 
and was born Nov. 30. 1798 ; his wife was a 
native of New York, and was born July 3, 
1797 ; died in Hinckley Township Ma}-. 1807 ; 
he died September. 1880, in Michigan. The 
children are Hannah, married and living in 
Illinois ; Parmelia, wife of John H. Peebles ; 
Jlrastus, now living in Hinckley Township ; 
William A., a resident of (^ranger Township, 
died Pec. 18, 1873; Sherman, now living in 
Pioyalton, Cuyahoga Co., and Elizabeth, mar- 
ried and living in Minnesota. Mr. and Jlrs. 
Peebles have but two children — Francis A. 
and William. Mr. Peebles has served one term 
as township Supervisor. His land is nearly all 
impro\'ed, and devoted chiefl}- to the raising of , 
grain. He has one brother, Nathaniel, living 
on the old tomestead. 

DANIEL SEARLES, farmer; P. O. West 
Kichfield ; isasonofPaniel and I'hwbe (Fisher) 
Searles. natives of New York, and pioneers of 
Hinckley Township, loeatino; there in the fall 
of 1833' They bought fiOO acres of land on 
their arrival and were residents of the town- 
ship up to their deaths. He died Aug. 28, ! 
1854, and his wife. May 5, 1861. Daniel re- 
mained at home until he was 23 years of age. 
He was married Sept. 6. 1837, to Mary Ann 
Halsted, daughter of James and Ph(Ebe Hal- 
sted. pioneers of Hinckley; she died in 1839, 
leaving a son, Edwin, ten months old. He is 
married and living in Hinckley. Sept. 10. 
1840, Mr. Searles was again married., to Miss 
Salh' Ann Searles, of !Montville Township. 
They had three children — Henry, married and 
living in Richfield, Summit County ; Adeline 
A. Damon, who died in 1878, and Hattie J. 
Eastwood, living with parents. Mr. Searles , 
has followed farming all his life. In 1852. he 
came back to the old homestead to work the 
land, and to take care of his parents in their i 
old age, where he has since resided. He has 
divided up his land with his children, until he 
has now but 53 acres. He has served the town- 
shij) as Trustee, and has taken an active inter- 
est in the schools, having been School Tlirector 
several terms. 

HENRY SYLVESTER, farmer; P. 0. Wey- 
mouth ; is a son of Francis and Cynthia (Hatch) 
Sj'lvester, who are prominent in the early his- 
tory of Granger Township. Henry was born 



in Massachusetts Aug. 20, 1824. and was about 
14 years of age at the time of his parents' re- 
moval to Ohio. His early life was passed in 
Granger Township at farming, which pursuit he 
has followed all his life. He was united in 
marriage in August, 1849, to Miss Jlary Gan- 
yard. a daughter of James Ganyard, pioneer of 
Granger, and a prominent citizen of the early 
days of the townshi|). Mary was born in Gran- 
ger Township, April. 1829. They have three 
chililren — Jay, Belle and Helen ; after his mar- 
riage, Mr. S. engaged in farming for himself 
and was a resident of Granger Township until 
1864, he then removed to Medina Township, 
where he resided for fourteen years. In April, 
1878, he bought the farm in Hinckley Town- 
ship, where he at present is located ; his farm 
consists of 87 acres of improved land, and is 
the southwestern farm in the township. Mr. 
S. is an intelligent and respected citizen of the 
county. 

VAX DEUSEN FAMILY, Hinckley. An- 
drew and Orpha Joyner Van Deusen were na- 
tives of Massachusetts. He was born Sept. 8. 
1794, and his wife. Aug. 2, 1796. They were 
married Sept. 20, 1815, in New York State, and, 
as the}^ were living in Massachusetts near the 
New York line, in order to avoid being pub- 
lished — as was the custom in Massachusetts — 
they crossed the line and were united, without 
going through so many forms as were neces- 
sary in Massachusetts, [n 1817. the_y~ removed 
to New York State, settling near Dunkirk, 
which was, at that time, a wilderness, up lo 
within a mile of the city. Here they remained 
for a period of about eleven years, and then 
decided to remove still further West, and the 
tide of emigration drifted them to Hinckley 
Township. In 1828, they bought a piece of 
land upon the " Ridge," containing about 30 
acres, and commenced to clear it up ; 90 acres 
more were added to their farm in time, and, 
after eight years' residence there, traded for a 
saw-mill, on Rocky River, and about 30 acres of 
land. Here they resided until the husband's 
death, which occurred in 1841. Mrs. Van 
Deusen, whose portrait appears in this work, 
was left, by the death of her husband, with no 
property and no means of support, except 
through her own ettbrts; she went to work 
with energy and perseverance, ami. by her own 
individual ettbrts, paid lor 30 acres of land and 
a comfortable dwelling-house, where she now 



^ 



"^ »Pv"^ 



^1 



HINCKLEY TOWNSHIP. 



781 



resides, over 80 years of age and infirm in 
bodj' ; but, mentally, she is as bright and cheer- 
ful as though her life was new, and, in the even- 
ing of her days, sits in comfort in a home her 
own hands has reared, surrounded by prosper- 
ous children. Her children are as follows : 
Ireua A. West, born July 21, 1817; Roe G., 
born April 27, 1820, in State of New York, 
came with parents to Hinekle\' Township, and 
remained there until the fall of 1859, when he 
removed to Shiawassee Co., Mich., where he 
owns about 500 acres of land, and is carrying 
on farming on a large scale ; he was married 
to Susannah Foss, Julv 10, 1845. Rush L., 
born Aug. 3, 1823. 

RUSH L. VAN DEUSE:^, farmer; P. 0. 
Hincklej' ; whose portrait appears in this book, 
was born Aug. 3. 1823, in New York : he^came 
with his parents to Hinckley, and has, since 
that time, been a citizen of the Township ; he 
was 14 years of age at the death of his father, 
and, in connection with his brother, ran the mill 
until he was about 21 years old ; at that time, 
he bought 21 acres of land on Rock River, and 
in that humble way commenced life for himself. 
By energy and perseverance he added year by 
year small pieces of land' to his tract, until at 
present he has 435 acres ; he commenced the 
purchase of his land at about $10 per acre, 
and has paid up as high as 875 per acre ; he 
makes a specialty 'bf dairying, and is recognized 
as the foremost man of the count}" in this line, 
and has at present sixty cows; he has conducted 
a cheese factory, also, for the past nine years ; 
his land is mostly improved, portions of which 
is finely adapted for stock, lying along the 
Rocky River, and about one-half mile east of 
Hinckley Center. Mr. Van Deusen was mar- 
ried, Jan. 30, 1844, to Miss Maria Damon, 
daughter of Nathan and Hannah (Shaw) Damon, 
who were pioneers of Hinckley ; she was born 
June 23, 1822, in Chesterfield, Mass. They 
have had ten children — Edmund A., born Oct. 
30, 1844, died Nov. 30, 1851 ; Newman L., 
born Feb. 19, 1847, he was married Dec. 23, 
1876, to Miss Emma Barber, and is living on 
his father's farm ; Dexter N,, born Dec. 27, 
1848. and married Miss Carrie Webber, daugh- 
ter of R. M, Webber, of Hinckley Township ; 
they are now living in Michigan ; Byron R.. 
born April 27, 1853, living at home ; Julia J., 
boru Feb. 15, 1851 ; she is married to George 
Proulx. and the}- are living in Michigan ; Omar 



0., born Sept. 13, 1855 ; he was married to 
Jessie Conant, daughter of Hiram Conant ; they 
are now living in Hinckley Center ; George E., 
born June 13, 1858, living at home; Emma 
M., born Nov. 23, 1862, living at home ; Charles 
M., boru JIarch 15, 1865, also living at home ; 
Ralph H., l)orn June 20, 1825. in New York; 
he was married to Jlarietta Rockwell, whose 
parents were old settlers of Hinckley ; they 
are now living in Shiawassee Co., where he also 
is farming extensively ; Esther A., born Nov. 4, 
1827, in New York ; she was married to L. H. 
Van Orman, and removed to Shiawassee Co., 
Mich., where she died Jan. 31, 1878; Ray L., 
born Aug, 3, 1830, in Summit Co., Ohio ; on ac- 
count of his feeljle health, he learned the print- 
er's trade, and, tiually, shipped on a whaler, in 
hopes the sea air would be of benefit to him ; 
he was gone from home for seven years, and, 
as his people read no tidings from him, he was 
given up as lost, but he finally returned rough 
and rugged, entirely restored to health ; he 
was married, in Hinckley Township, to JIary 
Williams, a granddaughter of Joseph Gouch, 
one of the pioneers of Hinckley Township ; 
they removed to Michigan in 1861, where they 
now reside. Martin B., born Sept. 27, 1835, in 
Hinckley ; he went to Iowa in 1858, and settled 
in Benton Co., near Laporte City ; he married 
Harriet Treanor, daughter of George Treanor 
a former resident of Medina Co.; he is an ex- 
tensive farmer there, owning about 500 acres. 

DON C. VAN DEUSEN. farmer; P. O. 
Hinckley ; born in Hincklev Township March 
4, 1839 ; he was married. Oct. 20, 1864. to 3Iiss 
Ella Nichols, she is a daughter of Nathaniel 
and Dorcas Nichols, and was born in New York 
State Sept. 25, 1843. Don enlisted, in the fall 
of 1861, in the 42d 0. V. I., Co. K, and was iu 
the active service of his regiment until May 20, 
1863, when in the battle of Vieksburg he re- 
ceived a gunshot wound in his right arm, which 
resulted in its amputation ; he was discharged 
from the service in consequence. Sept 29, 1863. 
Returning to Hinckley, he resumed his occu- 
pation as a farmer. In 1879, he traded with 
Robert Whip for the farm on which he now re- 
sides, consisting of 75 acres, and located two 
miles northwest of Hinckley Center; his family 
consists of two children — Lincouia 1)., born 
Aug. 5, 1865, and Ruth A., born May 12^ 1876. 
A son. Earl R., born Sept. 30. 1871, was in- 
stantly killed by the kick of a horse Jan. 29. 



^1 



-^ 



782 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1878 ; Lawrence, an infant, deceased ; Daniel D., 
an infant, deceased ; JIdiuund 0.. died at tlie age 
of 2 j-ears. Irena A. (Van Deusen) West, was 
born July 21, 1817 ; she was married to William 
K. West, March 22, 1836 ; he was a native of 
Massachusetts, and was born in Lee Sept. 4, 
1812 ; he died Oct. 3. 1802 ; since his death 
his wife has conducted the farm, and now owns 
78 acres of good improved land. Her children 
are as follows ; George C, born December 25, 
1836, was married, June 12. 185!t, to llowena 
Shaw, daughter of Jacob Shaw, an old resident 
of Hinckley : he died in Hinckle}- Aug. 6, 
1862 ; Mary A., born Aug. 26. 1838. in Hinek- 
lej- ; she was married June 20, 1858, to Eras- 
tus Johnson, son of Sherman Johnson, one of 
Hinckley's pioneer settlers ; they are residing 
in Hinckley Township ; Henrv 0.. born Nov. 
15, 1840, married. May 29, 1870. Miss Lucy 
Wilcox, daughter of Dr. O Wilcox : they are 
now living in Montville Township ; Elmer A., 
born Nov. 10, 1844 ; he was married, Oct, 18, 
1876, to Miss Addie Kelley, of Cleveland ; thej- 
are now residiug in Cleveland ; Lucy L.. born 
Nov. 27, 1848 : she was united in marriage 
Feb. 11, 1870, to Ethan Conant, sou of A. L. 
Conant ; they are residing in Hincklej' Town- 
ship; Fred A., born Oct. 20, died Aug. 19, 
1854: Stephen C. born Oct. 4, 1855; he was 
married, March 4, 1879, to Luella Bigelow, 
daughter of Jonathan Bigelow, an old resi- 
dent of the township ; Ella A., born Jan. 28, 
1858, died May 6. 1861. 

HIRAM WORDEN, farmer ; P. 0. Remson's 
Corners ; is a native of New York State. He 
was born in Broome Township. Schoh.arie Co., 
Dec. 2, 1818. His parents were William L. 
and Polly (Mace) Worden. who were pioneers 
of Richfield Township, now Summit Co., set- 
tling there as early as 1819. His father died 
in 1821. His mother was subsequently mar- 
ried (about 1822) to Hemau Buck. Hiram 
passed his early life upon the farm in Richfield. 
In 1841, he purchased, with a brother, 75 acres 
of land in Hinckley Township, where he resided 
until 1845. He then disposed of his property- 
and removed to Michigan, where he remained 
for two years, farming ; he then returned to 
Hinckley. In 1854. he purchased the farm 
where he is now living. With the exception of 
the two years' residence in Michigan, ilr. Wor- 
den's entire life has been passed in the neigh- 
borhood of his present home. His narration 



of the deprivations and trials of the early set- 
tlers contrasts strangely with the homes and 
surroundings of the formers in his vicinity of 
to-day. located in comfortable homes, and sur- 
rounded with most of the improvements of our 
modern civilization. The past, with its hard- [ 
ships, seems to them like some " tale that is i 
told. " Mr. Worden was united in marriage, in 
1841, to Miss Betse}- Gordon. She died in 
1849. leaving four children — Heman D., died 
while in the service of his countrj'. He en- 
listed in 74th 111. V. I. in 1862, and, while in 
service, contracted a disease which resulted in 
his death on his way home, in 1863 ; George i 
W., deceased ; Ora H., deceased, and Elmer C., 
who was also in the service. He enlisted in 
Co. B, 189th 0. V. I., and served until the close 
of the war. He was in service nearl3' a year. 
He is now a resident of Richfield Township, 
Summit Co., Ohio. Mr. Worden was married 
in 1851 to a second wife. Miss Melissa Bissell. 
She was born in Granger Township Jan. 19, 
1828. Her father, Harvey Bissell, was a na- 
tive of Connecticut ; her mother, Matilda Jones, 
of New York. Thev located in Granger Town- 
ship about 1826. remaining there up to the 
time of their death. Her father's occun'ed in 
May, 1842, while on a visit to Westfield Town- 
ship ; her mother's occurred in June, 1854. 
Their union has been blessed with four children, 
as follows : Cora I., now the wife of Constance 
Shaw, living in Bath. Summit Co.: Frank E., 
residing at home. This 3'oung man possesses 
talent of a high order as a sculptor. He has 
carved in stone several life-size busts of Sum- 
ner, Washington, Lincoln, etc., all of which 
show a high degree of talent. He has enjoyed 
no advantages of tuition, and the tools which 
he uses are constructed by himself His works 
show a degree of finish that would compare I 
favorably with some of the eflbrts of our well- 
known artists. Lynn and Nettie. Mr. and Mrs. 
Worden are members of the ^lethodist Episco- 
pal Church of Granger. 

ERASTUS WAIT E, farmer ; P. O. Hinckley 
Center. Among the pioneers of Hinckley is 
Erastus Waite. He is a native of Massachu- 
setts, and was born in Franklin Co. Feb. 17, 
1797. His parents were Benjamin and Polly 
(Mott) Waite. He was a native of >Lassachu- 
setts, and his wife of Long Island. Erastus 
passed his earl}" life working upon his father's 
farm. Upon the death of his father, which oc- 



♦71 



rv* 



^1 



'-^ 



HINCKLEl TOWNSHIP. 



783 



curred in 1830, he determined to come to Oliio. 
He aiTived in Hinclilej- Township in 1881, and 
bought 76 acres of land where he has since 
lived. He was joined, the next 3-ear after his 
arrival, by a brother, two sisters and his mother. 
His brother located in Hinckley and died in 
the township. His mother lived to be nearly 
90 before her decease. His sisters are married 
and living in the township. Mr. Waite was 
married, April 12, 1821, to Miss Polly Bur- 
roughs, a native of Massachusetts. She died 
Jan. 21, 1851. The children are as follows : 
George A., now living in Cleveland ; Mary A. 
Woodley, living in Iowa ; Emma I. I'arish, 
widow, living in Cleveland ; Seth A., living in 
Granger Township ; Benjamin F., a resident of 
Cleveland ; Charles H., died in Cleveland aged 
30 years ; Charlotte V., widow of Johnson 
Wright, now living in Iowa ; Nettie E. Backus, 
widow, living in Cleveland ; Sarah M., married 
to Edwin B. Wright and residing in Hinckley ; 
Julia A., wife of Albert Hannon, of Cleveland, 
died in 1870 ; Frederick P., now a resident of 
Colorado. Mr. Waite was married to his sec- 
ond wife. Laura Ferris, widow of T. N. Ferris, 
November, 1852. She died in April, 1878. 
Mr. Waite has served the township as Treasurer 
for three years, and as Supervisor two terms. 
He is a member of the Congregational Church, 
of which he is Deacon. 

J. M. WAIT, farmer ; P. O. Hinckley ; was 
born in Massachusetts Sept. 4, 1817. He is a 
son of Enos and Martha (Allis) Wait, who were 
also natives of Massachusetts, and who located 
in Hinckley Township in 1832, where they re- 
sided until their deatiis ; his father's occurred 
March 2, 1869. and his mother's Dec. 18, 1878. 
Four of their sous now reside in Hinckley 
Township, and are extensive formers and prom- 
inent citizens, namel)'. John, George, Elisha 
and the subject of this sketch. He has been a 
resident of the township ever since his coming 
with his parents from Massachusetts. Upon 
attaining his majority, his father gave him 50 
acres of laud, located upon the western town- 
ship line, where he now resides ; he has at the 
present time 100 acres of fine improved land. 
He was married Feb. 17, 1841, to Miss Olive 
Miller; she is a native of New York, and was 
born in Monroe Co. Sept. 9, 1825. Her parents 
were Lyman and Celia (Wheeler) Miller, pio- 



neers of Hinckley. Mr. and Mrs. Wait have 
six children, as follows : Mary, the widow of 
pjlroy Williams ; she now resides in Brunswick ; 
Wesley, married to Miss Clarissa Collier, and a 
resident of Brunswick Township ; Emory and 
Avery, living with parents ; Owen, married to 
Miss Ida Peebles, they are living in Hinckley 
Township ; and Sanford, living at home. Mr. 
Wait is an industrious and prosperous farmer, 
an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. He 
has been an active worker in the school inter- 
ests of his district, and has served as Director 
a number of terms. 

R. M. WEBBER, farmer ; P. O. Hinckley ; 
was born in Hampden Co., Mass., June 9, 
1826. He is a son of Richard and Lovina 
(Bradway) Webber. The}' were natives of 
Massachusetts and early residents of Medina 
Co.; they located in Hinckley Township in 1839, 
and made it their home until their deaths. 
His father was a Wesleyan Methodist, and 
preached a great many funeral sermons ; he 
was a circuit preacher for one year ; he after- 
ward united with the Protestant Methodist 
Church. His death occurred in 1854 ; his 
mother died Oct. 8, 1877. Our subject's early 
life was passed upon his father's farm. He was 
united in marriage Nov. 5, 1848, to Miss Mary 
Hogue, daughter of Joseph and Caroline 
(Bevarstock) Hogue. who were natives of En- 
gland, and who settled in Weymouth in 1837 ; 
they soon afterward removed to Hinckley Town- 
ship. He died in ^March, 1861. In 1863, Mer- 
rill bought his father's old farm, and worked it 
for several years. In 1870, he purchased the 
farm where he now resides ; he has now, in sev- 
eral tracts, nearly 500 acres of land, all of 
which he has obtained by his own efforts. His 
famil}' consists of fourteen children — Charles 
M., living in Medina Township ; ^laria J. Hod- 
dinott, living in Michigan ; Francis C, living 
in Hinckley Township ; Joseph R., living on 
the old homestead ; Caroline L. Van Deusen, 
living in Michigan ; Minnie L. Fluent, living in 
Granger Township ; Ella J., Luoy A., John A., 
Elizabeth I., Harriet A., Sarah" I., Addie T., 
Frederick .!., deceased. Mr. Webber has been 
an active worker in the educational affairs of 
the township, and is an esteemed meuiber of 
the community in which he resides. 



rrr 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



IRA BENNETT, farmer: P. O. Medina; 
was born in Medina Co.. Oliio. Wadsworth 
Township, Jul3- 15, 1829. His fatlier. Timothy 
S. Bennett, was born about the year 1794, in 
Vermont, and, in 1818, came to Ohio and set- 
tled in Medina Co.. w^here himself and two com- 
panions purchased a farm in the northeast part 
of Wadsworth Township. Tlieir partnership 
was of short duration, eacli preferring to de- 
velop his own part. In 1820, he was married 
to Rachel Brown, who came to this State when 
in her youth, passing through the city of Buf- 
falo the day after it was liurnt In" the British. 
The}- lived a few years at iliddleburv. in Sum- 
mit Co., before coming here. Mr. Bennett de- 
veloped his purchase, and, years after, moved 
to Granger Township, where he resided the rest 
of his life. He died Sept. 11. 1875, and his 
wife March 13, 1874. Their union proved 
fruitful of nine children, of whom the subject 
is the oldest living. When 18 years of age, he 
began the carpenter's trade, which he followed 
for several j'ears, and. Dec. 13. 1851. he started 
for the Pacific Slope, being lured thither by the 
gold excitement of that period. lie passed 
two years there, with fair success, and then re- 
turned to his native county, where he has since 
followed agricultural pursuits. He was mar- 
ried. May 13, 1S55, to Laura A., daughter of 
John S. and Laura E. (Parsons) Hatch. She 
was born April 9, 1834, in Granger Township, 
Medina Co. They have four children — Scott 
S., Grant E., Inez (i. and Martha G. Both Mr. 
and 3Irs. Bennett are members of the Christian 
Church at Medina. He is one of the charter 
members of the Patrons of Husbandry, in 
which he has served as blaster, and is now 
Overseer. He has served as Trustee, and held 
other local offices. He is a Republican, and 
cast his first ballot for John P. Hale. 

^\■ILLIAM P. CLARK, farmer, etc.; P. (). 
Medina ; whose portrait appears in connection 
with the educational history of Medina Co., 
was born April 9, 1820, and is a son of John 
and Betsey (Tyler) Clark, natives of Rutland 
Co., Vt., where the subject was born. His 
father was a manufacturer of boots, shoes and 



leather, and removed to Ohio in October, 1832, 
locating in ^lodina Co., on the farm on which 
William P, is now living. It was all forest 
then, with the exception of a portion which had 
been '• slashed," as it was termed, by the early 
settlers. This farm he cleared up, and soon 
brought to a fine state of cultivation, and lived 
upon it until his death, which took place in 
1845, Here it was that the subject of this 
sketch received his first lessons in pioneer life, 
receiving also such education as the countr\- at 
that time afforded. He commenced teaching 
when 19 years old, and followed the profession 
for many vears. He kept a select school in 
the village of Medina, being himself the prin- 
cipal and owner of the institution, and keeping 
pace with the class of the Western Reserve 
College at Hudson, Ohio. In the spring of 
1852, he accepted a position in the Hillsdale 
(Mich.) schools, which he held for two j-ears. 
From there he went to Norwalk, Ohio, in 1853, 
remaining one year, and, in 1855, was made 
Principal of the Kinsman Academy, at Kins- 
man, Trumbull Co., Ohio. Here he remained 
nearly three years, when failing health com- 
pelled him to withdraw from the profession 
until 1871, when he again became Superintend- 
ent of the Medina Schools for one 3'ear, He 
was assisted, both at Hillsdale and Kinsman 
Academy, by his wife. He was appointed one 
of the School Examiners of Medina Co, soon 
after he began teaching in Medina, an office he 
held, with a few exceptions, until May, 1880, 
He was married, Aug, 23, 1849, to Miss Sarah 
G. Fenn, She was born at Nelson, Portage 
Co,, Ohio, Aug. 26, 1822, and graduated at Mt, 
Holyoke Seminary, and has been a successful 
teacher since, as well as before, her marriage. 
Three children have been born to them — Anna, 
who died in infancy ; Herbert W,, who died 
Feb, 20. ISSO, when in his 21st year, and Sarah 
F, Both .^Ir. and Mrs. Clark are members of the 
Congregational Church of .Medina, in the Sunday 
School of which Mr. Clark has been Superin- 
tendent for twenty-five years. Mr. Clark was 
elected Surveyor of the county, an office he 
held two terms, having previouslj- served as 






9 ""V 



^4^ 



MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



785 



Deput}' for one term. He has also been for 
many _years Notary Public, Township Clerk, 
and held other small offices. He is Republican 
in politics. 

E. R. CULVER, farmer and school-teacher; 
P. 0. Poe; was born in Montville Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, Aug. 18, 1839. His father, 
Sidney Culver, was born Jan. G, ISUG, in the 
State of Vermont, and was son of Miles Culver, 
who removed to the State of Ohio as early as 
1808, and .settled at Middlebury, in what is 
now Summit Co. He served in the war of 
1812. Sidney learned the trade of a stone- 
cutter, which he followed for a few years, when 
he adopted the more congenial occupation of 
farming. In 1832, he came into the count}' of 
Medina, and, in 1838, was married to a lad}' 
by the name of Elvira Smith, who had emi- 
grated here a few years previous from Madison 
Co., N. Y. Together, Mr. and .Mrs. Culver la- 
bored for manj' 3'ears, and had the satisfaction 
of seeing their efforts crowned with success, 
owning a pleasant property in Montville Town- 
ship. He died March 5, 1807, and his wife the 
29th of May, 1880. The subject of this sketch 
received a good common-school education, 
which was improved bj' an attendance at the 
Medina High School, and, when 19 years old, 
he commenced teaching, a vocation for which 
he seems well adapted, and in which he has 
been eminentlj' successful. Reared to the pur- 
suit of farming, he superintends the farm, and 
teaches during the winter season. He was 
married, April 5, 1861, to Mary, daughter of 
John and Sarah Laudes. She was born Aug. 
18, 1844, iu Montgomery Co., Penn., and came 
to Ohio when in her childhood. She is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
Culver has held various township offices, and 
in 1880 was Land Appraiser of Montville 
Township. He has always been identified with 
the Republican party, and is one of the most 
iuflueutial and enterprising citizens in this part 
of the county. 

LYSANDER FRIZZELL, farmer; P. 0. 
Sharon ; was born in Franklin Co., Mass., Dec. 
22, 1807. His father, Elijah Frizzell, was a 
farmer b}' pursuit ; he married a Miss Mary 
Rowley, of Massachusetts ; about the year 
1822, he moved into the State of Vermont, 
where he passed the rest of his life, and died 
in 1862, while in the State of Illinois visiting 
one of his sons. His wife died a few years 



later in Vermont. When 12 years of age, Ly- 
sander went to live with a farmer in the Con- 
necticut Valley, remaining until of age, when 
he commenced doing for himself For two 
3'ears he farmed in that State, and then went 
to Vermont, where he bought a farm ; he re- 
mained there only a short time, however, be- 
fore he sold, and, in 1834, emigrated to Ohio 
and settled in the count}- of Medina, where he 
has since lived ; he was married, Nov. 1, 1835, 
to Harriet Robinson, who came to Vermont 
from Ireland, when yet in her childhood, and 
thence to Medina Co., a short time previous to 
her marriage. Jlr. Frizzell first settled in 
Wadsworth Township, but, in the spring of 
1837, he moved to where he now lives, the 
farm at that time being mostly forest land. 
By many years of patient industry, he brought 
this to "its present productive and valuable 
state, although at times he came near yielding 
to discouragements ; he has been careful in 
his investments, and erected suitable and con- 
venient buildings many years ago. His com- 
panion departed this "life May 31, 1878, their 
union having been blessed with six children, 
viz.: Theresa J., Mary E., Silva J., Harrison 
G., Henry G. and James R. The two eldest 
sons entered the army, serving in the 6th Ohio 
Battery, one of whom surrendered his life to 
the cause of his country. All grew to maturi- 
t}- except the youngest daughter, although none 
are living except the two youngest sons, both 
of whom are married and living in this coun- 
ty, James being on the old homestead. He 
has served as Trustee, and is a Republican. 

L. «& A. FRETZ, farmers and saw-millers ; P. 
0. Medina; are among the enterprising and 
prominent citizens of Jlontville Township, and 
have materially assisted in developing and im- 
proving this part of the county. They are 
sons of Samuel and Elizabeth Fretz, both of 
whom were natives of Bucks Co., Penn., the 
father being born Jan. 17, 1796, and the mother 
April 26, 1806. He was a miller by trade, 
and in 1832, moved to Clinton, N. J., where 
he lived seventeen years, and then came to 
Ohio, locating at Wadsworth, in Medina Co. 
The following year, he bought the mill property 
iu Montville, to which he removed, conducting 
the same in company with his sons until his 
death, which occurred April 6. 1852. The three 
sons. Lewis, Anthony and JIahlon S., assumed 
control, and the following iMarch the mill 



•^ s 



i) '^ ' 



M 



e 4^ 



^ e 



k 



786 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



burned down, being a total loss. They re-built 
it better than ever, and were doing a good bus- 
iness, when the blast of war was heard in the 
land. Lewis captained the first company 
raised in Medina Co. The other two entered 
the 12th 111. V. I., as musicians, and, while gone, 
Mahlon contracted a disease, from which he 
died soon after his return, leaving one child 
named Mahlon D. The last company raised in 
the county, the IGfith 0. \. G.. Co. E, also con- 
tained the two oldest sons, Anthony as chief 
musician, and Lewis as 1st Lieutenant, with a 
Captain's duties, that officer being unfit for 
service. Lewis was born Dec. 26,1826; has 
sen-ed as Trustee, Townshii) Clerk, and has 
been Justice of the Peace since 1875 ; he is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church and also 
of the JLisonic order. Anthony was born Jan. 
5, 182f) : was married in 1855, to Emily, daughter 
of Chester Hosmer ; she <1ied soon after, leav- 
ing one child, Ida E., now the wife of Melvin 
Flickinger. He was again married, Sept. 19, 
1862. to Hannah A., daughter of William and 
Rebecca (Smith) Crawford ; she was born Sept. 
9, 1841. in Guilford Township. (»|Tliis union h.as 
been blessed with one child, c£4i» W,''boi'n 
Oct. 3, 1S7U. Mr. and Mrs. Fretz are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church. Both Lewis 
and Authonv are Democrats. 

JACOB GISH, farmer and stock-raiser; P. 
0. Medina ; was born in Jlilton Township. 
Wayne Co., Ohio, April 18, 1833 ; is a son of 
Jacob and Fannie (Shank) Gish, both of whom 
were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn. His father 
was a miller by trade, but relinquished it for 
the pursuit of farming, when married. He re- 
moved to Ohio in 1831, and made his first per- 
manent settlement in Wayne Co., securing a 
tract of forest land in Milton Township, that 
was traversed by the Piiver Styx. This he ren- 
dered valuable and productive, by 3-ears of pa- 
tient labor and care. He died June 26, 1864, 
in his 63d year, and his companion is still liv- 
ing on the old homestead, being in her 74th 
year. The subject is the oldest but one of a 
family of eight children, and his educational 
privileges were quite poor, the greater part of 
his time being required on the farm. When of 
age, he went into the West, passing one year in 
Iowa, and has since been one of the prominent 
farmers of this vicinity. His marriage was 
celebrated Dec. 17, 1857, Jliss Leah Schrautz 
becoming his wife. She was born April 24, 



1838, in Stark Co.. Ohio. Her parents, Sam- 
uel and Catharine (Holl) Schrautz, coming 
there from Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1835. Her 
father died January 2, 1850, and her mother 
September 5, the same year. After the death 
of her parents, she lived with a sister in Wayne 
Co., from which place she was married, Mr, 
Gish has resided in Medina Co, since his mar- 
riage, where he owns one of the most pleasant 
and attractive homes in the township. He has 
paid some attention to the improvement of 
stock in this count}-, especially of cattle, and 
ranks among the enterprising citizens. By their 
union, three children have been born — Arba A., 
born Feb. 10. 1859 ; Laura L.. born Mav 31, 
1862 ; and Etha A., born April 5, 1867.' Mr. 
Gish is a Republican. 

MOSES HILL, farmer; P. 0. Medina. Among 
the farmers of Montville Township, who have 
been successful and secured a competenc}' of 
" this world's goods " b}' their industry and 
diligence, we mention the family- of Moses Hill. 
He was born in Orange Co., Vt,, Sept. 24, 1812, 
and is a son of Moses Hill, Sr,, who came there 
from Connecticut, and married Hannah Vincent. 
He was a farmer by pursuit, and in 1816 re- 
moved to Monroe Co., N. Y., where he remained 
until the latter part of the year 1833, when he 
came to .^ledina Co., Ohio. Here he passed the 
rest of his life, dying in November, 1856, in his 
90th year, having voted first for Gen. Washing- 
ton. His companion died in August, 1845. 
The subject of this sketch has always been a 
farmer, and May 6, 1841, was married to Mar- 
tha S. Hemingway. She was born in this 
county. Wads worth Township, Nov. 6, 1821. 
Her father, Luther Hemingway, was born in 
W^orcester Co., Mass., in 1785, and was an officer 
under Gen. Scott in the war of 1812, being at 
Lundy's Lane and many other engagements. 
He was a miller by trade, and, coming West for 
the purpose of locating his claim to a farm, 
stopped to work in a mill in Geauga Co., Ohio. 
While thei-e. he was married Dec. 5. 1816, to 
Mary Burroughs. She was born in Hampshire 
Co., Mass., Oct. 20, 1792, and came to Ohio in 
the year 1812, In 1818, Mr. Hemingway came 
to Medina Co. and built the first mill in Wads- 
worth Township, besides clearing a farm. He 
died in April, 1845, and his companion is now 
living with her daughter, .Mrs. Hill. ^Ir. Hill 
developed a farm in this township, and his years 
of labor have been well rewarded. Their union 



^ 



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MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



.-* £ 



787 



k 



has been fruitful of three children, the eldest 
d^-ing in infancy ; those living are Lutiier H. 
and Winthrop. The elder was attending school 
at Oberlin when Morgan invaded Oliio; he 
dropped his studies for the life of a soldier, and 
was discharged at the end of seven months, 
only to again re-enlist as a teamster. Since the 
close of the war he has been roaming through 
the Western States and Territories. The other 
son served in the 0. N. G., is married and set- 
tled near the old home. Mr. Hill was a Demo- 
crat in earl J- life, but left that party in 1840, and 
has since been identified with the opposition. 

LYMAN KENNEDY, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; 
is one of the leading farmers of the township in 
which he has passed the greater part of his life, 
and has devoted his most useful years toward 
her improvement. He was born Sept. 1, 1821, 
in Ontario, Canada, about fourteen miles from 
the city of Toronto. His father, Samuel Ken- 
nedy-, son of John Kennedy, one of the soldiers 
of the Revolution, was a native of York State, 
and was there married to Eleanor Press. He > 
soon after moved to Canada, where he remained 
until the spring of 1838. when he came to Me- 
dina Co., Ohio, securing a piece of compara- 1 
tively new laud, in Montville Township, south 
of Medina, which he and his sons developed. 
He died in July, 1861, and his wife in the 3-ear 
1858. The subject of this sketch passed the 
early part of his life on his father's farm, and in 
1845 commenced doing for himself He clerked 
in a grocer}' for one year, and then for two years 
was clerk of the American House at Medina. 
He has since been one of the tillers of the soil 
of this county, where he owns a tasty and well- 
improved farm. He was married Nov. 10. 1847, 
to Ursula, daughter of 3Iichael and Catharine 
Gramer. She was born in Wittenburg, German}', 
July 20, 1827, and accompanied her parents to 
America, when in her childhood. They located 
in Medina Co.. Ohio, where the father soon after 
died, .and the mother in January, 1877. Their 
union has been blessed with two children — Re- 
becca U., now the wife of William H. Zimmer- 
man, and Thomas A., who died June 15, 
1873, when in his 22d year. The daughter 
taught school nine terms before her marriage. 
Mrs, Kennedy is a member of the Congregation- 
al Church at Medina. He has served as Treas- 
urer of the township, being identified with the 
Republican parlv. 

CYRUS KING, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; was 



born in Pompey, N. Y., Sept, 30, 1820, son of 
Joel and Esther (.Matteson) King, both of whom 
were natives of Rhode Island. His father w*s 
Captain of a militia company in the war of 
1312, and, throughout the rest of his life, was 
known as '• Captain King." He was a carpen- 
ter by trade ; passed the rest of his life a resi- 
dent of the Empire State, dying in 186G, in his 
83d year. His companion passed away many 
years previous. Cyrus received a good com- 
mon-school education, and, when 19 years of 
age, commenced teaching school, working at 
the carpenter's trade during the summer. He 
came to Ohio in 1842, and has ever since been 
a resident of Medina County. He was married, 
March 21, 1848, to Harriet 0. Bennett, of 
Wadsworth Township. She died in June, 1852, 
leaving one child, Edmund B, June 4, 1854, 
he was united in marriage with Climena, young- 
est daughter of Deacon Pliny Porter, of Pom- 
pey, N. Y. Three children have blessed this 
union — Ida E., David Porter and Mary A. Mr. 
King has been a resident of Montville Town- 
ship since 1848, where he owns a well-improved 
and productive farm. Each of his children has 
received the advantages of good schools as 
soon as they reached the proper age. The 
eldest son attended successively at Medina, 
Oberlin and Berea, besides a business course at 
Sandusky. He taught for a time, studied law, 
and, before his admission to the bar, was nomi- 
nated for Prosecuting Attorney of Medina 
County. He filled the office satisfactorily for 
one term, and then located at Sandusky, where 
he has a lucrative practice. Ida E. took a full 
course at the Medina Normal School, taught 
successfully for eight years, was married Dec. 
4, 1878, to Samuef M. Wolcott. and died Oct. 
9, 1879, leaving one child — Ida Winnie. David 
entered the Ohio State University, but, owing 
to over-study, was obliged to abandon the 
course, and is now at home. The parents and 
daughter are members of the Christian Church 
at Medina. He is a Republican. 

MICHAEL KAPP, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Poe ; is a son of John and Elizabeth 
(Gish) Kapp, of Lancaster Co., Penn., and 
was born May 3, 1823. His father was 
reared in a hotel, but, on coming to maturity, 
adopted the pursuit of farming, and, in the 
spring of 1834, moved to Ohio and purchased 
a farm in Wayne County, that was but slightly 
cleared. He and sons, by years of patient 



\ 



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788 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



labor, rendered this productive, and valuable as 
well, and there he died April 29. 1852, and was 
followed b3- his companion Feb. 9, 1S6I. The 
subject of this sketch received but few advan- 
tages in early life, much of his school life being 
devoted to labor on the farm, their threshing, 
which was done in the winter season, materi- 
ally atfecting his attendance at school. He 
commenced doing for himself when of age, and, 
for six years, did nothing but make shingles, 
the hardest kind of labor. In the fall of 1850. 
he and his brother Martin bought the saw-mill 
at Steamtown. in Guilford Township, and he has 
since been a resident of Medina County. For 
two years they conducted it with lair success. 
and then sold out, Michael conducting a farm 
there which he had purchased while in the mill. 
Seven years later, he came to where he now 
lives, owning a valuable and well-managed 
farm. For nianv jears. he dealt quite exten- 
sively in stock, but has recentlj- determined to 
pay more attention to breeding and the care of 
his farm. He was married, Oct. 4. 1850, to 
Leah Overholt. She was born in Bucks Co., 
Penn.. March l-I, 1827. and, the year following 
her birth, her parents removed to this countj', 
Wadsworth Township. B}' this union four 
children have been born. viz. : John 0., born 
Feb. 12, 1852; Martin, born May 24, 1857; 
Samuel S., born Oct. 7, 1859, and Michael W., 
born March 13, 18G6. The eldest commenced 
teaching when 16 years old, being two years at 
Chicago, where he attended a commercial 
school and taught also. The second sou died 
when in his 19th year. Mrs. Kapp is a mem- 
ber of the Mennonite Church. He has, ou 
three ditferent occasions, been Assessor of the 
township. He has been a Republican since the 
war, but previouslv was a Democrat. 

WILLIAM L. McDOXALD. former; P. O. 
Medina ; is one of the enterprising and indus- 
trious farmers of the countv. and possesses a 
good property, on which good buildings have 
been erected. He was born in Jefferson Co., 
Ohio, Feb. 28, 1830. His father. John McDon- 
ald, was liorn in Lancaster Co.. Penn.. Dec. 17, 
1793, and while yet in his youth accompanied 
the family on their journey to Ohio. He 
served in the war of 1812. under Harri.son. and 
was married, Dec. 24. 1818, to Rachel Day, who 
was born June 25, 1 SOI, in Jefferson Co.. Ohio. 
He was a shoemaker by trade in early lite, Init 
at length relinquished it for the occupation of 



farming. In the spring of 1832, he removed 
to Wa3-ne Count}', and two years later came to 
Medina county, where he secured a farm of 
new land in Westfleld Township, which he 
developed and rendered valuable and product- 
ive. In the spring of 1865, he sold this prop- 
ej'ty and retired to the village of Seville, where 
he died March 9, 1867, His companion is 
still living, passing the greater part of her time 
at the homes of her children. William is the 
eldest sou of a family of nine children, and, 
when 18 years of age, went to the tra<le of car- 
penter and joiner, which was his chief occupa- 
tion for some fifteen years. His marriage was 
celebrated October 14, 1852, Miss Sarah C, 
Betz becoming his wife. She was born in this 
county, Wadsworth Township, May 3, 1832, 
being daughter of Abraham and Sarah (B3-ers) 
Betz, who moved to Summit County in 1847, 
Her mother died Feb. 13. 1S73; her father Jan. 
8, 1878. in Chatham Township, this county. 
;\Ir. 3IcDonald moved to ^'an Wert Count}', in 
the fall of 1853, where he remained over three 
years, then returned to this county, where he 
has since lived. Their union has been blessed 
with four children, viz.: Myron H., born July 
22, 1853 ; Curtis V,, born May 27, 1857 ; Ha 
I., born March 9, 1859; and Rodney C, born 
May 25, 1863. The second child died Oct. 17, 
1858 ; MjTon is a printer by trade, married, 
and living at Denver, Colo., having been propri- 
etor of the Hudson Enterprise, at Hudson, 
Ohio. l)efore he was 3'et of age. Mr. McDon- 
ald entered the service, being in the 42d 0. V, 
I., was absent nearly one 3'ear, and, during 
that time, participated in seven engagements. 
He also served in the 0. N. G-, Jlrs. McDon- 
ald and daughter are members of the Cougre- 
sational Church. He is a Republican. 
" JOSEPH K. OVERHOLT, retired farmer; P. 
O. River Styx; was born Feb, 3, 1804, and is a 
son of William and Gertrude (Kulp) Overholt, 
of Northampton Co., Penn. His father was a 
farmer by pursuit, and, when past 40 years of 
age, commenced preaching in the Mennonite 
Church, a position he occupied until his death. 
In 1830, he moved to Medina Co.. Ohio, where 
he was the first minister of his denomination 
in the count}'. He died in 1838, his wife hav- 
ing jiassed away three years i)revious. When 
](! years old. the subject of this sketch began 
the shoemakers trade, which he followed ten 
vears. and has since paid his chief attention to 



^ 



MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



789 



agricultural pui-suits. and has also been a vet- 
erinary surgeon of local prominence for some 
tweut}--five jears of his life. He was married, 
Oct. 15, 1829, to Margaret Angelniyers. She 
was born in Bucks Co., Penn., Sept. 11, 1808, 
and has giveu birth to the following chililren, 
viz., Anna, Hannah, Mary. William II., Susan- 
nah, Margaret, Joseph A., John M. and Amelia. 
These children are ail living in Medina Co. ex- 
cept two, who are residents of the State of 
Michigan, and all but two are married. Five 
of them have taught school, which speaks well 
for the intelligence of the family. Mr. Over- 
holt moved to this State in a wagon, being 
nearl}- four weeks on the way, and here owns a 
pleasant farm of 100 acres, all of which is self- 
made property. Mr. and Mrs. Overholt have 
have always been consistent members of the 
Mennouite Church, and all the children, except 
two. are members of the church, although not 
all of this denomination. Politically, Mr. C)ver- 
holt was at first a Federalist, and voted for John 
Q. Adams, aud has since licen identified suc- 
cessively with the Whig and Ile[)uljlicau parties. 
S. M.THAYEK, ftiraer ; P. O. Medina ; was 
born in Lebanon Township, Madison Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 21, 1823. His father, Russell Thayer, was 
born in Berkshire Co., Mass.; was a son of Jon- 
athan Thayer, one of the old Revolutionary he- 
roes, who participated in the struggle for his 
country's independence, aud was Captain of a 
cavahy compauj', under Gen. Putnam, his pe- 
riod of service extending from Bunker Hill, the 
first decisive struggle, to the surrender of Corn- 
wallis at Yorktowu. Removing to York State, 
he lived successivelj' in Delaware and Madison 
Cos., in the latter of which he died. Russell 
aud an elder brother were engaged in the mer- 
cantile business in Lebanon, besides conducting 
an extensive ashery, and there Russell was mar- 
ried to Betsej- Smith. In 1825, he engaged in 
farming, and. in 1833, removed to Ohio and 
settled in Medina Co., where he passed the rest 
of his life. He bought a farm south of Me- 
dina, in Jlontville Township, the oul}' improve- 
ment being a log cabin. He died Nov. 2, 1877, 
at Medina, where he had retired some j'ears 
previous. When 20 years old, the subject of 
this sketch commenced teaching school, which 
he followed, during the winter season, for ten 
years, farming during the summer. He has re- 
sided in this township since the settlement here 
bj- his father, except one year he farmed in 



Granger Township. He was married, March 
22, 1848, to Antoinette, daughter of Ransom 
and Elizabeth (Adams) Clark, her grandfather, 
John Clark, serving in the Revolutionary war. 
She was born Jan. 4, 1820, in .Medina Town- 
ship. By tliis union three cluldren have been 
born — Russell Clark, William C. aud Mary 
Cornelia. The youngest died in infancy. The 
elder son graduated from tlie Ciiarity Hospital 
College at Cleveland ; in 1874, located in Knox 
Co., where he remained two j'ears, when failing 
health induced him to return to his father's 
farm. The younger son is a successful teacher, 
having taken a course at the Medina Normal 
School, and was married, Dec. 25, 1878, to Lil- 
lian L., daughter of Dr. Albertson, of Granger 
Township. Mrs. Thayer is a member of the 
Episcopal Church, as is the elder son. Mr. 
Thayer is serving his second term as Justice of 
the Peace. He has l^een a member of the I. 0. 
O. F. siuce its organization. He is a Democrat, 
and voted first for James K. Polk for President. 
LINUS S. THAYER, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; 
was born in Madison Co., N. Y., Lebanon Town- 
ship, Sept. 15, 1832, son of Russell and Betsey 
(Smith) Thayer, who removed to this county in 
1833. When 18 years old, Linus commenced 
teaching school, which he followed for some 
time during the winter season. He was mar- 
ried, March 13, 1856, to Charlotte, daugliter of 
Theodore and Polly (Johnston) Perkins, who 
settled in Brunswick Township, Medina Co., 
Ohio, about the year 1830, and where they are 
both yet living. She was born Dec. 7, 1834, 
and, shortly after their union, >Ir. Thayer re- 
moved to Eaton Co., Mich., where he remained 
until the spring of 1858, when he returned to 
Medina Co., where he has since lived, owning 
at present a good and tasty farm, near where 
his father settled nearly half a century ago. He 
is, in all respects, a worthy and estimable citi- 
zen, and has served as Clerk of his township, 
being at present Trustee. By his marriage, 
three children have been born — Cora E., now 
the wife of Frederick H. Curtis, of York Town- 
ship ; Frank J. aud Eva Mae. The eldest 
taught school before her marriage, and she and 
her brother attended the 3Iedina Normal School. 
The parents and eldest child are members of 
the P]piscopal Church. Mr. Thayer served as a 
soldier in Co. E. 166th O. N. G.; was a charter 
member of the Medina Grange, of which he 
was Secretary. He is a Republican. 



^ 



\^s r- 



I V3 



@ fc^ 



>?". 



790 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



P. P. AMERMAN, farmer; P. 0. .Sharon 
Center ; was born in Somerset Co., N. J., Nov. 
28, 1816. He is a son of Albert and Ellen 
(Peterson) Amerman. They were the parents 
of three children— P. P., John antl Ellen. The 
subject of our sketch lived with his parents in 
New Jersej- until the age of 9 years. His par- 
ents then moved to Long Island ; they remained 
there eight years ; they then came to Sharon 
Township, Medina Co., Ohio. During this time, 
Mr. Amerman spent his time at school and on 
the ftxrm. At the age of 22, he returned to New 
Jersey and taught school eighteen months. In 
tiiat time, he was united in marriage with Mary 
Cherry, daughter of Isaac Cherry. To them 
were loom four children — Sarah E., born Nov. 
16, 1844, dead ; Maria E., born Jan. 1, 1848; 
Ida L.. born Feb. 20, 1851, and Perry Ellsworth, 
born Oct. 11. 1863. At the time of Mr. and 
Mrs. Amerman's marriage, they came to Sharon 
Township, Medina Co.. Ohio, and located in the 
southern part. Here they erected their cabin, 
in which they spent their honeymoon. Their 
furniture consisted of six home made chairs, 
two bedsteads, which were covered with bass- 
wood bark, used as a substitute for cord, and a 
large cupboard, all of which were iiome made. 
But. notwithstanding this, they lived as happily 
as people of the present day do in elegant man- 
sions. Mr. Amerman has always lived a quiet, 
peaceable life, never having trouble with his 
fellow-men in any way. lie now resides in the 
southern part of Sharon, on the old homestead 
of his parents. He is a Republican in politics, 
and one of the prominent citizens of his town- 
ship. 

PETER BRANIGAN (deceased) ; was a na- 
tive of Ireland, and was born in 1817. He went 
to Scotland when a young man. and Jan. 1, 1844, 
was married to Margaret Digney. and by her 
h;id five children — Margaret, born Jan. 14, 1845. 
died Sept. 4. 1854: Tom, born I'Y'l.. 24. 1817. 
and is now living with his mother in Sharon 
Township ; Peter, born Feb. 2:i, 184'J, died 
March 6. 185:'. : John, born Dec, 18, 1850 ; Hl- 
len, born March 10, 1852, died March 11, 1S56, 
Mrs. Branisan is a native of Scotland, and was 



boi'n Aug. 16, 1826. They came to the United 
States in 1850, and afterward to Sharon Town- 
ship. Medina Co.. Ohio. Mr. Branigan departed 
this life Sept. 8, 1854. He was an honest, up- 
right man, and his death was mourned by a large 
circle of friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Bran- 
igan was niarried again, her second husband 
being William II. Varney. and to this union was 
born one son — Perrv 0., born Nov. 9. 1860. Mr. 
Varney died at Ft." Scott, Kan.. April 9. 1862, 
from wounds received in the army. John Bran- 
igan, a son by the first marriage, married Ida 
Wise, Dec. 8, 1878. Tom, his brother, at the 
age of 14, entered the army, and his comrades 
all say there was no braver soldier in that bit- 
ter struggle than Tom Branigan. 

METCALF BELL, farmer; P. 0. Sharon 
Center ; was born in Kngland Oct. 19, 1832. 
In 18H3. he together with his parents, John 
and Mary (Coates) Bell, came to the United 
States, and on their arrival, started for the in- 
terior, and the same year, located in Sharon 
Township, ^ledina Co., Ohio. He is one of the 
following family : John, Elizabeth, James C., 
Ann, Sarah, Hannah, Metcalf Mary, and two 
that died in infancy, unnamed, ^Ir. Bell passed 
his youth with his parents, on the farm and at- 
tending school. In 1858, .Mr, Bell and Miss 
Ellen J. Council were united in marriage, and 
to them were born four children — DeForest, 
born Jan. 15, 1859 ; John, born April 1, 1860 ; 
Warren, born April 9, 1862, and Nettie, born 
July 7, 1874. DeForest married Miss Rena 
Totman, and lives in Sharon Township. Mr. 
Bell is a Democrat in politics, and a man of 
considerable influence in the township. He has 
held the position of Justice of the Peace for the 
past twelve years. He is a member of the Uni- 
versalist Society in Sharon Township. 

DANIEL C.'BRIGGS, farmer; P. O.Sharon 
Center. Among the many enterprising and in- 
fluential citizens of Sharon Township, is the 
subject of this sketch. He is a native of Ontario 
Co.; N. y., and was born Oct. 13, 1818. He is 
asonof Thomas 15. and .\bigail ((lrcgi>:) Briggs, 
who were parents of the following family — 
.Louisa, Almeda. Daniel. Silas, George (!., Ben- 






l±^ 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



791 



jamin B., Maria A., John G. and Joseph W. 
Our subjuct lived with his parents in Ontario 
Co., N. Y., until he was ] 5 jears of age, assist- 
ing on the farm. The only schooling he re- 
ceived, was during the winter, when he attended 
the district school. In 1833, he made a trip to 
Illinois, where he remained a short time, when 
he eame back East, and finally settled in Sha- 
ron Township, Medina Co., Ohio, where he has 
ever since resided. In 1839, he was united in 
marriage with Miss Rhoda Pratt, and to this 
union was born one son — Thomas (1., born 
April 2, 1841. This son, and his wife, Mary C. 
(Crane) Briggs, live with his father. Mr. and 
Mrs. Briggs commenced married life with 
scarcely anything, but, by hard labor and fru- 
galitj', have accumulated a fine farm, consisting 
of 207 acres. This farm is situated one and a 
half miles directly north of the center of Sharon 
Township, and is one of the best improved 
farms in the township. 

ERASTUS S. BISSELL, deceased ; another 
of Sharon's best citizens that has passed awaj', is 
the subject of this sketch ; he was born in 
Litchfield Co., Conn., April 18, 1812, and was a 
son of Nathaniel and Anna (Smith) Bissell. 
Mr. Bissell spent his youth with his parents 
until the age of 21, he then taught school three 
years. In the year of 1836, he was married to 
Mary A. More, born Dec. 11, 1818. a daughter 
of Lawrence More ; to this union were born five 
children, as follows : Julia A., born Nov. 2, 
1850; Willis M., born April 12, 1853; George 
L., born Jan. 25, 185G (dead); Claude L., born 
March 30, 1857 (dead); Irene L., born Nov. 29, 
1862. In the year 1836. Mr. Bissell came to 
Sharon Township. Medina Co., and located in 
the northeastern part, where he resided until 
his death, which occurred Jan. 20, 1875. Mr. 
Bissell was a most highly respected citizen ; he 
was honest in his dealings, and always atten- 
tive to business matters. Mrs. Mary A. Bissell 
died Dec. 15, 1871. Mr. and Mrs. Bissell were 
Christian, church-going people ; thej' each died 
a Christian death, and left a large circle of 
friends to mourn their loss. 

S. W. BEECH (deceased), Sharon ; was born 
in Canaan, Essex Co., Vt., Aug. 17, 1811. He 
was a sou of Samuel and Mary (Bailey) Beech, 
who were parents of eleven children, as follows: 
Phfebe, Mary, Martha, Samuel. Israel, Isaac, 
Abigail, Thomas, Nathaniel, Elias and Sariieant 
W. The father of these children died in 1813. 



Our subject continued to reside with his wid- 
owed mother until 1822, when he went to live 
with his sister Phoebe in Maine. He remained 
with his sister, going to school, until 15 years of 
age. and then returned to live with his mother. 
In 1834, he emigrated to Sharon Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, locating on a farm about one 
mile west of the Center, where he resided up to 
the time of his death. lu October, 1842, he 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Shaw, 
daughter of Dr. Ichabod Shaw, and by her had 
the following famil}' : Edgar L., boru Oct. 1, 
1843, and died in infanc}- ; the second, also 
Edgar L., was born Sept. 1, 1845, died Aug. 1, 
1864, in the Saratoga hospital, from diseases 
contracted while in his country's service ; the 
youngest child, Arthur, was born April 10, 
1847, died in infancj-. The mother died Aug. 
17, 1847. Mr. Beech's second marriage was 
solemnized in September, 1848. his wife being 
Mar3' L. Shaw, a sister of his former wife. To 
this union were born five children — Arthur 
J. P., boru July 6, 1849, died in infancy ; Ar- 
thur W., born June 26, 1851 ; John P., born 
Oct. 29, 1853 ; Harry 31., born May 27, 1856, 
and Walter E., boru Aug. 16, 1857. Mr. Beech's 
chosen occupation was that of farming and 
stock-raising, and this he followed through life. 
In 1853, he commenced suffering from a can- 
cer in the left cheek, but, being a man of strong 
will-power, refused to give up work until 1878. 
By degrees the cancer spread from his cheek 
to his .nose and left eye, completely destroving 
the ej'e and the left side of his face. It then 
spread to his neck and shoulder, and, after un- 
told suflerings, God came to relieve the sufferer. 
His death occurred July 22, 1880. Through 
all his illness. .Mr. Beech bore his lot uncom- 
plainingly, and, up to the day of his death, al- 
waj-s waited on himself His unspoken suffer- 
ings drew the family ties of love more closely 
about him, and. when death relieved him, he 
was mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. 
Beech was one of Sharon's best and most re- 
spected citizens. He was a gi-eat i-eader, and, 
losing the power of speech and sense of hear- 
ing about a year before his death, it was a 
source of much comfort to him. 

JOHN BENNETT. Sharon Center; was 
born in Somersetshire, Eng., Jan. 25, 1820 ; 
he is a son of John and Mary (Miller) Bennett, 
who were parents of the following family : 
Ann, Edwin. John. Eliza, Edmund and Harriet. 






792 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Mr. Bennett lived with his parents until he was 
13 years of age. and then worked hard for 
neighbors until he reached his majority. In 
1841, he invested his hard-earned savings in a 
passage to America. On his arrival he imme- 
diatelj- engaged in farming in Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., where he remained over two years ; he 
then emigrated to Medina Co.. Ohio, locating in 
Sharon Township. For some time after his ar- 
rival in Sharon, Mr. Bennett worked for the 
settlers by the month. He then purchased a 
farm in the English settlement in northwestern 
Sharon, where he has ever since resided. In 
1847, he was united in marriage with Nancy, 
daughter of John and Ruth Woodward, and to 
this union were born the following family : 
Lorenzo, born Aug. 28, 1848 ; JIaria. Iiorn Aug. 
11, 1850 ; Edwin," born Jan. 16. 1853. and Ed- 
line, born Jan. IG. 1853, and died in infancj-. 
Lorenzo and Edwin are in the mercantile busi- 
ness in Colorado Springs, Colo. Maria is the 
wife of James Waters, and resides in Du- 
buque, Iowa. Mr. Bennett is one of the self- 
reliant men of Sharon Township. He started 
out in life with nothing but a strong will and 
willing hands ; he now owns 125 acres of good 
land, which he and his estimable wife have ac- 
quired by hard labor ; he is a Democrat in pol- 
itics and is an adherent of the principles laid 
down by the National Democratic party. 

M. A. CHANDLER, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Sharon Center ; was born in Windsor, 
Conn., July 24, 1804. He is a son of Isaac 
Chandler, and his grandfather bore the same 
name. He is one in a family of seven children, 
whose names are as follows : Roger, Mary A., 
Edward. M. A., Louisa, Agnes L. and Isaac. 
Mr. Chandler lived with his parents, assisting 
them until he arrived at the age of 17. He 
then went to Great Falls, N. H,, and commenced 
work in the great woolen-factory at that place. 
He had remained in the employ of the owners 
of the factory but one year, when, by his dil- 
igent and faithful services, ho was advanced 
to the honorable position of foreman. After 
remaining at the factory some time, his health 
failed, and he came to Sharon Township, Me- 
dina Co., Ohio, purchasing a farm in Lot 6, 
where he now resides. In 1837. Mr. Chandler 
and Miss Elmira ^loorc were united in wed- 
lock, and to this union were born eigiit children 
— Lucy E., Julia E.. John M.. Edgar L. (dead). 
Ilattie. Mar\- 15.. (Jeorge A. and Frances E. 



The first experience in farming Mr. Chandler 
e\'er had was when he first came to Sharon 
Township. By industry he has prospered suf- 
ficiently to be the owner of 112 acres of land, 
clear of all eneumlirances. He is a member of 
the Masonic Fraternity, and a Republican in 
politics. He has always lived a quiet, unpre- 
tentious life, and is regarded by his neighbors 
as an hon&st and uprisjht citizen. 

GUY C.CHATFIELD, retired farmer; P, O, 
Sharon Center ; was born in Onondaga Co,, N. 
Y., July 23, 1805, His father, William C. Chat- 
field, was by trade a carpenter and joiner, and 
he was a native of Litchfield Co.. Conn. In 
1796, Mr, Chatfield, the father, emigrated to 
Cayuga Co., N. Y.. and, in 1798. married Miss 
Hope Goodrich. This estimable ladv died in 
1799, and. in 1800. Mr. Chatfield married Su- 
sanna Coy, and has had by her the following 
family : ' Hopapa, John M.,"Guy C, L. C, Olive, 
JIary, Fillmore, William C., Laura and D. M. 
The mother of these died in February, 1842. 
It is needless here to dwell on the life of the 
father, suffice to say that his life was filled with 
trials and hardships which he finally overcame, 
and. in his later year.s. derived much comfort 
and pleasure from his labor of years before. 
In May, 1834. he, together with his family, came 
from New York to Sharon Township, 3Iedina 
Co., Ohio, via Erie Canal. Batfalo. Cleveland 
and overland, until they reached their destina- 
tion. Mr, Chatfield first settled on the farm 
now owned by our subject. In November, 
1831, Guy C." Chatfield married Abigail M. 
Barber, a daughter of Solomon and Cjnthia 
Barber, and to this union were born seven chil- 
dren— Coy B.. born March 19. 1834: Mahlon. 
March 27, 1837; Ellen B., Nov. 16, 1840; 
Elmer, Aug. 26. 1.843 ; Orson K., Jan. 16. 1847 : 
and two that died in infancy. Mr. Chatfield's 
father died Fell. {]. 1842. Mr. Chatfield was 
one of Sharon's earliest settlers, and he was 
often selected by his friends and neighl)ors to 
hold the difl'crent township offices. .Air. Chat- 
field, since his arrival in .Medina Co., has never 
enjoyed the best of health. He has always 
been a farmer, and is at present the owner of 
1 14 acres of excellent farming and grazing land. 
Politically speaking. Mr. Chatfield is a Repub- 
lican, firmly a<lhering to the principles laid down 
by the National Kcpublican party. Religiously, 
he is a Spiritualist, liclieving that the spirits of 
departed friends can communicate with living 



f^ 



liL^ 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



793 



beings. In conclusion, we can saj- of Mr. Chat- 
field tliat tliere is not a man more respected or 
one that enjo^'s the confidence of the people 
more than does this gentleman. Since his 29th 
year, he has always lived more or less in the 
township of Sharon, seeing the young children 
growing to be men and women, and the old 
ones passing away ; he has lived until he now 
in the eve of his life, can fold his hands and 
look backon his past life, as one filled with self- 
denial and usefulness. 

JACOB FULMER, farmer ; P. 0. Sharon 
Center ; was born in Northumberland Co., 
Penn.. Dec. 6. 1814. He is a son of Daniel and 
Catharine (Stiver) Fulmer, who were parents of 
nine children — William, John, Daniel, Catha- 
rine, Samuel, Jacob, Jeremiah. George and 
Anna. Our subject passed his early years on 
his father's farm, and, at the age of 15. started 
in the ashery Inisiness for himself In 1838, 
he was united in marriage with !Marv, daughter 
of John Lamb, and by her has had two chil- 
dren — Minerva, born May 2.3, 1839 ; and AVill- 
iam H., May 29. 1841, died Jan. 3, 1844. The 
mother departed this life June 18. 1856. Mr. 
Fulmer's second marriage was solemnized in 
October, 1856, the bride being Matilda High, 
daughter of Abraham and Hettie High, who 
was born Aug. 8, 1831. To Mr. Fulmer's sec- 
ond marriage, there were born the foUowina; 
family : Ida, born Oct. 8, 1857 ; Allen, July 
2, 1859, and died in infancy ; Xorman. June 
25, 1860 : Kent, Feb. 27, 1863 ; Jennie. Sept. 
22, 1865 ; and Abbey, March 30, 1868. In 
1865, Mr. Fulmer came to Sharon Township, 
Medina Co., Ohio, and engaged in the ashery 
business at the Center. He worked at that for 
some time, and then located on a farm east of 
Sharon Center, where he has since resided. In 
politics, Mr. Fulmer is a Republican, and he and 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

C. E. FRENCH, farmer ; P. O. :Medina ; is 
one of the following family, born to Timothy 
and Mary (Towle) French — Cyrus E. Eliza J., 
Josiah S\.. Abigail T., I\[ary J. (died in 
infancy), Mary. Timothy (died in infancy), 
Timothy B.. Joseph F, and another that 
died in infancy. Cyrus E. was born in Loudon. 
N. H., April 1. 1811, where he remained until 
he was 24 years of age. In 1835, Mr. French 
emigrated Westward, making his home in 
Sharon Township, IMedina Co., Ohio, where he 



has since resided. In November of the same 
3-ear. he married Sarah J., daughter of E. and 
C. Stebbins. and to this union were born the 
following familv : James H., born Jan. 31, 
1838 ; Mary J.," born Jan. 7. 1839 ; Philomela 
E. and Timothy B., born Oct. 29, 1846, died 
May 4, 1874 ; Timothj- was an intelligent and 
industrious young man, and gave promise of 
being at the head of his profession — law — but 
death claimed him while pursuing his studies. 
Mr. French had been married but about four 
years when his house took fire, in the family's 
absence, and his total possessions were thus de- 
stroyed, as his grain was all stored in the house. 
He luckily had loaned eleven bushels of wheat 
to a neighbor, and. with this, re-commenced the 
start he had made. It was at this time in his 
life that Mr. French realized what it was to 
have good neighbors, and be undoubtedly 
would have had a severe time of it had not his 
neighbors been free to loan him implements, 
and assist him in various ways. Since that 
time, Jlr. French makes it a point never to re- 
fuse the loan of anything if it will assist a 
friend or neighljor, knowing, as he does, that it 
was by this means that he was enabled to re- 
cover what he had lost by fire. Mr. and Mrs. 
French are honest and upright people, and are 
members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. 

SETH GOODWIN, deceased. He was a sou 
of Nathaniel and Lovira (Low) Goodwin, and 
was born April 11, 1812. In 1817, Nathaniel 
Goodwin and family moved to Cuyahoga Co., 
Ohio, and. after one year's residence there, 
moved to Granger Towuship, Medina Co.. Ohio. 
Seth remained with his parents, assisting them 
on the farm until he was 20 years of age, and 
tlien began for himself in life. In December, 
1834. he married I'amelia W^:)lcott, daughter of 
Joseph and Lucy Wolcott, who were among 
the earliest settlers in Granger. To this union 
were born four children — 3Iarcia M.. liorn Sept. 
17,1835; Russell W.. born April 19. 1839; 
Laura 0.. born June 20, 1843, and Clarinda L., 
born Oct. 18, 1849. At the time of Mr. and 
Mrs. Goodwin's marriage, they moved to Sharon 
Township, where they have ever since'resided. 
excepting the years of 1844 and 1845, when 
they lived in (jranger. After suffering fourteen 
months of paralysis. Mr. Goodwin died Nov. 
24, 1878. Mrs. (xoodwin still survives him. 
She is one in a family of seven children and 
whose average age is eight}' years. 



Te 



794 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



JOSHUA H ARTM AN, farmer ; P 0. Sharon 
Center. Among the few earlj- pioneers of Sharon 
Township still living is the subject ofthis sketch. 
He was born in Pennsylvania Jan. It, 1813, 
and is a son of Peter and Catharine (Zollnar) 
Hartmau. Mr. Hartman spent his youth with 
his parents, not being allowed the privilege of 
attending school but six months during his 
youth ; at the age of 15, he commenced work- 
ing at the mason's trade ; this he followed six 
years. At the age of 20, Joshua Hartman, 
with his parents, came to Medina Co., Ohio, 
locating in Wadsworth Townsiiip. One year 
from this time, he was married to Julia Wall, 
daughter of Christian Wall. To them was 
born one child, Kli, born Oct. 31, 1834. Mrs. 
Julia Hartman departed this life May 1, 
1835. Mr. Hartman was again married, in 
1837, to Catharine [Meyer, daughter of Simon 
Meyer. To this marriage were born seven 
children, as follows : Paul, born July 3, 1838 ; 
Nathan, born May 9, 1840 ; Mary A.," born Dec. 
28, 1841; Lizzie, born Jan. 14," 1844 ; Milton, 
born Aug. 20, 1845; Josiah, born Nov. 15, 
1847 (is now married to Ida L. Amerman, born 
Feb. 20, 1851 ; to this union is born one child, 
Ellsworth P., born May 2, 1877), and Catharine, 
born July 0. 1840. Mrs. Hartman died sud- 
denly of 'the palsy, Sept. 7, 1850. Mr. Hart- 
man was again married in 1851, to Mary Hol- 
ben. By this wife were born eight children, as 
follows: Lovina, born Oct. 14, 1852; Samuel, 
born Nov. 4, 1854; Clara B., born Sept. 26, 
1857; William K., born Feb. 27, 1860; Viola 
L., born Oct. 26, 18()2; Nora E., born May 8, 
1866 ; Ida, born Sept, 19, 1870, and Jennie L., 
born Nov. 19, 1871. Mr. Hartman is a success- 
ful former and stock-raiser, and owns 133 acres 
of well-improved land. He is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, and an influential man in 
society. He is highly resi)ected by the citizens 
of Sharon Township. 

HIllAM HAYDEN, farmer; P. O. Sharon 
Center; was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Aug. 
9, 1815. His parents were Samuel M. and 
Asenath (Sprague) Hayden, who were parents 
of the following family : Julia, Lucinda, Bel- 
sey, Louis, Mary, Hiram and Harriet, in 1817, 
this familv UKjved to Medina Co., Ohio, locating 
in Wadsworth Township, where they remained, 
farming until 1831. In that year they removed 
to Sharon Township, same county, and settled 
on the farm now owned l)v M. A. Chandler. 



The first settlement in Sharon Township was 
made in 1830, and, at the time of Mr. Hayden's 
arrival, it was an almost unbroken wilderness, 
their nearest neighbor being about three milrs 
distant. It was here they erected a log cabin, 
and commenced life in the wilderness. April 
20, 1837, Hiram Hayden and Emeline Briggs 
were united in matrimony, and to this union 
were horn three children — George, born April 
5, 1840; Henry S., born April 29, 1842 and 
Daniel H., born Oct. 6, 1845. George is the 
present County Clerk of Medina County, his 
biography appearing in another part of this 
work. Henry enlisted in Company I, 42d 
0. V. I., under Gen. James A. Garfield. 
He valiantly served in his country's defense, 
and was mortally wounded at the battle of 
Chickasaw Bayou. He was conveyed to the 
hospital at Young's Point, and. on the 25th of 
Januarj', 1863, all that was mortal of Henry S. 
Hayden passed away, and he died bravely the 
death of a soldier. Daniel married Geuevra J. 
Hagerman, and he died Sept. 13, 1880. His 
widow yet survives him. her home being in 
Sharon Township. Mrs. Haj'den, beloved wife 
of Hiram Hayden, departed this life March 10, 
1879. By honesty and hard labor, Mr. Hay- 
den has, b}' his own exertions, bought and paid 
for 344 acres of land. He is a radical Repub- 
lican in politics, and a meml)er of the Uni- 
versalist Society in Sharon Township. He is 
an active, energetic man, and, in his time, has 
done much to advance the education and mor- 
als of the township. 

WILLIAM HOPKINS, Sharon Center. This 
gentleman is one of the oldest pioneers of his 
neighborhood, now living ; is a native of Lu- 
zerne Co., Penn., and was born Feb. 19, 1814. 
His parents. Isaac and Susanna (Harrison) Hop- 
kins, had born to them this fomily : Lucy, 
larius. Sally, William, Stephen, Clarrissa, Isaac 
II. and Maria. At the age of 15, he left his 
father's home in Bath Township, Summit Co., 
and went to Richfield to learn the carpenter's 
trade. After six years' labor at that place, he 
returned to Bath Township, and at that time 
married JIary L. Goodwin. At a very earlj- 
period in the history of Sharon Township, they 
emigrated to and settled in the eastern part. 
They first erected a rude log cabin and lived in 
tliat until their circumstances improved. Jlr. 
Hopkins was one of the pioneers of Sharon 
Township, and takes nuich pleasure in relating 






^ 



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SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



795 



the hardships and incidents of the pioneer's 
life. To his marriage with Miss Goodwin, there 
were born one son and one daughter — H. H., 
born Dec. 1, 1836, and Louisa, born Oct. 10, 
1841. These children are both married ; the 
former to Betsej' A. Kenned}', and the hitter 
to J. C. Hatch. Mr. Hopliins started in life 
without any capital, but by hard worlf and 
economy has gained him a nice farm of 117 
acres of excellent land. He is, in the fullest 
sense of the word, a self-made man ; is a Ke- 
publican in politics and a member of the Luth- 
eran Church. 

REUEL W. MILLS (deceased) ; was a na- 
tive of Litchfield Co., Conn., and was born June 
5, 1805. His parents, Ebenezer and Lucretia 
(Hinmau) Mills, were parents of five children — 
Corel H., Fenel W., Flora E., Ebenezer R. and 
Reuel W. When but a small child, Mr. Mills' 
father died, and he went to live with a Mr. 
Dyer. In 1821, he, together with Mr. Dyer, 
moved to Trumbull Co., Ohio. In about 1826, 
Mr. Mills went to Onondaga Co., N. Y., and 
engaged there in the hatting business with an 
uncle. Aug. 2, 1829, he was united in mar- 
riage with Mira Beswick, who died June 19, 

1848. Mr. Mills' second wife was Lucy A. 
Newton, to whom he was married April 2], 

1849. To this union were born four children — 
Leroy, bom Feb. 22, 1850; Sally M., born 
April 9, 1852, died Feb. 12, 1863; Cyru8 N., 
born Oct. 28, 1855, and Lucretia, born July 
20, 1858. During the fall of 1835, Mr. Mills 
came to Western Star, Medina Co., Ohio, and 
engaged with his brother Ebenezer in the 
wagon-making trade ; in April 1 840, moved to 
the southeastern part of Sharon, where he 
lived until his death, which occurred in 1849. 
In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Mills were of the Uni- 
versalist faith. 

JOHN S. MERTON, farmer ; P. 0. Sharon 
Center ; was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia 
Co., Fenn., Nov. 21, 1813. He is a son of Jacob 
and Mary (Smith) Merton, who were the parents 
of the following children — Andrew H., Belinda, 
Mary, Oliver P., Jacob, Catharine and Margaret 
A. Mr. Merton remained on the farm with his 
parents until the age of 18, receiving a common- 
school education during that time. At the age 
of 18. he left the farm and went to learn the 
tanning and currier's trade, which he followed 
five years, then went to Summit Co., Ohio, and 
during the j^ear of 1840, Mr. Merton was mar- 



ried to Susannah May, a daughter of John May, 
To this union were born the following children 
— (Jertrude A., Walter S., T. C, Charles B., 
Henry (3., Irene M., Clara A., Edward M., Ar- 
thur M. and Florence R. In the year 1872, 
Mr. Morton came to Sharon Township, Medina 
Co., where he has since resided. He is a highly 
respected citizen. In politics, he is a Repub- 
lican. He owns a farm of 122 acres of well- 
improved laud, and is an industrious farmer. 

WILLIAM MoCOY, farmer ; was born Jan. 
19, 1836, in Wadsworth Township, Medina Co., 
Ohio, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Free- 
born) McCoy, and grandson of Samuel McCoy, 
who was a native of the '• Emerald Isle," across 
the Atlantic. William remained with his 
parents until he reached his majoritj-, and then 
went to Illinois. In August, 1861, he enlisted 
in Company I, 2d O. V. C., and, after one year's 
service, was discharged on account of poor 
health. In August, 1863, his health had so im- 
proved that he again enlisted in the service of 
his countr}', but this time in the infantry. In 
1865, he was united in marriage with Miss M. 
E. Nixon, daughter of Charles and Catharine 
Nixon, and to this union were born the follow- 
ing family : 3Iiunie D., born May 3, 1866 ; 
Okie E., born July 12, 1867 ; Henrj* A., born 
Aug. 25, 1870 ; and Zara and Zada, twins, born 
Dec. 19, 1871. After his return from the army, 
Mr. McCo3' located in southwestern Sharon, 
where he has remained farming up to the pres- 
ent. Mr. McCoy is a Republican in politics, 
and is an intelligent and enterprising citizen. 

PETER A. MORE, deceased ; was born in 
Scotland Jul}' 9, 1797, and was a son of Law- 
rence and Maj' (Beid) More, who emigrated to 
the United States, lauding at Philadelphia in 
1801. Soon after their arrival, this family 
moved to Pittsburgh. At the age of 17, Peter 
came still further westward, locating in Copley 
Township, Summit Co. After remaining here 
four years, he returned to Pittsburgh and the 
following nine jears was employed in a paper 
manufactory at that place. In 1827, Mr. 
More removed to his old home in Summit 
Co., Ohio, and in 1829 moved to Sharon Town- 
ship, Medina Co., Ohio. He was among Sharon's 
very earliest settlers, and was. perhaps, the first 
land-owner in the township. Mr. More was 
very intimately connected with the early his- 
tory of Sharon Township, and more of him will 
be said elsewhere in this volume. In 1821. he 



^^ 






196 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



was united in marriage with Martha W. Boggs, 
and this union was blessed with a famil}- of 
thirteen, as follows : Andrew B.. Eleanor H., 
Thomas W., A. P.. Henry H.. Martha J., May 
R., Cornelia A., Lawrence W., John F., Cor- 
nelia. Eliza T. and Augusta. Mr. More was a 
gentleman whose private and public life was 
above reproach, and his sterling qualities made 
him many warm and sincere friends ; his death 
occurred Nov, 11, 1859 ; he and wife were 
members of the Methodist Church. 

ELI SHANK, farmer ; P. 0. gharon Center ; 
was born in Lancaster Co.. Penn.. Jan. 3. 1S23. 
He is a son of Christian and Nancy (Raudfuug) 
Shank, who were parents of the following fam- 
ily : John, Jacob. Christian. Reuben. Elizabeth, 
Eli, Barbara and Sebastian. When Eli was 
but 8 years of age. his father died, leaving a 
widow and eight children in almost destitute 
circumstances. When old enough to do any- 
thing, the children would work out and con- 
tribute their earnings for the general family 
use. When 9 years old. Eli made his advent 
in the world. He worked at difterent kinds of 
employment, and. up to bis 26th year, assisted 
his mother in the care of the family. In Jan- 
uary, 1850, he married Harriet Mellich, and by 
her had one son — Augustus W., born Sept. 2. 
1853. This son married Matilda Hartman. and 
to them was born one child — Jessie, Nov. 4. 
187(5. At the time of our subject's marriage, 
in 1850, his cash capital amounted to only S2, 
hut since that time he has. by hard labor and 
economy, acquired valnal)le property. They 
came to Sharon Township first in 1832, but 
have moved away since, and also returned. 
Mr. Shank and family are plain, honest and 
upright people, and deserving the respect of 
their large circle of friends and acquaintances. 

JEHIEL SQCIRE. retired farmer; P. 0. 
Sharon ; was born in Roxbury, Litchfield Co.. 
Conn., May 1, 1793 ; his parents. Benjamin and 
Patience (Ward) Squire, were of that class of 
New Englanders that were very strict in their 
religious belief and highly honored people ; they 
were the parents of five children — Solomon R.. 
Miram, Abigail, Jehiel and Abraham. Jehiel 
Scjuire was married to Miss Ida Amerman. 
daughter of Albert Amerman. April 28. 1819. 
After a wedded life of many years, this lady died, 
the date of her death being .\ug. 31. 1871. 
Mr. Squire remarried Jan. 7, 1873. his second 
wife being Harriet M. Allen, daughter of Will- 



iam and Harriet Heacox. Mr. Squire passed 
his youth and early manhood on the farm, re- 
ceiving but a limited education. In 1816, his 
health began failing, and he discontinued 
farming, and commenced teaching district 
school in New Jersey ; he continued this busi- 
ness some four years. In 1820, he went west 
to the then new State of Ohio, locating in 
Columbiana Co. After seven years' residence 
there, he removed to Wadsworth Township, 
Medina Co. During the spring of 1832, Mr. 
Squire moved into Sharon Township, same 
county, and commenced farming. His health 
failing, he was compelled to relinquish active 
life, and accordingly moved to Akron, Summit 
Co., where he remained until 1860, and then 
went to Wadsworth. He again moved to Akron 
in 1863, and remained there until 1867. and 
then moved to his old home in Sharon Town- 
ship. Medina Co., where he has remained ever 
since. Mr. S(|uire is a Republican in politics, 
and a member of the Universalist Society ; he 
is an old and honored citizen, and is among 
the few men that follow the Golden Rule. 

S. S. TOTMAN. farmer ; P. 0. Sharon Center. 
He is a son of Ira and Nancj- (Gregg) Totman, 
and grandson of Samuel and Naomea (McCart- 
nej) Totman, who are parents of the following 
family of children : Ira, Delos, Jonathan, Me- 
liuda, Caroline and Adaline. Ira and Nancy 
Totman are parents of three children, as fol- 
lows : ;\rary and Martha, born Juh' 18, 1838, 
and S. S. Totman. born in Ontario Co.. N. Y., 
1845. S. S. Totman was married in the year 
1867, to Lucy Crane, daughter of Barnabas 
Crane. To this union were horn four children, 
of whom only one is living: Ira C.. born April 
1, 1878. Mr. Totman is an able larmer. own- 
ing 115 acres of well-improved land, situated 
two miles north of Sharon Center. He is a 
noted athlete, being a Captain of the Sharon 
Base Ball Club during the past eleven years. 

ADAM TURNER, "farmer: P. O. Sharon 
Center ; was born in Canfield. ^Mahoning Co.. 
Ohio, Nov. 16. 1810. He is a son of John and 
Dorothy (Waldrof) Turner, and grandson of 
Adam Turner. Our subject is one of a fam- 
ily of ten children — Elizabeth, Adam. Lovina. 
James. Lucinda. Peggy. Clark. John. Alvin and 
Almira. When but 4 years of age. Adam, to- 
gether with his parents, moved to Copley. Sum- 
mit Co.. Ohio, and for nine years followed farm- 
ing. They then returned to Canfield, where 



•^ i 



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2^^ 



SHARON TOWNSHIP. 



797 



they remained four years, and, in the fall of 
1829, moved to Sharon Township, Medina Co., 
Ohio, locating in a wilderness full of wild bea.sts 
and game. Mr. Turner Sr., was quite a hunter 
at the beginning of his residence in Sharon, and 
was often known to go out. and. in one da\-, 
kill three bears. The following story is related 
of him : One evening he was watching for a 
bear, and, seeing what he supposed to be the 
bear in the distance, fired, and the beast fell 
dead before the unerring rifle of the hunter. 
On examination, it proved to be a neighbor's 
steer that had strayed awaj- from its owners. 
Mr. Turner is said to be the first land-holder in 
Sharon Township, and this place is situated in 
Lot 6, in the north part of the township, on the 
center road. In 1832, Adam married Aurelia E. 
Crosby, who was born April 12, 1812, and by her 
has the following family : Henry N., born March 
29, 1834; Betsey E., born Nov. 6, 1836, died 
July 14, 1845 ; Milton W., born May 17, 184G. 
died April 12, 1805, from disease contracted in 
the arm}-, and Dwight M., born Dec. 29, 1847. 
Mr. Turner remembers vividly the scenes of 
his j-outh. and one incident he remembers is 
here worthy of mention. At an early date, his 
father gave for a barrel of salt a good two- 
jear-old colt, which, in comparison with the 
price of a barrel of salt now, is quite noticeable. 
Mr. and Mrs. Turner are devoted members of 
the Congregational Church, and ^Ir. Turner is 
a Kepubliean in politics. 

CHRISTIAN WALL, farmer ; P. O. Sharon 
Center ; is a native of the township in which he 
now resides, and was born Feb. 24. 1834. He is 
one in a family of ten children born to Charles 
and Sophia (Fredrick) Wall, and their names 
respectively are Jonas, John, Christian, Salo- 
ma, Thomas, Reason, Charles, dead ; William, 
dead ; Margaret, dead, and Franklin. These 
children, with the exception of the eldest, were 
all born in Sharon Township. Mr. and Mrs. 
Wall were among the township's earliest settlers. 
The}" settled in the southeastern part in 1831, 
and in 1835, located on the farm they now oc- 
cupy. Mr. Wall figured quite prominently in 
the early historj- of Sharon, and it was he that 
located and cut the road through the woods 
from the Montville line to Sharon Center. An 
item of interest in Mr. Wall's history is, that he 
owned the first wagon in his neighborhood, and 
for this he gave seven good three-year-old steers 
and $35 cash. At that early day this wagon 



was considered a great luxury, and was only 
used on Sundays, etc. Jlr. and Mrs. Wall are 
members of the Lutheran Church. Christian 
Wall remained with his parents on the farm 
until he was 26 years of age. Sept. 30, 1855, 
he was united in marriage with Ann JI,, daugh- 
ter of Jacob and ]Mary (Koonkle) Giger, and to 
this union was born one child — Jennie L.. born 
March 26, 1865. From the time of Mr. Wall's 
marriage, until 1867, he lived in different local- 
ities, and at that date he settled in Sharon 
Township on a farm one mile east of the Cen- 
ter, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Wall 
owns 107 acres of good land, and his vocation 
in life is that of farming and stock-raising. He 
and family are members of the Lutheran 
Church, and for the past nine years he has held 
the position of Deacon in the same. Mr. Wall 
takes quite an interest in church matters, and 
is one of the many excellent citizens of Shai-on 
Township. 

BENJAMIN J. WILLET (deceased) ; was 
a native of New Jersej-, and was born Jan. 16, 
1806. His parents, George and Rebecca Wil- 
let, were the parents of eight children. When 
but an infant, our subject, together with his par- 
ents, moved to Columbiana Co., t)hio, where 
they remained until the death of the fiither, 
which occurred in 1828. In the same year, 
Benjamin J. was united in marriage with Mary 
J. Rudisilland to this union were horn a large 
family of children, as follows : Rebecca B.. born 
April 6, 1829, died June 28. 18C4 ; Harriet, 
born Nov. 16, 1831, died February 1835; 
George, born April 26, 1834 ; Roswell W., born 
Aug. 27, 1836, died Aug. 30, 1878; Alonzo D., 
born Jan. 7, 1839 ; Parthenia J., born June 24, 
1841, died Feb. 22, 1872; Benjamin F., born 
Dec. 4, 1843 ; William W., born" Oct. 25, 1846, 
and Harriet M., born April 26, 1849. In 1830, 
Mr, and Mrs. Willet came to Sharon Township, 
where they have ever since resided. Mr. Willet 
was a farmer and a hard-working and enterpris- 
ing citizen. He settled on a farm that was all 
woods, and bj* his own labors, cleared and im- 
proved it. C)n the 29th of June. 1875, after a 
short illness, Mr. Willet's death occurred from 
heart disease. He was a man that had many 
friends, and the news of his sudden death filled 
not only the hearts of his relatives with sorrow, 
but those of a large concourse of friends that 
followed his remains to their last resting-place 
in the city of the dead. Jlr. and Mrs. Willet 






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798 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



were cousistent aud devoted members of the 
Pisciples' Church in Granger. Their two sons, 
George and Alonzo, served three years each in 
our late civil war, and deserve much credit and 
praise for their brave and meritorious conduct 
in the time of trouble. 

T. C. WOODWARD, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. 0. Sharon Center ; is a native of Sharon 
Township. Medina Co., Ohio, and was born 
Oct. It). 1840. He is a son of John and 
Ruth (Waters) Woodward, who were parents of 
the following family : Nanc}'. Marv. William. 
Dinah, Elizabeth. John, Thomas, James, dead ; | 
Edward, and "N'ictorv E., dead. Thomas C. lived 



with his parents, assisting them on the farm 
until he was 25 years of age. In 1865, he was 
united in marriage with Joanna, daughter of 
Richard Amerman, and by her had three chil- 
dren — Elnoadell. born Nov. 10, 1866 ; Vema, 
born Feb. 1, 1875, died Aug. 21, 1876. and Lena, 
born Feb. 21, 1877. At the time of his mar- 
riage, Mr. Woodward settled on the old Wood- 
ward homestead, in the northeastern part of 
Sharon Township, and has made that his home 
up to the present. In politics, he is a Repub- 
lican, and is regarded as a genial, intelligent 
gentleman. 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



ELISHA ALLIS. farmer: P. O. Chatham 
Center; was born Oct. 30, 1829, in Plainfleld. 
Berkshire Co.. Mass., third child born to Lem- 
uel and Lydia Reals. Lemuel was born in 
Massachusetts about the year 1785 ; he was a 
son of Lemuel, who was a soldier in the war of 
the Revolution. Lemuel, the father of our 
subject, was married, in May, 1825, to Lydia 
Reals, who was born Feb. 1(1, 1806, in Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., daughter of Samuel and Sallie 
(Chamberlain) Reals. He was a son of Joseph, 
to whom were born Samuel. Joseph, Polly, 
Lydia. Robert and Lovica. To Samuel were 
born three children — Deuuis, Otis and Lydia. 
Elisha's father first came to Ohio in 1833. He 
was a man of some means. He traded his 
farm in Massachusetts for a quantity of unim- 
proved land in this township. After his ar- 
rival, he purchased several hundred acres, and 
at one time owned about 2,000 acres, which he 
sold out to settlers at a small advance, and did 
what he could to encourage immigration to 
this township. He was tirst a member of the 
Free-Will Baptist Church ; afterward joined 
the Congregational. His death occurred Oct. 
20, 1857. Ten children were born ; of those 
living are Justin, in Wyandot Co.; Sallie. now 
3Irs. John Murray, in Williams Co.; Elisha, in 
this township ; Marrilla. now Mrs. Eli Grimm, 
of Williams Co.; Wells P., Hiram and Alonzo. 
in this township; and Mrs. Mat. Kellev. 
Elisha left home at 21. Sept. 10, 1851, he was 
married to Elma A. Palmer, who was born 



Dec. 25. 1835. in Jefferson Co., this State, the 
eldest child of Dr. David and Elizabeth (Bo- 
vard) Palmer. The Doctor was a sou of George 
Palmer. Dr. Palmer's sons were David, now a 
minister in the M. E. Conference; Dr. George 
B., settled in Chatham, now deceased ; also, 
Thomas ; James is a druggist in Troy, Ashland 
Co., Ohio. Her father. Dr. Palmer, located in 
this township in 1847. and now resides in Lodi. 
His wife died in 1878. After Jlr. AUis was 
married, he located west of the Center one mile 
and a quarter, where he resided twelve jears. 
In the spring of 1804, he located where he now 
resides. His farm of 149 acres is situated in 
the extreme south part of the township, on the 
Lodi road. Of five children born to him, four 
are living — David L.. who married a daughter 
of Isaac Rogers ; she died of consumption 
Dec. 25. 1880 : Dora. George L. and Verona L.; 
Mary L. died Dec. 5. 1879, wife of Alvaro Kin- 
nev. The Allis familv are of Republican faith. 
J. M. BEACH, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; was born Feb, 21, 1821, in Morgan Town- 
ship, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, the 3-oungest of a 
family of twelve children, born to Luman 
aud Lydia (Wright) Beach. The Beach 
family are of French aud English ances- 
try, Ljdia Wright was a daughter of John, 
who was of Welsh and English descent. To 
Abner Beach, were born three children — 
Luman. Marsh and Maria. Luman and wife, 
were married in Connecticut, moved to Catta- 
raugus Co., N. Y., remained one year, and in 



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^1 



'k 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



799 



1804 moved to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and lo- 
cated on land given him by John Wright, his 
father-in-law. During this time, war broke out, 
and Mr. Beach cast his lot among the number 
who were to defend themselves against the 
British and Indians. Returning home after the 
war, he lived there until 1S3-1, when he moved 
to Wadsworth Township, where he lived until 
removed bj' death, which occurred Dec. 28, 
1836. His wife died Jan. 25, 1849. She was a 
Presbyterian ; he was not a member of any 
church, but made a profession of religicm some 
time ere his death. Jonathan being j'ouug at 
the time of his father's death, he lived with 
his mother, and assisted her in the management 
of the farm. Oct. 31, was married to Mrs. An- 
geline Brooks, who was born in Connecticut, 
daughter of Shubael Whitney. She died in 1858, 
leaving him one child — Luman, now in Wash- 
ington Territory ; was a soldier in the late war, 
a young man of energy, and has been in tliat 
region for several years. Oct. 30, 1859, !Mr. 
Beach married his present wife, who was Caro- 
line K. Clapp, eldest child born to Luther Clapp, 
of this township. She was born May 23, 1839, 
in this township, where her parents first settled. 
Mr. Beach was one of the ' bovs in blue," en- 
tering the first year of the war, Sept. 24, 18(51, in 
Co. B, 42d 0. V. I., and served three years, and 
received an honorable discharge, Dec. 29, 1864, 
having been a faithful and eflficient soldier. 
The last two years, he was permanently con- 
nected with the hospital as a nurse, and assist- 
ant to the Medical Corps. He had no superiors. 
For a few years after Mr. Beach was first mar- 
ried, he carried on the blacksmith's trade. After 
he came to this township, he was engaged in 
selling medicine some time, and finally settled 
down to farming, in which vocation he has since 
been engaged. Has 109 acres of land, situated 
a short distance north of the Center. Since 
1847, he has been a professor of religion, was 
for several years, a licensed exhorter, and has 
endeavored to do what good he could possibly 
in his Master's vineyard. Being an excellent 
singer, he has been instrumental in doing much 
good, in a local way, in the community in which 
he has lived. Is an enthusiastic worker in the 
Sunday school cause ; is now conducting a 
Mission school, of which he is Superintendent. 
He and wife, are members ofthe Congregational 
Church. Of his children living are Harry M., 
Louie (an invalid), p]ilith and Willie. 



JOHN BUCK, farmer ; P. O. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; born Nov. 7, 1807, in Pennsylvania ; son 
of Barney and Polly (App) Buck. The grand- 
parents of our subject, on both sides, were sol- 
diers in the Revolutionary war. To the grand- 
father of John, our subject, were born six chil- 
dren, four sous and two daughters. On his 
mother's side, were born the following children : 
John, Leonard, Frederick, Matthias, Catharine, 

, Susan and Polly, John and Leonard 

were in the war of IS] 2. Mr. Buck, our sub- 
ject, was raised a farmer. At the age of 18. he 
went to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. 
About the year 1830, he moved to Canada, 
where he engaged at his trade. Six years later, 
in June 17, he was married to Isabella Potter, 
born Oct. 19, 1815, in County Tyrone, Ireland, 
daughter of Robert and Sallie (Matheson) Pot- 
ter. Mrs. Buck emigrated with her uncle to 
Canada in 1831, landing in Toronto. Mrs. 
Buck was of a family of three children, she 
having one brother, Robert ; her sister was 
Rosania. In 1839, he emigrated West to Akron, 
Summit Co,, where he lived seven 3ears, and 
carried on his trade. In 1846, he located in 
this township, on the farm now owned by 
Daniel Wise, purchasing 45 acres, remaining 
here until about the year 1871, when he pur- 
chased 117 acres, where he now resides. Four 
children have been born him, three living, viz.: 
George, born March 28, 1836, married .\ugusta 
Brainard, they now reside in ■Michigan, Gratiot 
Co.; James, born Oct. 21, 1837. now in Michi- 
gan, married daughter of Seth Lewis ; James 
was a soldier in the late war ; Hulda J., born 
Jlarch 1, 1848. now the wife of Madison Rice ; 
they were married Jan. 1. 1867 ; he was born 
Aug. 6, 1846, in >Lxdison Co., N. Y., son of 
Johnson and Chloe (Inman) Rice ; Madison 
came West with his parents when he was but 
7 j-ears of age. His father j-et resides in the 
township. His wife died in 1863. Mr. Rice 
and wife are members of the Metliodist Epis- 
copal Church and now reside with Mr. Buck. 
Mr. Buck is one of the self-made men in the 
township. He began poor, had nothing but his 
hands and a good resolution when he started in 
life, but, with the assistance of his faithful wife, 
he has obtained a good home and competency. 

B. A. BISSELLV farmer and cari)enter ; P. 
0. Chatham Center ; born July 1. 1836, in Ot- 
sego, Co., N, Y, ; son of John and Harriet M. 
(Parker) Bissell. He was born in Otsego Co., 



V( 






^1 



i^ 



800 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



December, 1800 ; sou of Benjamin B., who was 
born 17S2, in Litclitiekl Co., Conn.; his father 
was Isaac Bissell, of Welsh ancestry. Harriet 
Parker was born in February, 1811), in Franklin 
Co., Mass., daughter of Levi, who was born in 
New Haven, Conn. He was a sou of Eliakim, 
who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution. 
To Levi were born eight children ; but six of 
the number grew to maturity ; two of them now 
survive. Benjamin Bissell's mother, before 
marriage, was Lorain Jolmson ; her father, Dan- 
iel, was also a participant in the war of the 
Revolution. To Benjamin Bissell were born 
eight children, seven of the number growing to 
maturity, viz.; Hulda, Daniel J., John B., Rubj", 
Isaac, Lois B. and Henry. Benjamin B., the 
grandfather of B. A., came west to Medina, in 
184G, and engaged in the grocery and produce 
business. His death occurred in 1859 ; that 
of his wife four years previous. Both were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
John B. and famii}- emigrated West in 1852, 
arriving here in April, locating in the eastern 
part of this township. Our subject was brought 
up to be familiar with carpenter's tools ; his 
f:\ther being a tradesman in that line, his son 
naturally took up this trade, learning it of his 
father. Jul}- 3, 1857, our subject married Sally 
Fellows, who was born Aug. '2'2, 1837, in New 
Vork State. She was a daughter of Henry and 
Polly (Porter) Fellows. After Mr. Bissell was 
married, he located on the place he n(jw owns. 
Of seven children born, six are living, viz.: Henry 
J., Riley Austin, Bradley L., Mary E., Edwin 
0. and Ruby L.; Susan H. died when 9 months 
old ; Henry J. married Anna Hall, and resides 
on the farm adjoining. Mr. Bissell has but one 
sister, Harriet N., now the wife of Albert San- 
ford, of Harrisville Township. Since living at 
his present place, Mr. Bissell has been engaged 
at his trade. Has a good farm of 208 acres, 
or really, is made of two farms, his, and the 
one purchased of Henry Ware, where his son 
Henr}' resides. Being an excellent workman, 
his services are always in demand. His sons 
having a desire to learn the trade, he has con- 
sented to continue longer in the business, on 
their account. Mr. Bissell's father and mother 
are yet living, and reside with him. The elder 
members of the faiuil}' are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically, the 
Bissells are ilcpublican, and are warm advocates 
of the principles of that parly. 



WILLIAM BRINKEIl. farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham Center ; born in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn., Aug. 18, 181C ; son of George and Mary 
(Wimble) Brinker. George was a son of Henrj', 
who was a son of Jacob, whose ancestors were 
from Germany. To George Brinker was born 
a famil}' of fourteen children, twelve of whom 
grew to the years of responsibility. Their 
names were Jacob, Elizabeth, Henry, George, 
Abram. William, JIargaret, Simon, Isaac. Jesse, 
Mary and Lewis. Of those living are Henry 
and Jesse, in Marion Co.; Simon, Abram, Lewis 
and Margaret, in Westmoreland Co., Penn.; 
Isaac, in Dakota Territory ; and William, in 
this township. The father of Mr. Brinker was 
born in Northampton Co., Penn., Jan. 5, 1781 ; 
his wife, Mary, was born Jan. 15, 1788. Will- 
iam came West with his parents to Wajme Co. 
at 21 years of age. Nov. 7, 1839, was married 
to Mary Rice, who was born in June 1819, in 
Wooster ; daughter of Peter Rice, who was a 
son of Frederick. Peter Rice was married to 
Elizabeth ^'anllyke, and by her had ten chil- 
dren, nine of whom grew up — Frederick, Su- 
sannah, 3Iar}', Eliza, Anna, Sarah, William, 
Harriet, Fannie. Of those living are Marj-, 
Eliza, Mrs. William Hendee, of Michigan ; 
Sarah, Mrs. William Inman, of Wellington ; 
Harriet, Mrs. James Hilman, of Sullivan. Ash- 
land Co. ; Fannie, Mrs. Green, of Missouri. 
Elizabeth Vandyke was a daughter of Will- 
iam, to whom were born five sous, four of whom 
came to maturitj'. Elizabeth had one brother 
in the war of 1812, his name was William. 
After Mr. and Mrs. Brinker were married, they 
located in Ashland Co., and lived there until 
spring of 1848, when he came to this place. 
He first purchased 65 acres of land, for which 
he paid S8 per acre. This land was a portion 
of the '' Porter tract." Two years later, he 
added 06 acres more, for which he paid S17 per 
acre. A portion of his land had been in the 
course of the •' windfall," which saved him no 
little labor in clearing up his land. Mr. Brinker 
is one of the self-made men of the township ; 
beginning poor, he has, through his own re- 
sources, accompanied by the assistance of his 
companion, secured a farm of 206 acres. Of 
eight children born him, five are living, viz., 
Leah A., Irvin A.. Curtis W., Frederick S., 
Sylva E., all residing in the township. All of 
the family arc members of the Congregational 
Church. Mr. Brinker having been identified 



"Tic 



i, \ 



,^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



801 



with a church orgauizatiou since 21 years of 
age. 

LEVI L. CLAPP, farmer ; P.O. Chatham Cen- 
ter. The Clapp faiuil_v trace their origin to one 
Roger Clapp, who sailed from Plymouth, En- 
laud, March 20, 1609, in a vessel bearing the name 
■' Mary and John," whose passengers were the 
first settlers in Dorchester. His wife was Jo- 
hannah Ford. Roger Clapp afterward became 
a prominent man in that locality; was com- 
missioned a Captain and placed in charge of 
Fort Independence, in Boston Harbor, which he 
commanded for twenty -one years ; was one of 
the founders of the church in Dorchester, and 
a member of the same for sixty years. Levi, 
whose name heads these lines, was born June 
15, 1810, in Hampshire Co., Mass.; eldest 
child born to Ira and Judith (Wild) Clapp, 
who were born, respectively, March 14, 1783, 
and Jan. 1, 1781. The children of Amasa 
were Mary, Paul, Salma, Elah, Dorothy, Ira, 
Amos, Lyman, Moses and Morris. Hiring out 
to work at $8 per month, he, after a few years 
of patient labor, saved enough to justify him 
in making a purchase. The next thing in order 
was a helpmeet, which he found in the person 
of Luciuda House ; their nuptials were cele- 
brated April 15, 1835; she was born Nov. 16, 
1812, in Chesterfield, Mass., and daughter of 
Gershom and Mary (Utley) House. He was 
born in Ashford, Conn., in 1777 ; she in 1785. 
Shortly after the marriage of Mr. Clapp, he 
started West with $500, to invest in land, but 
hardl}' knew where he would go ; but, on the 
boat, met with Lemuel AUis, who was on his 
way to this county, who induced him to ac- 
company him. He finally purchased 179f 
acres at $5 per acre, paying what he had to 
spare, and gave his obligation for the remain- 
der. His first work was to build him a cabin 
for the reception of his wife, 3'et back in the 
East. She came out afterward, in company 
with a family to Hinckley Township, and hired 
a conveyance to bring her to her husband's 
home in the woods. Their first meal was eaten 
off of a high box, which they partook of stand- 
ing, she having brought the butter and pork 
from Massachusetts with her. The first 3'ear, 
his time was employed in alternately working 
for himself, clearing, and working out whenever 
he could obtain a day's labor. The first fall he 
put in a small piece of wheat. The next win- 
ter, Mrs. Clapp, having had some experience 



down East as teacher, organized a subscription 
school of twent^'-six scholars, furnishing the 
room and fuel and boarding herself receiving 
therefor $2 per week. Mrs. Clapp had taught 
school in Massachusetts. Mr. Clapp has often 
worked one-half a day to earn enough money to 
enable him to get a letter from the post office 
at Lodi, walking after the same. Notwith- 
standing disadvantages, he and his faithful 
wife labored on, and, after years of arduous la- 
bor and much self-denial, the}' are in the posses- 
sion of an abundance of everything that will 
conduce to their comfort and happiness, having 
over 360 acres of choice land, and adorned 
with excellent farm buildings. To them have 
been born four children, viz.: Amasa L., of this 
township ; Julia M., of St. Louis, the wife of 
Alviu Dyer, who is a reporter for the Glohe- 
Democrat and other papers in the cit}' ; George 
T., in Allegan Co., Mich., and Alvin R.,on farm 
adjoining. While Mr. and Mrs. Clapp have 
been successful in life in acquiring this world's 
goods, j'et they have not done this to the exclu- 
sion of laying up treasures above, as they have 
for fortj'-five years been consistent members of 
the Congregational Church. 

LUTHER CLAPP, retired farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham Center. Among the representative 
farmers and self-made men of this township, is 
the above-mentioned gentleman, who was born 
Jan. 20, 1813, in Chesterfielil Township, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., son of Ira Clapp, who was 
born March 14, 1783, and was a son of Amasa, 
whose great-grandfather was an Englishman, 
and came to this countrj' three 3-ears subse- 
quent to the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers. 
From this gentleman and his brother, who came 
with him, have descended a numerous progeny. 
To Ira Clapp was born a family of five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters, who are 
Levi and Luther, of this township ; Sophronia, 
Dorothy and Ira yet remain on the homestead 
in Massachusetts. The Clapp family are gen- 
erally farmers as a class, and of the successful 
kind, to which vocation our subject was, in 
early life, quite thoroughly drilled, as well as 
in the fundamental rules of a common-school 
education. Aug. 31, 1837, he was united in 
matrimony to Hannah Jackson, who was born 
Feb. 25, 1818, in Northampton. Mass. ; she was 
a daughter of Benjamin and Electa (Miller) 
Benjamin, she being a native of England. Im- 
mediately after the marriage of Mr. Clapp, he 



^ 



J^: 



802 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



came West, bavins;, when he started, $300 in 
mone3% which he had earned prior to his mar- 
riage, working out by the month, which he in- 
vested upon his arrival, bujMng one-half inter- 
est in his brother Levi's land and stock and 
tools, he having preceded him one year ; thus 
engaged in partnership, they continued in this 
relation for twelve years, at which time there 
was a division, and each assumed absolute con- 
trol over their own individual affairs. To Mr, 
Clapp have been born four children, who are 
Caroline, since the wife of Jonathan Beach, of 
this township ; Ellen, now Mrs. Silas Moodj'. of 
Gratiot Co., Mich.; Adelaide, Mrs. John B. 
Whitnc}-, and Dyer A., who now resides on the 
home farm, which consists of 235 acres. Mr. 
Clapp is now retired from active business, hav- 
ing been successful in his career as a farmer 
and business man. Mr. Clapp's parents never 
came to this country to settle, but died in 
Massachusetts, he Jan. 27, 1850, she Dec, 26, 
same j'ear. and was, for many years, a member 
of the Congregational Church. Mr. Luther 
Clapp and wife, since the spring of 1841, have 
been members of the same church as that 
of his parents. His father's family were all 
very temperate, neither using intoxicating 
liquors of any kind, or even tobacco, which ex- 
ample has since been ever followed by his de- 
scendants, even down to his grandchildren. 
Although a stanch and standard Republican, 
yet he has never craved pul)licity in the offl- 
cial relations of his township, and has declined 
all invitations to public honors, and been con- 
tent and best satisfied to remain in the quiet 
walks of life. His sound judgment and ripe 
experience in business affairs, and, pertaining 
to agi-icultural matters, are worthy of the emu- 
lation and practice of the rising generation. 
He is a liberal patron of the public journals, 
there being over a dozen of papers and peri- 
odicals taken in his family. Has been a patron 
of the Cleveland Li<uh r and New York Jndc- 
pendrnt since their commencement. 

A. L. CLAPP, farmer and stock- raiser ; P. 0. 
Chatham Center : is the eldest child born to 
Levi L. and Lucinda (House) Clapp ; his liirth 
occurred Sept. 20, 183C, in this township. At 
the age of 21, he set out for himself; his first 
employment was in a saw-mill for William 
Packard, for whom he worked one year ; after- 
ward for Wales Dyer. Subsequent!}-, he pur- 
chased an interest in the same, which firm was 



known as Dyer & Clapp. which association 
lasted one year. April 5, 1860. married Eu- 
phemia Talbot, who was born on Oct. 22, 1839, 
in Madison Co., N. Y., being the eldest of a 
family of five children, born to Edward and 
Cynthia (Reynolds) Talbot. In August. 1862, 
though recently married, left his wife and 
donhed the blue for three years. First enlisted 
in Co. K, 42d Infantr}-, and served two years as 
Wagonmaster. In 1SC4, was transferred to the 
96th O. V. I. ; went into the ranks ; afterward 
was advanced to Corporal, and served until the 
close of the war. Soon after his return home, 
he engaged in the produce business, residing at 
Chatham Center. In 1867. he began farming. 
Since 1869. he has resided on the farm he now 
owns, which consists of 100 acres. In 1874, he 
engaged in the fine-stock business, making a 
specialty of the breeding of thoroughbred short- 
horn cattle, with Royal Airdrie at the head of 
his herd. Also of improved Amerian merino 
sheep and Berkshire swine, and, in this line of 
stock, has been the leading representative in 
Chatham Township. Since 1878, has served as 
President of the agricultural association of the 
county, his term expiring in 1881. Is a man 
that is well read in matters pertaining to the 
stock business, and is a liberal patron of the 
leading stock journals and agricultural papers of 
the day, as well as the general news. But one 
child has been born to him — Edna, whose birth 
occurred Oct. 14, 1861. deceased Aug. 5, 1864, 

A. R. CLAPP, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; is the youngest child born to Levi and 
Lucinda Clapp. His first observations were 
made in this township March 12. 1843 ; has 
been raised to the business of his worthy pa- 
ternal ancestor, and lived with him until his 
reunion with Martha M. Talbert, who was born 
Nov. 14, 1848, in this township, daughter of 
Edward and Cynthia (Reynolds) Talbert. The 
marriage of Alvin R. was duly solemnized in 
1868. Their union has been blessed with three 
children — Edwin L.. born June 10, 1870; 
Charles B.. born Aug. 22, 1876 ; Clyde, born 
May 29, 1880. Since his marriage, he has re- 
sided on the farm adjoining his father's. As 
readers, the Clapp family are noted for their 
generous and liberal patronage of the literary 
journals and newspapers, as the mail which 
comes to their address most truthfully attests. 

IRA CLEVELAND, farmer; P. 0. Chat- 
ham Center ; was born March 3, 1800, in Sa- 



"^ 



^ 



11:^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



803 



lem, Washington Co., N. Y. ; son of Job and ' 
Hannah (Clark) Cleveland. The Clevelands 
descended from one Moses Cleveland, who ' 
came from England in 1(535, and settled in 
Woburn, Mass. Both Job and wife were na- 
tives of Rhode Island. His father was Deliv- ; 
erance Cleveland, to whom was born four 
children — Benjamin, Abel. Job and Hannah, 
who were born in New York, where their par- 
ents located when leaving Rhode Island. To 
Job were born eleven children, who were Anna, 
Hannah, Daniel, Lydia, Susan, Mary, Roxanna, 
Job, Ira, Levi and Benjamin ; all of them lived 
to maturity. Of those living are Levi and 
Benjamin, in Salem ; Mary, the wife of Mr. 
Graves, of Yermont ; Roxanna. in Wisconsin, 
and Ira. of this county and township, who was 
reared to farming pursuits. Nov. 18, 1821, he 
was married to Elizabeth Russell, who was 
born Oct. 1(1, 1799. in Salem. Washington Co., ' 
N. Y., whose parents were William and Submit 
(Fosgitt) Russell. William Russell w,as born 
in Washington Co.. N. Y., and w,as Treasurer of 
that county for many years, and was a son 
of Ebenezer. born in Connecticut, and was a 
soldier in the war of the Revolution. His wife 
was a Wilson before marriage. Job Cleve- 
land, the father of Ira, was in the Revolution, : 
as was also Daniel Clark, Ira's grandfather on 
his mother's side — he was killed in the battle 
of Bunker Hill. Job, the brother of Ira, was 
also a soldier in the war of 1812. After the 
marriage of Mr. Cleveland, he located on a j 
farm in his native county, where he lived until 
1831, when he moved to Akron, Summit Co., 
where he was engaged in the mercantile bus- : 
iness two years ; subsequently engaged in 
farming ne,ar Akron. In 1840, he removed to \ 
Guilford Township, locating two years, when j 
he moved to his present place of living, where : 
he bought 197 acres of land, situated one mile 
and a half north of the Center, for which he 
paid S8 per acre, upon which there were no 
improvements. Five j-ears after his arrival, he 
moved to Mississippi, and, in company with 
Mr. Blodgett, built a sawmill, but. as the ele- 
ments and times seemed to work against them, 
the enterprise did not prove a financial success. 
and he returned after two years' Southern ex- 
perience. Since that time, he has beenaconstant 
resident of the township. He has three chil- 
dren living — Elizabeth. Mrs. Suggett ; Laura, 
Mrs. Alfred Samelson, and Clara. Mrs. Amos 



Jump. Mr. Cleveland has a good farm of 315 
acres, and, for fortj--five years, he and wife have 
been members of the Congregational Church. 
He is a solid Republican and a citizen highly 
esteemed in the community. 

SIMEON CONKLIN, farmer; P. 0. Lodi; 
was born in Tioga Co., N. Y., Dec. 14. 1818, 
the third child born to Jonathan and Lucy 
(Nicholds) Conklin. Jonathan was born April 
23, 1794. Lucy Nicholds was a daughter of 
Simeon Nicholds. Simeon came West with his 
parents in 1837, locating in H.arrisville. His 
father was a cooper by trade, which our subject 
partially learned at home, and would have com- 
pleted it there, but ran away from his father 
ere he had it finished. After he left his father's, 
he completed the same, at which he worked for 
several years afterward. Feb. 15, 1849, he was 
married to Laura M. Belding. who was born in 
Portage Co., Ohio, in January 1825, daughter 
of Titus and Lucy (Bostick) Belding, both 
natives of Vermont. Gershom Bostick. the 
grandfather of Mrs. Conklin. emigrated West 
in 1805, and was one of the first settlers in 
that county. Mr. Belding, the father of Mrs. 
Conklin, came West with the Bosticks, and 
was raised in that county, and afterward mar- 
ried his wife out of that family. To Gershom 
were born three children', Titus being one of 
two sons, to whom was born a family of twelve 
children, all of whom grew to man's estate. 
Of those living, are Melvina, of Iowa, now the 
wife of Joseph Wilcutt ; Sarah, Mrs. Snell, of 
Minnesota ; Mrs. Mary Bosworth, of Michigan ; 
Gershom B., in Stark Co., Ohio, also Omar; 
Byron, in Findlay, an engineer ; Edmund, in 
Washington, Clerk in the Treasurer's office. 
Of Mr. Conklin's brothers and sisters, four are 
living — Phoebe, Mrs. Fleming. Mrs. Matilda W. 
Cotton ; and Charles, now in Minnesota. The 
parents of Mrs. Conklin were members of the 
Disciples' Church. Mr. Conklin moved on the 
farm he now owns in 1849. where he had located 
his land at $11 per acre. No improvements 
had been made on the land. There were 55 
acres in the first purchase, and he has since 
added to it until he has 87. The cabin he 
erected at his coming, yet stands in the yard 
as a relic of former days. He has now a good 
home, and in easy circumstances, the result of 
the labor and savings of his manhood's years. 
Mr. and Mrs. Conklin have no children. He is 
a liberal patron of the leading newspapers of 



r?1- 



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804 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



the da}-, and is a member of the Republican 
part}". 

WILLARD H. COLE, harness-maker, Chat- 
ham Center ; was born Aug. 1, 1854. in Pen- 
field, Lorain Co.. Ohio, son of Hanson and 
Nancy (Mallard) Cole. Hanson was born in 
New York State in 1817, and was a son of 
Walker Cole. Nanc}' was also a native of New 
York, and a daughter of John Mallard. Walker 
Cole came to this county when it was compara- 
tively new ; was a farmer, and one of the es- 
teemed citizens of the community in which he 
resided. His .son Hanson was married in 
Litchfield. To him were born five children ; 
three living — Delia. Abbie and Willard. Wil- 
lard's father now resides in Strougsville. He 
resided eight years iu Cliatham and twenty in 
Peufield. where W. H. was born. W. H. was 
raised to farming pursuits, and left home at the 
age of 19 to do business upon his own account. 
Six years were spent in the cheese-factory at 
Chatham Center, in the emplo}' of Maj. Williams. 
April 15, I8S0, he bought out the harness-shop 
and interest of Andrew Greenwald, and has 
since been conducting the same. Mr. Cole, 
though a young man. is, by his integrity, secur- 
ing to himself a liberal and growing patronage. 
He employs skilled labor, and. using the best 
of material and placing his work upon the mar- 
ket at the very lowest prices, he has a promis- 
ing future before him. Feb. 24. 1875. he was 
married to Etta Brogan, born in Chester Co., 
Penn., Oct. 24, 1853. daughter of John and 
Phoebe (Whitcraft) Brogan, now in La Fayette 
Township. Two children — Grace and Eva — are 
born to them. Both Mr. Cole and wife are 
members of the Congregational Church. 

L. C. CRANE, farmei^; P. 0. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; born May 27, 1822, in Schoharie Co., N. 
Y.; sou of Charles A. and Lydia (Fuller) Crane, 
who were born in Massachusetts March 14, 
1797, and Aug. 15, 1800. respectively. They 
were married Jan. 11, 1817. To them were 
born ten children — Emily. Lyman C. Ashbil, 
Lewis L.. p]lmiua, Hannah, Walter. Abigail, 
John and Sarah. Of the above, six are living — 
Emily, of La Grange, the wife of Noah Hol- 
comb ; L. C, this township ; Lewis, in La 
Grange ; Eimina (Mrs. J. Richardson), of Wood 
Co. ; Walter, in Wellington, and Sarah (Mrs. 
Daniel Sheldon), also of Wellington. John was 
a soldier, and died in the service. The relig- 
ious belief of the family has heretofore been of 



the Close-Communion Baptist, and politics 
Democratic. The younger members of the 
Crane family have been Republican. Mr. 
Crane, our subject, came West with his parents 
when he was 14 years of age. They settled in 
La Grange. Lorain Co., Ohio. Here his parents 
died — she Februar}^ 5, 1855, and he Jan. 19, 
1878. Mr. Crane was raised a farmer. Jan. 
21, 1841, he married Dianah C. Hastings, born 
in Wilna Township. Jetferson Co., N. Y., Oct. 
16, 1829, daughter of Curtis and Polly (Graves) 
Hastings. !Mr. Crane has been engaged in 
farming. He first purchased 50 acres in Pen- 
field. Came to this county, locating in La 
Faj'ette in 1869. purchasing 168 acres where 
Duncan Nairn now resides, which farm Mr. 
Crane owned until 1876, when he sold out. 
Came to this township, purchasing 106 acres 
on the Smith road, which was settled by A. R. 
McConuell. Mr. C. remained on the farm until 
May, 1880. Has since been a resident of the 
Center. They have but one child living — 
Mai'y, bom July 5, 1845, now the wife of Ed- 
ward Goodyear. They now occupy the home 
farm. They have three children — Charles, 
George and Edna. All the family are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. 
and Mrs. Crane have lost three childi'en — all 
died of consumption — Dianah. born Aug. 4, 
1842, died at 16 ; Chester, born March 27, 
1851, died at 28 years of age; Ernest, born 
May 25. 1852, died at 19. Mr. Crane has one 
adopted daughter — Alice, born July 15, 1861 ; 
also one child living with them, named Olive, 
born March 2, 1869 ; also Clarence C, their 
grandson, born Oct. 26, 1876, son of Ches- 
ter. John Crane, uncle of L. C. died in the 
war of 1812. 

EBEXEZER DUSTIN. farmer; P. O. Chat- 
ham Center ; is a descendant of one of the 
early settlers of Portage Co.; was born March 
5, 1821 ; son of Seth and Betsey (lledfield) 
Dustin. The Redfields descended from one 
Theophilus Redfield. who was born in England 
in 1682. and came to Connecticut in 1704, and 
settled in Killingworth one year later. His 
wife was Priscilia Griuuell. From this family 
have descended a numerous progeny, several of 
whom filled important stations in civil and mili- 
tary life. Seth, the father of Ebenezer, emi- 
grated West from New Hampsliirc in 1813, 
locating in Portage Co., where he remained un- 
til his death. He was one of the pioneers of 



^ i 






-^ — "l^ , 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



805 



that couuty, and upon his way West passed 
through Clevehmd. It was then a trading-post, 
there being but a few dwellings in the place. 
At the time of his location in Suttield. they had 
to go sixtN' miles to mill. Soon after Jlr. Dus- 
tiu arrived in Portage Co., he erected a saw- 
mill in Suffleld Township, it being one of the 
first enterprises of the kind in that locality. 
To him were born JIandana. now Mrs. Robert 
Jordan, of Elkhart. Ind., Sabrina, who died at 
23 ; Cyrena, now Mrs. P. Merrill, of Utah ; 
Sylvanus, of Webster Co., Mo.; Ebenezer, this 
township ; Harriet M.. now Mrs. Elisha Ells- 
worth, in Richfield, Summit Co., Ohio ; also 
George, Chandler and Seth. Ebenezer left 
home at the age of 17. His first adventure in 
the way of travel was to Michigan, which, not 
having sufficent attraction for him, he returned 
to his native county and learned the black- 
smith's trade, which he followed for tweuty-tive 
years. At the age of 23, April 4, 184-i, he was 
married to Rebecca Raudenbush, who was born 
in Berks Co., Penn., October, 1824, daughter of 
Adam and Barbara (Spone) Raudenbush. The}' 
were both born in Reading, Penn., in 1800. To 
them were born six children, four of wliom 
grew to maturity — Mrs. Dustiu; Adam, in Iowa ; 
Isaac, in Indiana, and William, in Michigan. 
Mrs. Dustin's parents moved West to Portage 
in 1842, afterward moved to Indiana ; remained 
there three years, then came to this township, 
where they died. Before Mr. Dustin left Suf- 
field Township, he began farming, which he 
carried on for eight years, then dropped his trade, 
and turned his attention exclusively to farming. 
In 18(53, he moved to this county, locating in 
Hinckley, where he remained until 1S69, when 
he located where he now resides. He has 241 
acres of land, and was tlie first to introduce 
into the township short-horn cattle. Of a fam- 
ily of ten children born him, six are living — 
Ina L., now the wife of L, A. Wilson, attorney 
at law in Cleveland ; Harvej- E., Nora, now 
Mrs. L. A. Severcool, of this Township ; Erwin 
D., AUon C. and Bessie L. Harvey E. was a 
soldier in the late war, and was a member of 
Co. H, 177th 0. V. I., returning home safe. 
Mr. Dustin has always been a Republican. 

BARNEY DANIELS, retired. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; is one of the pioneers of this township, 
and was born July 27, 1798, in Hampshire Co., 
Plainfield Township, in the ■• old Bay State." 
His parents were John and Lucy (Monroe) Dan- 



iels ; he was born in Bridgewater Township, 
Plymouth Co., Mass., son of William Daniels, 
whose death was brought about by being over- 
heated and then immersing himself in cold 
spring-water. Lucy Monroe was born in Hamp- 
shire Co., daughter of Jonathan Monroe. Bar- 
ney was the third child of a family of twelve 
children. Seven of the number attained to 
man's estate. Our subject learned the shoe- 
maker's tr.ide after he left home, which busi- 
ness he followed for several 3-ears. Jan. 29, 
1822, he married Mehitable Lincoln, whose 
birth was Feb. 18, 1794, daughter of Joseph 
Lincoln. In November, 1832, he emigrated 
West, in company with Amasa Packard and 
several other families, who cast their lots in the 
Bucke^'e State. Mr. Daniels swapped his farm 
down East (which, he saj's, was •• one-half rocks 
and the other portion break-knolls ") for 125 
acres where he now resides, which, at his com- 
ing, presented to his view a wilderness waste. 
A small log cabin was constructed, after some 
delaj", it requiring three half-days to raise it 
(inasmuch as he declined furnishing whisky for 
the occasion). For several years, Mr. Daniels 
experienced many of the privations and hard- 
ships that are endured by the frontiersman. In 
the spring of 1834, he had but one peck of 
corn-meal in his house. One Saturday, a neigh- 
bor came, who was without dnytluitg for his 
family, and craved assistance, which was grant- 
ed by dividing the meal — all he had. Mr. 
Daniels then started, in pursuit of work, to 
Harrisville Township, stating his case to sev- 
eral — that he would work for anything the}' had 
to spare that would satisty hunger. Mr. Dan- 
iels was a good woodsman. He rarely went 'oy 
the trace of the ax upon the tree's side, but 
would -'strike out" through the forest, going 
miles to his destination, never losing his course. 
He was the first Supervisor in the township, as 
well as the first Treasurer. When he came here, 
there were but eleven voters in the township. 
He has always indorsed the principles of Jack- 
son and Jefferson. For two 3-ears, he served 
the count}- as its Treasurer, and for many years 
has been a member of the Congregational 
Church ; was one of its Ruling Elders. He 
and his wife were of the few who constituted 
the first organization, his wife being a member 
ere she left Massachusetts. Mr. Daniels, be- 
fore dividing out his land among his children, 
had 255 acres. He has never changed his res- 



^1 



806 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



idence since he came here, except to remove 
from his log cabin to his present domicile. He 
has already passed the age allotted to man. be- 
ing now past fourscore, yet he is well preserved 
for one of his years. His faithful companion has 
passed over before him ; her decease occurred 
in 1873. Of six children born him, but four 
are living, viz.. John, who has settled near by ; 
Henry, in Kalamazoo, Mich.; Lincoln, now a 
merchant at Grafton. Lorain Co., Ohio ; and 
Susan, now the wife of Esquire Whitman, of 
this township. Mr. Daniels will be long re- 
membered in the minds of his friends and de- 
scendants, long after he has passed to his rest. 
CALEB EDSON, farmer; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; was born Dec. 4. ISOLin Willington 
Township. Tolland Co., Conn. His parents 
were John and Jerusha (Hatch) Edson. John 
was a son of Jesse, who was a son of Obed, who 
was a son of Samuel, whose father was John 
Edson. The Edson family came from England. 
Samuel, who was the great-great-grandfatlier of 
Caleb, was born near London, and came to 
America in the latter part of the sixteenth cen- 
tnr}'. The old family Bible, printed in 178L 
now in Mr. ?]dson's possession, tells the follow- 
ing : Jesse was born in Bridgewater, May 24. 
1747 : had sons and daughters as follows : 
Caleb. Hannah. Jesse. David, Howard, John, 
Susannah, Hannah and Elizabeth. Jesise's wife, 
was Susannah Howard, and he was born March 
25, 1748 ; they were married in 1768. Of those 
who grew up and raised families were Jesse, 
Howard, John, David. ILannah and Elizabeth. 
John Edson was born in Buckland. Franklin 
Co., Mass., April 8. 1779. and was married to 
Jerusha Hatch, born in 1779. inWillington. Conn. 
To them were liorn five sons and three daugh- 
ters, viz.: Calel), Anna, Otis. Jerusha. Almon, 
Susannah, Dinarbus and John B. Our subject, at 
the age of 8 years, went on the sea, and engaged 
with his uncle, (reorge Hatch, as cabin-l)oy. re- 
maining with him aljout three years. In 1811. 
he went on board an American man-o'-war ship. 
Constellation, and sailed in the waters of the 
Mediterranean. After the breaking-out of the 
war. he was placed in the naval school, and, 
after four years' close application, graduated as 
midshipman : then went on the brig Enterprise, 
under Capt. .\llen ; then tlie brig Philander ; 
afterward sailed on the brig .\inelia. wliicii was 
his sea service. Jan. 1 5. I .'^2.'). was married tci 
Sallie Nelsf)n. liorn in Soutlnvick Dec. 22. 18(il. 



daughter of Luther and Sallie (Hall) Nelson. 
Three 3-ears after his marriage, he came West 
to Cuyahoga Co.. where he purchased 108 acres 
of land. In 1841, he located on the place he 
now owns, and has since remained. His wife 
died Feb. (5. 1870, leaving three children — Ma- 
ria, of Williams Co.. wife of Josiah Austin ; 
Celista A., now Mrs. N. W. White, of this town- 
ship ; Phoebe J., ^Irs. Frank .Mantz. Mr. Edson 
first purchased 60 acres, afterward added 30 
more. The land was formerlj- owned by Tram 
Packard. Was married to second wife. April 
8, 1872. Her name was Mrs. Rebecca Austin, 
born in Wallingford, New Haven Co., Conn., in 
1806. She died in 1876. leaving no issue. Dec. 
S. 1878. he was married to .Mrs. .Mary Ann Ran- 
dall, born in New Haven March IS, 1814 ; was 
a sister of his second wife. She was a daughter 
of William and Jane (Cameron) Reed. William 
was a son of Martin Reed, who came over with 
La Fayette, and fought under him during the 
Revolution. The father of Jane Cameron was 
Daniel, a Highland Scotchman, and when but a 
cadet, was pressed by the British in the Revo- 
lution, and. upon his first opportunity, escaped 
from them, and came to the States, still wearing 
his kilt and hose. Mr. Edson is a man of re- 
markable memory ; been a great reader, and has 
always been a liberal patron of literature ; has 
always borne the part of an honest and worthy 
member of the commonwealth, and is held in 
high esteem by all who know him. 

D. P. FELLOWS, farmer and stock trader ; 
P. 0. Chatham Center; was born Jan. 4. 1836, 
in Wayne Co., N. Y.; son of Henry and Polly 
(Porter) Fellows. Henr}- was born Feb. 14, 
1811. in the Empire State; he was a son of 
William, of Scotch ancestry, and was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. Polly Porter was born 
July 20. 1811 : daughter of John and Deborah 
Porter, who were born Nov. 16, 1767. and Jan. 
12, 1771, respectively. He died Sept. 28. 1828 ; 
she, Jan. 2, 1831. Polly Fellows died March 
21, 1840. To John and Deborah Porter were 
born twelve children, but three of whom are 
now living — Deborah, in Michigan ; Phtebe, in 
New York ; and Betsey, in Geauga Co., Ohio. 
To Henry Fellows and wife were l)orn four 
children, viz.: William, who left home when a 
lad. went off to sea on a '• whaler," and never 
was heard from afterward ; Daniel P., in this 
townsliip; Sallie. ^Irs. Benjamin A. Bissell, of 
this t()wnshi|) ; and an infant uiniamed, Henry, 






— \S 



Ali 



^^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



807 



the father of Dauiel P., was a faimer. He came 
West about 1S38, first locatiug in Litchfield 
about four 3-ears, then purchased a tarin of 12G 
acres of land in this townsliip, wliich he cleared 
up, and remained on the same until his death, 
which occurred Jan, ti, 1873, of typhoid pneu- 
monia. He was a man of strong constitution, 
and herculean frame ; had poor school advan- 
tages, but was a great reader, and took a 
marked interest in the politics of his country-. 
Daniel P. was raised at home. Jjeaving tije 
parental roof at his majority, he began to work 
for himself, hiring out by the month ; afterward 
rented land, and taught school, and, in fact, 
turned his attention to any labor that promised 
the most satisfactory returns. Sept. 28, 1857, 
was married to Philena Lewis, who was born 
Sept. 27, 1841, daughter of Elisha and Jane 
(Huntsman) Lewis. Mrs. Fellows died Octo- 
ber, 1865, leaving three children, but one liv- 
ing, Philena J., born Dec. 2, 1859, now the wife 
of Francis M. Martin, of La Fayette Township ; 
Mary and Lewis were buried in one grave. 
April 17, 1867, was married to Mrs. Elma E. 
Main, who was born Nov. 25. 1841. She was 
a daughter of Allen and Poll}- (Palmer) Coulter, 
to whom were born three children. .Mrs. Fel- 
lows was first married to Alexander Main, Oct. 
17, 1858. He was a son of Alexander and 
Elizabeth Main, of Harrisville Township, and 
died in the service, March 28, 1863 — had en- 
listed for three years in Company D, 128th 0. 
V. I. — leaving one son, Allen C, born ^May 15, 
1862, To Mr. and Mrs, Fellows has been born 
one child, Frank P, Mr. Fellows' first pur- 
chase of laud was 26 acres in Harrisville Town- 
ship. Located on his present farm in JIarch. 
1872 ; his farm, consisting of 186 acres, lies in 
the southern part of the township, Mr, Fel- 
lows is an energetic and enterprising farmer. 
He began empty-handed, but has been diligent 
and successful. He has traded considerably in 
real estate, and built the cheese- factorj- at the 
Center, and. aside from carrying on his farm, 
is one of the leading stock traders in the town- i 
ship. Is a liberal patron of the public jour- 
nals, has a pleasant home, a cheerful compan- 
ion, and is a sound Repulilicau. 

E. W. FRITZ, blacksmith ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; born April 17, 1841, in Akron. Summit 
Co,, Ohio ; son of Jeremiah and Maria (Hv<le) 
Fritz ; both were natives of Lancaster Co., i'enn. 
He was born Jan, 8, 1812 ; she in June, one 



j'ear later. The brothers of Jeremiah were 
Jacob, Philip, John, Amos, Samuel, Uriah 
Martin ; had but one sister, whose name was 
Catharine, Jeremiah came West to Summit 
Co, when young ; married his wife in W'ayne 
Co. She was a daughter of Henry Hyde, whose 
wife was Maria Baughmau. Mr. Fritz settled 
in Summit Co. after marriage, and engaged in 
farming. To him were born twelve children — 
of those who grew up are Mrs. Alvira Damon, 
Mrs. Catharine E. G. Dixon, Delia Co., Mich. ; 
Henry, who died in Texas ; was Lieutenant in 
Co. K, 8th 0. V. I. ; Dexter was killed in Geor- 
gia, July, 1864 ; was a member of Co. B, 124th 
0. V. 1.'; he enlisted first in the 8th 0. V. I., in 
1861, in the three months' service ; then re-en- 
listed for three }'ears ; but met his death as 
above stated. He had participated in all the 
battles of the regiment. Ezra comes next in 
order of birth ; then ^Martin, of Lorain Co. ; 
George, in Harrisville Township ; John and Mil- 
ton — the former in this towuship — the latter in 
Litchfield, on the homestead, where his father 
located in 1847, where he now resides. Martin 
Fritz, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
soldier in the war of the Revolution ; his sons, 
John and Jacob, in the war of 1812. The Fritz 
family being represented in the three wars of 
our country in as many generations. Ezra be- 
gan learning his trade in Lorain Co. The war 
breaking out, he cast his lot with the •' boys in 
blue;" enlisting Sept. 22, 1861, in Co. B, 42d 
0. \ . I., for three years, and served his time, re- 
ceiving an honorable discharge in October, 1864, 
having participated in the many battles of his 
regiment, some of which were Middle Creek, 
Chickasaw Blufl's, Cumberland Gap, Arkansas 
Post, Champion Hills, Thompson's Hill, Black 
River, Vicksburg, on Red River Expedition and 
at Jackson, He came through without serious 
wounds. Upon his return to peaceful pursuits, 
he resumed his trade. After its completion, he 
set up in business for himself, first at La Grange, 
with a partner, under the firm name of Smith & 
Fritz, which association lasted but one year ; 
then went to Penfield, where he ran a shop six 
years ; then set up in Spencer ; but, the location 
not being to his interests, he remained a short 
time, and came here to Chatham Center in 
August, 1871, and has since continued, and is 
doing a thriving business. In November, 1865, 
was married to Harriet Forbes, who was born 
in Litchfield Township, Jan. 15, 1845, daughter 



Te 



808 



lUOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



of Alexander and Cornelia (Randall) Forbes ; 
his father's name was Alexander. Both f:^mi- 
lies are from the Empire State. To Alexander 
and Cornelia were born ten children ; but seven 
of them are living — Medwin. in Wood Co.. Ohio ; 
Mary E., in Wellington (Mrs. David Snyder) ; 
Harriet, ^Irs. Fritz ; George, in Dakota, rail- 
road engineer : Levi, Kansas, in cattle business ; 
Charles, in Illinois ; Hiram, at home, in Litch- 
field. !Mr. Fritz has one son. De Forest W., 
born May 6, 1872. 

ANSEL FROST, farmer: P. 0. Chatham Cen- 
ter : born June l-t. 1S:>8. in Richfield Township, 
Summit Co.. Ohio ; the youngest of a family of 
four children, boni to Jewett N. and Eunice 
(King) Frost, He was born in Riga Township, 
Monroe Co., N. Y., in 1800 ; she in Wheatland 
Township, same county and State, Aug. 10, 1802. 
She was a daughter of William King, whose 
wife's maiden name was Strong. The Frost 
family came West about the year 1827 : their 
vehicle was an ox-cart drawn by oxen. Cleve- 
land being a small town at this time. ;\Ir. 
Frost pnrchased KlO acres of land in Richfield 
Township, for which he paid ••*.") per acre ; but 
few improvements were made at this time in 
the township. Jlr. Frost had taught school 
several j'ears in New York, and his services as 
teacher were brought into requisition in his 
newly found home. But farming was his busi- 
ness, having at the time of his death, which oc- ] 
curred in 1845. 150 acres of land. ^Ir. Frost 
was for many years a member of tlie Christian 
Church, commonly known as the Disciples, and 
was a man of integrity. !Mrs. Frost subse- 
quently married Dougall McDougall. a native 
of Canada, but came West many years .ago and 
settled in Hinckley Township ; he died about 
1871, being 87 years of ,age. His widow still 
suryives him and resides with Ansel. She is 
also a member of the Christian Church. In 
1805, our subject located in this township, one 
mile and a half north of the Center, where he 
has 240 acres of land. Dec. 30, 1858. he was 
married to Sarah Kent, born April 13, 1838. in 
Bath. Summit Co., daughterof Joiui and (Thank- 
ful) Sears, both natives of New York, and early 
settlers of Summit Co. The\' had six children 
born to them, but three living — ^Irs. Frost ; 
Roxie. who is the wife of William Frost, the 
brother of Ansel. They reside in Brecksville, 
Cuyahoga Co., and have three children ; Jane 
is in Bath. Summit Co.. the wife of Charles 



Webster, and had three children. To ^Ir. Frost 
have been born the following children : Mary 
Jona, Elva M. and EtHe A. living ; Gracie died 
at the age of 8 years ; Elbert, at the age of 2 
j'ears ; and Henr}-, when a babe of C months. 
Mrs. Frost is a member of the Disciples' organi- 
zation. ^Ir. Frost is a member of Harrisville 
Lodge. No. 137, A., F. & A. 31. Also of Em- 
pire Lodge. No. 346, I, O. 0. F., located in 
Royalton. Cuyahoga Co. 

ORRIN GRIDLEY, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center: born Nov. 4, 1811, in Paris Township. 
Oneida Co.. N. Y. ; son of Shubael and Sallie (Tre- 
main) Gridley. Shubael was a son of David, who 
was a native of Connecticut, and raised a large 
family. among whom were Shubael, Jared, James, 
Chauncey and David. Of those born to Shubael. 
were Reuben, Mabel. Sybil. Orrin. Mary, Oliver. 
George W., Samantha. J]mily and Sophronia. 
Sarah and Henry died young. Of these living, 
are Sybil, now Mrs. James Landon. of Litch- 
field ; Orrin. this township ; Mary, in Bates Co.. 
Mo.; Oliver, in Lodi : Samantha. now Mrs. 
Alonzo H. Peckhara, this township ; Emily, now 
Mrs. Orrin Rogers ; also Sophronia. now Mrs. 
Abel Sheldon, in Missouri, and George W. in 
La Fayette Township. David Gridley, the 
grandfather of our subject, came out with his 
family in 1817. and purposed settling at Rising 
Sun, in the south part of Indiana, but. finding 
the country sickly, they moved to this State the 
j-ear following, and spent one year near Colum- 
bus. Shubael. the father of Orrin. moved his 
family to this county in 1819. locating in West- 
field, north of Friendsville. more commonly 
known as ^lorse's Corners ; here he remained 
until his death, which occurred about the year 
183(3, that of his wife in 1841. He experienced 
all the inconveniences of a frontiersman. At 
the age of 16, Orrin went to learn the tan and 
currier's trade, serving his time at Wadsworth. 
and carried on his trade at Lodi, in Harrisville 
Township. June 12. 1839, he was married to 
Lydia H. Palmer, born Aug. 12, 1817. in 3Iont- 
gomery Co.. N. Y.. daughter of Thomas ancl 
Rebecca (Snow) Palmer. Thomas was a son of 
Ephraim. who was a s<m of Joseph. Ephraim 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. Thomas Pal- 
mer was liorn June 13, 1787, in Middlesex, .N. 
J.; his wife. Rebecca, Oct. 1. 1700. in Montgom- 
er}' Co., N. Y. They were married in Genesee 
Co., N. Y., May 30. 1815. To them were born 
Margaret. Lj'dia, Joseph, Eliza. Chloe and 



^. 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



809 



Ephrairn. The family came West about the year 
1833, and six years later, moved to Kane Co., 
111. He died in La Salle Co. in 1860 ; his wife 
dying soon after his advent to Illinois. Of the 
family living, are ^Irs. Oridley. Joseph and 
Ephraim, in La Salle Co., 111.; Eliza, now Mrs. 
Loriu Williams, in Washington Co.. Iowa; 
Chloe, now Mrs. N. L. Post, in Livingston Co., 
111. Thomas Palmer settled on the farm now 
occupied by Mr. Gridley, in 1833, and, before 
moving to Illinois sold it to another party, who 
failing to pay for it, it came back upon his 
hands, and was finally purchased by Mr. Grid- 
ley, who moved on the same in 1S4+. Four 
children have been born to ?Ir. Gridley, three 
are living — Henrietta, born June 23, 1843, and 
was married March 0, 1871, to Isaac Duke, born 
in Sandusky Co., Ohio. They have two chil- 
dren — Cora 51. and Orrin I. They removed to 
Page Co., Iowa, in the tall of 1871, where they 
have since resided. Mr. Duke is one of the 
prominent farmers in that locality. He was a 
soldier in the late war ; was in the 2d 0. V. 
C. ; his brother William was a prisoner in 
Andersonville and Libby. Sarah A., born Feb. 
22, 1847, the second da'ughter of Mr. Gridley, 
now resides in Decatur Co., Ind., the wife of 
M^lliam Cooper. They have two children — 
Lydia M. and Lillian 51. Shubael was born 
June 28, 1849 ; his wife was Lepha Eddy, whose 
parents were among the early settlers in this 
township. They reside in Franklin Co.. Iowa. 
Have three children — Novella, Eddie and C)rrin. 
Mr. Gridlev and wife and entire familv are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. 

REV. SA5IUEL GARVER, farmer and min- 
ister ; Chatham Center; born Oct. 8, 1825, in 
Fayette Co., Penn.; son of Jacob and Mar}' 
(Lucas) Garver ; Jacob was born near Hagers- 
town, in Maryland, June 16, 1800. and was a 
son of David Garver. to whom were born four 
children, who vvere Samuel, Jacob, Betsey and 
Susan. Jacob, the father of our subject, was a 
minister of the Gospel of the German Baptist 
persuasion, and was an Elder in that body for 
forty years. He emigrated West in 1827, land- 
ing in Chester Township, Wayne Co., April 12. 
His first purchase was 90 acres, for which he 
paid about $6 per acre; afterward added 160 
more, for which he paid .'S4 ; he I'emained here 
until his death, which occurred in May, 1879. 
To him and wife were born a family of sixteen 
children, whose names are Kliza, Anna, Sam- 



uel, Mary, David, George, Margaret, Lydia, 
Sarah, Amos, Catharine, Jesse, Samantha, Me- 
linda, Almina and John. Fourteen of the 
above lived to be married and had families ; 
thirteen of them are yet living. David in 
Michigan ; Amos, commission merchant in Phil- 
adelphia ; George, a minister in Montgomery 
Co., this State ; Jesse, a farmer in same locali- 
ty ; John, in Union Co., Ind.; Margaret, Mrs. 
John Werts, in Westfleld Township ; Mary, 
Mrs. John Pittenger, of Spencer Township ; 
Sarah, of Wayne Co., Mrs. David Miller ; Lydia, 
Mrs. A. McMicken, of Marion Co., Iowa ; Me- 
linda, of Wayne Co., the wife of H. C. Fortney ; 
Almina, in Kansas. Mrs. James Rennie ; Cath- 
arine. Mrs. B. Emerich, of Wayne Co.; Saman- 
tha was married and died at the age of 19 ; 
Anna raised a family ; Eliza died when 17. 
Jacob, the father of the above numerous prog- 
ency, had at the time of his death sevent3--two 
grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. 
Samuel, our subject, left home at the age of 21 ; 
his marriage was duly celebrated April 22, 
1847 ; took to wife Sarah Rice, born Nov. 30, 
1823, in Wayne Co., Ohio, daughter of Chris- 
tian and Charlotte Hine ; both were born in 
Westmoreland Co.. Penn. Christian was a son 
of Frederick, who lived to be 96 years of age. 
Christian Rice had eleven children born him ; 
eight of the number grew to maturity, who 
were Betsej', Simon. Frederick, Susan, Henrj-, 
Sarah, jMary and Margaret. Mr. Garver took 
up his residence in this county in Spencer 
Township, in the spring of 1849, purchasing 
100 acres at $10 per acre, 20 acres cleared. 
In 1859, moved to the farm he now owns, pur- 
chasing 107 acres at $32, of Ezra True.sdell, 
the first settler ; has since added to the same 
until he now owns 287 acres. The Garver 
famil}- are as thrifty and enterprising as they 
are numerous ; of the extensive family above 
mentioned, there are none of them worth less 
than $10,000. from these figures to $50,000, 
apiece. Nine children have been born to him. 
eight living — Margaret, Mrs. Edwin Parent, of 
Spencer Township ; Jacob, at homo ; Ciiarlotte, 
Mrs. Daniel Martin, of Wayne Co., Ohio ; Lydia, 
Mrs. Meno Mesiiler, of Summit Co., Oiiio ; Si- 
mon, a teacher ; John. Daniel and David N. 
For twenty-five years, Mr. Garver has been a 
member of the German Baptist Church, and for 
twenty-two j'ears he has otticiated as minister 
of the Gospel, and has been instrumental in 



^' 



810 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



doing much good in tlie capacity in wlaich he 
has hibored. He has charge ol' the Black River 
German Baptists of the township, also of the 
Mahoning Church. 

J. B. GEISINGKR, farmer; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; bom in Bucks Co., Penn., April 21, 
1826 ; son of George and Barbara (Baum) 
Geisinger. He was born in Northampton Co. 
in 1808 ; he was a sou of John, to whom were 
born David, Jacob, Jonathan and George. Ja- 
cob moved from Cauada to Wadsworth, this 
county, and raised a famil}' of children. Of 
the children born to George, were Hannah, j 
John B.. Abram and Henry ; of these, onl}- 
two are living — J. B. and Henry, who uow re- 
side in Philadelphia ; Hanuah and Abram died 
young. Barbara Baum was Iioru in the same 
county as her husband ; she was a daughter of 
Abram Baum, whose wife's maiden name was 
Margaret Myers. To them were born Henry, 
Peter. Barbara, Katie. Hannah and Susan, 
all of whom are deceased except Susan. The 
parents of our subject dying, he was, at an 
early age, thrown upon his own resources ; at 
the age of 12, he went to live with his grand- 
parents, with whom he lived until 16 years of 
age. He then hired out to work on a farm ; at 
the age of 18. he went to learn the carpen- 
ter's trade, which being completed, he worked 
as journeyman two years, then engaged in bus- 
iness for himself March 14. 1850, he married 
Mary A. Myers, born Oct. 11, 182.'j, in Bucks 
Co., Penn., daughter of Isaac and Christina 
(Gottsshall) Myers. He was a son of Christian. 
Christina's mother's maiden name was Barbara 
Chratz. To Isaac Myers, were born John. Mag- 
daline, Barbara, Isaac, Mary A.. Cliristina and 
Elizabeth, all of whom are residents of Penn- 
sylvania, except Isaac, who resides in Wayne 
Co.. Ohio. In April of the same year. John B. 
was married ; he came West, first to Wads- 
worth, where he bought a small piece of ground, 
and engaged for six years in the millwright 
business ; then worked some time in the oil 
mills at River Styx and at Wadsworth. In 
1863, he moved to Westfield, where he pur- 
chased a farm in Westfield Township, at 
Morse's Corners, which he owned one year, 
then purchased a farm north of there, near G. 
Burry's, which he sold after one year's occu- 
pancy, then rented a tarm in that township 
three years : in 1869. he moved to the farm he 
uow owns. Of his children living, are Chris- 



tina ; Mrs. Robert Stigler, of Lancaster Co., 
Neb.; Susan, the wife of Orrin Brinker, of this 
township ; Lizzie, now Mrs. Alviu Shaw, of 
Lodi ; William, now in Spencer, married Emma 
Auble ; David, Sarah, Jonathan and Edwin at 
home. Mr. Geisinger has carried on building 
and contracting several years, employing sev- 
eral workmen. Although he began life poor, 
he has accumulated a good property, hav- 
ing 121| acres of laud. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the Mennonite Church ; her parents 
Lutherans. 

E. B. GILBERT, farmer; P. O. Chatham 
Center ; was born March 2. 1818, in Litchfield 
Co., Conn.; son of Orrin and Mary (Barber) 
Gilbert ; <^rrin was a son of Abner, whose an- 
cestry were of English stock. To Orrin and 
Mary Gilbert were born a family of eleven 
children, six sons and five daughters ; of those 
living are Emily L.. Albert L., William W., 
Harriet L., Edwin B., Abigail M. and Joseph L. 
William W. is in Iowa ; Maria in Michigan ; Em- 
ily L. in Williams Co.; E. B. in this township ; 
all the others are residents of Summit Co., 
Ohio. Orrin Gilbert emigrated West in 1828, 
locating in Stowe, Summit Co.. where he cleared 
up a tarm and remained on the same until his 
death, which occurred in tlie year 1846, f]d- 
win B. was raised to farming ; leaving home at 
23, he launched out for himself In February, 
1843, he was married to Nancy R. Brainard, 
whose birthplace was in Massachusetts ; she was 
born ill 1824. She died four years afterward, 
leaving one son — Harlow B. — living in Buf- 
falo, Neb. Oct. 13, 1850, Mr. Gilbert was mar- 
ried to Anna A. Rice, born May 9, 1832, in 
Hampshire Co.. Mass., daughter of Stalham 
and Anna (Taylor) Rice. He was born in 
1804 ; she was his senior by three years. The 
family came West in 1839, locating in this 
township. Mrs. Rice died May 20, 1872. To 
them were born eight children, but six living — 
Anna E. now Mrs. Woodward ; Celesta, now 
Mrs. Richards : Augustus M., Micajah T.. Ada- 
line and herself (Mrs. Gilbert). Mr. Gilbert 
located on the farm he uow owns, in 1850, sit- 
uated two miles east of the Center. His farm 
consists of 122 acres, and was settled by one 
Culver. Mr. (rilbert is one of the safe and sub- 
stantial fanners in his neighborhood. He has 
two sons by his last marriage — Ernest E. and 
Ellsworth >I. Mrs. Gilbert had three brothers 
who were in the late war — Micajah, Augustus 






^"^ 



'4* 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



811 



and Daniel — the two former serving ttirough 
the entire struggle, and returned safely home ; 
Daniel died of disease in hospital. Mr. (iilbert's 
father was an Episcopalian ; E. B. and entire 
family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. 
Gilbert is a liberal patron of the newspapers, 
and has always voted the straight Republican 
ticket. 

MRS. LUCY REYNOLDS HANCOCK, farm- 
er ; P. 0. Chatham Center ; born March 22, 1820, 
in Cazenovia Township, Madison Co., N. Y., a 
daughter of Colonel and Phcebe (Avery) Rey- 
nolds. He was a son of Francis, whose father was 
John Avery, of pure English ancestry, to whom 
were born Henry, Francis and Betsey. Francis 
Reynolds was born Aug. 15, 1750. His wife 
was Martha Tibbetts, who was born April 22, 
1748. To them were born a family of seven 
children — Dorcas, Mary, Francis, Colonel, Joe, 
Anna and Martha. Colonel, son of Francis, 
was born Oct. 17, 178G, in Washington Co., R. 
I. His wife, Phcabe, was born in Herkimer Co., 
N. Y., Oct. 31. 1795. Their marriage was cele- 
brated Dec. 29, 1813, in Herkimer Co. To 
them were born the following offspring : Ca- 
milla, Cynthia, Mary, Lucy, Francis, Martha, 
Aver3-, Lucetta, Phcebe, Theresa, Ermina and 
Job — all of whom lived to raise families. 
Phoebe Aver}' was a daughter of Punderson 
E. His wife was Lavina Barnes. They were a 
family of strong patriotic proclivities, and, at the 
time the colonists were struggling for freedom, 
the family turned out in force, Lavina Barnes 
having seven brothers in the war of the Revo- 
lution at one time. Punderson Avery was 
among the number, then but a lad, who volun- 
teered, and went to Ft. Griswold after the mas- 
sacre, and iielped haul the wounded and slain 
to their several homes. Mrs. Hancock came 
West, with her sister, in the spring of 1842, to 
Liverpool Township, this count}-. She had 
been engaged in teaching in the East, and pur- 
sued her vocation for one year and a half after 
her arrival. Meeting with Elisha Wilmot, the}' 
became acquainted, and an intimacy sprung up 
which ripened into an engagement. After her 
return to New York, Mr. Wilmot went to her 
home, and married her Oct. 1, 1844, and re- 
turned with his bride to his home in Liverpool, 
with whom she lived happily until Nov. 13, 
1 854, when the death angel bore him away from 
her companionship. He was born Sept. 20, 
1821, son of Ebenezer and Harriet (Pardy) Wil- 



mot. March 15, 1859, she was married to her 
present husband, James A. Hancock, who was 
l)orn March 25, 1817, in Rutland Co., Vt., son 
of Lot and Persis (Hubbard) Hancock. Mr. 
Hancock had been twice married previous to 
his union with his present wife. His first wife 
was Harriet Tillson ; by her, he had three chil- 
dren — Charles, who died of disease in the late 
war, was a member of the 76th O. V. I.; George, 
at St. Helen's, Ore.; and Tillson, who is of a 
roving disposition, now m the Far West. Mr. 
Hancock's second wife was a Vaughn ; by her he 
had no children. Mr. Hancock came to Liver- 
pool when he was 18 years of age, and has since 
been a resident of the county, and is one of the , 
respected members of the township. He and 
his wife are members of the Methodist Church, 
and have been for forty years past. Mrs. Han- 
cock's ancestry entertained \'arious religious 
tenets ; some were Quakers, Uuiversalists and 
Presbyterians. She read the Bible, and, taking 
this as her guide, her opinions were soon mold- 
ed and permanently fixed, and she has ever 
since been a conscientious Christian worker. 
Mr. and Mrs. Hancock have 118 acres of laud. 
ALONZO H. HYATT, farmer ; P. 0. Chat- 
ham Center ; was born March 4. 182B, in Jef- 
ferson Co., N. Y., and is the fifth child born to 
Aaron and Prudence (Ross) Hyatt. Alonzo 
was raised a farmer, and learned the spinner's 
trade in the early part of his manhood. April 
1, 1852, he married Mary Main, who was born 
in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, Nov. 27, 1832. 
She is a daughter of Alexander and Elizabeth 
Main, of Harrisville Township. After Mr. Hy- 
att's marriage, he located in Calumet Co., Wis., 
where he engaged in fiirming, where they lived 
until November, 1868, when they returned to 
this township. The climate they enjo}ed in 
Wisconsin, and were doing very well, but, not 
having the proper educational facilities, and 
Mr. Hyatt, having daughters to educate, could 
not follow out the bent of his inclinations in 
this direction, and returned to this county. 
Since 1869. he has resided on the farm he now 
owns, which was settled by one Thayer. Mr. 
Hyatt has three daughters, viz. : Flora (now a 
teacher), Laura and Bertha (at home). The 
deceased are Cyrus and Frank. He and wife 
are members of the church at Lodi. Both he 
and family are great readers, and are patrons 
of a goodly number of papers and journals. 
His farm of 50 acres is well kept, and is the re- 



^ <j 



^^ 



IbL 



812 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



suit of his own labor, accompanied by that of 
his worthy wife. He has always been a Repiib- 
lieau in principle. 

J. J. JOHNSON, farmer; P. O. Chatham 
Center ; was born in Canaan Township. Wayne 
Co., Nov. 26, 1839, son of James and Ann 
Caughey. Both were born in 1804. in Lancas- 
ter Co., Penn. The grandfather of our subject 
was named James, and was of Irish descent. 
His mother's maiden name was Jane Andrews, 
of Scotch ancestrj'. James had but one 
brother, John. . The Johnson who shot Tecum- 
seh, as recorded in history, was a second cousin 
to James. The father of J. J. came West 
. about the year 1 832. locating in Canaan Town- 
ship, where he purchased a farm partially im- 
proved. To him were born seven children, two 
sons and five daughters, who.se names are 
Franklin. Eliza, Phabe, John, Lucy, Harriet 

and . J. J. was among the "boys in blue" 

during the late rebellion. Enlisted, in October, 
1861, in Co. K, 16th O. V. I., and served three 
years and twenty days. Participated in the 
battles of Chickasaw Bluffs, Thompson and 
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, at the re- 
taking of Jackson. Miss., and at the siege of 
^'icksburg and others, and was twice slightly 
wounded, and lost the hearing of one ear from 
the effects of concussion by the bursting of a 
shell. Receiving an honorable discharge, he 
returned home in Novcml^er, 1864. Afterward 
taught school one term, and for several years 
was engaged as traveling salesman and as can- 
vasser, in which he was quite successful. In 
January, 1871, he was united in wedlock to 
Catharine Kindeg, born in Milton Township, 
Wayne Co., Feb."22. 1839. daughter of Daniel 
and Catharine (Hyde) Kindeg, both natives of 
Pennsylvania. He was a son of Daniel. Cath- 
arine Hyde was a daughter of Henry Hyde, a 
native of Germany. The Hyde family emi- 
grated West to Wayne Co. when the country 
was new, locating in Milton Township. Mrs. 
Johnson was of a family of twelve children, 
seven of whom are living, viz.: George. John. 
Maria, Priscilla, Catharine, David and Flora. 
After Mr. Johnson was married, he located on 
the farm he now owns, consisting of 100 acres. 
Six children have been born to him ; five living 
— William F., Mary A., James C, Dora K. and 
an infant. Mr. Johnson is a stanch Repub- 
lican, and is a hard-working, industrious man. 
SETH LEWIS, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham Cen- 



ter ; born Sept. 30, 1809, in Otsego Co., N. Y. ; 
son of Seth and Elizabeth (Rogers) Lewis, both 
of wliom were natives of Connecticut. Seth 
was a son of Cyrus. The Lewis family came 
West about the j-ear 1821. locating in Harris- 
ville Township, on the farm where Mrs. Elisha 
Lewis now I'csides. There were seven children 
born to Seth and Elizabeth ; but two of the 
number are living, viz.. Seth, the subject of this 
sketch, and Selinda A., now Mrs. John Jason, 
of Harrisville. Seth did not leave home until 
25 years of age ; during this time was at work 
for his father. July 4, 1837, he was married 
to Phcvbe P. ('lark, who was born in Catharine 
Township, Tioga Co.. N. Y. Her birth occurred 
Oct. 1, 1820. She was a daughter of Peter and 
Hannah (Taylor) ('lark. Peter was born in 
Orange Co., N. Y. ; son of Elias. a native of 
Connecticut, and a Colonel in the Revolution, 
and rode with Gen. Washington. Hannah Tay- 
lor was a daughter of John Taylor, a native of 
Scotland. Mrs. Lewis was of a family of thir- 
teen children, nine of whom gi-ew to maturity. 
The family came to this township in 1832, and 
remained here until their removal to 3Iichigan 
in 1849, where they both died in the year 18.i8. 
Sept. 5. 1837, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis located on 
the farm they now own. which was but slightly 
improved at the time of their purchase. Of six 
children born to them, but two are living — 
Lester Allen, in Granger Township, who has 
tlu-ee children — Harry S., Dolly and Charles 
Foster ; Harriet J., now Mrs. James Buck, of 
Gratiot Co., Mich. They have five children — 
Allen D., who resides with his grandparents ; 
Jennie A., ^Minnie M.. John L. and Walter. Mr. 
Lewis lost one son — Shepherd ¥1.. who died at 
the age of 26. Mr. Lewis has 76 acres of land ; 
is a man of quiet demeanor, taking but little 
interest in matters outside of his own home and 
neighborhood circle, ilrs. Lewis is a lady that 
is well read in the general topics of the day, and 
always has had a desire to store her mind with 
the best knowledge and literature of the time. 
For forty-six years, they have been professors 
of religion, and are of Methodist belief 

EZRA LEONARD, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; is a son of one of the early settlers in 
this township, who came here in 1835, cotempo- 
raneous with Levi L. Clapp and some otiier 
early arrivals. Ezra was born Feb. 28, 1815, 
in what was tiien Ontario, now Yates Co., N. Y. 
He was the third of a family of ten children, all 



:f* 



'k 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



S13 



of whom grew to maturity, whose parents were 
Tniraan and Roxanna (Allis) Leonard; both 
were born in Massachusetts. His native place 
was in Worthington. He was a son of Ezra, 
and of Irisli descent. The grandfather of Rox- 
anna Allis was a Scotch mi.ssionar^-. Truman 
Leonard emigrated West with his family in July, 
1835, locating in this township, one mile north 
of the Center, where he purchased 300 acres of 
land in a wild state ; settling on this, he cleared 
it up, and remained on the same until his death. 
He was not a man to mingle much in political 
matters, j'ot a man of good information for the 
chances afforded him. He was alwa\s a stanch 
and reliable member of the Whig party. At 
the age of 21, Ezra went to Akron, and began 
work in the Stone Mills, operated by Beach & 
Co., and, in less than four years from the daj- 
he entered the mill as a novice, he had pro- 
gressed so rapidlv, that he was then placed in 
charge of the same, the mill having a capacity 
of 300 barrels per day. In a short time after 
his taking charge of the mill as head miller, his 
flour recei\'ed the first premium at the New York 
Agricultural Society in 1843, it receiving the 
diploma over all of the many competitors. He 
became so thoroughly established as a tlrst-class 
miller, that he retained the position for thirt\-- 
four consecutive years. He has been thrice 
married, first in 1842, to Alvira Weston, born 
in Cuyahoga Co., daughter of Asa Weston. 
She died in 1848, leaving two children, George 
M., now in Akron, and Alvira D., now Mrs. 
Frank Wadsworth. He was next married to 
Electa Wadsworth, daughter of Sardan and 
Alma Wadsworth. She died shortly afterward, 
leaving no issue. His present wife was Mary 
M. Slater, a native of ^Massachusetts, a lady of 
education and marked intelligence, having, for 
several j-ears, been a teacher in the public 
schools. Mr. Leonard has 240 acres of land in 
thi.s township, which his father settled, besides 
valuable property in Akron. He cast his first 
vote for Henry Clay, and has always been an 
enthusiastic supporter of the Republican party. 
For five years past, he has been living on his 
farm, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
His stock is of the lifs(, his cattle being about 
seven-eighths pure, and his horses, of which he 
keeps a goodly number, are of the best stock, 
which he breeds for the market ; and, in the 
breeding of the same, he takes especial pride. 
H. MORGAN, farmer ; P. 0, Chatham Cen- 



ter ; born Sept. S, 1822, in the town of Sheffield, 
Berkshire Co., Mass. His parents were Elijah 
and Polly (Strong) Morgan. Elijah was the 
youngest (vf a family of fourteen children. The 
greater portion of the family were born in 
Litchfield Co.. Conn., the remainder of them in 
Berkshire Co., Mass., where James removed 
and lived until his death. Elijah and his wife 
were born in Massachusetts. To them, were 
born a family of eight children, seven lived to 
be grown, five now living — Lydia, in Bar- 
bank, Wayne Co., Ohio, who married John 
Perkins ; George, in Michigan ; Harriet, mar- 
ried John Burry ; Hiram, this township, and 
Ph(el>e A. Prentice, of Lodi, relict of Squire W. 
W. Prentice. Elijah came West in June, 1829 ; 
came first to Lodi, and settled in Harrisville 
Township, and cleared up the farm now owned 
by Charles Fenstermaker. He died on this 
farm in October. 1848. His wife survived him 
until 1877. Upon this farm, our subject took 
his first lesson in pioneering : remained with 
his father until Nov. 17, 1847, at which time he 
was wedded to Delilah Sanford, born ]\Iay 28, 
1830, in Erie Co., Penn.. daughter of Beers and 
Rachel (Ackley) Sanford. After 'Sh: Morgan 
was married, he remained about three years on 
his father's farm. In 1851, he purchased 60 
acres of W. W. Prentice, at §13.66 per acre, 
upon which place there was a small cabin, and 
a partial improvement ; here he located, and 
has siiice been a constant resident, remaining in 
the log cabin until 1871, when he built his 
present neat and comfortable dwelling. In 
1857, August 5, after having his entire crop 
safely stored in his barn, it was struck by light- 
ning, all destroyed, including harness, tools, 
etc,; with the exception of about S225 insur- 
ance, was a total loss. Has three children — 
Adaline, Mrs. Stephen Fellows, this township ; 
Evalaide, at home ; Orville, in Jasper Co., Mo., 
who married Alice Sheldon , Orlow died at 14 
3'ears of age. Mr. ^Morgan has a comfortable 
and pleasant home, his yard being tastily set 
out with evergreens and hedge. For thirty-one 
years Mr. Morgan has been a member of the 
M. E. Church. His father was a Whig ; ho a 
consistent Republican. 

M. MOODY, M. D., Physician, Chatham Cen- 
ter ; is one of the practicing physicians of this 
county, whose birth and entire life have been in 
connection with Medina Co.; was born in this 
township Nov. 29, 1843. Ilis parents were E. 



•^ a 



A 



814 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



thL^ 



S. and Cynthia (Brown) IMoody, both of whom 
have been citizens of tlie county for many 
3'ears. The motlier of Milo is a relative of 
John Brown of historic fame, whc^se "body," 
as the song goes, '• lies moldering in the grave 
as we go marching on." Onr subject was 
raised on the farm, but early in life entertained 
a desire to enter the medical profession. At 
the age of 17, he began teaching, and taught 
two terms. At the age of 18, he began the 
study of medicine, reading with Dr. J. K. IIol- 
lowaj', of Chester Co., Penn., and pursued his 
studies until his graduation, taking his first 
course of lectures at the Cleveland Medical Col- 
lege ; second at Charity Hospital, now known 
as the University of Wooster, where he grad- 
uated in the spring of 1865, and began practic- 
ing at Howard, Center Co., Penn.; returning 
then to this county, he began practice in this 
township in January, 1866, and has since con- 
tinued without interruption or loss of time to 
the present. Nov. 17, 186!t. he married Celes- 
tia A. Packard, who was born in this township 
Sept. 1 0, 1 843, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth 
(Young) Packard ; he was born in Plainfleld, 
Hampshire Co., Mass.. May 11, 1816, and was a 
son of Amasa Packard. He came West to this 
township in 1832. Elizabeth Young was born 
in Harrisville Township. Sept 8, 1819, daughter 
of Collins and Naomi ( Ayers) Young ; the latter 
was born in New Jersey Jan. 10, 1778. To 
them were born a family of four children, who 
are Flora A., now Mrs. 1). B. Allen, of Van 
Buren Co., Mich.; Milan, and Perlia N., now 
Mrs. Ira P. Holcomb, both of Colorado Springs, 
and Mrs. Moody, the wife of the Doctor. They 
have one child — Archer N. Our subject is a 
member of the Union Medical Association of 
Northeastern ( )hio, and, though not engrossed 
in political matters, yet is a strong advocate of 
the principles of Prohibition, and hopes for the 
ultimate success of the party. He is a mem- 
ber of the Disciples' Church. Having been 
raised in the township, his merits as a citizen 
and a medical man have been fully tested, and 
his widely' extending and lucrative practice, 
gives am|)le testimony of his worth and stand- 
ing in the communitv. 

A. R. .McCONNELL, farmer ; l\ 0. Chatham 
Center; born Sept. 23, 1813, in Colerain Town- 
ship. Lancaster Co., Penn. He is a son of Will- 
iam and Mary (Russell) McConnell. William 
was born in Lancaster Co.. his wife in (!hester 



Co. William was a son of Hugh, of Scotch an- 
cestr3', and had children born him as follows — 
Rebecca, Hannah, Jemima, William and Samuel. 
Of this number, none came West but Samuel 
and Jemima. She married James Caughey, 
and settled in Hancock Co., and raised seven 
children — three sons and four daughters. To 
William McConnell, ten children were born — 
Hugh, Alexander R., Francis, Samuel H., Will- 
iam W., Esther R., Robert D., Jolui J., Ann E. 
an<l Abram. In 1827, the father of the above 
emigrated West to Milton Township, Wayne 
Co., Ohio, where he settled in the woods, and 
cleared up a farm, and lived on the same until his 
death, which occurred July 3, 1862. His wife 
died at the age of 84. William McConnell was 
in the war of 1812, and was a man of vigorous 
constitution. Alexander did not leave the 
home of his father, until he was 28 years of age. 
Oct. 14, 1841, was married to Harriet M. 
Conkey, of Scotch descent. She was bom Oct. 
3, 1823. daughter of John and Chloe (Prior) 
Conkey. To John and Chloe Conkey were born 
ten children. They emigrated West to Bel- 
mont Co., Ohio, in 1820. where Mrs. McConnell 
was born. Soon after the marriage of Mr. Mc- 
Connell, he moved to the farm he now owns, 
situated on the Smith road. His first purchase 
was 115 acres, for which he paid $4 per acre. 
He has since added to it, until he now has 233 
acres. Few men have done more pioneer labor 
than Mr. McConnell, having cleared up full}- 
200 acres, and is yet quite vigorous and 
healthy for one of his years. Mr. McConnell 
has been a constant resident of this township 
since his first settlement, and is one of the sub- 
stantial citizens of the community. He and 
wife are members of the Congregational Church. 
Of eight children born him, five are living — 
Chloe, Mrs. Aaron Stranahan, of Litchfield 
Center ; Orlando, in the township : also Lenora, 
now the wife of James Sears ; Alleta M. and 
Edith, at home. 

JONATHAN PACKARD, retired, East 
Cleveland ; one among the prominent business 
men in this township is J. Packard, who was 
born December 9, 1824, in Hampshire Co., 
Mass., son of Amasa and Abigail (Pettingill) 
Packard, and came West at the time his parents 
did. in the year 1832. After attaining the 
years of responsibility, the first enterprise 
he embarked in was building a water-mill on 
the East Branch of Black River, which ran near 



^ » 



-4^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



815 



the homestead. This "Inill he run about three 
years, then sold out and engaged at the carpen- 
ter's trade ; altliough never having served a regu- 
lar apprenticeship, yet his skill in the natural 
use of tools enabled him to turn his attention to 
the business, commanding wages from the first ; 
he continued in the trade until Sept. 1, 1854, 
when he engaged in partnership business with 
his brother Josiah, at the Center, in the mer- 
cantile business, which lasted about fifteen 
years, during this time did a heavy business 
— having to pav wholesale dealer's tax, al- 
though doing a retail business. About 1869, 
he purchased his brother's interest, and carried 
on the business himself, until 1876. when he 
sold out to C. P. Thatcher and Charles H. 
Packard, his son. For eighteen consecutive 
years. Mr. Packard held the office of I'ostmas- 
ter. receiving his first commission during the 
last days of President Johnson's administra- 
tion. The Packard family are all stalwart Re- 
publicans, and men of upright character. Mr. 
Packard began his business career without 
much means, but has been a man of great en- 
ergy and business enterprise, having had excel- 
lent health ; he has always tak^n a part in 
whatever was calculated to conduce to the gen- 
eral good and prosperity of the town and com- 
munity at large. Since 1840, he has been a 
member of the Congregational Church. Nov. 
2, 1848, he married Lucinda Bisbee, born Nov. 
27, 1824, in Plainfield, Hampshire Co., Mass., 
daughter of (lalen Bisbee, who was a son of 
Ebenezer, who was born in Bridgewater, Mass., 
whose descendants were of the Mayflower 
stock, Galen Bishee's wife was Penelope Patch, 
of Warrington ; her fiither was Ephraim Patch, 
who married Rebecca Andrews. Mrs. Pack- 
ard's parents started out with the colony of 
families who came out in 1832, but tlieir trip 
was interrupted by the death of her father, who 
died on a canal-boat Oct. 10, 1832, while on his 
way, and was buried at Buffalo, N. Y.; the fam- 
ily then turned aside to Geauga Co., where 
they remained about three years before the^- 
joined their companions in this township, in 
1835, locating one mile and a half south of the 
Center ; her mother died Feb. 20, 1869, But 
two children are living, Charles Bisbee, now 
of Washington Co., Neb., and Mrs. J. Pack- 
ard ; both her parents were members of the 
Congregational Church. For several j-ears 
past, Mr. and Mrs. Packard have resided in 



Cleveland, where he has valuable property 
which he is improving. They have three chil- 
dren — Lida E., the wife of Charles P, Thatcher ; 
Charles H, and Myra E. at home, 

FRANCIS PACKARD, drug store, Chatham 
Center; born Oct, 7, 1827, in Hampshire Co,, 
Mass., is the youngest of a family of seven 
children, but five of whom grew to man and 
womanhood. Their parents were Amasa and 
Abigail (Pettingill) Packard, Amasa was born 
Jan, 6, 1788 ; his wife Aug, 8, 1781, Both of 
Hampshire Co,, Mass, He was a son of Phillip, 
who was a native of Bridgewater, near Boston, 
and, at the age of 1 4, went into the war of the 
Revolution, and served five years. His wife 
was an Edson, prior to her marriage, Amasa, 
the father of our subject, was twice married. 
His first wife was Lucinda Ford, wiio was born 
July 11, 1787 ; by her he had three children, 
but one of whom is now living — William, who 
resides in Van Buren Co,, Mich.; Francis being 
the issue of the second marriage. The family 
came out in compan}- with several others from 
the same locality, locating in this township in 
the fall of 1 832, on the place now owned by D, 
B, Sanford, where he purchased 110 acres of 
land, situated south of the Center one mile and 
a half Here he lived for thirty-three years, 
his death occurring Aug, 30, 1865, He was 
one of the township's best citizens. He was, 
for man}- jears, a member of the Congregational 
Church, and officiated as Deacon in that body 
and, in fact, he and wife were among the first' 
members at the time of its organization. Polit- 
ically, he was formerly an Old Line Whig, but 
in after 3'ears became affiliated with the Re- 
publican party, and, though not a partisan, yet 
was a man of decided opinions, which he did 
not fail to express annually at the ballot box. 
Francis, being the youngest of the family, re- 
mained with his parents until he entered the j 
marriage relation, and for some time afterward 1 
lived on the homestead farm. His marriage 
occurred May 28, 1851, thus uniting his inter- 
ests with Hannah Thayer, who was born in 
Hampshire Co. Nov. 1, 1827. whose parents 
were Alvin and Mercy (.Marsh) Thayer. Alvin i 
was a son of .Vsa and Lovisa (Haskins) Thayer, 
The father of Mercy Marsh was Ephraim Marsh, 
whose wife's maiden name was Hannah Simon. 
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs, Packard, 
the}' remained on the homestead until 1868, 
Since that time, he has been engaged in the drug 



p \' 



Si 



816 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



LkC 



business at the Center, successor to Dr. Palmer. 
Since ISTJr. he has been serving as Justice of 
the Peace, meting out justice and equity- to the 
people with credit to himself and to the evident 
satisfaction of his constituents. Like his 
paternal ancestor, he has Ijeen a representative 
of the liepublican party, and has ser\ed the 
people in several township offices, and borne 
well his part as a citizen and member of the 
commonwealth. For several j-ears has been a 
consistent member of the church of his parents' 
choice, as well as an upright and correct busi- 
ness man. Of three children borne him. but 
one is living — Vara, now the wife of George 
Johnson. 

EVELETH PACKARD, farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham Center ; was born Oct. 7. 1838, in 
this township ; son of (Jeorge and Jane (Young) 
Packard. George was a son of Phillip Pack- 
ard. Collins Young was the father of Jane, 
the mother of Eveleth ; he moved West to this 
State, locating in Harrisville. he lieing the fifth 
family that came in. His worldly possessions 
upon his arrival consisted of wife, eight chil- 
dren, ax, hoe and gun ; buckskin pants were 
the kind he used, his wife being clad in linsev 
woolsey ; here he remained until his death. 
George Packard, the father of Eveleth, came 
out to this country at the time the eolonv came, 
and made his settlement on the farm now owned 
by \I. Homan. here he settled and cleared up 
that farm. But two children were born him — 
Harrison G., now in Ionia Co., Mich., and 
Eveleth. Mr. Packard died in November, 1872 ; 
his wife still survives him. March 17, 1858, 
Eveleth was married to Harriet A. Sandall, 
born in Lincolnshire, England. April 30, 1843, 
daughter of William and Martha (Roberts) 
Sandall; he was born in same shire in 1805; 
she three years later. She emigrated to 
America with her parents in 1845. locating first 
in Cuyahoga Falls, where they resided until 
their location in this township. Her father 
resides in the southwest part of the township ; 
her mother died in 18G.'!. To them were born 
a family of four children — Joseph. Catharine, 
Henry and Mrs. Packard. After .Mr. Packard 
married, he moved to the southwest part of the 
township, where he lived four years. Then 
moved west of the Center, and lived on the 
farm adjoining him. where he remained until 
1874, when he located where he now resides. 
Has 10:> acres. Of tlie cliildren l)orn him are 



George, Milo and Warren. Mr. Packard and 
wife are both members of the Congregational 
Church. 

MRS. ERASMUS D. PARSONS, farming ; 
P. 0. Chatham Center ; was born Nov. 23, 
1808, in Otsego Co., N. Y.; eldest daughter of 
Peter and Celinda (Ross) Crush. Her maiden 
name was Hope Crush, and came West with 
her parents in 1822. Dec. 25, 1831, she was 
married to Erasmus D. Parsons, who was born 
Aug. 2, 1813, in Ontario Co.. N. Y. His par- 
ents were Moses and Elizabeth (Crafts) Parsons. 
He was born in Parma, N. Y., in 1769 ; she in 
Wooster, Mass., in 1776. I']lizabeth Crafts was 
a near relative of Maj. Benjamin Crafts, who 
was a 3Lison of high rank, and was a man of 
scholarly attainments as well as anetficieut exe- 
cutive officer. To him is ascribed the honor of 
reading the Declaration of Independence in 
Faneuil Hall, for the first time it was read be- 
fore an audience. The Parsons are the real 
pioneers of Chatham Township, arriving in this 
township in 1818, May 10, Moses Parsons lo- 
cating on the farm where Mr. R. Shaw now 
lives. To him were born three children, but one 
of them now living — Elizabeth C. who was born 
March 26, 1834. Mr. Parsons died in 187G. 
He had been a Democrat, and, though not a 
member of any church. \et was an ardent and 
enthusiastic admirer of the principles taught in 
ancient Freemasonry, and endeavored to con- 
form his life to its teaching. Elizabeth was 
married. ^larch 30, 1854, to William Packard, 
who was born Sept 18, 1826. He was a son of 
Caleb and Sallie (Stowell) Packard. She was 
a daughter of David Stowell. Mr. Packard 
came West in 1852, and for several years has 
been residing on the Parsons form. Has one 
child. Mr. Packard is a member of the Masonic 
Fraternity. They have 125 acres of land. 
Mrs. Parsims is residing with them. 

CHARLES ROSS, farmer; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; is one of the men in this county whose 
success in life has been the result of hard la- 
bor and the exercise of the most rigid economy. 
He was born .May 22, 1823, in the town of 
Rochester, Windham Co., State of Vermont. 
His parents were Daniel and Susan (WhitcomI)) 
Ross, to whom were born a family- of eleven 
children. The family came West in 1834, lo- 
catihg in La Fayette Township. Our subject 
was raised to farming. At llie age of 14, he 
left home and secured a place to live, where he 






^1 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



817 



worked for his board and clothes, and got some 
schooling in the meantime. At the age of 16, 
he bargained with his father to buy his time in 
consideration of $5G, which he paid him in 
work ; afterward he engaged in running a 
thrashing machine, and, by the time he was of 
age, he had saved about $400, when he sold out 
his interest and engaged at work at $10 per 
month, investing his means in some wild land 
in Wisconsin, 94 acres. Nov. 8, 1840, he mar- 
ried Nancy Eldred, born in Truxton, N. Y., 
Feb. 26, 1828. daughter of Daniel 8. and Ka- 
chel (Soule) Eldred, who came West about the 
year 1833, locating in York Township. To 
them were born six children, two sons and four 
daughters. Soon after the marriage of Mr. 
Ross, he rented a saw-mill in La Fayette Town- 
ship, and, after running it for some time, he 
traded it for 50 acres of land, which he now 
owns. His Wisconsin land he traded and in- 
vested in laud in this township, and has since 
operated in land considerably, having at times 
over 500 acres. In 1873, he moved to the farm 
he now owns, having, in all, land to the amount 
of 348 acres. He has two children — Daniel S., 
born Jan. 27, 1864 ; Seth P., born Dec 16, 
1867. He is a man of strong will-power, and 
has, from ill health and bodily- infirmities, been 
using stimulants since 1848 ; used a gallon of 
whisky per month constantly since, yet he has 
never been intoxicated in that time. Mr. Ross 
is one of the wealthiest farmers in the township, 
and has always lived an honest and sober life, 
and has accomplished more than the mass of 
successful business men. 

ORIUN ROGERS, farmer; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; born Dec. 20, 1815, in Chenango Co., 
N. Y., son of Bela and Mina (Hale) Rogers. 
Bela was born near Cape Cod. and was a son 
of Solomon, to whom were born Thomas, Solo- 
mon, Bela, James, Sarah, Sevira and Hannah. 
Bela and wife were united in marriage, April 
4, 1808; he was born June 25, 1787, she July 
23, 1788: nine children were born to them, 
viz. : Lucinda, Orrin, Silas, Isaac, Sophia, Han- 
nah, James, Mary, Sanford, all living but Sophia, 
all in Ottawa Co., Mich., except Orrin, Silas 
and Sanford ; the two former are in this town- 
ship, and Sanford is in Indiana. Bela Rogers 
came to this countj' in 1834, stopping first year 
in Harrisville Township, the year following lo- 
cated in the northwest part of this township, 
where Silas now lives, and cleared up the farm 



with the assistance of his boj'S ; he died May 
15, 1857, his wife, April 0, 1854; both were 
members of the Baptist Church. Orrin left 
home at 21, and began his career by working 
out bj' the month. Feb. 19, 1838. he was mar- 
ried to Sarah Grant, who was born in Chenango 
Co., N. Y., Feb. 15, 1819, daughter of Elisha 
and Amy (Marsh) Grant. The Grant family 
came West about the year 1830. Soon after 
Mr. Rogers was married, he moved to Harris- 
ville, where he rented a farm for two years, 
then came to this township and purchased 52 
acres, a part of his father's farm, for which he 
paid $6 per acre ; settling upon this, he cleared 
it up ; eight years after, he sold the same and 
purchased land in Indiana, but never moved on 
it ; moving then to the south part of this town- 
ship, he rented land two 3'ears ; then purchased 
65 acres in Harrisville Township, where he 
lived until ISGO, when he sold out and bought 
126 acres, where he has since lived. His wife 
died July 8, 1863, leaving one son, Orange H., 
l)orn Oct. 5, 1839, who married Corinthia C. 
Barnes, and b^- her had three children — ( Jliver, 
Wilson and Eudora, but one now living, Wil- 
son, born in 1871. His wife died Aug. 28, 
1876. Orange lives with his father on the 
home farm, which they carry on in partnership. 
In October, 1865, Mr. Rogers was married to 
Mrs. Emily Crush, whose maiden name was 
Gridley, daughter of Shubael, and sister of 
Orrin Gridley, of this township. Mr. Rogers 
has, by his own exertions, secured himself a 
competence. 

C. R. REYNOLDS, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center; was born Sept. 1, 1842, in Montville, 
this count)', son of James and Lavina (Welton) 
Reynolds, to whom were born a family ol' seven 
children, who lived to maturity. Clark was but 
1 1 years of age when his father died, but he 
remained on ttie homestead until his enlistment 
in the army, which was Aug. 16, 1864, and 
served until the close of the war, the greater 
portion of his time he spent at Nashville doing 
post and provost duty ; was there the time Gen. 
Hood made his advance on the place, and 
helped entertain him during his short sta}'. 
Upon his return home, he resumed farming ; 
in August, the following year, he married (!ar- 
rie Collins, born Sept. "9, 1843, in Ashtabula 
Co., Ohio, daughter of Charles and Dorcas 
(Abbott) Collins. He was a native of England, 
she of Canada, and was a daughter of Benja- 



J'^ 



818 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



mill. Mr. Collins came West to Ashtabula 
County in 1830, and was married in 1837, and. 
finally, located in this township on the farm 
Ed Miller now owns. But two children were 
born them — Ann, now the wife of John Wilbur 
in Wellington, and Carrie, the wife of our sub- 
ject. Mr. Collins and wife were born in 1811 ; 
he, for several years, was head collier in a mine 
in Connecticut, and had charge of a large force 
of men. Mr. Collins and wife now reside in 
Wellington. Mr. Reynolds' uncle, Uri Welton, 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. was taken 
prisoner and con^•e3'ed to Halifax, and was 
never heard of afterward. Mr. Reyncjlds moved 
to the farm he now owns, in 1876. has 80 acres 
of land; is a man of a jovial disposition. Mrs. 
Reynolds, prior to her marriage, was, for sev- 
eral years, engaged as teacher. Of four chil- 
dren born them, three are living — Charles, 
Frank W. and Anna 1). Edith died when 2^ 
years old. 

RALPH RICKARD, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; born Aug. 17, 1814, in Manlius Town- 
ship, Onondaga Co., N. Y.; .son of John and 
Catharine (Ehle) Rickard, both families being 
of German extraction. Catharine's fiither was 
Peter Ehle, who married Catharine Nelas, he 
being oneof the Revolutionary soldiers. Ralph's 
father (John) was a teamster in the war of 1812, 
and drove an ammunition wagon. Ralph was 
of a family of nine children, eight of whom 
came to maturity. Some of the number cast 
their fortunes in the West, others remained in 
their native county, viz., Archibald. Mary and 
Roena. Peter, George, Ralph, Betsey and Har- 
vey, came West. Peter (now deceased) settled 
in Guilford, and raised a family — Betsey in 
Missouri ; George and Harvey in Michigan. 
His father generously gave him his time at the 
age of 111. He hired out on a f:xrm, receiving 
the prevailing low wages of that time. Decem- 
ber. 1838. he married Elizabeth Talbot, born 
Feb, 29, 1820, in Madison Co., N. Y.; daughter 
of Samuel and Betsey Talbot. Mrs. Rickard 
died June. 1852, leaving one child — Cyrus, now 
of Litchfield Township. His second marriage 
occurred April 28. 1853, with Phoebe Reynolds, 
born in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y., Jan. 15, 
1831, whose parents were Colonel and Phrebe 
(Avery) Reynolds. He was born at Warwick, 
on Narragansett Bay, R. T.; she in Herkimer Co., 
N. V. He was a son of Francis Reynolds ; she 
a daughter of Punderson Averv, of Irish stock. 



Mrs. Rickard came West with her sister in 1850, 
and Mr. Rickard came West in 1845, first to 
Canaan Township, in Wayne Co. The following 
year, he located in this township, he and 
brother George purchasing 194 acres, for which 
they paid S8.50 per acre, which they carried on 
in partnership for several years. Has now 97 
acres situated in the north part of the township, 
which has been the result of his own labor and 
patient industry. His last matrimonial union 
has been crowned with five children, tiiree liv- 
ing — Frank, Harriet (Mrs. Ruthman Kent) and 
Jennie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rickard are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Church. Mr. Rickard has 
been a man of good constitution, and a very 
hard-working man, but is now enjo\'ing the com- 
forts of his home in comparative retirement. 

0. J. ROGERS, hardware and tin-shop, 
Chatham Center ; born in this township April 
21, 1851. Is the youngest of a family of three 
children born to Orrin and Rosina (Packard) 
Rogers. He was born in New York in October, 
1815 ; she was born in 1818 ; daughter of 
Phillip Packard, a native of Penfield. Mass. 
Orrin J. was raised at home to farming. March 
26, 1878, he was married to Fannie N. Porch, 
born in Chicago in June, 1858, daughter of 
Edward N. Porch, who was oneof the early set- 
tlers and business men in tUiieago ; was a man 
of excellent business qualifications. He was a 
lake Captain, and owned several vessels, and 
did quite an extensive marine business. The 
great fire of 1871, destroyed his residence and 
some of his vessels which were in port at that 
time. He afterward purchased a farm near 
Chicago, and engaged in farming. His loss by 
the fire, and excessive labor on the farm, has- 
tened his death, which occurred in June, 1879. 
He was a native of Kngland, and was the father 
of eight children, who are Giles. Daniel, Fannie 
(Mrs. R.), Anna, Edwin, Howard, Winifred and 
Willie. Since the death of their father, the 
family returned to Chicago. Giles is now a 
foreman in a telegraph office. Our subject, 
Orrin J., first set up in business at Greenwich, 
in Huron Co., in 1877, in the stove, tin and 
hardware business with Mr. Lee, under the firm 
name of Lee & Rogers, which association 
lasted nearly two years. In October, 1879, he 
bought out the interest of J. W. Bernard, of 
this place, and has since l)een conducting it in 
a successful manner. The business being con- 
siderably in the decline when he came here, yet. 



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nt* 



" > ^ L ^ ^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



819 



under his management, it is assuming encour- 
aging proportions. He lieeps a good assort- 
ment of goods in his line, consisting of hard- 
ware, tinware, stoves, pumps, etc., etc. Mr. 
Rogers and wife are members of the Baptist 
Church. Mr. Rogers' fatiier has been a member 
since 15 years of age. 

JOHN RICK, milling and farming; P.O. Chat- 
ham Center; born in Wooster Township, Wajnie 
Co., Ohio, Aug. 4, 1833 ; eldest son of Philip and 
Sarah Rice. John was but a lad of 3 j-ears of 
age when his parents came to this township. 
His early bo3'hood was spent in school, and in 
assisting his father in the duties of the farm. 
At the age of 16, he took charge of the saw- 
mill of his father, and ran the same until he 
purchased the entire interest of the same. Oct. 
30, 1856, he married Hannah Stien, born Oct. 
14, 1830, in Berks Co., Penn. Her parents 
were Joseph and T3'pheuia (Bear) Stien. Jo- 
seph was a son of John, who was drafted in the 
war of the Revolution. The parents of Mrs. 
Rice emigrated from Pennsyh-ania to Mahon- 
ing Co.. then to Ashland f'o. In 1854, they 
settled in Homer Township, where he lived 
until his death, which occurred Dec. 20, 1880, 
in his 75th j-ear. Of his children living are 
Solomon, who resides on the homestead ; Cath- 
arine, in Ottawa, the wife of Fred Dupler ; 
Elizabeth, Mrs. W. Andrews, of Homer; Caroline, 
Mrs. Wilson Hawk, of Homer, and Mrs. Rice. 
Since Mr. Rice has been married, he has l)een a 
resident of the farm he now owns. He has six 
children — Joseph P., Sarah T., Irena E., Mary 
C, Clement S. and John W. Mr. Rice is pro- 
prietor of the Rice Mills. In 1877, he built the 
mill which he now owns, which is 34x40, and 
34 feet high, all resting on a solid wall of rock. 
The building is three stories high, has the best 
of machinery, and was built on the " New Proc- 
ess " plan, middlings purifier, and the latest 
improved cleaning machinery, and is doing a 
thriving business. 

JOHN RICHARDS, wagon-maker, Chat- 
ham Center ; born in Morcland Township, 
Wayne Co., Ohio, Sept. 13, 1841, the third of a 
family of twelve children, born to Wesley and 
Mary J. (Ogden) Richards. The former is a 
native of the Buckeye State, while his wife was 
born in Pennsylvania. Tiiey were the parents 
of the following children : Bezal E., Klizabeth, 
John, Sarah, Leonard, James A., Wesley, 
Samuel, Martha J., Charles. Margaret E. and 



George W. Bezal E. was a soldier in the late 
war, and is now a resident of Michigan. John 
Ogden, Mr. Richards' uncle, served three 
years in the war of the rebellion, and was 
taken prisoner and confined in Andersonville 
Prison, and, upon his release, was discharged 
from service, and, ujion his return home, was 
among the number who lost their lives on the 
ill-fated Sultana. At the age of 19, our subject 
left home, to learn the wagon-maker's trade. 
After serving one year at the same, he enlisted 
in the 16th O. V. I., Co. B, in the first call. His 
enlistment was April 21, 1861. After serving 
his time, he afterward re-enlisted in a new 
company, which disbanded ere they were or- 
ganized or mustered in. He then completed his 
trade, and set up in Chatham Center, and has 
since been the resident mechanic in his line, of 
the township. Dec. 1, 1863, he was married to 
Celestia A. Rice, born Dec. 31, 1846, in this 
township, daughter of Stahlman and Ann (Tay- 
lor) Rice, who were among the early arrivals to 
the county, and came into the township about 
fort3' years ago. Mr. Rice had eight children born 
to him. Mr. Richards' father died in 1875 ; his 
mother is yet living. Mr. Richards, Sr., and 
wife, were members of the M. E. Church. Mrs. 
Richards, the wife of our subject, is a member 
of the M. E. Church also. They have five chil- 
dren—Bertha M., Kthel, Charles H., Hattie A. 
and Grace E. The Richards are true Repub- 
licans. 

PHILIP RICE, farmer; Chatham Center. 
Mr. Rice has been identified with the interests 
of the township since 1836. He was born. 
May 18, 1810, in Westmoreland Co., Penn.; son 
of Barnhart, who was a son of Frederick, who 
served all through the war of the Revolution ; 
his father was Barnhart Rice, of German an- 
cestry. To Frederick Rice were born Barn- 
hart, Frederick (who died in the war of 1812), 
John, Christopher, Simeon, Henry, Catharine 
and Susan. Frederick Rice, the grandfather of 
Philip, emigrated West to this State, locating 
in Wayne Co., Wooster Township, in the spring 
of 1816, where he pui-chased 124 acres, at $10 
per acre. Barnhart and Christopher came the 
year following, Philip being a l.ad of seven 
3-ears when his father emigrated to the State. 
At the age of 1 !•, his father gave him his time ; 
he turned his attention to forming ; Oct. 9, 
1834, married Sarah Herman, born in 1812, in 
Baughman Township, Wayne Co., daughter of 



IV 



^i 



-Ll. 



S20 



BIOGUAPHICAL ,nKETCH|;>: 



George :ii)il Hlizal)eth Kooster. To Bnniliart 
Rice, the lather of Philip, were born ten ehil- 
dren ; of those liviui!; :ire Philip. John, Cath- 
arine, Klizabeth. Sarah, Susan, Anna and .Alary, 
all living in this county except Mary. After 
Pliilip was married, he rented a farm south of 
Wooster. until his location in this township, 
lie purchased 14(5 acres of John S. Strong for 
$2.51) per acre, having savetl enough money, 
while renting in Wayne Co., to make his first 
payment. The tirst year he cut otf one acre 
and a half which he put in corn and i)olatoes. 
The next year he built a saw-mill, wiiich was 
probably the tirst one built in the township, 
which he run lor many years ; his son John is 
now running his mill upon the same site. Mr. 
Rice has now 170 acres, which is adorned with 
the best of farm buihlings. Mr. Rice, having 
been one of the best farmers in the township, 
being now somewhat in decline, has given up 
the management of his tarm mostly to his sons, 
George and Oaniel. Mr. Rice is a Lutheran, 
and one of the solid farmers and honored 
members of the community ; has three chil- 
dren — John. (leorije antl Paniel. 

H. D. ROBERTS, farmer; P. O. Chatham 
Center; was born Jan. 25. 1S2(!. in Hinckley 
Township. Medina Co.; son of Robert and 
Betsey (West) Roberts. The father of our 
subject was born iu Connecticut ; he and his 
wife were married iu New York and came 
West about the jear 1 824 ; soon after his ar- 
rival to the State, he shipped on the Lake and 
was never heai-d from afterward, supposed to 
have been wrecked and drowned. Betsey, his 
wife, was born in Berkshire Co., Mass.. Julv 
22, 1807. daughter of Hphraim West. Mrs. 
Roberts had two children by her union with 
Mr. Roberts, II. D. and Lyman C. .Mrs. Rob- 
erts was subsequently married to Apollos King, 
with whom our subject lived until the death of 
his step-father ; he then carried on the farm 
for his mother three years. Sept. 12, 1S4S, he 
was married to Betsey A. Lane, who was born 
in MadiscmCo., N. Y..'jan. 27, 1S2S, daughter 
of Ciiauneey and Sallie Ijane ; both were natives 
of Madison Co. Their family consisted of 
five children, all of whom came to maturity — 
Saraantha. who married Alex. Cassell. in Bruns- 
wick : Anna M.. Mrs. R. lliers. of .Michigan. 
She died suddenly while walking in the road to 
a neighbor's house ; Chauncey and Kdwin in 
Wauseon. Fulton Co., Ohio. Chaunccv Lane, 



the father of .Mrs. R.. was a molder by ti'ade 
and one of the most skillful of his kind ; he 
moved West to Summit Co. in 1884. and died 
very soon after ; his widow married Isaac Hu- 
lett, of Brunswick Township. The father of 
Chauncey Lane was named John ; he was a 
soldier in the war of 1812. Chauncey, the 
brother of Mrs. R.. was a soldier in the late re- 
bellion, and "fought mit Sigel." In May, 
1850, Mr. Roberts (our subject) made a pur- 
chase of 60 acres where he now lives, bought of 
.Mr. Thayer, for wliicii he paid $15.50 per acre : 
but little improvements were made upon it ; it 
was almost a swamp or IVog-ponil, but Mr. 
Roberts having had considerable experience in 
pioneer life, in Hinckley, he soon cleared it up 
and afterward addeil 55 acres more, for which 
he paid $25 per acre, and has now a good farm 
with excellent buildings. He has no children, 
yet he has made a home for others under his 
own roof Mr. Roberts has a pleasant home 
and the best assortment or cabinet of Indian 
relics in the countv. 

S. C. lUPLEY. "farmer and carpenter ; P. O. 
Chatham Center; was born .Vpril 22. 1813, in 
Bennington Co., \'t., and. when a babe, removed 
with his parents to Sparta. N. Y.. on the east 
bank of Skaneatelcs Lake, in Onondaga Co. 
His parents were Jonathan and Ruth (Corey) 
Ripley ; Jonathan was bora in Rhode Island, 
and was a sou of David Ripley, who was a 
I Revolutionary soldier ; he was a brother of 
Gen. Ripley, whose name is recorded in the 
annals of American history, as one of the offi- 
cers of the Revolution. Ruth Corey was a 
daughter of Silas, to whom were born sons, as 
follows : James, Reynolds. John an<l Joseph. 
The children l)orn to Jonathan were Joshua, 
Rebecca. James, John, AVhiteman. .Mcnily, El- 
sie, David. Maria and Silas C. Our subject 
w\is raised to farm labor, but. as soon as he at- 
tained his manhood's years, he then turned his 
attention to the business his inclination and 
ability had in store. At the sige of 20. he left 
home and went to learn the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for some time : afterward, 
he went to Auburn, and there engaged in a ma- 
chine-shop, and afterward became the proprie- 
tor of the same. In June. ISStJ, he was mar- 
ried to Rosina Burgess, born iu Springticld, 
■Mass., in 180!», daughter of Benjamin S, and 
Rebecca ((^hapiu) Burgess. In 1842. .Mr. Rip- 
lev joined the tide that was emigrating west- ' 



f 



r^2 



CHATHAM TOWXSHIP. 



821 



ward, and, in December ol' the same year, he 
landed in Guilford Townsliip, and here carried 
on his trade, and, in 1847, he removed to Mont- 
ville, where he lived until January, 1853, when 
he located in this township, and has since re- 
mained. He has made several minor moves 
and changes, but, since his advent to this 
township, has been a constant nsident, and is 
still carrying on his trade as contractor and 
builder. In 1870, he located on the farm he 
now owns, consisting of 8tj acres, which was 
formerly owned by Lemuel Allis, situated im- 
mediatel}' south of the Center. Mrs. Ripley 
died in May. 1875. Five children were born, 
but two onlj- are living — William and Amelia. 
Theodore F. was a soldier in the late war — was 
a member of Co. K, 42d 0. V. I.; he enlisted 
Aug. 20, 1862, and died of disease, just one 
year, to a day, from the date of his enlistment. 
Mr. Ripley's school advantages were very lim- 
ited indeed ; what education he has was ob- 
tained in the practice of his business and self- 
teaching. Mr. Ripley is a strong temperance 
man, and not only lives in accordance thereto, 
but votes that way whenever tiie opportunity is 
presented. 

HOMER SHANK, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. (). Chatham Center ; was born Feb. 19, 1829, 
in Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, the 
eldest of a family of thirteen children born to 
his parents. His father is Rev. Michael Shank, 
whose wife was Betsey Hyde, He was born 
June 4, 1805. in Lancaster Co.. Fenn. She was 
a daughter of Henry Hyde, whose wife's 
maiden name was Mar}' Ashbaugh — all of 
whom are of German ancestry. Of Homer's 
grandfather's family, they were six in number, 
four living — Michael ; Barbara, now Mrs. Hyde, 
of Montville Township ; Nancy, now Mrs. 
Gish, of Lancaster, Fenn. ; and Fannie, now 
Mrs. Gish, of Waj-ne Co., Ohio. Of Michael's 
family. Homer, of this township ; Valentine, 
Peter and Vincent, in Litchfield ; Mar^- E., now 
Mrs. Witter, in Des Moines Co.. Iowa ; Mrs. 
Morgan Franks, of this township ; Narcissa, 
now Mrs. Wilson, of Wayne Co., Ohio ; and 
Hampton, at St. Louis, Mich. Michael, the 
father of Homer, emigrated West when a 
j-oung man, locating in Wayne Co., in 1827, 
where he married and cleared ui> a farm ; he 
remained here until 1854, when he moved to 
Medina ; remained four years, then returned to 
Waj'Ue Co., where he liv('d until about the 



year 1875. His wife died in 1872 ; he has 
since married Mercj' Carter. For forty years, 
Mr. Shank has been one of the leading Minis- 
ters of the Regular Baptist Church, and has 
now a church in charge at i'endeld, where he 
now resides. Homer remained at home until 
25 years of age. He was first married, April 0, 
1854, to Mary Otis, born in Sugar (irove Town- 
ship. Wayne Co., in 183G, daughter of Jesse 
and Charlotte Davy, he being a native of Ver- 
mont, and she of New Jersey' ; they were 
among the early settlers in Wayne Co. Mrs. 
Shank died Nov. 7, 18G4, leaving one child — 
Bert — who was but six days old at his mother s 
death. His second wife was Hannah Panny. 
daughter of Mrs. Merena Damon ; she died, 
leaving one child — Ray — born of this marriage. 
In June, 1873, he was married to .^Irs. Jennie 
Ware, who was born in Harrisville Township, 
April 22, 1840, daughter of Darius and Nancy 
(Rosa) Sanford, who were natives of New York. 
By this marriage, two children have been born 
to Mr. Shank — Tressie and Edith. Mr. Shank 
has 145 acres of land; his wife 4G. As a 
breeder and handler of thoroughbred horses, 
Mr. Shank takes the lead in Chatham Township. 
He is a breeder and trainer, his horses always 
commanding the highest market price. He re- 
cently sold General Hayes (of Iliatoga stock) 
for $.3,000. Being an excellent judge, and un- 
derstanding thoroughl}' his Ijusiness, he is ac- 
knowledged as the leading dealer in this part 
of the county. 

JOSHUA SHAW, retired, Chatham Center; 
is a native of Plainfield, Hampshire Co., Mass.; 
his birth occurred Jan. 30, 1818 ; parents were 
Thomas and*Rebecca (Hersey) Shaw. He was 
born in Abingdon, Ma.ss., about the year 1765. 
He was a son of Joshua. To Thomas were 
born five children, one daughter and four sons, 
viz., Thomas, Jerome H., James, Joshua and 
Deborah, now Mrs. Abram Falconer, in Fulton 
Co. Thomas, an artist, now a resident of 
Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and Joshua, are the only- 
ones living (Deborah, Thomas and Joshua). 
Joshua was but a lad when his father died, and 
he came West in company- with his mother in 
1834, locating one and three-fourths miles south 
of the Center. Jerome, his brother, purchased 
land at $3 per acre. Joshua worked witt his 
brother, and made his home with his mother, 
until his marriage, which event to(jk place in 
accordance with the laws of the commonwealth, 



*77 



^1 



eIl 



8':2 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



beinj; celebrated March 24. 1842 ; bis spouse 
was Lueinda E. Packard, sister of Jonathan 
and Francis P. Slie died in 1864. Two chil- 
dren were born — Sarah and Francis R. Sarah 
died at the age of 15. His second wife was 
Emil3- Warner, who died in the spring of 1869, 
leaving no issue. Nov. 24, 1870, he married 
Mary P. Packard, who was born Aug. 18, 183ti, 
in this township, daughter of William Packard, 
born in Plainfield, Mass., July 23, 1808, whose 
wife was Mary Smith ; her mother's maiden 
name was Mary F, Rude, born in Ashfield, 
March 1{>, 1804, all of Massachusetts. Mrs. 
Shaw's father resides in Covert, Van Buren Co., 
Mich. She has but two brothers living — Will- 
iam 0. and Alfred S., now of the same county 
as aliove. During the early part of Mr. Shaw's 
life, he taught school several terms, and em- 
ployed his time at home on the farm, having 
bought of his brother a portion of the land he 
first settled upon, and remained upon this tract 
until his removal to the Center in 1873, and, 
with the exception of two years spent in Mich- 
igan, after leaving the farm in 1870, has resided 
in the township forty-six years. His farm, con- 
sisting of 1 00 acres, is now being carried on by 
Francis R., who was one of the principals in 
the invention of the telephone, now in operation 
all through the country. He has been twice 
married ; first to Eliza A. Parson ; she died, 
leaving no issue. His present wife was Sarah 
Garver ; i)y her he has three children — Eva 
M., William F. and Mary J. Since 1836, Mr, 
Joshua Shaw has been a consistent member of 
the Congregational Church, He is a self-made 
man, and came here without means. 

ALFRED W. SHAW, farmer and mechanic : 
P. (). Chatham Center ; born in Plainfield Town- 
ship, Berkshire Co., Mass., May 3, 1827, the 
third child born to Orrin Shaw, who came West 
in 1833, locating in this township. Alfred 
learned the carpenter's trade of his ftxther, and, 
at the age of 21, started out on his own " hook." 
Oct. 1, 1848, he married Mary Packard, who 
was born in Plainfield, Mass.. Dec. 14, 1824. 
daughter of Phillip and Hannah Packard. Tiie 
family came West in 1833, and located near the 
farm Orrin Shaw settled. To I'hillip Packard 
were born nine children, seven of whom lived 
to be gi-own. Phillip Packard was born Max 6. 
1790; his wife Sept. 17, 1792. They were mar- 
ried in 1812. Of the number who grew up, were 
Jacob, Sallie, Rosina, Austin M.. Hannah L.. 



Mary and Aurelia. Jacob now resides in Cam- 
eron, Mo. ; Phillip died Feb. 25, 1872 ; his wife 
Feb, 20, 1833. Phillip Packard was one of the 
original members at the organization of the 
Congregational Church at the Center. Since 
the marriage of our subject, he has been a con- 
stant resident of the farm he now owns. He 
purchased 51 acres at $8 per acre, on what was 
known as the " Porter " tract. This land, at 
the time of his purchase, was unimproved ; after- 
ward added 25 acres, which cost him $25 per 
acre. Since his occupancy, has been engaged 
in farming and carrying on his trade. He has 
a mill on his premises, constructed to do grind- 
ing and planing, by steam power. Has but one 
child, William A., born Jan. 7, 1854, who re- 
sides with him. who, in Jan. 5, 1881, was mar- 
ried to Mary E. Hyde. Mr. Shaw has been a 
member of his father's church for about forty 
years, his wife nearly same time. .Mr. Shaw is a 
Republican. 

E. P. SHAW, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham Center ; 
was born on the same farm he now owns, Nov, 
8, 1836 ; son of Orrin and Sarah (Poole) Shaw. 
He was born in Plainfield. Mass., Dec. 16, 1796, 
son of Thomas, whose birth occurred Dec. 16, 
1765 ; his decease occurred in 1827, His wife 
was Deborah White, born Sept. 11, 1774; she 
died Sept. 8, 1806. She was a descendant of 
Peregrine White, who was l)orn on the May- 
flower. Thomas was the father of three chil- 
dren — Cynthia, Chloe and Orrin. Cynthia mar- 
ried Irani Packard, who settled the farm now 
owned by George Holbern, of this township ; 
Ciiloe married a Catlin. To Orrin were born 
four children — Mary, now of Missouri, who 
married Marshall Shaw ; Orrin S., of Van Buren 
Co., Mich. ; Alfred W. and E. P. in this town- 
ship. Orrin Shaw was a carpenter by trade, 
and came West m 1833 to secure a home. 
Iram Packard had preceded him, and pur- 
chased a tract of land running from the Center 
road to the river. On the west of him, he pur- 
chased a small tract at $3 per acre, adding to 
this at times until he had 100 acres ; worked at 
his trade, and earned enough to pay for it. 
Here he remained nntil his death, July 7, 1877 ; 
that of his wife, Aug. 26, 1873, He was one of 
the first members of the Congregational Church 
at its organization, and its first Deacon, which 
office he held up to the time of his death. He 
was a conscientious and upright man, Edgar 
P,, being the youngest, remained at home, and 



^ 



^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



8^3 



co-operated with his father in the management 
of the farm. He taught school several terms, 
and, having a love for music, his services were 
brought into re(iuisition as a teacher of vocal 
music. April 4, 18t>l, he married Barbara 
Hyde, born in this county, daughter of Henry 
and Sarah (Johnson) Hyde. He was born in 
Cumberland Co., Penn., Feb. 10, 1815 ; she in 
Trumbull Co., in August, 1816, a daughter of 
Austin and Maria (Oviatt) Johnson. The father 
of Henry H3de was Henry, who married Mary 
Ashbaugh, to wiiom were born a family of fifteen 
children, all of whom lived to maturity. To 
Henry Hj-de and wife were born eight children, 
seven living, who are Maria, Barbara, Nancy, 
Melissa, Henry, Anson and Mary. Henry Hyde, 
the gi-andfather of Mrs. Shaw, came West to 
this county and settled in Montville in 1815, 
they having to pack their efl'ects on horseback 
to their cabin, as there were no roads cut. 
After residing here many years, he finally lo- 
cated in Litchfield, where he died Jul}' 21, 1877. 
His wife is now living in Sullivan, Ashland Co., 
Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Shaw have six children — 
Edgar B., Clara E., Allison P., Mary B., How- 
ard A. and Emilj- B. For twenty-eight years, 
Mr. Shaw has been a member of the Congre- 
gational Church, and had charge of the choir, 
being an able and efficient leader. His farm, 
consisting of lOO acres, was formerly owned by 
his father. 

D. B. SANFORD, farmer; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; was born June 20, 1813, in Green 
Township, Chenango Co., N. Y., the third of a 
family of nine children, whose parents were 
Beers and Rachel (Akerly) Sanford. Beers was 
a son of Lemuel Sanford, whose children were 
Beers, Jackson, Daniel, Darius, Hannah and 
Apha. Rachel was a daughter of Samuel, 
whose otfspring were Rachel, Vina, Polly, 
Rhoda, Betsey, Conrad and Miller. The Aker- 
lys were originallj' from Holland, while the 
Sanfords, so far as known, are descendants of 
the Puritans. The Sanford famil}- came West 
in 1832, and located in the northeastern part of 
Harrisville Township, where Albert Sanford 
now resides. Here Beers Sanford purchased 
60 acres, which cost $3.50 per acre. Here he 
settled, in the woods, and remained on this 
tract until his decease, which occurred Dec. 7, 
1877, in his 84th year. His wife lived until 
she turned her fourscore and four years ; she 
died Dec. 23, 1880. This venerable couple had 



been members of the M. E. Church for many 
years. Both died in the triumph of a living 
faith. The last words he uttered were, •■ I 
know that m}- Redeemer liveth," and soon 
passed to his rest. Darius B. assisted his 
father in clearing up his farm. At the age of 
21, he began working out by the month, receiv- 
ing $9 per month. He continued in this wa}' 
until his union with Naucy Rosa, Feb. 28, 1843, 
who was born Aug. 12, 1825, in Steuben Co., 
N. Y., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Da- 
vis) Rosa, the latter of whom was a daughter 
of Benjamin and Nanc}' Davis. William Rosa 
was a soldier in the war of 1812. To Benja- 
min Davis were born two sons and six daugh- 
ters, whose names are Henrj-, Abram, Eliza- 
beth, Margery, Phtjebe, Julia, Nancy and Sarah. 
To William Rosa were born eleven children, all 
of whom grew to maturity. Mrs. Sanforil had 
three brothers who took their places in the rank 
and file of the " boys in blue." William died of 
disease at Pittsburg Landing. Isaac was taken 
prisoner, and served many weary and hungry 
days within the confines of Libby Prison ; he 
had served all through the war, and was in the 
prison at the time Richmond was captured. Reu- 
ben after serving his time in the 10th Kan. V. I., 
and escaping the perils of war, was murdered, 
after the war, at Baxter Springs, being shot by 
some unknown party, and his body afterward 
found in the river. He was last seen driving 
his team, which was never seen afterward. 
Soon after Mr. Sanford was married, he set up 
housekeeping on his father's place. All the 
household ettects he had to begin with, he could 
have wheeled upon a barrow. He lived there 
about eight jears, and, during this time, worked 
out as he could, and managed to save enough, 
in this time, to make a payment upon a place 
of his own. His father was unable to assist 
him, but our worthy subject was energetic, and, 
having a good wife to assist him, '-gained 
ground " every year. His first purchase was 
in the east part of the township, where he pur- 
chased the place which W. Widemau now owns, 
which was unimproved ; he soon cleared this, 
and made another purchase near bj-, which he 
also cleared up. Since 1872, he has been a res- 
ident of the farm he now owns, which was set- 
tled by Aniasa I'ackard. Mr. Sanford has done 
an immense amount of hard labor, and has 
made all he has bj- the hardest of work. He 
has four children — Delia, Sarah, Jane and Hi- 



r 






-=4- 



824 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ram. Mr. Panford's wife and the daughters are 
all memhers of the M. K. Church. 

JACKSON STHOUP, farmer and black- 
smith ; P. 0. Chatham Center ; born March 9, 
1822, in Rich Hill Township, Greene Co., Penn., 
son of Samuel and Rachel (Rush) Stroup. 
Samuel was a son of Thomas, of German de- 
scent, to whom were born John, George, Millie 
and Lavina. The father of Rachel was Peter 
Rush, a native of Pennsylvania. Jackson was 
a lad of 13 when his parents came West. His 
father located first in Spencer, purchasing land, 
for which he paid #5 yicr acre. He did not re- 
main long on this place, but moved about con- 
siderably before he died, renting land in differ- 
ent localities. His death occurred in the year 
1840. His family consisted of nine children, 
all of whom lived to maturity. The}- were Lu- 
cinda, Eliza, Jackson, Silas, (reorge, Parker, 
Oliver, Martin and Phillip. After the death of 
his father, Jackson took charge of the familj-, 
and kept them together, and maintained them 
until they were enabled to care for themselves. 
At the age of 25, he was married to Delilah 
Haines, who was born in Wooster. Ohio, Oct. 
28. 1827, daughter of Jacol) and Maria (Si)ace) 
Haines. Jacob was born in New York, and 
was a son of Christopher, a native of Germany, 
whose family consisted of nine children. After 
the marriage of Mr. Stroup, he located in 
Spencer Township and worked at his trade. In 
1859, he moved to this township and purchased 
of Mr. Charles Collins 40 acres, and has since 
added to the same until he now has 90 acres. 
Six children have been liorn to him, who are 
George A., Garner, Chester, Martha (now Mrs. 
William Maxon). Edman and Harvey. Mrs. 
Stroup's father came West to Wayne Co. 
when young, his father being one of the first 
settlers in the county. Mr. Stroup and wife 
are members of the M. E. Church. 

WILLIAM SHOEMAKER, farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham ('enter; was born July 22. 1832, in 
Wayne Co., Ohio, the ninth child of a family 
of fourteen children born to Rev. John and 
Catharine (Ringer) Shoemaker. This gentle- 
man was born Ai)ril 3, about the year 1788, in 
Armstrong Co., Penn,. son f)f Joseph Shoe- 
maker, of German ancestry. To him were 
born seven children. Catharine Ringer was a 
daughter of Michael, to whom were born fiv(^ 
sons and five daughters, who were John, (ieorge, 
Michael, William and Henry ; the dau<j;hters 



were Catharine, Mary, Betsey and Catharine. 
John Shoemaker, the father of William, emi- 
grated West about the year 1826, locating in 
what was then Perry Township, Wayne Co., 
where he purchased 160 acres of land. John 
Shoemaker, after thirty years' ministerial labor 
in the German Baptist Church, departed this 
life June 10, 1855. He was a just and upright 
man. a kind father and a consistent Christian. 
William left home at 22 years of age. Nov. 
22, 1854. was married to Leah Berkey, who 
was liorn in Northampton Co., Penn., Sept. 4, 
1831, daughter of Christian and Barbara 
(Shaum) Berkey. Christian was born and 
raised in Northampton Co.. his wife in Plain- 
field Township. The mother of Barliara Shaum 
was a Miller prior to her marriage. Mrs. Shoe- 
maker's parents came West about the j-ear 
1842. Christian Berkey. the father of Mrs. 
Shoemaker, died in 1873. his wife, 1856. They 
were members of the Mennonite Church. After 
Mr. Shoemaker was married, he lived one year 
and a half on his father's farm, then removed 
to Ashland Co.. where he lived eight years. In 
1863. located where he now resides. First pur- 
chased 85 at'res of Robinson, for which he paid 
$34; has since added to it until he has 172 
acres. Has three children — Melinda. now Mrs. 
McVicker, on farm adjoining; Eliza and Lorin. 
at home. Mr. Shoemaker has a fine location, 
and his new residence, built the past year, is 
one of the finest. He and wife are members 
of the German Baptist Church ; also, his eldest 
daughter. In connection with his farming, he 
runs a dairy of twenty cows, and is a successful 
farmer. 

EDWARD TALBOTT. retired farmer; P. O. 
Chatham Center; was born March 4. 1809. in 
Cazenovia Township. Madison Co.. N. Y.. son 
of Samuel and Betsey (Arnold) Talbott. Bet- 
sey was a (laughter of I'eleg. who was liorn in 
Providence, R. I., and of Scotch ancestry. Ed- 
wai'd Talbott, grandtather of our subject, was a 
native of England, and emigrated to America 
during the latter part of the eighteenth cen- 
turj'. He was a man of superior education 
and mental endowments, and was for many 
years in His Majesty's service as a Recording 
Officer and Surveyor. He was related to some 
of the noble familii's of England. His mother 
was a Countess, and resided in a fine mansion a 
short distance from Loudon. Samuel Talboll. 
the father of our suliject. was a farmer. To 






l\^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



835 



him were born nine children — Hiram, Lorenzo, 
Edward. Alpheus. George. Maria, Caroline. 
Eliza and ^arah. Edward was 22 when he be- 
gan for himself. His first purchase of land was 
in Murray Township, Orleans Co., N. Y. Jan. 
22, 1839. he was married to Cynthia Reynolds, 
born in Madison Co.. N. Y.. in 181(5, daughter 
of Col. and Phebe (Avery) Reynolds. After 
his marriage, he purchased a small farm near 
his father's, where he resided until 184(), when 
he sold out and came West, locating in this 
township, purchasing 121 acres where Mr. Frost 
now resides. In 1855. he bought out Marcus 
Lyon, south of the Center, purchasing 146f| 
acres at S30 per acre, and kept the same until 
1870, when he sold out to A. C. Packard at §70 
per acre, and has since resided at the Center. 
Five daughters have been born him, who have 
since married, and are residents of the town- 
ship. Euphemia married Amasa Clapp ; Luc}' 
A.. P. D. Stowell ; Henrietta, W. H. Shane ; 
Mattie, A. R. Clapp ; Ida, B. 0. McConnell. 
Mr. Talljott began life poor, but by good man- 
agement has accumulated a comfortable fort- 
une. He is not a church member, nor has he 
ever taken an active part in the politics of his 
township, further than to vote intelligently. 

O. E. TOWN, fanner; P. 0. Ciiatham' Cen- 
ter ; is a native of the Buckeye State, and was 
born May 11, 1847, in Parkman. (rcauga Co.; 
son of Lj-raan and Betsey (Porter) Town. The 
former was born July 13, 1801, in Chautauqua 
Co., N. Y., and was a son of Isaac Town. Bet- 
sey Porter was born in the same State, Feb. 20, 
1808, and was a daughter of John Porter. To 
Isaac Town was born a family of eleven chil- 
dren, but one now living, Sylvia, who married 
Stephen (rates, of (xeauga Co. Lyman Town 
was married in New York, and emigrated West 
to Geauga Co., where he settled in 1840. To 
him was born a fomily of eleven children, nine 
in the Empire State ; those living are Isaac ; 
Mary, Mrs. E. Wiiite, in Ashtabula Co.; A. C, 
in Parkman, on the homestead ; Ira P. ; Francis 
H.; Roxie Mrs. Edwin Fisher, in Portage Co.; 
Orrin E., in this township ; and Alvira (_). (Mrs. 
Edward Beardsley) ; all of them in Geauga Co. 
except (Jrrin E., Roxie and Mary. Clark Town, 
son of Isaac, was a soldier in the war of 1812. 
Of the Town family, there were engaged in the 
late war Francis H. and Ira P., both members 
of the 9th C)hio Artillery, the former serving 
five and the latter three vears. Lyman Town 



was a farmer, and cleared up a farm in Chau- 
tauqua Co. before coming West. He died in 
Geauga Co., Feb. 13, 1880 ; his wife survives 
him. O. E, left home at 23. Jan. 17. 1871, he 
was married to Mary E. Fellows, who was born 
July 1, 1849, in (Jnondaga Co., N. Y.; daughter 
of Henry and Susan Fellows (his second wife), 
who was born in Pompey, (Jnondaga Co., N. Y., 
July 20. 1813. They were married in Lake 
Co., Nov. 15, 1840, and had five children, three 
now living — Stephen, Mary E. and Eunice (Mrs. 
John Dague) ; all of this township. Hiram 
died at Winchester, March 23, 18G2 : he was a 
member of Co. K, 8th 0. V. I. Since 1871, 
Mr. Town has resided on the farm he now owns, 
consisting of 91 acres, which was the farm set- 
tled and cleared up l\v Henry Fellows. To Mr. 
Town ha\e been born throe children — Henry 
L., Edwin O. and Leo E. Both he and wife are 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
CHARLES P. THATCHER, merchant, 
Chatham Center; born in Litchfield Township 
March 7, 1848 ; son of Buckley and Emerancy 
(Culver) Thatcher. He was bo'rn Feb. 22, 180(3, 
at Lee. in Berkshire Co., Mass. She was born 
in same place Feb. 12, 1807 ; daughter of Solo- 
mon and Elizabeth (Leonard) Culver. The 
genealogy of the Thatcher family runs in this 
order : The father of Buckley was Timothy, 
who was born at Wareliani, but removed in 
early life to Lee. Berkshire Co. He tliere mar- 
ried Dolly (Dorothy) Phelps, Dec. 31, 1799. He 
was a son of Deacon Roland, who married, June 
28, 1773, to Elizabeth Nye, of Rochester, Mass. 
He was a son of Rev. Roland, who was born 
Aug. 28, 1710. at Barnstable ; was educated 
for the ministry, and graduated at Harvard 
College in 1733 ; was ordained as minister in 
1740, and was a Pastor for thirty-four years. 
His wife was Abigail (Crocker) Roland : was a 
son of Col. John, born at Y'armouth Jan. 28, 
1645. For thirty years, he was Register of 
Deeds for the county, and for many years Judge 
of the Court of Common I'leas. and Colonel of 
a regiment of militia. He died IMarch 1 7, 17(54, 
at the age of 90. His wife was Desire Sturgis 
Dimmock. The parentsof our subject emigrated 
West in 1830, arriving in Litchfield in June. 
He was a cabinet-maker by occupation. After 
his arrival, he made several removals, first to 
Elyria. then to Hudson, next to Ridgeville, then 
to Grafton, and, in 1837. returned to Litchfield, 
where he located and remained until his death, 



•^ Q 



31 



g 



83e 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



which occurred Sept. 16. 1 853, by railroad acci- 
dent near Oneida, N. Y., while returning home 
from a visit to his friends in Massachusetts. 
His wife still survives him, and resides with her 
son Charles P. Of eight children who grew to 
maturity, but live are now living, viz., James 
G., in this township ; Sarah E., Mrs. F. L. Fair- 
child, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio ; Abigail, with her 
mother ; Charles P. and Timothy D.. in Buffalo, 
Neb. At the age of IG, Charles P. left home 
and engaged as clerk for one 3'ear in Ashland 
Co. Two j'ears later he purchased a farm and 
engaged iu farming. In 18(32. bought a place 
in this township and remained on the same 
until he engaged in the mercantile business in 
1876, at Chatham Center. Sept. 12, 1871, was 
married to Lida Packard, who was born June 
18, 1851, being the eldest child of Jonathan 
Packard. To them have been born four chil- 
dren — Roscoe W., Edna L., Lula M. and infant 
unnamed. He and wife are both members of the 
Congi'egational Church. Since March, 1879, 
has been serving as Postmaster. 

0. E. WHITE, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham Cen- 
ter ; born Oct. 12, ISS-t, in Sheridan Township. 
Chautauqua Co., N. Y., son of James and Anna 
(Peebles) Wliite, his father's name was James, 
and came from the Emerald Isle. To him 
were born James, David, Daniel. John, Will- 
iam, Henry and Mary ; Henry was killed 1)\- 
the falling of a tree. To his sou James were 
born Mary E., Christina E., Oliver 0., H. P., 
Henry, Walter C. Steuben, (Jscar F. and Ozro 
B., of the above number but three are living, 
Christina E.. of Fredonia, N. Y., the wife of 0. 
Doolittle, Oscar iu Wauseon, Fulton Co., Ohio, 
and our subject 0. E. James White, the 
grandfather of Ozro, as well as his great-grand- 
father John, were soldiers in the war of the 
Revolution. James, the father of 0. E., and 
his brothers David ami John, were in the war 
of 1812. James White was born in Eastern New 
York June 14, 1784. his wife, Anna, in 17111 ; 
she died in 1855, and her husband Jan. 22. 
1878. Mr. White, early in life, removed with 
parents to Madison Co., N. Y., afterward settled 
in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and came West to this 
county, arriving Feb. 23, 1849. Anna Peebles 
was a daughter of William F., to whom were 
born Iiobort, William, Seth. Riley, Orrisa, Betsey 
and Anna. Since 1849, our sultject has re- 
mained on the farm his father lirst located, con- 
sisting of 106 acres. Jlav 3, 1855, our sub- 



ject was married to Venila M. Stowell, born 
in Plaintield, Mass., April 17, 1836, daughter 
of William and Mary (Shaw) Stowell ; he 
was born in Massachusetts March 28, 1812, 
she in same State iu 1822 ; his father's name 
was David, whose wife was IMly Remington, 
to whom were born Nathan, Saliie, David, Will- 
iam, Harriet, Mehitable and Clarissa. The 
Stowells are of Scotch ancestry. Mrs. White's 
grandfather, ou her mother's side, was John. 
Mrs. White has one brother and one sister liv- 
ing — Lydia A., Mrs. T. Rice, of Sullivan Town- 
ship, Ashland Co., Ohio, and William H., in 
Fulton Co., this State. To Mr. and Mrs. White 
have been born three children, viz.: 3Iary, born 
Jan. 3, 1858, now the wife of H, Dustin, of this 
township; Walter Perry. Jan. 2. 1860. and O. 
Stowell, born Jan. 1, 1866. Mr. White, since his 
father's occupancy of this farm, has been a con- 
stant resident ; is a man of easy habits, and is a 
lover of fun and good music, especially the vio- 
lin, upon which he is an excellent performer. 

MAJ. WILLIAMS, cheese manufticturer, 
Chatham Center ; was born in La Fajette 
Township May 22, 1836, the eldest of a familj' 
of four children, who are Mary C. (now in Polk 
Co., Iowa, the wife of Robert McConnell), Henry 
A. (in Morris Co., Kan.), Herbert R. (in Ra- 
venna, Portage Co., Ohio), all of whom were 
born to Roswell and Clarinda (Jenkins) Will- 
iams, He was born Nov. 24, 1804, in Benning- 
ton Co., Yt., son of John Williams, of Welsh 
ancestry. Clarinda Jenkins was born May 29, 
1812, in Jetferson Co., N. Y., and was married 
to Mr. Williams Oct. 7, 1834 Her father was 
Abiah Jenkins, who was an early settler in Jef- 
ferson Co. In the spring of 1833, Roswell 
Williams and wife joined the tide of emigration 
Westward, locating on 200 acres of land now 
owned l)y J. Chamberlain, in La Fayette Town- 
ship. From .Medina, their course was marked 
by blazed trees, the countrj' then being a wil- 
derness. Here, upon this farm, the father of 
our subject spent the greater part of his life. 
He died Oct, 5, 1877, his death resulting from 
accident while in Iowa visiting. He was riding 
out with his grandchildren, when the horse 
took fright and threw him out, breaking his 
ankle. Gangrene setting in. amputation be- 
came necessary, which operation he did not 
survive. For many years, he had been a prom- 
inent member in the Congregational Church ; 
was one of its charter members, and for manv 



^ 



l^ 



CHATHAM TOWNSHIP. 



827 



j'ears was Deacon. He was a man universally 
beloved. He was a stanch Whig in the early 
part of his life ; later, he was a member of the 
Republican party, in which he ever took an 
active part. Our subject, though raised to 
farming, at the age of IS began teaching, which 
he followed up to 1861, having taught in this 
time nineteen terms of school. March 20, 1860, 
he married L. C. Hickox, who was born Jan. 5, 
1840, at Monroe Falls, Summit Co., Ohio, 
daughter of William and Almira (Bissell) Hick- 
ox. Both were born in Ontario Co. — he June 
12, 1810 ; she March 29, 1811. He was a son 
of William Hickox, a soldier in the war of 1812, 
as were also Maj. Williams' grandfathers Jen- 
kins and Williams. William Hickox, Jr., died 
in 1872 ; his wife in 1856. During the first 
year of the war, our subject was chosen Drill- 
master of a home company in La Fayette, and, 
in September of that year (1861), he enlisted, 
and was chosen Captain of the company, and 
mustered into Co. B, 42d 0. V. I. July 25, 
1862, he was commissioned as Major of the 
regiment, and served until Dec. 4, 1864, serv- 
ing three j-ears and three months, participating 
in manj' battles, some of which were Middle 
Creek, Chickasaw Blufl'. Arkansas Post and 
Cumberland Gap. During a greater portion of 
the time, he was in command of the regiment. 
In Ma}-, 1863, he was in command at Thomp- 
son's Hill, at Champion Hills and at Black 
River Bridge. He was in command at the first 
assault upon the works at Vicksburg, also at 
Jackson, Miss., and commanded when building 
l)ridge of boats across the Atchafalaya River. 
During his term of three j-ears and three 
months' service, he came through without a 
wound or a scratch, at one battle receiving four 
bullet holes through his clothing. The last 
gun he heard fired before leaving the front for 
home, was fired at him bj- a bushwhacker at 
short range, which liarely grazed his temple. 
Since the Major returned home, he has been en- 
gaged mostly in agricultural pursuits. In 1867, 
he embarked in the cheese manufactorj- at La 
Fayette, which he carried on successfully for 
twelve years. Since March, 1872, he has been 
a resident of this township, where he has been 
engaged in the same enterprise, having had an 
interest in the Litchfield and Wellington fac- 
tories. At present, he is mainly interested in 
the one at Chatham Center, which aljsorbs the 
product of eight hundred cows. In political 



matters, he has, for several 3'ears past, borne a 
prominent part in the county. During the 
year 1880, he was a delegate to the State and 
National Conventions, and was unanimously 
elected a member of the State Board of Equali- 
zation the same year. Is a member of the 
Congregational Church, and of the Masonic 
Fraternitv, both as W, M, of A,, F. & A. M., No. 
58, and of the R. A. M., No. 36. Has five chil- 
dren — Gertrude I., Don 11., Clare G. and Carl 
S. (twins), and Blake, the youngest, 

J, D, WHITNEY, farmer ; P. 0. Chatham 
Center ; was born Feb. 23, 1827, in Lewis Co., 
N. Y., the second of a family of four children, 
born to his parents, Hiram and Susan (Stan- 
ton) Whitney. Hiram Whitne}- was killed by 
the falling of a tree, when James was but a lad, 
and, as a consequence, he knows but little con- 
cerning the historj- of the Whitnej- family. 
After the death of his father, he lived with his 
mother until 12 years of age ; then he went to 
live with a man b}- the name of Kitts, with 
whom he lived one year ; then he went to Jef- 
ferson Co,, and lived wilh his Uncle Hutchin- 
son two 3'ears ; he worked at the tailor's trade 
two j-ears ; abandoning this, he worked one 
year at the cabinet-maker's trade ; then he 
sailed on the lake one 3'ear ; returning again to 
the cabinet business, he continued two seasons in 
the employ of Brittain ; then he returned to 
the lake again one season ; that fall he came 
out to this county and stajed one year ; he re- 
turned once more to the lake, and at last came 
to Medina Co,, to remain permanently, Jan. 
1, 1843, he was married to Rhoda Smith, an 
adopted daughter of William Jordan, who was 
one of the first settlers of the township. After 
his marriage, he settled in town on a village lot. 
In the spring of 1850, he caught the gold fever 
and went to California, remaining one year ; he 
then returned to this county. In 1862, he lo- 
cated on the farm he now owns. His wife died 
in April, 1874, leaving three children — Mary, 
now Mrs. S. H. McConnell ; Florilla, who mar- 
ried A. Peckham, and James H. Mr. and Mrs. 
McConnell now reside in Kansas ; Florilla and 
husband in this township. Jan. 14, 1876, he was 
married to Adaline AVhite, who was born Sept. 
20, 1847, in Wayne Co,, Ohio, near Smithville : 
she is a daughter of William and Julia (Stiver) 
White, Mrs, Whitney is a sister of 3Irs, W, 
A, Cotner, of La Fayette Township, Since ?Ir, 
Whituev located here, he has been a constant 



^Z 



828 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



resident. He recently- sold 16 acres, including 
his residence and farm buildings, to A. Benton, 
now used for hotel purposes, and known as the 
Chatham House. In 1880, he built a new and 
substantial residence and barn just in the rear 
of the hotel, and is now very conifi)rtal)l3- situ- 
ated ; he has 110 acres adjoining the town on 
the west. For several years he was engaged 
in raising short-horn cattle ; he afterward sold 
out to Araasa Clapp. Cast his first vote for 
Zaehary Taylor ; has formerly been Democratic, 
but more recently has taken the Prohibition 
side, and is a strong temperance man. He has 
one child bv his last marriage — Delbert B. 

WILLIAM H. WIDEMAN, farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham Center ; was born in this township. 
Feb. 17, 18-15. His parents were Phillip and 
Elizabeth (Lance) Wideman, W. H. being their 
fourth child. William's father dying, his 
mother was married to Phillip Long, with whom 
our subject lived and worked until past his ma- 
jority. Afterward he worked out by the month 
for other parties, and farmed on shares. May 
10, 1872. he married Sarah L. Sanford. who was 
born in Harrisville, Feb. 10, 1849, daughter of 
P. B. and Nancy Sanford. Shortly after their 
marriage, he purchased, of his father-in-law, 
the farm he now owns, which was cleared up 
by D. B. Sanford himself. Has one son, Lucius, 
called Luie R.; Leon died aged 2 years 10 
months and 6 days. Mr. Wideman is the 
youngest male member of the Wideman family, 
and is a representative of one of the most re- 
spected families in the county. His wife is a 
member of the Cong;rei!;ational Church. 

ALDEN WHIT.VlAN. farmer and Justice of 
the Peace ; P. (). Chatham Center. Esquire 
Whitm.an was born April 9, 1832, in Savoj- 
Township. Berkshire Co., Mass., son of Isaac 
and Hannah ( Pack,ard) Whitman. He was born 
in Bridgeport, same State, in 1793, and was a 
son of Jeptha, who was of Irish ancestry. Han- 
nab was born 1803, in Hampshire Co.. daughter 
of Phillip Packard, who for five years was a sol- 
dier in the war of the Revolution. The Whit- 
man family came West in 1842. locating in this 
township, one mile and a half south of the Cen- 
ter, on the farm now owned by John Lange. 
where he i^urchascd 7G acres, for which he paid 
$14 per acre. To Jeptha Whitman were born 
seven children, whose names were Ebcn. Isaac, 
Ephraim, Noble, Ezra, Betsey and Sybil. To 
Isaac were born three children, two sons and 



one daughter, viz.: Alden, Isaac, Jr., and Har- 
riet N.; Alden, of this township ; Isaac is now 
in the mercantile business in Granger Town- 
ship ; Harriet N. is now the wife of J. A. Raw, 
of (iranger. The father of Alden being in poor 
health, the boys remained with him until some 
time after becoming men in stature. Father 
died 1861. she 1863." In 1854, Alden and brother 
went to Granger Township, where the}- pur- 
cl ased a saw-mill, and engaged in the lumber 
business for several years. In 1805, the}' aban- 
doned the lumber business and engaged in sell- 
ing goods at Granger Center, which partnership 
lasted until 1873, when Isaac purchased Alden's 
interest, and has since been a merchant at that 
place. July 15, 185G. Alden was married to 
Susan J. Daniels, who was born in Hampshire 
Co., Mass., Feb. 1, 1832, daughter of Barney 
and Mehitable Daniels. To Mr. Whitman have 
been born two children — Mar}' L., now the wife 
of George E. Noah, on farm adjoining, and 
Eugene N. Mr. Whitman was elected Justice 
of the Peace in Granger, and, with the excep- 
tion of one term, has been a continuous incum- 
bent of the office, fjarly in life he had the 
misfortune to injure his left leg by a fall, which 
gradually grew worse, rendering amputation 
necessary. He learned the shoemaker's trade, 
which he followed for some time afterward. 
He has now 111 acres of land, situated in the 
south part of the township. Mr. Whitman is 
a man of kind and generous impulses, and a 
worthy citizen of the township. 

ALVaII young, farmer ; P. (). Chatham 
Center. The aliove gentleman was born in 
Addison Co., "\"t.. March 23. 1802. His parents 
were James and Naomi (Clark) Young. James 
Young was born June 19, 1779 ; his father was 
a soldier in the war of the Revolution. To him 
were born William, Thomas, Samuel, Stephen, 
James and Lydia, To James were born Melissa, 
Heman and Alvah. Naomi was a daughter of 
Michael Clark, to whom were born seven chil- 
dren, four sons and three daughters, who were 
Samuel, Joseph Tliomp.son. Daniel and Sheldon ; 
daughters were Naomi, Abigail and Lois. James 
Young was a farmer, and was descended from 
Scotch ancestors. He died April 9, 1829; his 
wife survived him until April 9, 1861. Both 
were members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Alvah was reared to farm labor, re- 
maining at home until he attained his major 
years. Soon after was joined by marriage to 



^' 






t^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



829 



Lucretia Thompson, of Vermont, daughter of 
James and Lucretia (Hatfield) Tliompson. The 
marriage record bears date Nov. 24, 1824. In 
1835, he emigrated West to this State, locating 
in Cuyahoga Co., where he remained until 1842. 
He made a purchase in the north part of the 
township, where he now lives, of GO^ acres, at 
i?5 per acre. When he came in to build his 
cabin, a trail had to be cut into his present 
location, leaving his familj- at a house in Litch- 
field until he could build him a house for their 
reception ; this cabin was covered with elm bark 
for a roof, under which he lived for several 
years. Arriving here in June, he succeeded in 
getting enough cleared to put in six acres of 
wheat that fall. Being a man of strong and 
vigorous constitution, and not afraid to labor, 
he soon had 100 acres cleared and paid for. 



Has now 140 acres under excellent Improve- 
ments. His wife died Sept. IG, 18G3, leaving 
nine children ; of tliose born are Horace, in 
Monroe Co.. Mich.; Jane died in Avon ; James, 
in Lenawee Co., Mich.; Delia, Mrs. James 
Flager, of Michigan ; Mary, now Mrs. C. Moon, 
of Lorain Co.; .Melissa, the wife of K. Moon, of 
Michigan ; Clarlv 1). and (ieorge. of this town- 
ship ; Laura L., of La Favette Township, the 
wife of John Wideman. "Dec. 23, 1864, Mr. 
Young was married to Vesla Bicknell, who w'as 
born in Iloosac, N. Y., November, 1807, daugh- 
ter of Elijah and Diana (Becker) Bicknell. He 
vpas born in New Hampshire ; she in New York, 
To them was born a family of eight children — 
Cornelia, Nancy K.. A'esla, Jane A., Becker, 
Hiram, Dora and Peter. 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



ALVA AVEEILL, deceased. He was born 
Sept. 1, 1794, in Greenfield, Hillsboro Co., 
N. H. ; son of David Averill, to whom were 
born the following children : Asa, Allen, Sallie, 
Ethan, Jane, Ruth, Fannie, Ira, Alva. Fannie 
and David were born in New Hampshire ; the 
others in Kennebec Co.. Me., where David re- 
moved about the year 1800. Alva w-as a lad 
of 14 when his father died, and at that time 
was thrown upon his own resources, and early 
in life learned to '' rough it." Dec. 2, 1818, he 
was married to Abigail Averill, his cousin, who 
was born June 13. 1797 ; she was a daughter 
of Elijah and Mehitable (Bradford) Averill, to 
whom were born nine children, of whom she is 
now the sole survivor. Her father was a stone- 
cutter and an excellent mechanic, and had been 
a soldier in the war of the Kevolution, receiv- 
ing his pay in continental money. He selected 
land in Deering, Mass., with a view to purchas- 
ing it, but before he closed the trade his money 
became worthless. This disheartened him, and, 
having endured the hardships and exposure of 
that trying period, he sickened and died soon 
afterward. He had four brothers and one sis- 
ter — Eben, Elijah, David, Moses and Kuth ; all 
of these served in the war of the Revolution, and 
were among the number who, at Vallej' Forge 
and other places, suflered such extreme hard- 



ships, hunger and exposure. Ira was wounded. 
After the death of her father, she being then a 
girl of 7 years, was left to shift for herself, and 
worked about, and also acted as nurse. She 
remained four jours in the Hutchinson familj-, 
of singing fame. She learned to spin and 
weave, and worked wherever she could obtain 
employment, and saw hard times in her en- 
deavors to maintain herself and assist her 
mother in caring for the other children. As 
stated above, Mr. Averill was married in 1818 ; 
he purchased 47 acres in Kennebec Co. (now 
Franklin), Me., and remained there until 1834, 
when he determined to cast in his fortunes 
with the West ; starting that fall, he came by 
canal to Rochester, where he spent the winter. 
He left there April 28, and, with stafi' in hand, 
walked out and took up 104 acres (where Je- 
mima now resides), and, returning as 'he came, 
brought out his family in a wagon, reaching 
here June 12. Six weeks from his arrival, thej' 
moved into their log dwelling. Here he re- 
mained until removed by death, Jan. 23, 18G1. 
He was a man of sound judgment, and a cor- 
rect business man. In his younger days, he 
worked at the carpenter's trade, and was nat- 
urally ingenious, turning his hand cleverly to 
anything of a mechanical nature. The Averill 
family have long been Democratic ; his father 



^ 



880 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



cast the fiist Democratic vote in Temple Town- 
ship. Me. Alva, however, after the pa.ss- 
age of the Fugitive Slave Law, voted the Re- 
publican ticket. His widow, having passed the 
allotted span of life, still retains her faculties 
to such an extent as seems to indicate a fur- 
ther lease of life. The farm, consisting of 160 
acres, is being carried on, and managed very 
successful!}-, by her daughter Jemima, who is 
the onlj' child living. 

MRS. OLNEY ALLEN, retired; Medina; 
was born in Pleasant Vallej-, Litchfield Co., 
Conn., May 15. 1808, daughter of Eben Wood- 
ruff, whose wife's maiden name was Rhoda Coe. 
^Ir. Woodruff was born in 1774, in Farmiugton. 
Hartford Co., Conn., his wife in Winchester, 
Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1777; Eben's father's 
name was Elisha ; Rhoda Coe was a daughter 
of Jonathan Coe; Eben died in 1S50, his wife 
in 1848 ; they had a family of six children. 
Feb. 16, 18.33. our subject was married to Mr. 
Olney Allen, who was born Dec. 6, ISOfi, in 
Constableville, X. Y. ; he was a son of Willard 
and Polly (Wadsworth) Allen, to whom were 
born six children, five sons and a daughter. 
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, they 
went by stage to Albany, thence to Buffalo l)y 
canal, then bj" steamboat to Cleveland ; when he 
came to this township he had but $200 in money. 
He was a cooper by trade. Upon his arrival, 
he purchased land of Edward Starr, for which 
he paid $8 per acre ; three acres of it were 
cleared, and there was a small log cabin on the 
place. At this time, there was but one road in 
the township which led from Medina to Harris- 
ville, there being !)ut four houses on the route. 
Mr. Allen was a successful business man, and 
accumulated a good property, besides 160 acres 
of land, which .Mrs. Allen now owns. He died, 
Oct. 6, 1880, leaving his wife and one son to 
mourn his loss. Mr. Allen was a good citizen, 
an upright man and a kind husband ; he was a 
Republican and well read in the topics of the dav. 

WILLL\M AVERILL. farmer ; P. O. Wi't- 
tlesey; was born in Milford, HiUsboro Co., 
N. H., July 21, 1826, one of a family of seven" 
children, six of whom grew to maturity, viz.: 
Lucinda. Eben. Elijah, Thomas, William and 
Andrew ; of these, Elijah, William and Lucinda 
are living. All of the above were born to Eli- 
jah, Sr., and Amanda (Towne) Averill. The 
former was born Jan. 24. 1792 ; the latter May 
20. 1797. He was a son of Elijah Averill, and 



j a native of New Hampshire. The Averills are 
i of English descent. The grandfather of Will- 
iam Averill was a ■' minute-man " in Revolu- 
tionary times, and his uncle Shubael was en- 
gaged in the war of 1812. and was afterward 
killed in the Florida war by the Indians ; in- 
I deed, all the company were killed except the 
1 Lieutenant. In the fell of 1836. Elijah. Sr., 
walked out with knapsack on his back, to look 
for a home for himself and familj- ; coming di- 
rectl}' to this county he selected 50 acres and 
walked back ; he returned with his famih' same 
year, being twenty-nine days on the road ; came 
here and settled on the land William now owns, 
which was then unimproved ; he built a frame 
house soon after his arrival, which was the first 
one built in the neighborhood — the one Will- 
iam now occupies. Their outfit in coming was 
a two-horse team and a one-horse rig. One of 
these horses did the greater part of the logging 
which was done on the farm in cleaning it up. 
The first enterprise in the wa}" of farming after 
their arrival, was the growth and cultivation of 
hops, which they carried on for about fifteen 
years, as they cleared the land. Elijah Averill 
was a man of few words ; very few had as good 
control of their temper ; he was a man of good 
mind, and a great reader, and possessed of gen- 
eral information ; he died in October, 1862 ; 
his wife survived him eight years ; he was 
highly respected in the community. April 20, 
1871. William was married to Cornelia Blanch- 
ard, who was born in Guilford Township, Sept. 
1. 1828, daughter of Ransil and Mary Ann 
(Gavlord) Blanchard. The former was from near 
Hartford. Conn., and was born Feb. 23, 1804 ; 
he came West when of age and stopped at Cuy- 
ahoga Falls, Ohio, where he was married ; he 
became foreman for Newberry, and assisted in 
building the first dam at Cuyahoga Falls ; he 
was brick-mason by trade ; after his removal 
from Cuyahoga Co.. he went to Summit Co.; he 
next moved into Guilford as early as 1824 or 
1826. To him were born ten children, five boys 
and five girls. The father died Oct. 29. 1880, 
and the mother Nov. 23, 1861. Lucinda, sis- 
ter of William, was born Nov. 17. 1814, and 
resided with her brother. Mr. Averill is one of 
the few who still reside upon the same piece of 
land originally settled on by their ancestors ; 
he is a member of Lodi Lodge. No. 137. A.. F. 
& A. M., also of Medina Chapter R. .V. M., 
No. 30. .Mr. .Vverill has no children. 



^. 



$ \, 



il±_ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



831 



JOSEPH H. BARRETT, farmer; P. 0. 
Chippewa Lake; was bom Oct. 9, 1829, in Suf- 
fleld Townsliip, Portage Co., Ohio. His par- 
ents were Lewis and Sarah (Snyder) Barrett, to 
wliom were born ten children, who have settled 
in different States of the Union, four in Califor- 
nia — James, Sophia (Mrs. Jolin Siiarp), Sarah 
(Mrs. Anson Eldridge), and Ann (Mrs. George 
Favinger) ; Lewis is now in Macon Co., Mo.; 
William, in Wadsworth Township ; Elizabeth, 
deceased, Mrs. Robert Carnes, formerly of St. 
Joseph Co., Mich.; Emily, Mrs. Jacob Botorf, 
of same place as above ; Joseph H., sixth of 
the children ; Nelson, who died in the service 
of his country, being a member of Co. D, 4'2d 
0. V. I. The father of our subject was born in 
Philadelphia Feb. 13, 1794, and was married in 
Northumberland Co., April 27, 1807. His wife 
was born in Lancaster. I'enn., Aug. 3, 1794. 
He learned the blacksmith's trade at Philadel- 
phia, and moved West about 1823, locating in 
Unionton, Portage Co., Ohio, where he worked 
at his trade several years, and accumulated 
some property, which he afterward traded for a 
farm near Unionton. After clearing up a por- 
tion of the same, he sold out, and moved to the 
" White Oak Openings," in Sutlield Township, 
and purchased 118 acres, where Joseph was born. 
Here he remained until our subject was 9 years 
of age. He then disposed of his property and 
moved to Fulton Co., near Maumee ; remained 
here but two 3'ears, then moved to Canaan 
Township, Wayne Co., where he lived until 
1847. He then moved to this township, re- 
maining until his death, which occurred Jan. 
28, 1870; his wife died April 24, 1877. He 
was a man of retiring disposition, of firm and de- 
cided opinions, and few words — a stanch and up- 
right man. and member of the United Brethren 
Church, while his wife was of the .Methodist 
faith. The Barretts are of French stock. The 
grandfather of our subject was a cousin of 
Gen. La Fayette, and came over with him and 
joined the army during the Revolution ; was 
afterward taken prisoner, and, while confined, 
it was plotted b^- some of the British to poison 
him, which fact was communicated to him by a 
lady of the prison. A marked attachment 
sprang up between them, and she planned his 
escape. When bringing his food, she came dis- 
guised in man's apparel, having on two suits. 
One of them, he hastily donned, and passed out, 
unnoticed, and joined his command. After the 



war terminated, he hunted her up, and they 
were married, and settled in Philadelphia. To 
them, were born five children. Lewis, the father 
of our subject, was the 3-oungest of the num- 
ber. At the age of 20, our subject began for 
himself ; worked out bv the month for three 
3-ears. Dec. 21, 1853, he was married to Mar- 
garet Palmer, who was born in this township 
Aug. 6, 1837, the fourth of the children born 
to Jonathan and Elizabeth (Dickey) Palmer, 
who came to this county in 1835. After mar- 
riage, he settled in Milton Township, Wayne 
Co., for a short time, then moved to Elkhart, 
Ind., with a view to making it a permanent 
home ; but, on account of ill health, on advice 
of a phj-sician, he returned to this State, and 
finally came to this township, in 1856, and has 
since resided here. Eleven children have been 
born — Lucj' J. (Mrs. James Dundast. of Jlont- 
ville). Art. Alamedora, Ada, Sherman, Clara, 
Orrie, Ina, Gertrude, JIary, and Mabel (de- 
ceased). Mr. Barrett and wife are members of 
the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Barrett's father 
had three brothers and one sister. One, Caleb, 
was for twenty years a County Treasurer. 

ISAAC BLAIR, retired farmer; P. 0. 
Chatham ; is one of the early settlers of this 
township, and was born Feb. 4, 1805, in Madison 
Township, Jladison Co., N. Y. His parents, 
David and Eunice Blair, were natives of 
Massachusetts, and had a family of six chil- 
dren, three of each sex, Isaac being the oldest 
son ; three are now living — Arba, who now 
resides on the homestead in New York ; Free- 
man, in Michigan ; and our worthy subject, 
who was reared to farm work, which he has 
ever since followed. In starting in life, he had 
no assistance from his ftvther. He worked out 
by the month for several years and saved some 
means, with which he intended to purchase 
some wild land in the West. Jan. 1, 1829, he 
was united in marriage to Louisa Phinney, who 
was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; daughter of 
Benjamin Phinney, whose wife was a Yeoman. 
By this wife, two children were born to Mr. 
Blair — Hamilton M. and Louisa E.; the former 
a resident of Cuyahoga Co., this State, and the 
latter now in Clayton Co., Iowa, the wife of 
Charles S. Blair. ' In 1834, Mr. Blair came 
West to this count}-, and purchased 70 acres of 
unimproved land, at $4 per acre. He erected 
a log cabin on the same, and returned to New 
York to bring his family out, but, in conse- 






^ 



A 



832 



BIOGRAPHICAL SICETCHES: 



qiienee of the deatli of bis wife, his plans were 
entirelj' changed. He sent his brother out, 
who occupied the premises until 1837, when he 
moved out, bringing wilh him his present wife, 
who was Rebecca Houghton, a native of 
Worcester, N. Y., and was boru Jan. 11, 1804 ; a 
daughter of Rbenezer and Margery (Bigelow) 
Houghton. Kl)enezer was a sou of Ebenozer. 
The father of Margery was named Joshu.a. 
The land that Jlr. Blair first located and cleared 
up was that now owned by Mr. William Moody, 
which was afterward added to until it comprised 
125A- acres. By his last marriage, there have 
been two children — Harriet 51., now the wife of 
N. H. Wyatt, in Clyde; and Lewis H, who lost 
his life while in Washington. D. C. where he 
was serving out his term of enlistment as a 
member of Co. C. 7'.)th (_). N. (i .Mr. and Mrs. 
Blair now reside on land adjoining his first 
purchase, having a good home, and are enjoy- 
ing the reward of their hard lal)or in peace and 
happiness, having been esteemed citizens of the 
community for over forty-three years. ]\Ls. B. 
is a member of the Congregational Church. 

GEORGE C. BUCHANAN, carpenter and 
farmer; P. 0. Whittlesey; was born Sept. 21, 
1830, in Brooke Co., Va. His. parents were 
Samuel and Nancy (AVilson) Buchanan. He 
was born in Washington Co., Penn., Dec. 9, 
1793. she in Brooke Co., Ya., March 7, 1794. 
Her father's name was Adam Wilson, a native 
of the Emerald Isle. Samuel Buchanan was a 
son of John, whose ancestors were natives of 
Germany. To Samuel Buchanan were liorn 
seven children, four sons and tliree daughters, 
but five living, viz.; Nathan 1!.. Wilson. George 
C, Mar3- J. and Sarah Ann. T<j John Buchanan, 
the grandfather of our subject, were born seven 
children, who were John, David, George, Sam- 
uel, Poll}-, Ann and Katy. But three of the 
number came West — Samuel, David and Polly. 
But one of the numlier now survives — Ann. 
Samuel, the father of George, came West in 
1S4G. locating in this township, where he pur- 
chased 64 acres of land, for which ho paid ^560, 
and remaineil in the township until his death, 
whicli occurred March 7, 1864, that of his wife 
March 14, 1880. in York Township. Both were 
members of the United Brethren Church, and 
were among the first who joined that body, 
(ieorge was 24 years of age belbre heaving the 
parental home, at whicii time he married L_ydia 
Carlton, born Feb. 10. 183"). in this township. 



The marriage day was Oct. 12, 1854. Her par- 
ents were John and Catharine (Araon) Carlton, 
who were among the first settlers in the north 
part of the township. Since Mr. Buchanan's mar- • 
riage, he has been a resident of the township. 
In 1864, ho went out in Co. D, lG6th 0. N. G., 
and served one hundreil days. Before mar- 
riage, he learned the carpenter's trade, which 
he followed for five years. For six years he 
was engaged in running the saw-mill at this 
place, in companj- with Jlr. Carlton, under the 
firm name of Carlton & Buchanan. Mr. Bu- 
chanan has a snug farm, which is located at the 
center of the township. Aside from his knowl- 
edge of the carpenter's trade, he is also engaged 
in painting. They have two children, viz., Ida 
F., now the wife of Henry Mood}-, of this town- 
ship, and George W.. yet at home. Both Mr. 
and Mrs. Buchanan are efficient workers in 
the Congregational Church, of which the}' are 
members. Since the age of 19, he has been a 
professed Christian ; his wife, since 14. 

JOSEPH BADGER, deceased. The Badger 
family can. with pride, point to a noble ances- 
try. Several of them have been distinguished 
for ability, and held high positions ; some have 
been active in the defense of their country, 
some in the cause of education, the administra- 
tion of justice and the affairs of political life. 
The Badger family are of English origin, and 
trace the founder of the family to Giles Badger, 
who settled in Newbury. 5Iass., in 1643, twenty- 
three years after the landing of the Pilgrims. 
The subject of this sketch was a grandson of 
Maj. Peaslee Badger, born in Haverhill, Mass., 
in 1756. He was a son of Gen. Joseph Badger, 
and brother of Hon. William Badger, who was 
Governor of New Hampshire. Gen. Joseph 
Badger was born Jan. 11, 1722, and was a son 
of Joseph. In the time of the Revolution, he 
was an active and efficient officer, was muster 
master of the troops raised in that section, and 
employed in furnishing supplies for the army ; 
was a member of the Provincial Congress, and 
a member of the Convention liiat adopted the 
Constitution ; was appointed Brigadier (xeueral, 
June 27, 1780. and Judge of Probate for Staf- 
ford County, December, 1784, and member of 
the State Council from 1784 to 1791, The sub- 
ject of these lines was born May 1, 1823, in 
Compton, Lower Canada, and afterward re- 
moved with his parents to New York State, and 
subsequently, to this State and county, July 






d^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



833 



15, 1849, he was married to Amanda F. Phil- 
lips, who was born Aug. 27, 1823, in Bath, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., daughter of Daniel and 
Achsah (Simmons) Phillips. He was born in 
Vermont, June 17, 1787, son of Zebulon Phil- 
lips. Mrs. B. came West with her parents to 
Huron County, remaining five years, removed 
to Sandusk}- City, where they lived until 1840, 
when they located at Morse's Corners, in West- 
field Township ; subsequently' came to La Fay- 
ette Center, where he died about liic year 1850. 
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Badger, 
they moved to Cu3"ahoga County, afterward to 
New London, remaining there four years, then 
to Norwalk, in Huron County. Mr. Badger 
served as Deputy Sheriff four j'ears, and, in 
1861, was elected Sheritl' of the county, served 
out his term and was honored liy a re-election, 
and died during his last term, Aug. 21, 1864; 
his death occasioned fiom injuries received by 
being thrown from his horse. He was a man 
highly esteemed, of noble impulses, and a 
strong temperance man. To them have been 
born four children — Dudley Irving ; Ida L., 
now Mrs. Dayton Eddy, of Montville ; Fred S. 
and Lelia F. The family came to this township 
in 1870 from Huron County, and have since 
been residents of the county. 

F. W. BAIINHART, farmer ; P. O. Whittle- 
sey ; was born Aug. 31, 1825, in Butler Co., 
Penn. ; the youngest of a family of fourteen 
children born to Philip and Elizabeth (Rice) 
Barnhart. The father was born in Westmore- 
land Co., Penn., Jul}' 17, 1778, and was a son of 
Frederick Barnhart, who was born in West- 
moreland Co. in 1752 ; he was an old Revolu- 
tionary soldier, and a noted and successful In- 
dian fighter, shrewd and brave ; he was more 
than a match for the wily antagonist, and man}- 
a redskin fell before his unerring rifle. He was 
a great woodsman, and would often spend days 
together in the woods alone, hunting. At one 
time, the Indians made a raid in that locality 
when he was absent ; his wife, grasping her 
child in one hand, and the mush-pot in the other, 
made her escape ; the men being absent fight- 
ing Indians at Ilarrisburg, Penn. Philip Barn- 
hart was a miller by trade, and was born in Ger- 
many in 174tj, and emigrated to Pennsylvania 
and settled in Westmoreland Co. in 1764 ; he 
afterward moved to Butler Co. after marriage, 
and was one of the first settlers in that locality. 
He was also a carpenter and millwright ; he 



laid out the town of Millerstown, and gave it its 
name, naming the post otHce, Mills. Frederick 
Rice, the grandfather of our subject, was a mill- 
er, and owned a stone mill. He finally moved 
from Westmoreland Co., and bought two sec- 
tions of laud from the Government, locating at 
IMeadville, Penn. ; afterward he disposed of his 
land and moved to Wayne Co., where he bought 
two sections. The Infirmary now stands on a 
portion of that purchase. His sons were Bar- 
ney, Simon, Christian and Peter. Barney set- 
tled on the part of the land the Infirmary now 
stands on, and Simon on the other portion ; 
Christian settled in Pittsburgh ; Peter in Spen- 
cer Township, this count}'. Frederick Rice, the 
old veteran and time-honored soldier, died in 
February, 1848, and was buried at Wooster with 
the honors of war. The mother of our subject 
was born in 1783, and was married in 1800 ; 
she died in March, 1852 ; her husband. Philip, 
June 24, 1860. Of their family there grew up, 
eleven children, five sons and six daughters. 
Philip Barnhart was a miller, and laid out the 
town of Millersburg, in Donegal Township, and 
owned and ran a mill at that place as early as 
1830. Our subject early in life learned the mill- 
er's trade. He came West in 1849 ; since his 
advent to this country he has had an eventful 
and varied career. Soon after coming, he en- 
gaged in the dry goods business for two years ; 
subsequently, bought an interest in a saw-mill 
in Lorain Co., which burned down two weeks 
later, without insurance. He was engaged in 
running a mill in this township for a while. 
Belling out to J. Simmons ; from there he went 
to Cedar Valley, Wayne Co., where he ran a 
mill a short time ; he then went to Wooster, 
where he built a mill of 200-barrel capacity, 
which was destroyed by fire. In 1866, he went 
to Brooklyn, N. Y., and there superintended a 
large merchant mill at that place for tenj'ears ; 
he being one of the best millers of his time ; 
his services have always lieeu in great demand, 
and at the highest salary. Returning to this 
count}', he, in 1876, began farming, in which he 
has since been engaged. His farm, situated one 
mile east of the Center, consisting of 236 acres 
of rich alluvial, bottom-laud, once worthless, 
but, which by the energy of Mr. Gooding, who 
forced a ditch through it, has become the most 
valuable land in the township. Oct. 18, 1853, 
Mr. Barnhart was married to Clarissa (xooding, 
born Jan. 28, 1834, daughter of William R. and 






834 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



i^ 



Lucy (Allen) Gooding ; he was born in ]\Iassa- 
ebusetts. sbe in New York State, (ireat credit 
is due Mr. Gooding for the zeal be displayed in 
redeeming the swamp land of the township. 
Mr. Barnbart has the following children — 
Emma, a teacher of music ; William, now in St. 
Louis, in the TTnited States Mail Service, and a 
graduate of Oberlin College ; Clara, Florence, 
Arthur and Austin, twins. During the fall of 
1880, Mr. Barnhart met with a serious accident, 
breaking his hip. which now places him in a 
very critical condition. 

ALFRED BOWMAN, farmer ; P. (_>. Whit- 
tlesey. The Bowman family has been identified 
with the interests of the county, for upward of 
one-half a century. The family is descended 
from Christopher, who was a native of Ger- 
many, born aliout the _year 1783. and father of 
fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, 
who were John. Christopher. Daniel, Peter, 
Adam, Jacob, William and Josiah ; the daugh- 
ters were Betsey. Susannah, Sarah, Mary, Cath- 
arine and Savina. Of this number, all grew to 
maturity, save Josiah. Christopher's wife, be- 
fore marriage, was Savina Shafer. whose par- 
ents came from Germany. This couple was 
maiTied in Cumberland Co., and emigrated West 
to Summit Co., about the year 1818, where they 
remained a short time, then went to Stark Co., 
stayed seven years, then removed to Wayne Co., 
where he lived two years, then came to this 
township, and took up a lot about 1836. adjoin- 
ing William Carlton's on the south. Here he 
remained until his death, he and his wife being 
buried the same day. Of the family now living 
are Peter Bowman, born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., Dec. 4, 1817, now residing in La Fayette 
Center, married Sevilla Waltz, and by her has 
had four children — Amos M.. Statira, Lilly M. 
and Frederick F. The next son was Adam, now 
of this township ; Catharine, now Mrs. Stephen 
Fairbanks, in Wood Co.. Ohio ; Savina. now 
Mrs. Josiah Fairlianks. of the same county, and 
William, of York Township. All of the above, 
exce]it Peter, were born in Ohio. The suliject of 
these lines was born Nov. 27, 1829, in Chippewa 
Township, W^ayne Co., Ohio, he eldest child of 
a family of twelve, born to John and Sarah 
(Traxler) Bowman. John was born in Cumber- 
land Co., Penn., and emigrated with his parents 
to this State and township, when it was almost 
a wilderness. Of the ciiildren who are living, 
Christopher C. is in Michigan ; Augustus is in 



Sandusky, Ohio ; Mary, now Mrs. G. W. Waltz, 
of this township : Amanda, now Mrs. Seth 
Ault, of La Fayette ; Dianah. now Mrs. Joseph 
Ault. of Montville Township ; Adaline, now 
Mrs. George F. Miller, of this township. Alfred, 
our subject, was married Jan. 30. 1850, to Ada- 
line Moulton. who was born Jan. 24, 1831, 
daughter of Esquire Earl Moulton, one of the 
prominent citizens and early settlers of this 
township. Since 18C5. he has been a resident 
of the farm he now owns, consisting of 95 acres 
located in the west part of the township. He 
was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in Co. B, 
124th 0. Y. \. I., Oct. 3, 1862. for three years, 
and served until the termination of the war, re- 
ceiving an honorable discharge June 14, 1865. 
Although he escaped without sustaining any 
bodily injuries, yet his sight has become se- 
riously impaired in consequence of his expos- 
ure during that time. Of two children born 
him, but one is living — Leandus. who resides 
with his parents. 

O. H. CRUSH, farmer ; P. 0. Whittlesey ; 
was born June 15, 1810, in Middlefield Town- 
ship, Otsego Co., N. Y. ; son of Peter and Ce- 
linda (Ross) Crush. He was born in Cherry 
; Valley, N. Y., in May, 1788, and was a son of 
; Francis, which name goes back yet two genera- 
tions further. Francis Crush was a native of 
Germany. Celinda Ross was born Aug. 14, 
1788, in Rhode Island, daughter of John Ross, 
whose wife was Elizabeth Henry, who was born 
Aug. 28, 1766 ; she was a daughter of James 
Henry, a native of Ireland. The Ross family 
are of Scotch descent. To Francis Crush were 
born four children — Evangeline, Elsie, Sarah 
and Peter. To Peter Crush were born seven 
children, three sons and four daughters ; the 
sons were Orlando H., Francis and Peter ; the 
daughters — Hope, Clarissa, Asenath and Mar}". 
The girls were married and settled as follows : 
Hope married E. D. Parsons, of Chatham ; Cla- 
rissa became Mrs. Reuben Gridley, of Lodi ; 
Marj- is now ^Irs. Frizzell, of Westfield Town- 
ship. Orlando came West, with his parents, 
when he was 11 years of age ; his father lo- 
cated in the northwest part of Westfield Town- 
ship. The country was then almost an un- 
broken forest. Mr. Crush states that there 
were no houses in La Fayette, York nor Litch- 
field, and but one in Chatham at the time of 
his father's location here. Mr. Crush's death 
occurred May 26, 1823, soon after his amval ; 



^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



835 



that of his wife was five years later, Sept. 29, 
1827. At the age of 15, Orlando wont to live 
with a man by the name of Hubbard. After 
reaching his majority, he hired out to work by 
the month. Nov. 7, 1837, he was married to 
Samantha Phinney, who was born in 1819 ; he 
located on the farm which he now owns, in 1837, 
and has since remained here. Of his two chil- 
dren, but one is living — Calvin, born in Novem- 
ber. 1843, who is married, and settled on the 
farm adjoining his father's residence. Mr. 
Crush had but meager school advantages, and 
has acquired most of his education since he 
grew up. He is a great reader, and is fond of 
history, having in his possession a good assort- 
ment of historical works. Mr. Crush is a Dem- 
ocrat, ever ready to defend the principles laid 
down by Jackson and Jefferson. Mr. Crush is 
now retired, having given over his farm and its 
management piincipallj- to his son, and is 
spending the remainder of his days in the (juiet 
of his home. 

ALLEN CARLTON, farmer ; P. 0. Whittle- 
sey ; was born June 24, 1824, in Louisville 
Township, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., the second 
of a family of eight children, three sons and 
five daughters ; of those who lived to be mar- 
ried are Mary A., now of Allegan Co., Mich., 
the wife of John Jordan ; Allen, of this town- 
ship ; Catharine, now Mrs. Abram Jordan, of 
Monroe Co.. Mich., and Lydia, now Mrs. George 
Buchanan, of this township. Margaret died 
at the age of 20 ; Eri settled in this township, 
went out in the late war, died in the service ; 
was a member of Co. K, IGGth 0. N. G. All 
of the above were born to John and Catharine 
(Amon) Carlton. John was born Sept. 20, 
1799, in Groton, Mass.. and was a son of Sol- 
omon. (Catharine was born June 20, 1797, in 
Canada West, across from Ogdensburg ; her 
father was John Amon. John Carlton was 
married in 1822, and came West in 1828, and 
located in Portage Co., where he remained un- 
til April 23, 1834, when he located permanently 
in this township, on Lot 7, where he purchased 
53 acres at $3.50 ; at this time, there was but 
one road through the township, which led from 
Medina to Lodi, in Harris ville. Allen left 
home at 20, to learn the carpenter's trade and 
millwright work, at which he worked twelve 
jears. May 25, 1851, he was married to Lucy 

A. , who was born Nov. 8. 1832, in Erie 

Co., N. Y., daughter of Anson and Lydia 



(Waters) . He was born in Vermont, 

Feb. IG, 1802 ; she was born in November, 
1800 ; they were married Feb. 16, 1831. They 
had four children. Mrs. Carlton was one year 
old when her parents came to Ohio, where they 
settled in the southern part of the State. Allen 
went to Lorain Co. in 1849, where he worked at 
his trade, and here he was married, as above 
recorded. He built a saw-mill here ; also a 
large llouring-mill in Ashland Co., Ohio. Re- 
turning to Lorain Co. in 1850, he engaged in 
partnership with Fred Barnhart and built a saw- 
mill, which burned down, but was rebuilt. 
He staj-ed here but a short time. In 1856, 
he moved to the farm he now owns, which was 
the same place his father settled. Mr. Carlton 
has been quite successful in his business, being 
a tireless worker, and good financier. He has 
now 201 acres of excellent land. He has four 
children — Roselina, now the wife of Cyrus F. 
Daniels, in Westfield ; Lucy A.. Edgar R. and 
Eva M. at home. Mr. Carlton is a great reader, 
and is well versed in common law, particularly 
that portion which relates to the settlement of 
estates ; is one of the best historians in the 
township, and is well posted in the general 
principles that relate to Materia Jledica. 

WILLIAM H. COLE, farmer ; P. 0. Medina ; 
is a native of the Empire State, and was born 
in Jackson Township, Washington Co., Nov. 
11, 1816. He had four brothers and three 
sisters. Their parents were Curtis and Ann 
(Ford) Cole. Maj. Curtis Cole, the grandfather 
of our subject, was a ship carpenter and an 
officer in the Revolutionary war, to whom were 
born ten children — Belcher, William, Polly, 
Prudence, Elsie, Sarah, Ruby, Betsey, Jonathan 
and Curtis. Belcher aud Jonathan were sea- 
faring men ; the former lost his life on the 
ocean, being swept off" at night by a bowsprit 
while attending to his duties. The others re- 
moved with their father to Washington Co., and 
afterward settled down to agricultural pursuits. 
Ann Ford, mother of William, was a daughter 
of Charles Ford, whose wife was a Skinner ; to 
them were born four children — Rachel, Ann, 
George H. and an infant son who died young. 
Mr. Cole was raised to hard labor and econom- 
ical habits. Soon after reaching his majority, 
he went South to Lansingburg, where he clerked 
some time, also at Troy, and was employed as 
a teacher in the common schools, continuing in 
these several localities until he attained his 



yr 






^\b 



836 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



28th year, when he married Sarah M. Harring- 
ton, who was born Jul}- 18. 1817, in Benning- 
ton Co.. Vt., and daughter of Henrj- and Sarah 
(Manchester) Harrington. He was bom Feb. 
14, 1770, in Exeter. Washington Co., R. I., 
and was a son of Henr}- Harrington.. Sarah 
Manchester was born July 24. 1800, near 
the ■' AVliiteside Church." in West Cambridge, 
Washington Co.. N. Y. Her father's name was 
Elias. a native of England, and a soldier in the 
war of the Revolution, and participated in the 
battles of Bunker Hill and Lexington, and was 
at Vallev Forge, and afterward died of camp 
dysentery. Mr. Cole's grandfather. Harrington, 
was a commissioned Captain, and. during the 
war, had charge of the mail and attended to 
the transportation of the provisions for the 
soldiers. At one time during the war, the 
French fleet, having left on shore a large 
quantity of flour in barrels, and, not being able 
to conve\- it away with them in their haste, 
piled the same up in a circle and built a fire in 
the center, leaving it to burn. Capt. Harrington 
discovered it in time — put out the fire, and 
saved the tlour for a better use. The Man- 
chester family were of Quaker origin. Mrs. 
Cole's grandmother's maiden name was Boyce. 
After the marriage of Mr. Cole, he located on 
land which he had purchased in Jackson of 
Squire Clark, where he remained until his re- 
moval to this county, which occurred in the 
spring of 1853. and made a purchase of 64 
acres of Edward Starr, the original settler. He 
has since made additions to the same, until he 
now has 87 acres in all. Of eight children 
born to him, but five are living — Sarah, now in 
Granger Township, the wife of Albert Codding ; 
Jane, unmarried ; ilary. Mrs. Charles Warren : 
Lewis, at home, and married to Cora B. Witter ; 
and Henrietta, wife of (Iriffin Foote. Mr. Cole 
is a true representative of that sturd\', indus- 
trious class of New p]ngland farmers, so noted 
for their thrift and enterprise. 

WILLIA:M A. CARLTON, farmer; V. 0. 
Whittlesey ; is among the pioneers of this 
township, and is now residing on the farm he 
settled on in 1834. He was born Feb. 7. 1812, 
near Santa Cruz, twenty miles up the river from 
Cornwall, Lower Canada, and son of Solomon 
and Nabbie (Haven) Carlton, both natives of 
Old Uroton. Mass. His birth occurred in No- 
vember. 1773. and he died June 13. 1856. The 
familv of Carltons are of Scotch orisin. Will- 



iam A.'s grandfather had five children — 
Solomon, Eri, William, Rebecca and Betsey. 
Solomon Carlton removed to St. Lawrence Co., 
N. Y., when W. A. was 11 years of age, remain- 
ing there until 1827, when he removed to Port- 
age Co., this State, purchasing a tract of land 
in the woods, where he settled, and remained 
upon it until his decease. June 13, 1850. Will- 
iam was. early in life, inured to hardships and the 
inconveniences incident to the settlement of a 
new country, and, with the experience fresh in 
mind which he passed through while a member 
of his father's household, he was fully prepared 
to undertake the task of pioneering on his own 
account. In 1834, he first came to this town- 
ship and bought 108^ acres where he now owns, 
and for which he paid $3.75. After locating his 
land, went to Medina, where he spent the winter, 
returning to his place the spring following, and 
began clearing up his land by cutting down six 
acres. He then worked out by the month until 
the time arrived for him to begin logging, pre- 
paratory to sowing it in wheat that fall. The 
ensuing winter, he cut seven acres more, a por- 
tion of which he planted in corn. Keeping 
bachelor's hall became rather irksome, and he 
sought the hand of Miss Lydia A. Thomas in 
marriage — one of his old schoolmates. Their 
nuptials were celebrated Nov. 11. 1836, She 
was born in Adams Township. Jefl'erson Co., 
March 1, 1818, daughter of Benajah C. and 
Nabbie (Sanger) Thomas, both natives of Con- 
necticut — he of Roxbury, she of Norwich. His 
father's name was David Thomas, while her pa- 
ternal ancestor was Al)ijah Sanger. The 
Thomas familj- are of AVelsh and the Sanger's 
of French descent. Mrs. Carlton's family came 
to Portage Co. in 1818, and located in Hudson 
Township, where they lived until she was 13, 
when they removed to Streetsboro Town- 
ship. There were twelve children in the fam- 
ilj', eight sons and four daughters. Eleven 
lived to grow up. There are now living Calvin, 
in Ft. Wayne. Ind. : Marvin R., in Columbiana 
Co., Wis.; Laura, widow of David Hall, and 
Nancy, Mrs. Andrew Wilson, both of Summit 
Co. After !Mr. Carlton's marriage, lie started 
the next day for his cabin home, which was 
18x24 feet, and which he had previously Iniilt 
for her reception. Thej' lived in this until 
1844. when they built the residence they now 
occupy. Their union has been blessed with a 
familv of twelve children, ten of whom lived to 



^1 <s 






^1 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



837 



-k 



reach maturity. Nine now survive — Cecelia 
N., in Harrisville ; William E., in Chatham ; 
Franklin H., in Michigan ; Mary L. CSlrs. Isaac 
W. Gates), of Harrisville Township ; George, 
Walter, Julius, Eli and Willis, in this township, 
Mr, Carlton and wife are both nieml>ers of the 
United Brethren Church, and were among the 
first members at its organization. His farm, 
consisting of 145 acres, is one of the best in the 
neighborhood, 

KEEN CIIAPIN, farmer ; P. 0. Whittlesey ; 
is of the seventh generation of the Chapin fam- 
ily, to vrhich they can trace their genealogj-, 
beginning with Samuel, who resided in Rox- 
Iniry, Mass,, in 1642, and was a Deacon. His 
son was Japhet, who married Abeline Cooley, 
and by her had ten children, who were as fol- 
lows : Samuel, Sarah, Thomas, John, Ebenezer, 
two Hannahs, David, two Jonathans, Third 
generation : Ebenezer, of Enfield, who was 
born June 26, 1677, and married Ruth Jones, 
on Dec, 1, 1702; he was an early settler in 
Hadlej', living many \-ears in a log cabin in 
constant fear of the Indians. To him were born 
fourteen children, viz,: Ebenezer, Rachel, Noah, 
Seth, Moses, Aaron, Ellas, Reuben, Charles, 
David, p]lisha. Phineas, Elijah and Catharine, 
The bo3S all settled on Somer's Mountain, j 
Fourth generation : Ebenezer, of Enfield, born 
Sept. 23, 1705, and married Elizabeth Pease, 
Nov. 22, 1733, and by her had eight children, 
who were Ebenezer, Eliphalet, Sophia. Eliza- 
beth, Ruth, Tabitha, Euener and Love. Fifth 
generation was Elienezer, born Oct. 4, 1735, and 
married ]May 4, 1758, to .^lehitable Bartlett, of , 
StaflFord ; to them were born children as follows : 
Mehitable, Marj', Susan, Ebenezer, Sarah, Tri- 
phena, Joel, Samuel, Timothy and Patience. 
Sixth generation : Ebenezer, who was born 
June 15, 1766, and was married Dec, 20, 1792, 
to Beulah Pease, by whom he had ten children, 
whose names were, Peter, Beidah, Perses, 
Peter, Guy P., Calvin, John P., Nancy, Eben 
and Emilj', Eben, our subject, was born in 
Hartford, Conn,, Oct, 3, 1812, and emigrated 
West in 1836, locating in this township in 
October of the same year, and purchased 107 
acres in the south part of the township, Jan, 
20, 1830, he was married to Maria S, Gates, 
who was born in Rodman, Jeflerson Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 6, 1818, daughter of Silas and Sallie 
(Gridley) Gates. He was born in Worcester 
Co., Mass.. July 27, 1789 and came to New 



York at the age of 18, and was married, June 
30, 1812, to Sallie G., who was born in Farm- 
ington. Conn., April 8, 1793. To them were 
horn thirteen children, she being the fourth. 
They emigrated West in 1833, locating in this 
township. Mr. Gates died in 1859 ; his wife 
March IS, 1849. In 1860, Mr. Chapin moved 
to his present place, where he has since resided. 
To him have been born three children, but two 
of the number living, viz. : Amelia, now Mrs. 
C. W. Hickox, of Medina ; Emily A. (died 
young); Emma, now the wife of M. A. Bow- 
man, of Clinton Township, Summit Co. They 
also had one adopted son, who now bears his 
name, James F., in Akron. Mr. Chapin has 
been a member of the Congregationalist Church 
for forty-one years, and Deacon for several 
successive years ; is now serving as Township 
Clerk for the eighth term, and has filled the 
office of Township Treasurer and Clerk of the 
church. He has ever been a solid Republican, 
and an upright and useful citizen. His father 
died at New^Philadelphia, Ohio, Sept, 30, 1838. 
His mother Dec. 30, 1853, 

JOHN B, CHASE, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
was born in Pompey Township, Onondaga Co., 
N. Y., March 24, 1811; is of a numerous progeny, 
he being the fifth of a family of thirteen chil- 
dren ; eleven of the number grew to matur- 
ity, who were Thomas C, Levi, John B., Phi- 
lura, Harriet, Polly, Sarah, Charles, Orrilla, 
Ada A. and Marshall, all of whom were born to 
Levi and Sarah (Bassett) Chase. His father's 
name was Levi, who was also a son of Levi. 
Both of the parents above mentioned were born 
in Massachusetts — the former. May 25, 1781, in 
Berkshire Co, ; the latter, April 13, 1782, They 
were married Feb, 11, 1802, and emigrated West 
in the fall of 1834, and purchased 531 acres in 
this township, at a cost of $4.50 per acre. Here 
he settled, and remained until his death, which 
occurred March 11, 1845 ; she Nov. 28, 1853. 
Of the family now living are Marshall, now in 
Michigan ; Sallie, now Mrs. S. E. Kinney, of 
Litchfield Township, and John B. Mr. Chase 
was married in June, 1836. to Anna Wood, and 
by her had one child, Levi A., who died in the 
service of his countrj". He was born Feb. 7, 
1841 ; enlisted October, 1861, in Co. B, 42d O. 
V. I., and died of chronic diarrhcea, June 2, 
1863.' Mrs. Chase died Nov. 27, 1846. July 
3, three years later, he was united in marriage 
to Sophia Gates, who was born in Jefi'ersou Co., 



rK 



^t 



^ £ 



838 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



N. Y., May 30, 1827, daughter of Silas ami Sal- 
lie (Gridley) Gates. He was born in Petersham, 
Mass., July 9, 1789, she in Farrnin<;ton, April 
8, 1793. He died in August, 1859 ; she in 
March, 1849. To them were bora a family of 
thirteen children ; ten of the number came West 
with their parents in 1833 to Westficld Town- 
ship. Seven of the numl)er are now living ; 
two of the boys, Luke and -John S., were in the 
late war. To >h'. and Mrs. Chase have been 
born two children — Clarence J. and Merton G. 
Clarence was elected County .Vuditor in the fall 
of 1880, and is at present serving in that ca- 
paeitj-. They had one adopted daughter. Emma 
L., now married. Since Mr. Chase tirst arrived 
in this township, he has been a constant resi- 
dent on the farm he now owns, which was a 
part of the land his father purchased upon his 
arrival. Farming has Iieen the business of his 
life. During the early [lart of his manhood, he 
taught school several terms ; has always been 
a substantial member of the comnnuiity, and 
has served in an oHicial way at different limes ; 
now serving as Infirmary Director for his third 
term. He has ever been a man that is strictly 
temperate, using neither spirituous li(iuors nor 
tobacco. Politically, has been Republican, and, 
during the late war, was a stanch supporter of 
the Union cause. His father was a Deacon in 
the Baptist Church. Mrs. Chase's ]iaronts were 
members of the Congregational Church. Mr. 
Chase's barn was the first frame building of the 
kind erected in the towiislii]). 

JOHN CHAMBHRLAIN, farmer; P. O. 
Whittlesey ; was born in Greenfield, N. H., 
June 25, 1829 ; was the fifth child of a fam- 
ily of seven children, all of whom grew to 
maturity. His parents were Alnahara and 
Mary (Clark) Chamberlain, his birth occur- 
ring Jan. 30, 1792, in Vermont; that of 
his wife Jan. 12, 1791. They emigrated West 
in 1833, selecting as their future lioine a plat 
of ground in West field Township, located just 
west of (^hippewa Lake, which consisted of 200 
acres of solid limber, through which the In- 
dians had traversed for many years, u|)on their 
way to and from the lake which bears their 
name. Hen^ upon this spot, .\braliam Cham- 
berlain began his Western career ; a suitable 
log cal)in was erec'ted, and a clearing com- 
menced. Of tiie children liorii to Mr. Chaml)er- 
lain (the father of our suliject) were Frederick 
B., now in St. Louis, in the commission busi- 



ness ; Charles F., a farmer in this township ; 
Mary ami Edward T. died in St. Louis ; John, 
whose name heads this narrative ; Iris C, in 
Howard Co., Iowa ; Eleanor, died in Winnebago 
Co., 111. The father of the above dietl April 
25, 1852, while away from home in ijuest of 
stock. His wife survived him until Jul}' 25, 
1874, .^Ir. Chainlierlain was one of the stanch 
and reliable cilizi^ns of the county. Just and 
uprigiit in his dealings with his fellow-men ; 
was liberal in contributions to the church ; was 
a charter memln-r of the Cniversalist Church 
at AVi'stfield Center. In his political belief, he 
was a Democrat. John, after attaining his ma- 
jor years, continued to remain upon the farm 
until his 28th year, when he was united in wed- 
lock Oct. 20, 185G, to Mary Devereaux. who was 
born July 3, 1830, in Oswego Co., n! Y. She 
was a daughter of John and Mehitable (Craw) 
Devereaux. to whom were born the numerous 
family of tifleen children, seven brothers and 
eight sisters. The family emigrated to Erie 
Co., Peiin., in 1832. where they remained. .Mrs. 
Chamberlain came out in 1854. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Chamberlain have been born three chil- 
dren — Melville, Erminaand Hradley. In ISSti. 
bought 100 acres, now owned by Mr. Wheeler ; 
finally traded farms with ^\x. Williams in order 
to get his land in one body. He now has 285 
acres of choice farming laml. Is among the 
self-made men of the township, and is now act- 
ively engaged in farming and stock-raising, 
making his business a success. 

C. F. CtlAMBKRLAIN, farmer ; P. 0. Chip- 
pewa Lake. The i)ro()rietor of •■ Lake View 
Farm " was born Dec. 12. 1822, in Massachu- 
setts, the third of a family of seven children 
born to his parents. Abraham and Mary (Clark) 
Chamberlain. Mr. C, the father of our sub- 
ject, was Captain of the militia before he emi- 
grated West, which gave him the title which he 
afterward bore. His first location was in the 
southern part of Westfleld, where he made 
some improvements on the Shoak and Hulburt 
farms, making his permanent location in 1834. 
Charles F. was a lad of 1 1 when his parents 
came West. What schooling he received after 
his arrival here was by walking from home to 
the log schoolhouse south of La Fayette Cen- 
ter, or to the school in Westficld Center ; his 
courses was marked by blazed trees. He re- 
mained willi his parents until past his major- 
ity. Dec. 29, 1844, he was married to Lucinda 



iU 



liL, 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



839 



King, born Nov. 20, 1824, in Wayne Co., N. 
y. Slie was the second of four cliildren wiiose 
parents were Samuel ami Deborah (Chirk) 
King ; he was born in 1790. in Sullivan Co., 
she in Orange Co., N. Y. They came West in 
1887, locating in Westfield, on the Baur farm, 
where he lived throe yciars, then moving to 
this township ; bought land now owned by 
Jemima Averill, l)ut finally making his perma- 
nent residence where our subject resides, which 
farm was taken up by Josepii Reynolds, Jr. 
Since 184-i, Mr. Chamberlain has been a resi- 
dent of this farm. Mrs. C. has but one brother 
living, Charles E., now in Battle Creek, Mich., 
they being the sole survivors of the family. 
Mr. King (her father) was for forty years a 
firm believer iu universal salvati(jn. and, when 
he approached death's door, he was ready and 
willing to go. Mr. Chamberlain has 185 acres 
in this township and 100 in Westfield, making 
285 in all, which ranks witli any in the town- 
ship for quality and location. His farm is 
adjoining that beaiitiful sheet of water known 
as Chippewa Lake. Mr. Chamberlain has the 
following children : Mar}- J., the wife of Al- 
bert Rice ; Orrin E., Frank D., Laura E., 
Charles T. and Merton at home. Since 1878, 
Mr. C. has been engaged in the onion culture, 
and has made that production a success. His 
residence and buildings are well located, hav- 
ing a coinraandiug view of lake scenery. Both 
he and wife are adherents of the same religious 
tenets as their parents. 

W. A. COTNER, farmer and trader; was 
born July 21, 1841, in Jefferson Co., Ohio ; the 
sixth child of Jacob and Nancy ((Jninea) Cot- 
ner ; he was born in Washington Co., I'enn., 
in June. 1797 ; his father's name was Jacob, 
who was also a son of Jacob, who was a lock- 
smith, and came from Virginia. The mother 
of our subject was born in Washington Co. in 
1 798 ; she was a daughter of Josei)h and Mar- 
garet (Bradford) (luinea. The Cotner familj- 
emigrated West in 1834, locating in Jeffer.son 
Co., where they lived sixteen years, and cleared 
up a farm, and came to the eastern part of this 
township in 1852 and purchased 120 acres of 
land of Benjamin Shaw ; here they have re- 
mained until the present, both of the parents 
yet living. The Cotner family are noted for 
their longevity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cotner 
joined the Presbyterian Church at an early age. 
Of their family living are Jonathan, a bach- 



elor, residing with his parents ; Andrew, in 
Fairfield Co.; Bradford, in Hardin Co.; W. A. 
and Fili, in this township. W. A. was married 
one Christmas Day to Kraeline White, born in 
Wayne Township, Wayne Co.; daughter of 
William and Julia (Fetterman) White ; she 
was born in Northumberland Co., Penn., in 
Februar}-, 1821 ; daughter of Peter Fetterman. 
To them were born four children — Emeline, 
the wife of W. A.; Malissa, Mrs. Whitney; 
Frances, Mrs. Eli Cotner. After Mr. Cotner 
was married, he moved to .Montville, afterward 
to Westfield, remaining nine years, locating on 
the farm he now owns in 1870. (Jf six chil- 
dren born, but two are living — Arthur P. and 
Piatt A.; the others died young. .Mr. Cotner 
has a farm of 98 acres. For several years 
past, he has been engaged in stock trading ; is 
a good judge and a successful deaU'r. 

A. B. DEAN, farmer ; V. O. Lodi. This gen- 
tleman is a descendant of David Dean, whose 
birthplace was Scotland ; from him descended 
David, the grandfather of our subject, whose 
son was also named David ; the father of our 
subject was born Aug. .31, 1797, in Bennington 
Co., Vt, and emigrated to this State in 1824, 
locating in Portage County, where our suliject 
was born May 25, 1831 ; second of a family of 
three, whose names are I'arnielia E., wife of 
Sherman B. Rogers, of Ilarrisville Township, 
and Horace, of Wilson ('o., Kan. The father 
of our subject was a shoemaker, which trade he 
followed in his earlier years ; but, later in life, 
engaged in farming, at which his sons were 
raised. June 25, 1854, he was married to Julia 
P. Loomis, who was l)orn March 4, 1835, in 
Ashtabula County, this State, whose parents 
were Russell S. and Harmony (Fobes) Loomis, 
the former was born in South Windsor, Conn., 
July 8, 179G ; the latter in Norwich, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., Sept. 28, 1803. To them were 
born nine children, of whom there are living 
Octavia. Callista, Elizabeth, .Milton, and Fidelia, 
the wife of Horace Dean, now in Wilson Co., 
Kan., with Milton, the youngest being Julia 
Ann. The mother died June 14, 1874, the 
father Nov. 30, 1879. The mother of our sub- 
ject, before her marriage, was Sojjhia Brown, 
who was born in Shalersville Township, Portage 
Co., September, 1811, daughter of E[)hraim 
Brown. Soon after the marriage of A. B. he 
located in this county, living al)out two years 
in Ilarrisville Township, and came to this 



^-. 



^ 



Ml 



84U 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



township in 1856. where he has since resided ; 
his farm consists of 215 acres, located in the 
southwest part of the township, a portion of it 
extending into Westfield Township. Since his 
occupation of the premises, he lias improved 
the general appearance of the farm, as well as 
of the house and surroundings, which now pre- 
sent an air of thrift, neatness and comfort. 
The Dean family are all stanch Kepublicans. 
His father was a Whig, and, at the dissolution 
of that part}-, became a Republican. Mr. Dean 
has served as Township Trustee, and is in that 
office. Three children have been born to him — 
Ida M., David H. and Dora. Ida was the pride 
of her pai'euts, had just emerged into lovely 
womanhood, and was upon the eve of her grad- 
uation at Lodi Academy, when she sickened 
and died, Oct. 17, 1873; she was a bright, in- 
telligent lady, beloved b\- all who knew her, 
and her death fell heavily upon the hearts of 
her parents. 

A. FRETZ, fanner; P. O. Chippewa Lake; 
was born Aug. 8, 1813. in Bucks Co.. Penn., he 
being the eldest of a family of three children 
born to Joseph and Mary (Souder) Fretz. Both 
were natives of Bucks Co. Joseph Fretz was 
a son of Jacob, whose ancestors were from Ger- 
many, as were also the Souders. Our subject 
was reared upon a farm until Hi years of age. 
when he went to learn the carijenter's trade. 
In February. 1831!. he was married to Elizalieth 
Bahn. who was born in Montgomeiy Co. ilarch 
7, 1818. of a family of nine children — five 
brothers and four sisters — all of whom attained 
their majority. Their parents were George and 
Magdaline (Hunsicker) Rahn. After Mr. Fretz 
was married, he carried on the cabinet-maker's 
business for four years, after which he resumed 
his trade. In the spring of 1848, he came West 
to Coshocton Co., this State, remaining a short 
time, then moved to Wadsworth. where he lived 
two years, coming to this township in the spring 
of 1851, purchasing a-irk acres of land, which 
was unimproved, with the exceiition of 3 acres. 
No buildings of any kind adorned the premises. 
Until within four years past. Mr. Fretz has been 
engaged in contracting and l)uilding. His wife 
and boys carried on the farm in the meantime. 
Eleven children have been born to them, nine 
living, viz., Augustus, now of Elkhart. Ind.; 
Amanda, now the wife of Piiineas Howe, of this 
township ; Emeline, now Mrs. Joseph Martin, 
in Seville ; Samuel, in La Fayette ; Elizabeth, 



now Mrs. A. Pink, of Medina ; Levi, in Guil- 
ford Township ; Joseph, telegraph operator on 
the Tu.scarawas Valle}- Railroad ; Myra. now 
Mrs. Martin Frazier. of Westfield ; and Ella. 
yet at home. Mrs. Fretz's father died in 1878, 
in his UOth year ; his wife died in 1871. They 
were members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. 
Fretz's father died in 1823; he and wife were 
members of the .^lennonite Church. Both Mr. 
Fretz and wife are members of the United 
Brethren Church. 

DAXIEL E. FOOTK, farmer; P. 0. Me- 
dina; born March 30, 1818, in Delaware Co., 
N. Y.; eight children composed the family, five 
brothers and three sisters, all of whom lived 
to see the years of man and womanhood. The 
parents of the above were William and Maria 
(Bailey) Foote; he was born in 1788. in Con- 
necticut, near Xewtown ; his father was Peter 
Foote, who was a son of Abraham, who.se par- 
ents came from Europe. Some of the relatives 
on his mother's side are of French extraction. 
The parents of Maria Bailey were Joshua and 
Olive (Glover) B.. all of whom were natives of 
Connecticut. Peter, [he grandfather of our 
subject, moved with his family to New York in 
1804, making the trip carrying his effects and 
family in an ox-cart. To him were born Will 
iam, Luther, Henry. Sherman, Jerusha, Mary 
A. and Sallie. All of the sons became hus- 
bandmen with the exception of Luther, wlio 
was a mechanic. Itaniel continued with his 
parents until his manhood, having obtained a 
liberal common school education. He was 
employed as teacher for a time, teaching dur- 
ing the winter season, and spending the sum- 
mer on the farm. June 7, 1842. he formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Betsey A. Griffin, 
who was a native of Delaware Co., N. Y.. 
daughter of Samuel and Fannie (Beers) Griffin; 
his parents were Heth and Julia (Baldwin) 
Griffin. The father of our subject was drafted 
in the war of 1812, and sent Elisha Ingraham 
instead. Daniel E.. after his marriage, began 
farming on land he had purchased, upon which 
he continued until 1857, when he came West 
and selected a place, but, his wife dying April 
22, same year, his jilans were, for the time, dis- 
concerted. She left one child — Griffin S. In 
the spring of 1858. he moved to his place of 
selection, returning in December of the same 
year, and married Sarah A. (iould : the winter 
followinur, Feb. 23, 1859, ^vas the time their 



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iiL^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



841 



nuptials were celebrated ; she was boru Jlarch 
9, 1827, in Delaware Co., and was a daughter 
of Cilick and Sallie (Blish) (lould, who is a 
cousin to Jaj' Gould, both natives of New 
York State. Their ancestors were natives of 
Connecticut. Returning to his farm in Lorain 
Co. that spring, he remained on the same until 
18G5, when he came to the farm he now owns, 
in the spring of the same j'car, where he pur- 
chased 1G3 acres, which was first settled by 
one Brooks, which is situated two and one- 
fourth miles from Medina. Since his owner- 
ship, he has greatly improved the appearance 
of the farm, having erected an excellent house, 
and other substantial buildings on the prem- 
ises. Farming has employed his time since 
his advent to the place. Since the spring of 
1879, he has been conducting a cheese-factory, 
and though now but two j-ears in operation, 
yet from the success that has crowned its early 
beginning, it seems destined to liecome one of 
the lucrative and substantial manufacturing 
interests of this township. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Foote are members of the Episcopal Church at 
Medina, having been identified with that de- 
nominatioji for the last thirty-five years. To 
them have been born two sons — William C. 
and Favette D. 

LORENZO HYATT, farmer ; P. O. Lodi ; 
was born July 29, 1823, in Rodman Township, 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., was the oldest son of 
Aaron and Prudence (Ross) Hyatt, to whom 
were born eight children, three sons and five 
daughters ; of those living, are Alonzo, now of 
Chatham ; Sarah, Mrs. Winters. Rosaltlia. Mrs. 
James Crouch, Gilbert, settled in Wisconsin, 
and went out in the late rebellion as soldier in 
the 48th Wis. V. I. and died ere his return. 
The father of Loi-enzo, was born near Hoosick 
Falls, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., in December, 
about the year 1790; was a son of Roger Hjatt, 
who trace their ancestrj- to English stock. The 
Ross family claim their ancescry as descended 
from Scotland. John Ross was the grand- 
father of Lorenzo on his mother's side, whose 
father was also named John. Lorenzo emi- 
grated West with his parents in 1832, locating 
in AVestfield Township, his father purchasing 
40 acres of land. Lorenzo remained with his 
father until he was 23 years of age, then 
went to Erie Co., Penn., where he worked 
in the lumber business until his union with 
Sarah Mershon. which took place Sept. 17, 



1850. She was born Nov. 19, 1832, in Spring- 
field Township, Erie Co. Penn.; her parents 
were Aaron and Sarah (Ijinsey) Mershon, both 
were natives of Pennsylvania, he was born in 
Erie Co., she in Crawford. After Mr. Hyatt 
was 7uarried he was not oppressed with an over 
flush of coin or of this world's goods and for 
several j-ears made several changes, renting 
land and shifting about wherever circumstances 
seemed to promise the most satisfactory finan- 
cial returns. In April, 1859, he purchased 50 
acres, where he now resides, and has since been 
a resident on the same — has since added 14 
acres and has a comfortable and pleasant 
home, in which to spend the eve of his life ; is 
a man that has a great desire for good litera- 
ture, and is one of the greatest readers in the 
neighborhood. Of three children born him, but 
two are living. Gilbert was the eldest, now de- 
ceased ; Carrie Liez and Frank are the sur- 
viving ones. Mrs. Hyatt's mother yet resides 
in Erie Co., Penn., her father deceased in April 
1848. Mr. Hyatt has been a man of good 
health, and of industrious habits, and accumu- 
lated what he has b_y an observance of the laws 
of economj' and rugged industry, having devoted 
his life to agricultural pursuits, and has the 
esteem and eommendatii>n of his neighl)ors and 
friends, as an excellent citizen and accommodat- 
ing neighbor ; he is a consistent member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and an ardent 
Republican. 

ELI HOUSE, farmer ; P. 0. AVhittlesey ; 
was born in Jefferson Co., Ohio, Sept 30, 1820 ; 
son of John and Sarah House ; the former born 
in 1777, in Chester Co., Penn., the latter born the 
same year in York Co.. Penn. The House family 
are originally from the " Fatherland," and, after 
coming to Pennsylvania, were among the fol- 
lowers of William Penn. John House was a 
soldier of the war of 1812 ; he had moved 
West from Pennsylvania before the war began, 
and located on land he had previously pur- 
chased. The war breaking out, he cast his. fort- 
unes into that struggle, and returned to his 
land after the war ; but, in the meantime, the 
currency had depreciated, and, being in debt, 
he had a hard time to weather it through. He 
was a man of great industry, a carpenter by 
trade, which he followed for several years, and 
built many buildings whicii are yet standing in 
that locality. He owned 200 acres of land, 
which he retained until his death. Dec. 3, 1833. 



te* 



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8-12 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



At the time of his death, he was preparing to 
build a large hriek house on his own premises. 
Both he and his wife were consistent members 
of the ^I. E. Church. Her death occurred 
in Maj-, 1853. To tliem were born eight chil- 
dren, but five of whom are now living — Ele- 
azer, in Mason Co., 111. ; Elizabeth, now Jlrs. 
U. Nichols, in the same county- ; Mary, wife of 
W. Nichols, in the same place ; Catharine, 
Mrs. Charles Crocker, now in Montville ; Eli, 
in this township. Joseph, his l)rother. settled 
in this township, but died in 1877, leaving two 
sons and four daughters. Eli remained with his 
father until 27 j-cars of age. Dec. 16, 1840, 
he was married to Rebecca Smith, who was 
born Feb. 20, 1824, in Allegheny Co., Penn.. 
daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Grover) Smith ; 
he was a native of Chester Co., Penn.; he was 
a son of Andrew Smith. The Groveses are of 
French extraction ; Rebecca's grandparents 
came from France. After Mr. House was mar- 
ried, he remained on the home farm and, hav- 
ing bought out the heirs, he continued to farm 
until the fall of 1852, when he moved to this 
township and purchased 185 acres of land, to 
which he has since added, until now he owns 
400 acres. Stock-raising and farming has been 
his business since he settled here ; he has been 
engaged quite extensively in the dairy business, 
running fifty cows. Seven children have been 
born to him, but five now living — John W., 
George W., Marj' E., Lorinda J. and Sarah, 
wife of James Bachtell, of York Township. 
Mr. House is one of the most prominent farm- 
ers in the township. He and wife are members 
of the M. E. Church. 

JESSE HARRINGTON, retired farmer; P. 
0. Medina. The above gentleman was born 
Dec. 27, 1809, in the town of Arlington, Ben- 
nington Co., Vt., is the tifth of a family of 
twelve children who were born to Henry and 
Sarah (Manchester) Harrington. Henry was 
born February, 1770, son of Henry, born 1730. 
in Rhode Island. He was a son of Job, whose 
father was likewise named Job, who was born 
1645, in Roxbury, Mass. The wife of Job sec- 
ond was Anna Spencer. The father of Job, 1st, 
was drowned in Boston Harbor. Henry Har- 
rington, the grandfather of Jesse, was a Captain, 
and iield his commission under the crown. 
After the war of the Revolution broke out, he 
took up arms against the British, Jesse's 
great-grandfather on his mother's side was 



drafted in the British army, from North- 
eastern New York, and died at Ft. p]dward. 
The prevalent religion of tiie Harringtons has 
been of the Baptist order ; manj- of them, how- 
ever, married into Quaker families. Jesse's 
father was a carpenter by trade. After his 
marriage, engaged in farming, and remained in 
the same until his death. Spring of 1839, 
Jesse was married to Lydia Burnett. She was 
born in Bennington Co., Vt, in 1814, daughter 
of Job and Lucy Burnett, who were of Scotch 
descent. Mr. Harrington emigrated "West in 
1844, locating in this township, where he now 
resides, purchasing 109 acres, at $10 per acre, 
of his brother, Dr, Rowe owning it before him 
(his lu'other). With the exception of a little 
"slashing," there were no other improvements. 
Mr. Harrington built the first cabin, which he 
lived in eight years, when he moved into the 
house he now occupies. Of five children born 
him, one is now living — Henry B., who married 
Mary Hall. They have one child — Mabel. 
Elias died 1876. He was a Superintendent on 
the Valley R. R. His wife was Sarah Smith. 
They had one child — Sapphira, called "Gay." 
Stephen J. enlisted in the war ; went out first 
in the three months' service, in Co. H, 8th 0. 
V. I.; served his time, came home, stayed one 
year, then re-enlisted in Co. I, 103d 0. V. I., 
and, after serving in manj- battles, such as 
Stone River, Stagol's Ferry, Rhea Town, Blue 
Springs, Leesburg, and in seventeen days' fight 
between Holston and Loudon Rivers. He was 
taken prisoner in January, 1864, and taken to 
Belle Isle, where he was confined until his 
death, which occurred June 28, 1864, of bron- 
chitis, after being exposed a long time in the 
rain and wet without shelter or proper clothing. 
The first two soldiers killed at the battle of 
Lexington were Caleb and John Harrington, 
who were sons of Henry Harrington. Jesse's 
father was a Democrat, but. after Jackson's 
administration, he was a AVhig. Mr, Jesse 
Harrington is a stanch Rei)ublican, and one of 
the solid and substantial farmers in the neigh- 
borhood. Has 140 acres in this township, and 
62 in Medina, and is quite a succe.ssful bee 
farmer. Has had but little sickness in his fam- 
ily. Since he began keeping house, $10 would 
pay [lis entire doctor l)ill. He is a man of 
powerful memoiy, retaining in his mind events 
and dates with astonishing exactness. He is 
now living in the (piiet of his homo, having 



la. 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



843 



given over the culture and management of his 
farm to Henry B., who resides with hiin. 

R. B. HAliT, farmer ; P. O. Medina ; was 
born June ,50, 184G, iu Monroe Co., N. Y., ninth 
of a family of ten children born to George and 
Caroline (Sanford) Hart. The father was born 
Sept. 10, 1792, in Massachusetts ; the mother 
in Vermont, March 6, 1805. His father, (xeorge 
Hart, was a farmer, which vocation was taught 
his .son George, who in turn, set the example to 
his son Romain, who, before attaining his ma- 
jority, responded to the call for volunteers in 
the late war, and enlisted July 27, 1862, for 
three years, in Co. B, 108th N. Y. V. I., Sept. 
17, at the battle of Antietam ; was wounded 
three times, and did not leave the fielil or cease 
fighting, until he received his third wound ; his 
injuries were of such a nature as to entitle him 
to a discharge, which he I'eceived, and returned 
home. Upon his recover}', he returned to the 
scene of conflict, and after driving team for 
nearly five months in the Cumberland depart- 
ment, re-enlisted in Co. H, 22d N. Y. V. C, re- 
ceiving the rank of Sergeant, and, after serving 
one year, the regiment was placed on detached 
service, in charge of a portionof the ambulance 
train. During his service with the cavalry, he 
met with a thrilling experience, by the explo- 
sion of an ammunition wagon, which was in 
close proximity, throwing him several rods, 
and, were it not for his landing in a pond of 
water, the fall would have undoubtedly killed 
him. By careful treatment in hospital, he was 
again restored to duty, and ser\'ed until after 
the termination of the wai-, receiving his dis- 
charge Aug. 8, 1865. Returning home to New 
Y'^ork, he attended school that winter, and in the 
spring of 1866, came West, first to Illinois, then 
to this county, to Spencer Township, where he 
was married Nov. 3, same year, to Matilda G. 
Inman, born 29th October, 1847, in Spencer 
Township. Her parents are Stephen and So- 
phrouia (Robbins) Hart. He was born in New 
Jersey, and came West about the year 1831. 
For several years, Mr. Hart was engaged in 
conducting a cheese manufactory in Spencer. 
Since that time, he has been engaged iu farming 
pursuits. February, 1875, he located in the 
northwestern part of this township, having a 
farm of 82 acres, formerly owned l)y Anson 
Randall. The fruits of his union have been 
five children, who are Bertha M., Mary A., 
Gracia A., Melva L. and Mabel S. 



ROBERT LOWE, farmer and horse dealer ; 
P. 0. Whittlesey ; is a son of William Lowe, 
who was born in August, 1799, in Skine, Aber- 
deenshire, Scotland ; sou of John Lowe. William 
Lowe was married to Jane Beatton, who was 
born in the same shire Sept, 5, 1805, daughter 
of Peter Beatton, whose great-grandfather was 
Lord Beatton, of historic fame. Col. Beatton 
was his great-grandfather, and participated in 
the battle of Kaladon, called Ijy some Culloden. 
Mrs. Lowe's mother's name prior to her mar- 
riage was Margaret Cooper, who was a daughter 
of William. Gen. Arthur Burnett was her 
father's uncle. Peter Beatton was a Forrester, 
and, upon his side of the family, flowed as good 
blood as Bonn}' Scotland produced. William 
Lowe and family emigrated to this country in 
1854, first locating in Homer Township, where 
his brother, Skeine Lowe, had located several 
years previous, being one among the early set- 
tlers in that township. Mr. Lowe did not re- 
main in Homer long, ere he located permanently 
in this township, and remained until his death, 
which occurred in April, 1879. His wife j'et 
survives him. Both were members of the old 
Scotch Church. To them were born a family 
of thirteen children, twelve of the number came 
to maturity. Five of the Lowe brothers were 
volunteers in the late war ; James, in Co. K, 
8th 0. V. I., was killed at the battle of Antietam ; 
Alexander died at Nashville ; was a member of 
Co. B, 124th 0. V. I. ; Robert served two years 
iu the same regiment and company ; George 
was a member of the 0. N. G. ; John enlisted, 
and was afterward discharged ; Robert was mar- 
ried. May 2, 1866, to Mary Parks, who was born 
Dec. 15, 1847, in Homer Township, daughter of 
Joseph and Hannah (Kelly) Parks. He was a 
son of David Parks. Her father's name was 
Ezra Kelly. Both families were natives of New 
Y''ork State. For se\'eral years past, Rolsert 
Lowe has been engaged as a horse-dealer, buy- 
ing and selling and fitting and preparing for 
the market, and is a shrewd and successful 
trader. In 1869, he purchased the farm he now 
owns, consisting of 40 acres, formerly (jwned bj' 
Mr. Needham. The Lowes are all strongly Re- 
publican. 

T. S. MARTIN, farmer and agent ; P. O. Me- 
dina ; is the fourth child born to John and 
Nancy (Vaughn) ^Lartin. Thomas was l)orn 
June 13. 1826. in Washington Co., Penn. John 
Martin, the father of our subject, was left an 






^^ 



5) 



844 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



orphan at an early age. and but little is known 
of the family hack of himself The grandfather 
of Mr. Martin cm his mother's side was Joseph, 
and was a native of New Jersey. The Martins 
are of Irish descent. John Martin and family 
came West in 1831, locating in Jefierson Co., 
Ohio, where he purchased 160 acres of land, 
which was but partially improved. In 1841, he 
moved to this township, where he lived until his 
death, Tliomas S., at the age of 22, was mar- 
ried to Mahala J. Lance, born June Iti, 1826, 
in Milton Township, Wayne Co.. Ohio. Their 
marriage took place Sept. 28, 1848. Her par- 
ents were William and Clara (Lee) Lance. He 
was born in Washington Co.. Penn.. Feb. 14, 
1788; his wife born May 3, 179!l. William 
was a son of Christopher Lance. Mrs. Martin's 
grandfather on her mother's side was John 
Lee. His son. William, was a teamster in the 
war of 1812. The family were among the early 
arrivals in Wayne Co. Mrs. JLartin's father 
died March 23', 1861 ; mother. Jan. 28, 1846. 
Mr. Lance was a Deacon in Presbyterian Church, 
and always took an active part in church 
matters ; a man of good information and a 
worthy citizen. After Mr. .Martin's marruige, 
he resided a short time in Homer Township. 
In 1851, he moved to this township and pur- 
chased 60 acres of land where he now resides, 
situated in the east side of the township. Has 
now 82 acres. About the year 18()5, he began 
work for the Domestic Sewing Machine Co., 
and has since been in their employ the greater 
part of the time, and is one of the best agents 
in the employ of the company. Of his chil- 
dren living are Clara A.. Mrs. W. Pease, of 
Washington Co., Penn. ; James W., in Medina 
Co., in same business as father ; Harriet E., 
Mrs. L. W. Strong, of Guilford ; William J., in 
La Fayette Center ; Frank Isl., married and in 
Chatham Township ; Violet I., Mrs. Rufus L. 
Gechman, in Poe, Montville ; Allen W., at home. 
For thirty years, Mr. Martin has been a mem- 
ber of the Congregational Church, and is rec- 
ognized as one of the standard men in the town- 
ship. 

REV. WILLIAM MOODY, farmer; 1'. O. 
Whittlesey; born Aug. 29, 1810, in Bogairc 
Township, Coos Co., N. H.; the eldest of a 
family of nine children, seven of whom came 
to the years of responsibility ; but two are now 
living — our subject and Ebenezer S.. now of 
Chatham Township. Of those who came West 



and became members of families, were Abi- 
gail, who married Albert Roynton, of Harris- 
ville Township ; to them were born four sons — 
E. M. Ro_vnton being one of the number, who 
is the inventor and patentee of the Lightning 
Saw. George first settled in Virginia, after- 
ward in Iowa ; he was a minister of the Chris- 
tian Church for many years ; his children were 

Lewis, Ida, Harvey, Watson and . Daniel 

settled in Chatham, finally in Michigan, where 
he died, leaving one .son — Watson Moody. 
Charles came to Ohio, afterward went to Cali- 
fornia, and never was heard from since. Lucy 
moved m Michigan ; was the wife of Alonzo 
Hildreth, to whom were born four sons and 
one daughter. All of the above were born to 
Ebenezer and Lucy (Wood) Moody. He was 
born in 1783, in Newbury, Mass., thirty miles 
from Boston. The Moody family originated 
(according to tradition) from three brothers 
who left England for America soon after the 
establishment of the Plymouth Colony, I). L. 
Moody, the evangelist, being one of the branch. 
The father of our subject was a shoemaker b}- 
occupation, which vocation was learned by 
William, who. at the age of 18, bought his 
time for $75, and began business on his own 
responsibilitv. In 1833. the family came West, 
located in Wadsworth Township, and, in 1835, 
settled permanently in Ciiatham Township, 
where the paternal head died September, 1850; 
that of his wife in 1864, while in Michigan. 
When William first came to this State, he car- 
ried on the boot and shoe business for a time 
in Dover, near Cleveland ; sub.sequently took 
a contract of building turnpike in Cleveland, 
where he worked three summers ; cut and 
logged about twenty acres from St. Clair street, 
next the lake, digging many of the trees out 
by the roots. At this time the woodland ex- 
tended within one and a half miles of the city. 
After leaving Cleveland, he came to La Fayette 
Township, and was for some time engaged in 
administering to the spiritual wants of the peo- 
ple, expounding the Gospel from Alexander 
Campbell's standpoint, and, although he en- 
countered a great deal of opposition, yet was 
successful in awakening a good deal of inter- 
est in tile minds of the people, several of whom 
olieved the Gospel. an<l. through his instrumen- 
tality, the church took root and a society was 
soon organized, and since grown to its present 
dimensions. His first purchase of land was in 



t, \ 



_2) ^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



845 



Cbatham Township, in 1837, where he pur- 
chased 50 aere.s, afterward adding to the .same 
until he had 118 aercs, which he cleared up. 
Aug. 29, 1838, he was joined in wedlock to 
.^laria Ross, who was born in Wind.sor Co., Vt., 
Nov. 13, 1S17, the eldest of a family of two 
children who were born to Daniel and Keziah 
(Ainsworth) Ross, who were natives of Ver- 
ment, and emigrated to this county in 1834. 
Mrs. iMoodj-'s brother Jerry Ross, is a resident 
of Montcalm Co., Mich. Mr. Moody remained 
on his farm in Chatham until 1871, when he 
purchased the farm he now owns, consisting of 
124^ acres, of Isaac Blair, who was its former 
owner and pioneer. Of seven children born 
him, all grew up. Silas, now in Gratiot Co., 
Pine Tree Township. Mich., who is one of the 
prominent farmers in that locality, having 300 
acres. Solon and George lost their lives in the 
late war ; botli were members of Co. B, 42d 
0. V. I., and were valiant and true soldiers. 
Mary, in ^lichigan, the wife of Mr. Charles 
Judson, of Ottawa Co. Harriet, at home. 
Henry, married, and residing near his father's. 
John, a teacher, unmarried and at home. At 
the age of 19, our subject was converted, and 
joined the Baptist Church, remaining in this 
connection until he was 24. when his views 
submitted to a change, and, joining the Disci- 
ples' standard, has since that time preached 
the truth as understood by him, as revealed by 
the words of Holy Writ. Although giving his 
attention to farming, yet he has in the mean- 
time preached a gTeat deal, and, for the most 
part, received but small compensation therefor. 
Has been an active worker in the blaster's 
cause, and has been instrumental in doing 
much good in the church, and through his in- 
strumentalit}' many souls have been brought 
from darkness to light. 

ANDREW MARTIN, former -, P. O. Chip- 
pewa Lake ; was born Jan. 9, 1824, in Wash- 
ington, Penn., and emigrated West with his 
parents in 1841, locating in the eastern part of 
this township, where he remaincnl (making his 
father's house his home) until July 1, 1852, 
when he was married to Maria Mclntirc. who 
was born Oct. 28, 1826, in Smithville, Wayne 
Co., being the ninth child of a family of ten, 
seven girls and three sons ; of those living — 
Mary! Mrs. John Vanarsdale ; Jane, .Mrs. John 
Martin ; Rebecca, Mrs. James Wilson; Ann, 
Jlrs. Robert Martin ; Nancj-, Mrs. James Col- 



lier ; Lydia. unmarried ; all of the above were 
born to Hugh and Lydia (Thomas) Mclntirc. 
He was born in or near Canada ; his parents 
died when he was a lad of 4 years, and he was 
then taken to Washington, Penn., where he 
lived until he came West, which was about the 
year 1821, and located in Wayne Co., near 
Smithville, where the family settled in the 
woods ; lived for some time in the wagon ; 
they came out before a suitable shelter could 
be erected for their reception. Here, for many 
3'ears, under many discouraging surroundings, 
the family were raiscii to maturity. The par- 
ents died as follows: He, Jan. 17, 1854, aged 
69 years and 9 months ; she, Oct. 16, 1854, 
aged 67 years and 5 months. They lived 
highly respected in the community, both as 
citizens and cHicient members and workers in 
the church, he being for many years Deacon of 
the Presbyterian Church. After the marriage 
of our subject, he located in Canaan Township. 
Wayne Co.; finally located in this township in 
1857, where he has since been a resident. Of 
his father's family, there were seven children, 
he being the third, all of whom settled in this 
township. His parents were John and Agnes 
(Vaughn) Martin. He was born in New Jer- 
sey, and, after his settlement here, lived a con- 
stant resident until his death, which occurred 
July 21, 1856, aged 62 years and 9 months; 
her decease was Aiiril 9, 1873. Mi: ISLartin's 
farm consists of 50 acres of good laud, well 
improved, and he is in good, comfortable cir- 
cum.stances as regards this world's goods. 
While he has never been blessed with any off- 
spring of his own, yet he has raised one boy to 
manhood — Stephen Nickerson, who is now a 
teacher in the township ; have one adopted 
daughter — Henrietta. He and wife are members 
of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. Martin's 
grandfather was Ijiverton Thomas. Mrs. Jlar- 
tin's sister Ann settled in Stark Co.; Rebecca, 
in Orville, Wayne Co., Ohio ; Nancy, in Woos- 
ter; Mary, in Holmes Co., Ohio; Jane, in 
Wayne Co., Ohio. 

JOHN MAYTHAM, farmer; ]'. 0. Whittle- 
sey ; first beheld the light of day April 25, 
1813, in Barham Parish, Kent Co., England. 
He was the youngest son born to his jjarents. 
who were Edward and Elizabeth (Hopkins) 
Maytham. The grandfather of our subject was 
George jMaytham, to whom were born six sons, 
viz.; George, Thomas, Daniel, Edward, James 



^ 



9 i^ 



846 



BIOCxRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and John. Their father was killed by his mim 
coimtr3iiicu while convej'ing prisoners from 
Spain to England, being fired into by a British 
man-of-war, thinking them to be enemies. In 
1832, at the age of 19. he bade farewell to the 
land of his lathers, and, in order to better his 
condition, sailed for America, the trip occnpying 
eight weeks, arriving the season that the cholera 
was raging in this country. From New York 
he went to Essex Co., Mass., where he lived 
five years, and drifted West to Cleveland, where 
he lived about four years. His occupation was 
that of a landscape gardener, and assisted in 
planting the first trees that now grace and adorn 
Euclid Avenue. Jan. 1, ISoT, he became the 
husband of Catherine Guckian, who was born 
November, 1820, in the Parish Kiltart, Leitrim 
Co.. Ireland, whose parents were Charles and 
Nancy (McDonald) (luckian. The McDonalds 
were natives of '■ Bonnie " Scotland. In 1840. 
Mr. Maytham and wife came to this township, 
locating where they now reside, he having some 
years previous purchaseil the land at $5.00 per 
acre. Coming as they did from the busj- hum 
of business and city life to tliis place, to make 
the '• woods ' their future home, was not enjoy- 
able at first, particularly to Mrs. Maytham ; the 
contrast between the two places was as wide 
as two extremes could well be. No road 
near at hand, and the neighbors few and scat- 
tering. Time rolled on ; neighbors multiplied, 
and the wilderness appearance of the place was 
transformed to cultivated fields, and, after 3'ear.s 
of hard labor, assisted by his worthy helpmeet, 
thej' have secureil to themselves a good home 
and a sutficiency of this world's goods to enable 
them to spend tlie remainder of their days in 
the enjoyment of the fruits of their severe toil 
and man3- years of self-denial. Their union 
has been crowned with a goodly number of 
representatives, fifteen in all ; ten of the num- 
ber attained the years of responsibility. Of 
those now living are Ann, now residing in Ho- 
mer, the wife of Francis Kolo ; Thomas, Will- 
iam and Edward, in Bufllalo ; Mary, Mrs. John 
House, Mrs, Asa Blakeslee and Charles, of this 
township ; George died in Kansas, buried with 
the honors of Knights Templarhood ; Thomas 
is in the marine business, at i?utfalo, owning 
and conducting a number of vessels, Mrs. 
Blakcslee's husband died Aug. 0, 1880 ; he was 
a native of Connecticut, and for twenty-five 
years was a resident of Blackstonc, J^ivingston 



Co., 111. ; a farmer and prominent business man 
at that place, and a man possessed of marked 
intellectual abilities. Mrs, Blakeslee and father 
are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

GEORGE A. McCABE, farmer ; P. O. Chip- 
pewa Lake ; was born in Guilford Township, 
Jan, 4, 1839; is the eldest of a family of ten 
children, whose parents were James and A, 
(Houghton) McCabe. The grandfather of 
George was a native of the Emerald Isle, and 
came to this State many years ago, locating in 
Guilford Township, where he died, as did his 
son James, in 1878. June 13; his wife died 
May 3, 1855, George was raised to hard labor, 
and spent his minority at home with his 
parents, who atforded him the advantages of 
the common school, and, when he attained his 
early manhood, was made thoroughly ac- 
quainted with the use of agricultural imple- 
ments. After attaining his major years, he 
began to shift for himself Dec. 24. 1862, he 
became the lawful protector of Jliss Mar}' 
Dicky; she was born Dec, 12, 1841. in AVest- 
field Township ; her parents were Samuel and 
Harriet H, Dicky, who were among the early 
settlers in that township. Subsequently, after 
the marriage of G. A,, they resided two 3'ears 
in Westfield, and moved to this township in 
1864, and has a farm of 93 acres, which is well 
improved and favorably located at Lake Sta- 
tion, and close to Chippewa Lake, Mr. Mc- 
Cabe is among the enterprising young farmers 
in the township, and will probably, in time, be- 
come one of the opulent agriculturists in the 
county. To him have been Ijorn four children 
— William A.. Ilattie A.. John D. and George. 

EARL -MOULTON, shoe store, Whittlesey ; 
is one of the pioneers and worthy representa- 
tives of this township. His place of birth was 
in Vermont State, Randolph Township, Orange 
Co.; here he first beheld the light Sept. 29, 
1800. His father's name was William, who 
lost his life at sea when our subject was about 
1 year old. He was a native of Massachusetts, 
as was his wife Lucia iMiles ; her father was 
Timothy Miles, who purchased 1,900 acres of 
land in Canada, and gave his daughter 100 
acres, 50 of which she intended for her son Earl ; 
but her father became involved, by going sure- 
ty, and lost all. In 1816, Earl, in company 
with his mother and step-father, came West to 
Richfield Township, Summit Co, Soon after 
our subject went to Wa3ne Co,, and began 



^ 



'L^ 



LA fayettf: township. 



847 



work clearing land ; July 4, 1 822, married 
Esther Stanley, born Oct. 22, 1803, in Broome 
Co., N. Y., daughter of Alexander and Nabbie 
Stanlej-; she came West with her parents in 
1813, who first located in Trumbull Co., Ohio. 
Mr. Moulton settled on a section of school 
laud in Canaan Township, and cut the first 
stick in Canaan Center ; he remained here un- 
til April 1834, when he came to this township 
and took up 50 acres in the woods, where he 
built him a cabin, and lived on this tract until 
1840, and, with the exception of six years spent 
in Michigan, has been a resident of the county, 
and (|uite prominently identified with its inter- 
ests ; in the fall of 1844, was elected to the 
State Legislature, and was re-elected ; was first 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1854, and served 
until his departure for Michigan ; upon his 
return was re-elected, and is now the present 
incumbent of the office : during President Taj^- 
lor's administration was commissioned Post- 
master, being the first in the township, and 
during the early settlement of the township 
served as Township Clerk and Trustee several 
years, and, in all the various offices of trust 
that have been placed upon him. he has ever 
sustained the dignity and character of an up- 
right man and Christian gentleman. His wife 
died leaving seven children, one son and six 
daughters : Olivia E., now in Michigan ; Lucia, 
Mrs. George E. Miller, of this township, also 
Louisa A., the wife of Alfred Bowman ; Will- 
iam E., who married Eliza Waltz, is also a resi- 
dent of this township ; Eliza M., Mrs. John W. 
Bowman, and Cynthia M,, who resides with her 
father. Mr. Moulton has never been a man 
that has aspired to become wealthy in this 
world's goods, seeking rather to secure treas- 
ures in that land beyond the River of Death. 
For many years past he has been a member of 
the Christian Church at this place, being one 
of its original meinljcrs. and a stanch Repub- 
lican. 

Cr. A. MACK, f\xrmer ; P. O. Whittlesey ; was 
born February. 1806. in Canandaigua Township, 
Ontario Co., N. Y., the only child of his parents, 
Gurdon and Mary ((iillct) Mack. He was born 
about the year 1781 near Hartford, Conn., a 
.son of Gurdon JIack. whose parents were of 
Scotch-Irish nationality. The (rillets are of 
Yankee extraction, and were all natives of Con- 
necticut, so far as known. Immediately after 
the marriage of our subject's parents, the3- re- 



moved to the Empire State, where Mr. Mack 
died when our subject was 6 months old. Sub- 
sequently, his mother married Mr, Hickox, with 
whom our sulyject lived until his manhood, 
Gurdon A,'s father was a shoemaker by trade, 
but was engaged in farming also, which he car- 
ried on in conjunction with his trade. The 
hard labor he bestowed in clearing up his farm 
and working at his trade at night was too ex- 
cessive for him, and brought him to an earlj' 
and premature grave. Our suljject was raised 
to farming pursuits, but, taking naturally to 
tools, he easily learned the carpenter's trade, 
which he followed for several years ; worked at 
wood-turning, and also did millwright work, 
Feb. 8, 1829, he was married to Eliza Ruscal. 
who was born in Bloomfleld Township, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., in 1809. He remained in New York 
until 1848, when he came West to this county, 
locating at Westfleld Center. Prior to his com- 
ing, he built a large .saw-mill in the pineries in 
Steuben Co. Soon after his arrival at West- 
field, he built a sash and blind factory at the 
Center, which he carried ou until 1855, when he 
sold out to G. C. Wright, and moved to his 
present place of residence, situated at La Fa}- 
ette Center, where he has since resided and 
been engaged in farming. Mr. Mack has been 
unfortunate, having buried two wives. His 
first wife died Aug. 10, 1842, leaving five smaU 
children — William A.. Henry, Frances. Sarah 
M. and Miles. April 24. 1844. he was married 
to Florinda Hickox. She died in March, 1870, 
leaving no issue. She was beloved l)y her step- 
children, who loved her and lamented her de- 
mise. His present wife was Mrs. Delia Rich- 
ards, who was born in Slontville Township 
Aug. 15, 1835. She was a daughter of James 
and Lavina (Welton) Reynolds, who were born, 
respectively in Massachusetts and Connecticut, 
and were mairied iu New Yorlv, and emigrated 
West to this county when the country was new. 
To them were born seven cliildren, five brothers 
and two sisters. Si.x of the number attained 
maturity. Her fiither died in 1853 ; her 
mother is yet a resident of 3Ioiilville. The 
children living are James. Hiram (who resides 
in Granger), Clark (in Chatham) and Sallie (now 
Mrs, H. Foskett, of this township). Mrs. Mack 
was married to her first husband .May 0, 1858. 
whose name was Adam Richards, whose birth- 
place was Richland Co., Oliio. born in 1S33. 
He died Feb. 9, 1802, leavinti' two children — 






848 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Lavina M. and Sicgel P. Mr. Mack has raise<l 
a family, who revere the memory of their pater- 
nal ancestor, and are all married and doin;j; 
business on their owu account. William A. is 
the inventor of the Domestic .Sewing Machine, 
and resides at Norwalk ; Henry is in Paines- 
ville : Sarah .M. (Mrs. N. Newman), of Norwalk ; 
Frances and Miles, in Cleveland, partners in 
the sewing-machine business. For over half a 
century, Mr. Mack has been a soldier of the 
cross, and has been an efficient and zealous 
worker in his Masters vine3'ard. and has en- 
deavored to live the life of a consistent Chris- 
tian. Has acted for the last fort}' years as 
Class-leader. Steward and Trustee of the M. K. 
Clinrch. of which he has been a member. In 
political matters, he has never taken an act- 
ive part, but has always been a true Repub- 
lican. 

DUNCAN NAIRN, farmer ; P. (). Whittle- 
sey ; was born in Scotland in 1810. in Morrow- 
shire, the youngest of a family of eleven chil- 
dren, all of whom grew to the years of respon- 
sibility. His parents were William and Isabella 
(McDonald) Nairn. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject was John. William Nairn was a farmer, 
and raised his boj's to be tillers of the soil. In 
I80I. our subject emigrated to this country, to 
try his fortunes in the West, of which he had 
heard so much while in Scotland, and. with 
the determination, which is characteristic 
of the race, which when made, is generally 
carried out to its full realization, he decided 
tiiat he would some da}' have a home of his 
own. and be independent. Having excellent 
health, a robust frame, a cheerful disposition, he 
soon made friends : being a No. 1 stone-m.ason, 
which he had learned in Scotland, his services 
were immediately brought into requisition ; 
worked in Pittsburgh. Cleveland and other 
places. His first purchase of land was in 
Columbiana ('o., of KIO acres, costing $5 per 
acre. Subseiiuently sold this, and removed to 
Congress Township, in Wayne Co.. where he 
purchased 77 acres, for which he paid 5^850, 
there being some improvements on the same, 
consisting of a small cabin and a log barn. 
After his advent to this place, he gave his at- 
tention more particularly to farming pursuits. 
He has been twice married, first, to Jeannette 
Jjidcll. who died in 1872. leaving no issue. 
Sept. 14. 1 87'), was married to his present wife. 
who.se maiden name was Catiiarine Rupley, who 



was born Oct. 5. 1832, in Dauphin Co.. Penn., 
daughter of Michael and Catiiarine Himmilrich, 
both were natives of same place, to whom were 
born a family of nine children, six sons and 
three daughters, all of whom grew to be men 
and women. The family emigrated West in 
1855, locating in Millbrook Township, Wayne 
Co., this State, where they made their subse- 
quent permanent abode. Her father died in 
1872 ; his worthy companion yet survives him, 
being now 86 j'ears of age ; both of the above 
were professors of religion, he of the Baptist 
Church, she of the M. E. Church. Mr. Nairn 
finally disposed of his interests in Wayne Co. at 
a large advance of his first purchase, and bought 
ICO acres about one mile southwest of the Cen- 
ter, and has for several years past been a citi- 
zen of this township. Is now enjoying the 
fruits of his labor, having an abundance of 
everything about him that is requisite to his 
maintenance, and for his enjoyment, all of 
which has been the outgrowth of his industry 
and frugality. He is a member of the Old Se- 
ceder Church, of the good old kind ; his wife of 
the Lutheran denomination. Mr. Nairn, though 
no politician, is of Republican sentiment, and a 
substantial member of the communit}'. 

JOHN NORTON, farmer; P. O. Lodi ; was 
born Jan. 12. 1830. in Yorkshire. England, and 
emigrated to America with his parents when he 
was liut 2 years of age. His parents were 
Richard and Sarah (Richardson) Norton, and 
were born, respectivel}-. July 24, 1784, and 
Nov. a. 1787. His parents located in the south- 
cast portion of Harrisvillc Township, now 
owned b}' Samuel Norton, the brother of the 
above. John was raised to farming, and con- 
tinued under the paternal roof until he was 30 
years of age. at which time he formed a matri- 
monial alliance with Sarali Winters, who was 
born in Lincolnshire. England. Aug. 7. 1.842 : 
their marriage was duly celebrated according 
to the laws of the commonwealth. March 7, 
1860. Her i)arents were William and Ann 
(Freeman) Winters, who emigrated to this 
county from England in the year 1S4S; her 
father, now a resident of Chatham, having 
passed his three-score years and ten ; his wife 
liassed to her rest March 19, 1870. After Mr. 
Norton was married, he resided three j'ears in 
the northeast part of the township, then remov- 
ing to Chatham, resided until 1866, when he 
located in the extreme southwest corner of the 



y\z 



'v 



^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



849 



township, a part of which farm was settled and 
cleared up b}- Isaac Rogers. To Mr. Norton 
have been born six children — Ira D., Charles 
E., John A.. Alice E., Clara E. and Albert Fos- 
ter. 3Ir. Norton has a good farm of 212^ acres, 
and, with the exception of S400, has acquired 
it through hard labor, and the daily practice of 
rigid economy. 

WILLIAM F. NYE, farmer and Infirmary 
Superintendent ; P. 0. Whittlesej' ; was born 
April 2, 1816, near Glen's Falls, Washington 
Co., N. Y. His father's name was Timolii}', 
who was born Sept. 6, 1780, in Woodstock, Vt., 
and was married to Mary Lewis, Dec. 19, 1806, 
she was born May 1. 1788, in same State. 
Timothy Nye was a millwright and built many 
mills in that locality and in Canada. To this 
couple were born eight children, five of the 
number grew up. The familj' emigrated West 
in the fall of 1817, arriving Nov. 1, to West- 
field, locating a short distance west of the 
" Center," where he purchased 63^ acres of land 
and built the log cabin where Ezra Booth's 
house stands, it being at that time, about the 
third one in the township ; at least, there were 
not enough men in the township to raise it ; 
assistance necessarj' was obtained from Harris- 
ville Township. Here he died July 5, 1846 ; 
his wife survived him many years, and died at 
her daughter's in Iowa, November, 1878. Will- 
iam F. remained at home until he was 22 years 
of age. He learned the cari)enter's trade, and 
worked with his brother for several years, in 
tills and other counties, and some in Illinois. 
Sept. 15, 1845, he was married to Fannie Phil- 
lips, who was born in Westfield Township Sept. 
20, 1823; is of a family of six children, herself 
and five brothers, who were born to Calvin and 
Sallie (Briggs) Phillips ; he was born near Ben- 
nington, Vt, May 13, 1785, she in Taunton, 
Mass., Dec. 9, 1789, and emigrated to Westfield, 
in 1819, and was elected Justice of the Peace, 
his commission being signed bj- Gov. Jeremiah 
jMorrow, May 5, 1823, and was probably the 
first Justice of the Peace in the township ; the 
instrument of judicial authority is now in the 
possession of Mr. Nye. After the death of 
Mr. Nye's father, he purcliased the homestead, 
and bought tlie heirs' interest, and was a resi- 
dent of the township until 1874. Since that 
time, he has been Superintendent of the County 
Infirmary-, taking possession March 1, same 
year, which position he has since retained ; his 



administration and good management of the 
institution have been satisfactory to the people. 
To him have Ijeen born three children — Marj', 
now the wife of Ebenezer Bissell, of Westfield ; 
Clara, now the wife of Rev. A. McCullough, of 
Coshocton County, and George, yet at home. 
Mr. and 3Irs. Nye are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. His father was 
identified with the Free-Will Baptists, and was 
one of tlie prominent and official members of 
that denomination, and largely influential in 
the formation of the church societj- in that 
township. Since 1863, Mr. Nye has given his 
attention to tanning exclusively, his tools are 
laid by, as the companions of other days. 
Cast his first vote for Harrison, and has, to the 
present, been true to his first conceptions of 
political preference. The old Phillips farm, 
consisting of 160 acres, in Westfield, is under 
his control and ownership. 

FRANK O. PHILLIPS, farming; P. 0. 
Whittlesey. Born Jan. 1, 1858, at LaFaj'ette 
Center, the second child born to Oscar and 
Sarah (Simmons) Phillips. Frank's early boy- 
hood was spent in school, receiving the advan- 
tages afforded both in common district and the 
high school, at Medina. His father being a 
fai'mer, our subject has been reared to this bus- 
iness, and is now engaged in carrying on the 
farm for his father, who resides in 3Iedina. 
Jan. 29, 1879, he was married to Emma Steele, 
born April 13, 1860, in Canaan Township, 
Wayne Co., Ohio. She is a daughter of Samuel 
and Elizabeth (Blizzard) Steele. Mr. Steele was 
born in Orleans Co., Vt., July 11, 1822. He 
was a son of Samuel, who was born in Connect- 
icut, 1781, and was a lumberman. The mother 
of Samuel Steele, was Betsey Hoisington, 
daughter of John S. Hoisington. Samuel 
Steele came West, locating in Wayne Co., in 
182G, where he lived until he came to this 
county, in 1872. Elizabeth Blizzard, the mother 
of Mrs. Phillips, was born in Wiltshire. En- 
gland. March 1828, daughter of Thomas and 
Catharine (Fierce) Blizzard, to whom were born 
six children. Mr. and .Mrs. Steele were married 
Nov. 13, 1853. Three children have crowned 
their union, who are — Lucy J., now Mrs. 
Charles Stickney, of this township ; Emma, 
the wife of Frank Phillips, our subject, and 
Samuel, at home. The Phillips farm entire con- 
sists of 260 acres. For a more extended his 
tory of the Phillips family, the reader is re- 



■^ 



rff- 



^1 



800 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ferred to the biographical sketch of Capt. Oscar 
Plullips, of .Medina, who is the father of our sub- 
ject. 

H. S. I'ROUTY, carpenter and joiner, Whit- 
tlesey'. Among the worthy mechanics of 
this township, is Henry 8. Prouty, who was born 
Sept. 22, 1S41, in the town of Madrid, Jefterson 
Co., N. Y., and came to this count}' with his 
parents, when but 2 years of age. His father's 
name was Jeflerson, born Aug. 4, 1804, in Ver- 
mont State, son of Stephen Prouty, who was a 
soldier in the war of the lievolution. The 
mother of our subject, was Esther Underwood, 
prior to her marriage with Mr. Proutv. To 
them were born five children, all of whom are 
now living, whose names are Adelia. now the 
wife of F. B. C'larlv, Treasurer of the County ; 
Celestia, now Mrs. N. P. Robbins. of Fostoria, 
Seneca Co. : Henry S., of this township ; Horace 
F.. of Lincoln Co.. Kan., and Lydia L., unmar- 
ried. Henry S. left home at the age of Ifi. and 
for eight years worked out by the month on a 
farm, then learned the carpenter and joiner's 
trade, and. since that time, has been engaged in 
that business, being a good mechanic, his serv- 
ices are always in demand, and is known as an 
honest workman, and has been employed in the 
erection of many of the farm structures in the 
surrounding county. Has good property at La 
Fayette Center, all of which has been the re- 
sult of his own industry. Aug. LS, 1872, he 
married Florence A. Prentice, born Aug. 17, 
1850. in Ilarrisville Township, the second child 
of William and I'htebc Prentice. Her father is 
deceased, her mother yet resides in Lodi. Mr. 
and Mrs. Prouty have no issue. Mr. Prouty's 
brother, Horace F., was for three 3'ears a soldier 
in the late war, serving in Co, B, 42d O. V. L 
Mr. Prouty's ancestors have been Democratic 
in their political sentiments, but our subject, 
since his majority, has been atllliated with the 
Republican element. 

L. M. PIP^RCK. farmer; P. (). Medina. The 
Pierce family trace their ancestry to Abraiiam 
Pierce, wiio came to America three years after 
the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers, and settled 
in Plymouth Colony. l<'rom him has descended 
the above-mentioned gentleman, who was born 
July 20, 1810, in Hardwick Township, Olsego 
Co., N. Y. He was the eldest child born to his 
parents. His father was Capt. Isaac Pierce, 
whoso wife was Polly Webb. Isaac was born 
Sej)t. 15, 1784, in Peru Township, son of Levi, 



who was born in Millbury, Mass., Feb. 26, 1739. 
He was a son of Shadrach, whose birth occurred 
Jul}' 8, 1717. who was a son of Isaac, who was 
a son of Abraham, who was the patriarchal an- 
cestor of the family. In referring to the pub- 
lished history of the Pierce family, are found 
some very interesting facts in relation to the 
family, several of whom held high official sta 
tions in both civil and military life. The 
marked characteristics of the famil}^ seem to 
have been great manly vigor, longevity, and a 
high sense of prol)ity, honor and moral integ- 
rity. Levi was the grandfather of our subject, 
to whom were born eleven children — ten sons 
and one daughter — whose names were as be- 
low, which he arranged in rhyme, as follows : 

Abner, George and Uen, 
Eli, Liberty jinii Hen, 
Levi, Sliu'lrach and Uaii, 
Isaac and Saraii Ann. 

Isaac, the father of L. M., was a house-carpenter 
and farmer, member of Masonic Fraternity, and 
an officer of the militia, first commissioned 
as Ensign in 1824, promoted to Lieutenant in 
1827, and Captain in 1829, and honorably dis- 
charged in 1832. His sons were Lorenzo M., 
William, and Benjamin, who was in the late 
war; was Justice of the Peace, and a Repre- 
sentative of the frcneral Court in Boston ; the 
youngest being Alva B. The father died April 
28, 1867; his wife, Sept. 1, 1866. Lorenzo M. 
was reared to agricultural pursuits. In 1833, 
he came West to Medina Co. and took up 112 
acres in this township, which land he now owns, 
for which he paid 83.50 per acre. That season, 
he chopped down about 3 acres, and hired 4 
acres cut. Sept. 23, 1835, he was married to 
Eraeline Branch, born July 30, 1811, in the town 
of Worthlngton, Hampshire Co., Mass., the eld- 
est (laughter of Elisha and Sarah (Thompson) 
Branch, who were early settlers in York Town- 
ship, and among the prominent fiimilies of the 
county, who came West, locating in York Town- 
ship, in 1832. In June, 1837, Mr. Pierce and wife 
returned to this county, and soon erected him a 
cabin, moved into the same and was happy. He 
has since been a constant resident of the farm ; 
has lieen reasonably successful ; has an excel- 
lent fixrm, consisting of 170 acres, which is fa- 
vorably located, and but three miles distant 
from Medina. Of a family of eleven children, 
ten grew up, who are Elleu, now the wife of 
Norman Kverson, President of the National 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



851 



Bank in Washington Co., Iowa; Amelia M., 
Mrs. C. J. Warner, of Medina ; Isaac L., lost 
his life in the defense of liis country ; he was 
shot Sept. 13. 1864. and died the day follow- 
ing, near Harper's Ferry, where he was taken 
and embalmed, and sent home to his parents ; 
lie had served out his term of three years' en- 
listment, and had re-enlisted ; he was a brave 
and valiant soldier ; was among the number 
who pursued John Morgan in his raid through 
Kentucky and tliis State, and was present at 
his capture ; Harriet, married Lieut. H. A. 
Howard, now near Red Cloud, Webster Co., 
Neb.; Sarah, Mrs. L. H. Kimball, in Neenah, 
Wis.; Elisha B.. in Nebraska; Julia, wife of 
Mr. J. W.Warren, now Slieriff of Webster Co.; 
Ara B., in Nebraska ; Melva A. and E<lwin I).. 
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce have, for many 
years, been members of the Congregational 
Church, of which he is Deacon. Mr. Pierce, 
though 70 years of age, yet retains the vigor of 
his earlier years, and which is characteristic of 
the ftimil}'. His grandfather, when at the age 
of 87, mowed, in one half-day. with a sc3-the, 1 
acre of heavy grass. Mr. Pierce has devoted 
his entire life to agricultural pursuits, and his 
residence of over fifty years in the township 
has established in the community his character 
as an upright man and a Christian gentleman. 
S. S. PALMKR, farmer ; P. O. Whittlesey ; 
was born Aug. 27, 1830, in Island Creek Town- 
ship, Jefferson Co.. Ohio, the second of a family 
of four children, born to George and Elma 
(Coulter) Palmer ; both were born in Jefferson 
Co., his birth occurring Oct. 17, 1806. He w.as 
a son of Nathaniel Palmer, who emigrated from 
Washington Co.. Penn., to Ohio, when it was a 
Territorj-. Indians were, at that time, more 
plentiful than the whites. Jefferson Co. was 
the place of his settlement, where he raised a 
family of children, who were afterwai'd among 
the early settlers in other localities. The cir- 
cumstances attending the deaths of Nathaniel 
and his wife ai'e worthy of a passing notice. 
His death occurred in Richland Co., while ab- 
sent on business. A messenger was at once 
dispatched to his wife, informing her of the sad 
news. While on his way, at " Elkhoru Tavern.' 
he was met by a second messenger, bearing the 
intelligence to him of the death of his wife, their 
deaths occurring within twelve hours of each 
otlier. Of the family born to George and Elma 
Palmer, are James, now in Guilford ; S. S.. of 



this township ; Allen, and Sarah (Jlrs. Jului D. 
Grafton), of Jefferson Co., Ohio. All of the 
above were born in the log house their grand- 
father Nathaniel built, whieli had but one small 
window, several feet frfim the floor. The door 
was a massive one, of two inches in thickness, 
of black walnut. The father of our subject died 
Oct. 29, 1863. His wife yet survives him, and 
resides in Guilford Township. S. S. remained 
at home until his 22d year ; came to this county 
in 1852 ; worked one year for his brother in 
Guilford. Feb. 10, 1853, was wedded to Eliza- 
beth 'Vaughn, who was born Jul}* 10. 1832, in 
Washington Co., Penn. Her parents were An- 
drew and Drusilla (Shane) Vaughn. He was 
born Jan. 2, 1806, in Washington Co.. Penn. ; 
he was a son of Joseph Shane, whose wife was 
a Storer ; he was from New Jersey, and settled 
in Washington Co., Penn. Drusilla was born 
Aug. 10, 1812 ; she was a daughter of Henry 
Shane, whose wife was Elizabeth Palmer before 
marriage. Henry Shane was born at the foot 
of '■ Ginger Hill." in Washington Co.. and emi- 
grated to Jefferson Co. at an early da^-, and 
finally located in Montville in the spring of 
1845. After our subject was married, he moved 
to the extreme southeast corner of this town- 
ship, where he purchased 75 acres, remaining 
on the same until 1875, when he sold, and re- 
moved to his present place, consisting of 101 
acres, situated one mile south of the Center. 
He and wife are members of the Congregational 
Church. Mrs. Palmer's family, on both sides, 
were strict adherents of the Old School Presby- 
terian doctrine. Tlie father of S. S. was a man 
of excellent information — a great reader — and 
had a very retentive memory, and was an ex- 
cellent citizen. S. S. and wife compose their 
entire family, having no issue. 

THOMAS PALMER, farmer ; P. 0. Chip- 
pewa Lake ; is a son of Jonathan and Elizabeth 
(Dicky) Palmer; Jonathan was born Oct. 12, 
1804, in Jefferson Co.. Ohio ; sou of Nathaniel 
Palmer, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and 
emigrated to Ohio when it was a Territoiy. lo- 
cating in what is now Jefferson Co. Jonathan, 
his son, at the age of 16, went to learn the 
blacksmith's trade. March 19, 1829, he was 
married to Elizabeth Dicky, who was born in 
Jefferson Co. Dec. 15, 1803 ; of a family often 
children — fl\e brothers and five sisters — she 
being now the soU^ survivor of the family. Her 
parents were William and ^largaret (Francis) 



(? 
<^1« 



=rr 



J^l 



^ 



liL 



853 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Dick}' ; he was a Peimsylvaniau. and was there 
married, and came West to Jetlbrson Co. about 
the time the Pahuer family arrived. Mrs. 
Palmer's mother was a native of Ireland. Will- 
iam Dicky was a blacksmith bj' trade, at 
which he worked for jears. His son John 
came to this county at an earlj' time, purchasing 
800 acres of laud located in Westlield and 
Guilford Townships. To him were born three 
children ; but two of the number grew to man- 
hood — Samuel R. and Al>ram. Jonathan came 
to this township in March, 1835, and purchased 
90 acres in the southeast part of the town.ship, 
which land was unimproved — not a stick had 
been cut. He afterward built a frame house — 
the first one that was built in the neighbor- 
hood — and. for several years, experienced 
many of the ills and inconveniences which are 
incident to pioneer life in the settlement of a 
new countrv. After a life of usefulness in the 
community, as an upright man and worthy cit- 
izen, he passed to his rest Oct. 4, 1875. His 
worthj- companion yet lingers to cheer and 
comfort her son Thomas, with whom she has 
resided since the death of her husband, both 
having been members of the Presb\-terian 
Church for many 3-ears. He was an old-time 
Whig, and, afterward, was afHliated with the 
llepublican party, and was Postmaster at the 
time of his death. During the existence of 
slavery, he was always strenuously opposed to 
slave trallic and the extensiou of slave territory. 
The subject of this sketch was born on the 
farm upon which he now lives, Dec. 15. 1839, 
and has ever been a resident of the home fam- 
ily. Oct. 10, 1872, he was married to Almira 
Henry, who was born in Montville March 10, 
1841, daughter of Robert and Almira (Clark) 
Heury. He was born in Cambridge, Washing- 
ton Co., X. Y., April 20, 1789, she June 7, 1801 ; 
they were married Nov. 20, 1826, and emi- 
grated West in 1835, to this county, settling in 
Montville. To them were born six children — 
Patrick. Horace, Andrew Albert, John and 
Hiram ; but five are living — Horace, in Mich- 
igan ; Albert and Andrew, in Chicago ; Hi- 
ram, in Montville (and herself). Her father 
died Sept. 29, 1S(J2 ; his wife yet survives him. 
Thomas I'almer, our subject, is the only .son of 
his parents ; he has one sister, Mrs. Joseph H. 
Barrett, of this township. When Mr. Palmer 
died, he had 150 acres of land, to which 
Thomas has since added 110, making now in all 



2G0. He is a successful farmer, and one of the 
township's best citizens. His matrimonial 
union has not been crowned with any family 
additions in the way of children. Mr. P. is a 
man of good information, and, like his worthy 
paternal ancestor, is a stanch Republican. 

L, D. PHINNEY, retired farmer; P. 0. 
Whittlese}' ; is a native of Connecticut, born 
September 7. 1807, the youngest child of his 
parents, who were Benjamin and Hannah (Yeo- 
man) Phinney ; he was born about the year 
1876, his wife one year later. To them were 
born nine children, eight of the number at- 
tained to man's estate. The family were all 
born in Connecticut, but removed to Oueida 
Co., N, Y., when L. D. was a lad of tender age. 
His boyhood days were spent at home, and at- 
tending the common district school, which he 
did not appreciate as he might have done, con- 
sequently his education was not as thorough 
and comprehensive as his opportunities af- 
forded ; he continued at the parental home un- 
til he attained his 4 and 20 ^ears. During this 
time he was engaged on the farm, assisting his 
father in the duties of the farm. Oct. 20. 1831 , 
he was married to his present companion, whose 
maiden name was Laura Houghton, whose 
place of nativity was Maryland Township, 
Otsego Co., N. Y., time of birth April 15. 1809 ; 
her parents were Ebenezer and Jlargery (Bige- 
low) Houghton ; to them were born eleven chil- 
dren, but five lived to be grown. After the 
marriage of 3Ir. and Mrs. Phinney. they re- 
mained on the farm of his father until 1856, 
when he emigrated to this State, settling at La 
Faj-ette Center, where he has since been a con- 
stant resident. Their marriage has been 
crowned by the birth of three children, whose 
names are Loring H., Eben H. and Emily J. 
Mr. Phiuuey is now the onlj- surviving 
member of the Phinney family. Mrs. Phinney 
has two sisters, Emily, Mrs. Seth P. Duncan, 
in Oswego, N. Y., and Rebecca, Mrs. Isaac 
Blair, of this township ; her parents died in this 
township, her father in 1857, mother in 1860, 
They were Ijoth niemliers of the Congregational 
Church, of which .Mrs. Phinney has been a 
meml)er since 16 years of age. Mr. Phinney 
has been successful since his advent to this 
place — coming here with but $50 in money, he 
has acquired his present home, and 136 acres 
of land; having sold ofl' a portion, has now 104 
acres, and is enjoying the comforts of his home 






:K* 



M^^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWMSHIP. 



853 



in the eve of his life, surrounded by his wife 
and children. Mr. Phinnej' has always lived a 
quiet life, taking but little interest in political 
matters, living, in the main, a quiet ami unosten- 
tatious life ; he is a member of tlie Congregational 
Church, and a respected member of the commu- 
nity. Sent one son, Eben H., to defend our na- 
tion's honor, he serving as a member in Company 
" li," 42d 0. V. I., for three years, and re- 
turned home to his parents safe and sound, from 
the changing vicissitudes of civil strife. He 
was married Oct. 2'2, 1805, to Caroline Jacobs, 
adopted daughter of John Jacobs ; has two 
children, Elsie D. and Ervine L. 

EDWIN K RICE, farmer ; P. 0. Whittlesey ; 
was born Sept. 22, 1832, in Genesee Co., N. Y., 
and came West with his parents when he was 
but 2 years of age. His parents were James 
and Rhoda (Ellsworth) Rice. He was a native 
of Genesee Co., born 1805 ; his parents were 
of (jerman descent. Rhoda was a daughter of 
Ira Ellsworth, of Scotch parentage. James 
Rice, upon his arrival to this county, selected 
as his place of location the center of this town- 
ship, on a tract of 110 acres, upon which there 
had been but slight improvements. His family 
consisted of his wife and nine children. But 
five of them attained their major j-ears, who 
were Jane, now Mrs. Horace Prouty. of Lincoln 
Co., Kan.; Amanda. Mrs. Amos Boice, of this 
town ; Phffibe Ann, now in Kansas (unmarried); 
Edwin R. and James A., of this township. 
Edwin was but 13 years of age when his father 
died, but remained with his mother on the home- 
stead until he was 23 years of age, when he 
went to Bureau Co.. 111., where he spent three 
years. During this time, spent one winter in 
Allegan Co., Mich. Returning to this town- 
ship, on the homestead, remained until Sept. 24, 
18(51, when he enlisted for three years in Co. 
B, 42d O. V. I., and served out his term of en- 
listment. For one year served in the Regi- 
mental Hospital. Was at Arkansas Post and 
Cumberland Gap. and participated in several 
skirmishes, and returned home, receiving an 
honorable discharge Sept. 24, 18G4. Sept. 26, 
1865, married Alvira McDougall, born Sept. 4. 
1843, in Hinckley Township, daughter of Doug- 
all McDougall, whose wife was Rosilla Doane, 
born July 17, 1818, in Greene Co., Vt. He was 
born Aug. 22, 1814, in Canada. He was a son 
of Dougall. whose father was likewise of the 
same name. Mrs. Rice's grandfather on her 



mother's side was Isaiah, and of Yankee stock. 
Since Mr. Rice was married, he has been a con- 
stant resident of the township. Since 1872, 
has resided on the homestead, which consists 
of 80 acres. Five children have been born 
them— Rhoda R., Perry J., Ruthie J'., Anna E. 
and Libbie E. Mr. Rice and wife are of Chris- 
tian faith. His father and mother were mem- 
bers of the Baptist Church. Mrs. Rice's par- 
ents were members of the Christian Church, 
termed by some '' Disciples. " Farming has 
been the business in which he has been en- 
gaged. While his ancestors were members of 
the old Democratic jjarty, the young stock of 
the name have walked in Republican ranks. 

ANSON RANDALL, farmer and trader; P. 
0. Medina. Esquire Randall was born Feb. 6, 
1823, in Saybrook. Middlesex Co., Conn., 
eldest of a family of tln-ee children Ijorn to 
Stephen and Pluelje (Wood) Randall. He was 
born in Norwich, Conn. He was a survej'or 
and a seafaring man ; was a Captain of a mer- 
chantman. He went on the sea at the age of 
10 years, and followed the ocean for forty 
years. His father before him was a seafaring 
man also. Phojbe Wood was a daughter of 
Richard, who was a son of Jesse Wood. The 
Randalls are of Scotch descent. Stephen was 
twice married ; first to Cetura Fanning, and by 
her had ten children, two of them died at sea. 
Stephen came to Connecticut, Middlesex Co., 
where Anson was born. After abandoning his 
ocean life, locating in Susquehanna Co., Peun.. 
in 1825, where he lived until 1832, when he 
came West, locating in Bath Township (then 
Medina Co.). where he purchased 70 acres of 
woodland ; lived there two years and taught 
school ; then moved near the " Croton House," 
where he lived two years ; during these times, 
he experienced no little privation. Finally 
came to this township after living one year in 
Chatham, and settled in the north part of the 
township, where R. B. Hart now i-esides. This 
farm, he cleared up and remaineil on it up to 
the time of his death, which occurred in his 
82d year. Anson took charge of the farm at 
the age of 18. Oct. 18, 1844, was married to 
Elizabeth Jamison, born in Canada, daughter 
of Samuel and Sarah (Long) Jamison ; he was 
born Sept. 24, 1792 ; both natives of Canada. 
After the marriage of Mr. Randall, he settled 
on the homestead. His wife died March 25, 
1863, leaving five children ; three living — 



■^ 



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854 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Minerva, in St. Joe Co., Mich. ; Stephen H., in 
Gratiot Co., Mich. ; Lewis G., in Sturgis, St. 
Joe Co., same Stale. Mr. Randall's present 
wife was Maria Zimmerman, born in IMain Town- 
ship. Wayne Co., Ohio, Nov. 25. 1S2M. daughter 
of Samuel and Mary (Patterson) Zimmerman, 
he was a native of Pennsylvania, siie of Mary- 
land, Mrs. Randall being their only child. 
April, 1879. Mr. Randall located on the farm 
he now owns, consisting of 109 acres, situated 
on the south side of the Smith road, which Mr. 
Randall helped cut out when he was a lad of 16. 
For several years he has been engaged in im- 
porting and breeding Spanish merino sheep. 
For sixteen years, was engaged as traveling 
salesman, selling and introdueiug agricultural 
implements and all kinds of farm machinery, 
having a range of several counties. Mr. Ran- 
dall's father was a Jackson Democrat. Anson 
was first identified with the Abolition party, 
but, in later years, has been a Republican. Has 
served as Justice of the Peace nine years, and 
been twelve 3'ears Assessor. Has two children 
by last wife — Lillie M. and Alfred B. 

JOSEPH ROBB, farmer ; P. 0. Chippewa 
Lake ; was born Oct. 7. 1808. in Chester Co., 
Penn., of a family of thirteen children, he being 
the second in order of Ijirth. all of whom were 
born to James and Sarah Russell ; his father's 
name was Joseph, who was a native of Scot- 
land. The Russells arc likewise of Scotch ex- 
traction. Jo.seph's father had four sisters and 
three brothers — William. John and James ; the 
sisters were Lsabella, Hannah, Jane and Mary. 
Joseph was raised to farming pursuits. In 
1827. he removed West with his parents to Mil- 
ton Township. Wayne Co., Ohio. His father was 
in limited circumstances, and was not in pos- 
session of means to purchase land at his com- 
ing, but rented several years before purchasing. 
Joseph lived witii his father several years after 
he became a man. and attended to his lather's 
business, .\pril 2. 18:!."), ho was wedded to 
Mary L. Lance, who was born in .Jefferson Co., 
Ohio, in 1S14. She was a daughter of Henry 
and Lucinda (Lee) Lance. The Lances are 
from New Jersey, and the Lees from \'irginia. 
After Mv. Robb was married, he lived one year 
in fiuilford : then returned to Wayne Co.. where 
he lived three years. In 1 889. he came to this 
township, and has since remained ; first pur- 
chased 100 acres of unimproved land and be- 
pran in the woods : llu' first \'ear he cleareil 15 



acres, and, continuing on. he in time trans- 
ferred the forest growth to cultivated fields. 
He has<levoted his life to agricultural pursuits. 
and, though l)eginning with nothing, he has. by 
patient industry and frugality, acquired a good 
home and a competence for his declining years. 
To him ha\e been born two children — Henry 
N. and Sarah. Henry died in February. 1870, 
aged 29 ; his death fell with such force upon 
the mind of his mother that her reason became 
dethroned, and she died in 1871. Sarah is the 
wife of John Stone, of Miltf)n Township, 
Wayne Co. March 5, 1874, Mr. Robb was 
married to Jlrs. Sarah Cliapin. whose maiden 
name was Hawley. She was born in Solon, 
Cortland Co.. N. Y.. April 9. I8i:i. She was 
a daughter of Stephen and Polly (Welch) Ilaw- 
lej' ; he was a native of Connecticut, she of 
Dutchess Co.. N. Y. To them were born a fam- 
ily of seven children. The family came West 
in 1837, and located in Pittsfield, Lorain Co., 
Ohio. Mrs. Rolib's first husband was Norman 
Chapin, a native of Cortland Co., N. Y. ; to 
them were born two children, none living ; he 
died in 1868. Mr. Robb has three brothers — 
Jackson, in Weymouth ; Franklin, in Kansas, 
and John, in Henry Co.. 111. Mr. Robb has for 
many years been a consistent member of the 
Baptist Church. He has now an excellent farm 
of 125 acres. 

RP]V. PEMBERTON RANDALL, farmer 
and minister ; P. 0. Whittlesey ; is among 
the acceptable and etficient ministers who, for 
many years past, have proclaimed the ghul tid- 
ings of the (lospel, and endeavored with anx- 
ious solicitude to administer to the spiritual 
needs of sinful humanity in this county. He 
was born Oct. 6. 1807. in Lebanon Township, 
New London Co.. Conn., of a family of three 
sons and four daughters, he being the eldest of 
his brothers and the second of the number 
born. Mis parents were James and Joanna 
(Pemberton) Randall. His place of birth was 
in Chatham. Conn., in December. 1778. his wife 
being born in .\ngust, two years later, in the 
same State. The Randalls are of Scotch and 
the Pembertons of English descent. Mr. Ran- 
dall's father was a blacksmith, which trade he 
followed nearh- his entire life. Our subject's 
early life was spent in the agricultural dis- 
tricts, and, while he attended school to some 
extent, his hands were not strangers to the use 
of the implements of husbandry. About the 



yr. 



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^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



855 



age of 20, he embarked for himself, having ob- 
tained education sutticient to enable him to 
teaeh the '• 3'oung idea,' wliieli vocation he fol- 
lowed during liie winter, and working by the 
month on the farm, $10 being hi.s compensation 
per month at the time he embarked in the pro- 
fession. Until 81 years of age, he was thus 
alternately employed. Three years later, he 
married Maria T. Beebe, who was born in On- 
taiio Co.. N. Y., and then moved westward to 
this county, locating in (jranger Township. 
Being impressed that it was his duty to enler 
the ministry, and the Isetter to qualif}- himself 
for tiiat important position, he attended Geau- 
ga College, and studied the languages until 
he obtained satisfactory knowledge of the 
same. Upon his return, came to Medina, where 
he had the pastoral charge of the Free-Will 
Baptist Church at that place for some time, 
and since has preached regularly up to 1878, 
and at regular intervals up to the present time. 
He has been instrumtintal in doing much good, 
and through his eft'orts many have been caused 
to turn from the error of their wa\'s and found 
comfort and salvation through tlu^ atoning 
merits of the RiHleemer. Mr. Randall's father 
moved to this county in 1838, and settled in 
Granger ; finally moved to Summit Co., where 
he died in 1849 ; his wife survived him until 
1854. Of the brothers of our suliject living 
are D. F. Randall, now of Sharon Township, 
and David A., who is the author of that interest- 
ing work entitled 'The Handwriting of God in 
Sinai and the Holy Laud." He resides in Cleve- 
land. One sister is in Medina Township. Catha- 
rine, now Mrs. W. H. Witter. To Mr. Randall 
have been born ten children ; but five of the num- 
ber are living — Theodore B.; Thomas P.; Maria 
T., now Mrs. (L O. Chapman ; Sarah A., Mrs. 
McKaj', and Lydia E. T. B. is now teaching 
in this county ; Thomas P. is in Lincoln Co., 
Kan., also Mrs. Chapman; Mrs. McKay is in 
Cleveland ; Lydia K. at home. !NL-. Randall 
has alwaj's been a man of great industry, ne\er 
desiring to be idle. Early in life, he took up 
the trade of his father, and has had for many 
years on his place a shop, in which he spends 
much of his time in mending and keeping in 
repair such implements and tools as may need 
such attention upon his farm. Though never 
much interested in political matters, yet he has 
always been Repulilican in sentiment. He sent 
three of his sons to defend the (lag of our 



Union. David A. died in the 9er\'ice ; Theo- 
dore B. served three years in ('o. K, 8tli O. V. 
I. Thomas \'. was iu the KKJth, and re enlist- 
ed and served until the close of the war. Mr. 
Randall's youngest son met with a tragical 
tleath by the discharge of a gun in his own 
hands in December, 1879, wliile in Kansas. 
He was 23 years of age. 

G. M. SilAW, farmer ; P. O. Whittlesey ; 
born July 19, 1838, in York Townshi|), this 
county. His parents were William and Han- 
nah (Peacock) Shaw, both of whom were natives 
of Kngland. He was born June 1, 1800, in 
Yorkshire, and was a son of John, also ; Han- 
nah Peacock was born iu the same shire, Nov. 
20, 1800, daughter of Thomas Peacock, of En- 
glish birtii and parentage. Moody, the middle 
name of our snljjcct, was from his grandmotlier, 
who was a Moody. The Moodys in England 
were of the best families, and were heirs to a 
large estate, which one of the number forfeited 
by marrying contrary to the wishes of her 
parents. George M.'s grandfather's daughter 
was a Moody. She ran off and married a foot- 
man, and, as a result, her parents cut her off' 
with a shilling. The parents of our sniiject 
emigrated to this country in 1829. locating four 
years in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., and came to 
this county in 1833, and purchased GO acres in 
York Township, for which he paid .?3 per acre. 
A log cabin was hastily constructed. The for- 
est soon melted away uniler the devastating in- 
fluence of his labor and perseverance. After 
eighteen years' residence, he had accumulated 
209 acres of land, which was at this time pretty 
well improved. He then moved to .Montville 
Township, where he remained until his death, 
Sept. 3, 1809, being worth at the time of hisdeath 
about $20,000, all of which he had matle since 
he came to this county. (!. M. is of a family of 
ten children, whose names an; John, now of 
Montville ; Ann (Mrs. John Lggleston). in Se- 
ville ; Jane (Mrs. .\. G. .Miner), in Meilina ; 
Thomas, in Montville ; William, in Brunswick ; 
Hannah (Mrs. Thomas I'eacock), in St. l^aw- 
rence Co., N. Y. ; G. M., in this township ; 
Emelina, in Medina ; Mary A. (Mrs. Daniel 
Harrington), iu .Nlichigan ; all now living. Our 
subject remained at home until Dec. 25, 1859, 
when he was married to Ann Fretter, who was 
born June 15, li-i39. in Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio, 
daughter of Hmiry and Mary (Askill) Fretter. 
He was born in Nortlihamptonshire, Eng., Nov. 



;\* 



^ 



856 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



II, 1709. He was a son of John, who was 
born in 1759. Mary Askill's lather's name was 
Jolm. Mrs. Shaw's father came West in 1835, 
locating in Avon, and to him were born nine 
children. Six grew to maturitj' — Jane, now in 
Michigan ; John, in Minnesota ; Thomas, in 
Grafton ; Henry W., in Michigan ; Joseph, in 
Litchfield. Mrs. Shaw had three brothers who 
served three j'ears in the late war — Thomas, 
Henry and Joseph — the latter losing his right 
arm. The family above mentioned moved to 
York in 1859. 5lr. Fretter died April (j, 1877. 
His mother is still living. After Mr. Shaw was 
married, he remained in York until 1866, when 
he moved to this township and purchased 105 
acres, where he now resides. He has now 180 
acres. He, like his father, is a successful 
financier. Being a hard worker, and having a 
valuable helpmeet and an industrious farailj% 
he is destined to attain still greater ends than 
those already accomplished. He has a family 
of nine children, whose names are Lyman J., 
Early P.. Zada P. (more commonly known as 
"Dot"), Gilmore S., Frank F]., William H., 
Kittie May, Lena E. and Alonzo K Mr. 
Shaw, in connection with his farm, is running a 
thrashing machine and clover hullcr. and is a 
gi'eat man for encouraging the use oi' machinery 
in all departments of husbandry. Both Mr. 
Shaw and wife are members of the Universalist 
Church at Westfield. 

G. SPITZER, farming and stock-raising ; P. 
O. Medina ; is one of the foremost and leading 
agriculturists and stock-raisers in the township. 
His birth occurred Nov. 7, 1817, in Glennville, 
Schenectady Co., N. Y. His parents were 
Nicholas and Nancy (Bovee) Spitzer, whose 
births were, respectively. Nov. 26, 1784, and 
Nov. 19, 1791, and were married in the same 
county as born. Tlie grandfather of our sub- 
ject was Garrett, whose name he now bears. 
The Spitzer fiimily, according to the tradition, 
came originally from Holland, anil from here 
they removed to England, and were among the 
gentry of that time, yet, from some cause not 
now known, their financial condition became 
impaired to such an extent that they were in- 
duced to join the hardy yeomanry to better 
their condition. Th(!y came to America 
through the inlluence of Garrett's father's un- 
cle, wlio was a Surgeon in the Finglish army, 
and, having been in New York |)rior to the 
Revolution, gave such a glowing iloscription of 



the Mohawk and Hudson Valleys to his friends 
upon his return, that they were induced to cast 
their lots and fortunes with those of Northern 
New York. The Spitzer family that came to 
this county was headed by Nicholas, who 
gathered up his personal effects and embarked 
for the Bucke^-e State, starting September 5, 
1836, which time, our subject states, there was a 
heavy frost, the eff'ects of which were seen the 
entire journe3-. Arriving here, Nicholas pur- 
chased 112 acres of land at $11 per acre, there 
being about fifteen acres "slashed." (iarrett 
being the eldest of the family of the boys, and 
while he was rather disheartened at the appear- 
ance the country presented, yet he reasoned 
with the wisdom of a philosopher that as they 
were Ac re, the better plan was to " pitch in " 
and make the best of it, and what was want- 
ing in surroundings they might supplv by hard 
labor. The result was, that in the fall follow- 
ing, thej' had forty acres well fenced, and in 
three years' time the farm was cleared. The 
dav our sulyect attained his majority, he con- 
tracted for 75 acres of land of King and Gun. 
He hadn't a dollar to pay down, but he had 
credit, and in three years' time had it cleared. 
During this time he made his father's house 
his home ; and having a cabin under way, and 
had the cage nearly complete, his next ol)- 
ject was to secure the bird. Their nuptials 
were duly celebrated Nov. 21, 1844. his bride 
being Mary J. Branch, who was born in Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass.. March 22, 1827, she being the 
youngest of a family of nine children, who 
were born to Elisha and Sallie (Thompson) 
Branch, who were also natives of the same 
State and county. His birth occurred April 9. 

wife Julv 3, 1788. Their 
Oct. 3. 1810. They camt; 

located in York Township. 

his land, he had $25 left, 
and remained until their 
death, which occurred Nov. 14, 1856; that of 
his wife. Feb. 13. 1867 ; they were members of 
the Congregational Church, and were the 
stanch representatives of that township. Their 
children are as follows : Flmeline, of this town- 
ship, the wife of L. M. Pierce ; Betsey, Mrs. 
B. B. Hudson, of Detroit, Mich.; he was killed 
by the i-ailroad ; Bev. Kdwin T.. of Somerset, 
in Miihigan: Ceirilia, Mrs. A. C. Bowen, of 
York Township; (V>rdelia, the wife of S. F. 
Judson, elected County Treasurer, Benzonia, 



1787, that of his 
marriage occurred 
West in 1832, and 
After purchasing ! 
Here they settled 



•<u 



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LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



857 



Mich., fall of 1880, who was accidentallj' killed; 
Nathan E., of Williarasou, ^[ich.; Sarah, Mrs. 
Albert Mead, in Michigan ; Hannah. Mrs. H. J. 
Williams, of Oberlin, and Mar}- J., Mrs. G. 
Spitzer, of this township, who is the worth}- 
spouse of our subject. Of Mr. Spitzer's broth- 
er's family now living, are Aaron B., in York 
Township ; Jacob, in Chatham. Mr. Spitzer 
lived nine years on the farm lie first owned, 
then purchased where he now resides. He has 
500 acres of land, which is well improved and 
stocked with sheep, which he makes more of a 
specialty than of an}- other stock. His efforts 
have been crowned with marked success. If he 
has succeeded better than many other men. it is 
because he has worked harder, and planned bet- 
ter, and grasped the opportunities whenever 
presented, making them serve his purpose. 
Raised up with limited education, his usefulness 
and natural promptings have always been ham- 
pered from the lack of a liberal education, 
whereby he might have attained much more 
satisfactory results in other spheres of labor 
that his aspirations have pointed out. Has been 
a man of great energy and business enterprise, 
devoting his entire life to agricultural pursuits, 
not seeking publicity of office, though, at the 
solicitations of friends, has filled some impor- 
tant positions of trust and honor ; served sev- 
eral years as Director and Adjuster in the Ohio 
Farmer's Insurance Company. Has been a man 
of excellent health, and temperate in his habits. 
For many years has been a member of the Con- 
gregational Church, and has ever borne his part 
as a citizen in the community as neighl)or and 
friend. To them have been born eight children 
— Alice M.. Mrs. A. M. Loomis, Jones Co.. Iowa ; 
Eva, Mrs. W. C. Lyon, in Amherst : A. T., 
Amherst, in this township ; Aaron 1),, in Jones 
Co., Iowa ; Adelbert L., banker in North 
Amherst: Francelia J., Louetti M. and Bessie. 
A. D. SHELDON, farmer and county sur- 
veyor; P. 0. Whittlesey. Amos was born Feb. 
27, 1845, in Herkimer "Co.. N. Y., the only child 
now living, born to his parents, who were Hiram 
and Eirene (Jacobs) Sheldon. Hiram was born 
June 22, 1708, in Montgomery Co.. N. Y. He 
was the fourth of a family of eight children, 
who were born to his parents, six of whom 
reached man's estate. Amos and Anna (King) 
Sheldon — he was born May 10. 1700. in Sliettleld 
Co., Conn., also his wife, in March 17. 1770. 
His father's name was Elijah, who was wounded 



in the Revolutionary war. Hiram, at the age 
of 10, removed with his parents to Herkimer 
Co., N. Y.. where his father died March 10, 
1832, his wife following liim Nov. 12. seven 
years later. Hiram was raised to agricultural 
pursuits, remaining with his father until 22 
years of age. Left home, stayed one year, and 
returned home, and cared for his parents until 
their decease. July 1. 1880, he was married to 
Miss Jacobs, who was born Sept. 29, 1805, in 
Hillsboro Co., N. H. She was a daughter 
of John and Sallie Jacobs. Emigrated West in 
May, 1849. locating on the farm he now resides 
upon, consisting of 12(1 acres, near La Fayette 
Center, The father of Amos is yet living : al- 
though past his fourscore years, he is yet vig- 
orous and in the enjoyment of a reasonable 
degree of health for a man. of his years. His 
companion has several years since passed to 
her reward. For forty years, Mr, Sheldon has 
been an acceptable member of the Close Com- 
munion Baptists ; his life and association with 
the world, has been in harmony with his pro- 
fession. Has lived an honored and highly re- 
spected member in the community, and as he 
now stands, with one foot almost upon the 
other shore, lie is waiting the call of the Master, 
and is like a shock of corn fully ripe and ready 
to respond to His call. Amos was but a lad of 
4 years when his parents came from the Empire 
State. His home has since been on the farm 
his father located. His early boyhood was 
spent upon the farm and in attending school, 
which advantages he improved, and for ten 
terms, he has wielded the " liirch," and taught 
acceptably in the county. Has been a man of 
more than ordinary ability and research, his 
qualifications being recognized to that extent 
that the people have called upon him, through 
the ballot box. to look after the school and 
township's interest, as School Director, Town- 
ship Clerk and Trustee, and Land Appraiser, 
In 1874, he was elected County Surveyor, and 
since re-elected at different times, and is at this 
time (1881) the incumbent. May 0, 1806, he 
became the husband of Cordelia Childs, who 
was born in this township, Aug, 18, 1842 ; she 
is a daughter of Charles and Sallie (Adams) 
Childs, He was born Dec. 14, 1802, in Ver- 
mont. She in New York. They were married 
Dec. 12, 1837, and came West in 1833. locating in 
this township. To them were born a family of 
twelve children, including triplets. Amos D. 



^. 



i) '*y 



A, ^ 



k 



858 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



has four children — May E., Emma I., Bert C 
and William H. 

S. P. VAUGHN, blacksmith ; P. O. Whittle- 
sej- ; is one of the eldest resident smiths in this 
part of the county. He was born July 20, 1828, 
in Mercer Co., Penu. His parents were John 
and Hannah (Phew) Vaughn. He was born 
about the year 1801. in Washington Co., Penn. ; 
his father's name was Joseph, to whom were 
born Nancy, Thomas, Betsy, Lydia, John, An- 
drew ; of those living are Thomas, now in Penn- 
sylvania, and Andrew, in Michigan. Samuel P. 
emigrated West with his parents in 1845. His 
father located in the township east of the lake, 
where he purchased 40 acres, where he lived 
five years : then moved upon Short street, where 
he remained until his decease, which occurred 
in 18G2. S. P. remained at home until 22 years 
of age ; his father being a blacksmith, and from 
him received his first lessons in iron working. 
In 1850, he located at the Center, at the place 
he now occupies, and has since been steadih' 
engaged at his trade. The same year he came 
(1850), July 31, he married Maggie Ormsby, 
who was born Nov. 29. 1834, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Nancy (Wolfcale) Ormsb}', He was 
born in 1801, in Chenango Co., Penn. He was 
a son of George, who was a native of Ireland ; 
of Scotch and Irish parentage. He died in 1871, 
at the age of 07. Nancy Wolfcale was born in 
1805, in Loudoun Co., Va, Her mother's name, 
prior to her marriage, was Belimla Ashton, 
Her husband's name was John Wolfcale. To 
George Ormsby were born four children — 3Iar- 
garet, Anna, Joseph and Alexander, all de- 
ceased. To Alexander were born ten children, 
nine living — George, in Mahoning Co, ; Abra- 
ham, in Wells Co.. lud. ; Sarah. Mrs. Henry 
Taylor, in Washington Co,, Wis. ; Mrs. S. P. 
Vaughn ; Anna, Mrs. Joseph Rich, in Wells Co., 
Ind. ; Martha. Mrs. Aaron Osborne, of Isabella 
Co., Mich. : Nancy, Mrs, William Schoouover, 
in Wells Co,, Ind, ; John H, and Oliver A. in 
Wells Co.. Ind. Alexander Ormsby removed 
to Ohio at an early time, locating in Mahoning 
Co.. where he lived until 1852. when he removed 
to Wells Co., Ind. ; settled in Union Township, 
in tlie wilderness. To Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn 
have been born five children ; but one now liv- 
ing, Rosa M. Mr. Vaughn has now been here 
over thirty years ; he came here poor, yet has, 
by diligence and attention to his business, ac- 
quired a good home, besides has valuable prop- 



erty in Cleveland, He is one of the best smiths 
in the county, and always does honest and satis- 
factory work. He has been a member of the 
Methodist Episcoi)al Church twenty-six years. 

N. H. WYATT, transfer; Clyde, Sandusky 
Co.; was born May 7, 1831, in Steuben Co,, 
Wayne Township, N, Y.; son of Jonathan and 
Phcebe (Buck) Wyatt. He was born in August, 
about the year 1770, in Providence, R. I.; he was 
a sou of Stutelj- W^att. who was a near relative 
of Sir John Wyatt, who came over from En- 
gland in the Mayflower, in 1620, I'hoebe Buck 
was born in the northwest part of Pennsylvania, 
Oct. 22, 1804 ; daughter of Benjamin Buck^ 
who was of German descent. In 1835, the 
Wyatt family emigrated West to Jloutgomerj- 
Township, Ashland Co., Ohio, where he pur- 
chased 40 acres, situated one mile north of the 
town of Ashland, where they lived until Feb. 
22. 1843, when thej- located in this township, 
southeast part, on the farm now owned by Mr. 
Kiplinger. where he remained until his death, 
which occurred in June, 1871. He was a man 
of but limited education ; was a man of indus- 
trious habits, and for fifty years was a member 
of the Regular Baptist Church. During the 
war of 1812, he - drew at nine drafts " and 
came free each time, and volunteered at hist. 
To him were born seven children, all of whom 
attained mature years — four of whom are liv- 
ing — Susan, Mrs. Richard Stevenson, now in 
Kansas ; Ann, now in Dade Co,, Mo., the wife 
of Robert Baubelle ; Marvin B., in C!lyde, San- 
dusky Co.; and Nicholas, our subject, who is 
the eldest of the number. At the age of 21, 
he hired out to work liy the mouth. In 1854, he 
went West to Winnebago Co., 111., and engaged 
in farming pursuits. Fel). 10, 1857, was mar- 
ried to Harriet M. Blair, who was born in this 
towuship July 7. 1830, daughter of Isaac and 
Rebecca Blair, of this township. 'Mr. Wyatt 
was a resident of Winnebago Co. for seven 
years. In August. 1802. he enlisted in Co, B, 
74th 111, V. L, serving three months ; then was 
transferred to second battalion, Co. H. and was 
in charge of a company of pioneers of the 
Pioneer Corps, whose place was in the advance 
of the army to pioneer tiie way for the advanc- 
ing columns — build bridges, and lay pontons 
across rivers and large streams not fordable. 
and were often under fire, when in the discharge 
of their dutv. Served twenty months in this 
capacity, was then transferred into the 1 st U. 



-TV, 



#* 



Al 



liL^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP. 



859 



S. Veteran Engineers, Co. F, where he served 
until the termination of the war. July 23, 
1864, was (ren. Wood's Orderly, was bearing a 
dispatch to Gen. McPherson, and saw him shot 
from his horse, and was the first man to pick 
him up and place him in others' care. Upon 
his return from service, lived two years in this 
township, then removed to Clj'de, Sanduslvy Co., 
this State, where he has since resided and is 
permanently locateci, and is engaged in the 
transfer and draying business. Of five chil- 
dren born him, three are living Clara E., a 
teacher in the public schools at Clyde ; Eddie 
and Harriet. Mr. Wyatt had two brothers in 
the late war ; Joel served eighteen months in 
the 6th O. V. C. ; since dead ; has one child, 
Stella. Marvin B.. enlisted first for three 
months in Co. K, 8th Ohio. After serving his 
time, he re-enlisted for three years, serving out 
his time ; was severely wounded at the battle 
of Gettysburg, and was left for dead on the 
field. The Wyatt family are true and loyal 
Republicans. 

W. H. WIDEMAX, farmer; P. 0. Medina; 
is a native of this county, and was born in 
Guilford Township Sept. 10, 1831, the ninth 
child, in order of birth, born to his parents, 
who were Jacob and Anna (Guislnger) Wide- 
man. At the age of 15, he was apprenticed 
to learn the blacksmith's trade ; after its com- 
pletion, he worked at jour work until he 
became of age, at which time he and his 
brother John rented the home farm, which they 
carried on in partnership for four years ; he 
then bought out his brother's interest, carried 
on the same for three years longer. Nov. 1 9, 
1847, he was married to Mary E. Shank, born 
Oct. 25. 1841, in Guilford Township, whose 
parents were Slichael and Polly K. (Widemau) 
Shank (who was a daughter of John Wide- 
man). Mrs. Wideman was of a family of three 
children, who were Henry and Mar^- E., both 
deceased, she being the sole survivor of the 
children. Her father died when she was young ; 
her mother has since married and now resides 
in Michigan. Since Mr. Wideman abandoned 
tlie anvil and forge, and entered the marriage 
relation, he has made several changes, and. 
though contrary to the adage that " the rolling 
stone gathers no moss," his several changes 
have resulted favorably to himself in a financial 
manner. His first removal from tlie home 
farm was to Chatham, where he purchased 71 



acres — which was settled by one Blake — which 
he left after a residence of three years, and re- 
turned to the old farm, remaining a short time, 
then removed to Westtield. purchasing a farm 
in the northern part, south of Chippewa Lake, 
where he lived until he removed back to (ruil- 
ford, and was engaged in running a saw-mill 
for two years ; then sold out and bought the 
William Shook farm, which he owned three 
3-ears, then sold and in the spring of 1870, 
moved to his present place of residence, his 
farm, a tract which was settled by George Wal- 
lace, consisting of 125 acres. Mr. Wideman is 
one of the township's best citizens ; is esteemed 
and highly respected by all who know him ; is 
a man of liberal thought and generously dis- 
posed to all enterprises, which are calculated 
to advance the common interests of the people. 
Of five children born him, but three are living 
— Bertie M., Flora Dell and Harrison Blake. 

J. L. WIDEMAN. farmer; P. O. Medina; 
born in (xuilford Township, Feb. 17, 1840; the 
second of a family of five children, all of whom 
attained the years of manhood and womanhood. 
The parents of the above were Philip and Eliz- 
abeth (Lance) Wideman. His father was named 
Philip, whose father was a native of Germany, 
and emigrated to the United States in the latter 
part of the last century. The father of our sub- 
ject was born in Canada, near Toronto ; was of 
a numerous famih', fourteen being the number 
born, twelve came to maturity. The ftimilv left 
Canada and came to this county when it was 
new, the grandfatlier of John L. making a 
settlement in (Guilford when his son Phillip was 
young, who made a commencement in that 
township, where three of the children were born, 
viz., Sarah A., Mrs. J. H. Johnson, of this town- 
ship ; John L. and Mary E., Mrs. J. J. Lance, 
of Chatham. About 1845, the family moved to 
Chatham, where William H., and Lorinda (Mrs. 
James Boyce) were born. Philip Wideman 
died October, 1850 ; his wife survived him until 
Aug. 15, 1868. John was a lad of 10 years 
when his fatlier died. His motlier subsequent!}' 
married Philip Long, and with them the chil- 
dren lived until coming to mature years. John 
L. was brought up to farming, which business 
he turned his attention to as soon as he became 
his own master. Jan. 2, 1862, he was married 
to Laura Young, who was born .March 18. 1841. 
in Strongsville. Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, whose par- 
ents were Alva and Lucretia (Thompson) 



^. 



l^ 



860 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Young ; both were natives of Vermont, and 
came to Chathamover forty years ago, and were 
the authors of eijiht children. After Mr. Wide- 
man was married, he remained on the liome 
farm. Remained in that township until 1871, 
when he moved to his present location in the 
extreme northwest corner of this township, 
where four townships meet, Litchfield, York, La 
Fayette and Chatham. Mr. Wideman has a 
good farm of 111 acres, a successful farmer, and 
the father of four interesting daughters, whose 
names are Ida J., Edith A.. Bertha M. and Amy 
L. Mrs. Wideman is a member of the U. B. 
Church. 

G. W. WALTZ, farmer ; P. 0. Whittlesey; 
born July 3, 1820. in Alleghany Co.. Md., the 
fourth of a family of six children who were 
born to George R. and Catharine (Houser) 
Waltz, (ieorge R. was liorn in Maryland, and 
was a son of John. Catharine Houser was a 
daughter of David Houser. John Waltz, the 
grandfather of G. W., was a native of Germany, 
and emigrated to this country, locating in the 
Middle States. George R. Waltz emigrated 
West with his family to Wayne Co. in this 
State, landing (_)ct. 2(1. 1835. remaining there 
during the winter, and located in this township 
in the spring following, where he had previously 
purchased 110 acres, on Lot 10. in the north- 
west part of the township, which was unim- 
proved, and which cost him S5 per acre. He 
had built him a cabin previous to his moving 
his family ; the cabin was standing amidst the 
forest, just enough trees cut to admit stand- 
ing-room for the calnn. When they drove the 
wagon in loaded with the family, it had to be 
backed out the same cf)urse it was admitted. 
At this time, our subject. G. W.. was a lad of 
7 years. Of the family now living, of his 
brothers and sisters, are Mary A., now jNIrs. S. 
Wares ; Sevilla, the wife of Peter Bowman ; 
Eliza, now Mrs. W. E. Moulton ; and Catharine, 
now Mrs. John L. Waltz — all residents of this 
township. <ieorge R., the father of G. W., re- 
mained upon the farm as long as he lived, as 
did his worthy companion. Both were mem- 
bers of the United Brethren Church, he being 
one of the first members of that society, being 
a member before the organization of the church, 
and gave liberally toward its supjiort. donating 
the ground for the church and cemetery, and 
was a man highly esteemed in the community 
as an upright man and consistent Christian. 



His death occurred Sept. 3, 1854 ; that of his 
wife Nov. 22, 1875. George W. left home at 
21 and hired out by the montii. working five 
years in succession for one man in Litchfield. 
Jan. 3, 1855, he was married to Mary Ann 
Bowman, who was born Dec. 6, 1835, in Chip- 
pewa Township, Wayne Co., this State ; she 
was a daughter of John and Sarah (Traxler) 
Bowman ; he was born in Cumberland Co., 
Penn., Nov. 11, 1808, she Jan. 5, 1810 ; they 
were married Dec. 18, 1828. Their deaths oc- 
curred as follows : His decease was Aug. 7, 
1865 ; his wife's, Dec. 22, 187G. To them were 
born a family of twelve children, seven of whom 
are living. The parents of the above were 
members of the Christian Church for many 
years prior to their death. For twelve years 
after G. W. was married, he lived on the home 
farm ; he came to the farm he now owns, in 
18G9, and has since remained. Mr. Waltz, 
during the late war, was among the number 
who volunteered their services in the defense of 
their country's flag, leaving his home and fam- 
ily to battle for the maintenance of the prin- 
ciples similar to those for which our forefathers 
contended. He enlisted, Sept. 22, 18()1, in Co. 
B, 42d O. V. I., as private, receiving the rank 
of Sergeant by jjromotion afterward He par- 
ticipated in the first battle of Vicksburg. Mid- 
dle Creek, Arkansas Post, rear of Vicksburg, 
Jackson, Miss., and other engagements of a 
minor character ; with the exception of a slight 
wound in the hand, he came through sound in 
body and limb, after serving out his three 
years' term of enlistment. Since his return 
home, he has been engaged in farming. He 
has a farm of 76 acres, upon which he has 
erected, since iiis purchase, substantial im- 
provements in the way of buildings. He and 
wife are both members of the Christian Church 
at La Fayette Center, of which he is a Deacon, he 
having been a member of tiiis order f'sr twenty- 
five years. They have three children — George 
P., Effie, Dora and Rhoda Irene. 

J. L.WIGHTM AN, farmer ; P. O.Whittlesey; 
born in Jefferson Co., Rodman Township, N. 
Y.. Sept. 21, 1828 ; is the youngest of a family 
of eleven children, eight of the number grew to 
maturity ; but three of the number are living — 
Nancy, Mrs. Simeon Boyntx^)n. of Norwalk ; 
Nathan and James li., of this township. The 
Wightinans are of Scotch descent, and, accord- 
ing to the tradition, seven brothers originally 






9 ^ 



LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP 



861 



came from Scotland and settled in America ; 
from them originated the different families 
bearing the name. The parents of our subject 
were Nathan and Betsey (Osgood) Wightman. 
Nathan was born in Vermont April 8, 1780, and 
went to Herkimer Co., N. Y., where he was mar- 
ried, and removed West in 1833, locating in 
this township, where he remained until his death, 
which occurred in 1859. His companion died 
soon after his arrival to this county. James 
L. was but a lad of G when he was left mother- 
less. He lived then with his sister Nancy the 
greater portion of the time until be attained his 
manhood, at which time he was foinid working 
out by the month. In the spring of 185(1, caught 
the gold fever and went across the plains on 
foot, driving four yoke of oxen, standing guard 
every alternate night over their camp, as 
" eternal vigilance was then the price of safety," 
as Indians were plenty and only wanted an 
opportunity to do their work. After a journey 
of 105 days from St. Joe, Mo., they reached 
Ilangtown, now Placerville, the place deriv- 
ing its name from the number of inen who had 
'■ stretched hemp " upon a certain oak tree. Jlr. 
Wightman was one of the petitioners to the 
Legislature, to have it changed to its present 
name. Soon after his arrival, entered the mines, 
having expended all his surplus funds in tools 
and a week's provisions. In the spring he had 
saved $6G1 clear of all expenditures. His gold 
was every night deposited in the bank, which 
consisted of a large buckskin belt strapped 
about him — the combination he never lost — 
nor was he debarred from entering at will by 
the modern appliance of the ■' time lock." Be- 
ing in the water so much, his iiealth becoming 
impaired, he planned a trip to Oregon to re- 
cuperate his health ; sailed from San Francisco 
on the New World. After being on the ocean 
fifteen days, found themselves 1,500 miles from 
their starting-point, and 1,000 miles " at sea ;" 
finally, striking the trade winds, were wafted 
north, at last reaching the mouth of the Colum- 
bia Kiver ; landed at John Jacob Astor's trad- 
ing post, called Astoria. After a visit in and 
about that locality fir some time, returned to 
White Rock Valley, four miles from Placer- 
ville, where he engaged in the grocery business. 
After nearly one year's association in the trade, 
came out with over $1,000 net proceeds. Then 
resolved to return home, but, meeting with a 
friend, he was induced to return and engage in 



the milk business ; bought some cows, and in a 
short time sold out to his partner, with a gain 
of $800. lleturned home in August, 1852, on 
the Pacific ; then on its trial trip on the mail 
route to New York. Upon his return home, 
located on the homestead now owned bj' iiis 
brother Nathan, where he engaged in farming. 
March 15, 1855. was married to JMiss Bissell, 
daughter of K. Bissell, of Westfield, where she 
was born March 15, 1834, she being the second 
of a family of seven children, one brother 
and six sisters. Her mother's maiden name 
was Harriet Simmons. Since the marriage 
of Mr. Wightman, he has made several changes, 
but finally located at La Fayette Center, 
where he has 125 acres of land. Is a suc- 
cessful farmer, and raises the best of stock. 
Has 7-30 interest in twent3'-one silver mining 
claims. Is one of the township's stanch men. 
Has three children — William B., Lucy M. and 
(yharlie D. He is a member of the A., F. & A. 
M. at Seville. Also of Medina Chapter R. A. M. 
C. WHEELER, farmer; P. 0. Whittlesey. 
Among the prominent farmers of this township 
that have attained their present position solely 
through their own individual and personal mer- 
its is Charles Wlieeler, who vvas born in Wilt- 
shire, England, July 15, 1820. His parents 
were Richard and Elizabeth (Gasten) Wheeler 
He was raised a farmer, and was early in life 
kept closely at home, not even having the ad- 
vantages of the common school. His education 
was confined to the use of the plow and other 
agricultural implements, indiscriminately. Thus 
schooled to hard labor and rigorous (economy, 
he launched out into the world with the re- 
solve that he would some day rise above the 
level of common yeomanry, and press his way 
up to the ranks of independent husbandry. 
July 31, 1850, he was wedded to his worthy 
helpmeet, vihose name was Mary Blizzard, born 
May 12. 1820 ; she was a daughter of Thomas 
and Catharine Pierce Blizzard, both natives of 
the same place as Mr. Wheeler. Soon after the 
marriage of our subject, he sailed for America, 
coming direct to the Buckeye State, and mak- 
ing his first halt in Jackson Township, AVayne 
Co., but remained there but a short time, when 
he moved to this township in 1851. When he 
started to housekeeping, after buying a few 
necessary articles, all the money he had left 
was 25 cents. Their outfit \vas neither grand nor 
expensive, it all being set'oml-iiand. Mis stove 



^ 



^1 



it, 



862 



BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



(if such we miij- call it) cost $2.50. with a leakj- 
tea-kettle, an old bedstead, some dishes which 
were given them. These, with a stool and broken 
chair, constituted, in a general way, their outfit 
for housekeeping. His first purchase of land 
was 9 acres, which he sold soon after, and pur- 
chased 65 acres, but remained on it but nine 
months, making his first permanent location 
where he now resides. His first purchase here 
was 40 acres, for which he paid S30 per acre ; 
he next added 40 more, and yet another, and, 
lastly, he added 62A-, making, in all, 182^ acres, 
which is under good improvement, and is well 
stocked with cattle and sheep. His farm, sit- 
uated northwest of and adjoining Chippewa 
Lake, is ornamented by a modern style farm- 



house, erected iu 1880, and one of the best in 
the township ; and. for all of these, he owes no 
man a dollar. His motto in life has always 
been, " Paj' as you go." and, for the last twenty- 
four j'ears, he has never run an account or made 
a bill with any man but what would be fol- 
lowed with immediate settlement ; has never 
entered suit against any man, nor has the same 
been served upon him. The fruits of his mer- 
riage have been four children, but three living, 
viz. : Lavina, now married, and residing in 
(Tuilford Township ; Richmond R. and Bradley, 
at home. Mr. Wheeler, though not a member 
of any church, is an often attendant at the 
house of worship, and contributes to the sup- 
port of the Gospel. 



HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



JOHN ANDREAS, farmer; 1'. (). Lodi ; 
born in Northampton Co., Penn., Sept. 6, 
1810 ; the eldest son and second child of a 
family of twelve children, six girls and six 
boys, born to George and Margaret Habber- 
man, both of whom were born in Lehigh Co., 
Penn. At the age of 15, he went to learn the 
carpenter's trade ; came West to Mansfield in 
1837, and to this township in 1839, where he 
purchased 91^ acres, which was unimproved. 
He continued at his trade, hiring his clearing 
done. In 1850. he abandoned his tools, and 
since has confined his attention to farming ; has 
now 201 acres of land, upon which are two sets 
of farm buildings, which were all erected by 
him. His present residence was constructed in 
1874. His first marriage was with Haunah 
Balliet, in 1834. by whom he had one son, Jo- 
siah, now in Kosciusko Co.. Ind. She died Jan. 
12, 1837. His present wife was Maria Welder, 
born Dec. 25, 1812, in Hesse-Darmstadt, 
daughter of Joseph and Anna (Bessinger) 
Welder. She came to this country in 1835. 
Their marriage liears record Feb. 13, 1840, and 
has been ('rowncd with five 
William, in \ja (ilrange Co. 
]\Irs. (Jeorge Stone, of Mic 
Mrs. (ieorge L. Leashells, o; 
Louis, of tills township ; Rebecca, at home, a 
lady of intelligence and refinement, and was. 
for several years, engaged as a teacher of the 



children, who are 

Ind. ; Piiean, now 

ligan ; Susan, now 

■ Lorain (!o., Oiiio ; 



young idea. Mr. Andreas cast his first vote 
for Andrew Jack.son, and still adheres to those 
principles as essential to the maintenance of 
true government. A member of the Reformed 
Church, as well as the greater portion of his 
family, who have grown up to honoi- him and 
to perpetuate his virtues as well as his name. 

H. AINSWORTH, banker, Lodi ; was born 
at Cape Vincent, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1812 ; son of 
Avery, whose bii'thplaee was in Fair Haven, 
Conn., Oct. 30, 1780, whose father's name was 
Heni'v, born in January, 1755, in Old Wood- 
stock ; who was a son of Daniel. Ijorn about 
the year 1724, near I'lymouth. The Ains- 
worths are of English descent, and can trace 
their ancestry back to the time of the landing 
of the Pilgrims, in 1(520. At the time of the 
birth of Mr. Ainsworth. the country was in- 
volved in war, and, when he was but three 
weeks old, his parents, and all in the neighbor- 
hood, were driven off by the British and Indi- 
ans, and their houses burned and stock driven 
away. Avery, the lather of Henry, was a phy- 
sician, and followed his occupation as long as 
he lived. To him were born four sons — Tal- 
cott, Judah T., Henry and .\very. Three of 
the nunil)ercarae West — J. T., Henry and .\v- 
ery. Judah T. settled in .Medina ; Henry and 
Avery in Lodi. Mr. Ainsworth came West in 
1835, to Clevehuul, having with him at the 
time .*1II0 in uiouev. whicli he lost through an 



*3t- 



^ 



HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



863 



unfortunate investment. He then turned out 
to work, and, in the summer of 1837, he came 
to Lodi. having then $500 in money ; his 
brother having about double this sum, tliej- re- 
solved to embark in tlie mercantile business — 
first building a house, which absorbed nearl}- 
all their funds ; but the3' succeeded in making 
a start, there being but a few houses in town at 
that time. This partnership continued about 
two years, when he engaged in the farming 
and milling business, continuing at this for 
two years ; he then went to Huron Co. and 
engaged in the mercantile business, where he 
stayed two 3-ears and a half when his brother 
died. He returned to Lodi, and engaged in 
business, the agreement l)eing, that, so long as 
his hrotlier continued in business at Lodi, he 
would never compete witli him. Continuing 
merchandising until 1802. he sold out to Welch 
& White. Subsequenth", he and other parties 
started a National Bank, he acting as Cashier, 
this association lasting until 1870. He then be- 
gan busincs upon his own account, and has since 
been conducting it, and, notwithstanding his un- 
favorable beginning, he has now about 1,000 
acres of land in Kansas, Missouri and this State, 
and a handsome competence besides. Jan. 1, 
1839, he was married to Elvira Harris, born in 
this township, April 25, 1819, daughter of Judge 
Harris ; by this union, two children were born, 
neither of them now living. He is a zealous and 
stanch member of the Masonic Fraternity, and 
a liberal Kepubhcan. 

SAMUEL BAKER, farmer ; P. 0. Burbank ; 
was born in Loudoun Co., Va., June 28, 1832 ; 
his parents were David and !\Ielinda (Cocherell) 
Baker, the former born in 1790, in Franklin Co., 
Penn., the latter sanne place, removing to Lou- 
doun Co., they remained until about the year 
1833, when they came West to Wayne Co., ()hio, 
near Doylestown, remaining a short time, after- 
ward moved across the line into Medina Co., 
Guilford Township, where his father purchased 
80 acres of land, for which he paid $4 per acre ; 
he finally returned to Wayne (,'o., where he died 
Dec. 11. 1804; his mother still survives, be- 
ing 68 years old. Upon the Baker side of the 
family, they are of English, and upon the 
mother's of Dutch, descent. His grandfather 
was a soldier in the war of 1812, Samuel 
learned the carpenter's trade, at which he 
worked for several years. At the age of 27 he 
became the husband of Jane Norton, who was 



born in York Co., Penn., March 4, 1830, of a 
family of eight children born to Hugh Norton. 
After his marriage, he located on the farm he 
now owns, having now 120 acres, and is located 
southeast of Lodi two miles ; he is a self-made 
man ; began without means, and has accumu- 
lated what he has by hard labor ; he, having 
been prudent in his management, has secured 
his present home and surroundings ; he is a 
memlier of the United Brethren Church, and, 
though not much interested in political aflTairs. 
yet votes the Repuljlican ticket. 

W. C. BAILEY, hotel, Lodi ; ■ Mine Ho,st " 
of Lodi Hotel, who is the owner and proprietor 
of said institution, was born May 6, 1823, in 
Middletown (now Cromwell), in the State of Con- 
necticut, and is the eldest son of William and 
Betsej- (Combs) Bailey, to whom were born 
eight children, five girls and three boys. He 
was born in 1780, in Haddam. Conn.; he was a 
ship carpenter bj' trade, which business he fol- 
lowed until his death, which occurred in 1858. 
William C. early in life entertained a desire to 
follow his father's chosen vocation, and, as soon 
as the opportunity presented itself, he com- 
menced learning the trade which he has since 
followed for the greater part of his life ; he came 
to Cleveland November, 1861. where he worked 
at his trade two years ; at this time there be- 
ing a demand for gun-boats, he went with 
others into Alabama and Tennessee, where he 
spent the winter of 18<i3-64. at Bridgeport. 
Ala., where the Government had a force of men 
building vessels to go into immediate service. 
From this point, he went to Chattanooga, then 
to Decatur, remaining until the close of the 
war, at which time he returned to Cleveland, 
and to Huntington, subsequently, where he en- 
gaged at the house carpenter business, follow- 
ing the same for eight years. Feb. 22, 1872, 
he moved to Lodi. where he purchased the Lodi 
Hotel, and has since been the proprietor of the 
same, is a kind and obliging landlord, and is 
ever ready to gratify the wishes of his guests. 
and well merits the liberal patronage which he 
receives ; was married to Harriet Worthiugton, 
born at Deep River March 23, 1826, in Middle- 
sex Co., Conn., daughter of Alfred and Sarah 
Southworth. Of three children boru him, two are 
living — Alfred W. and Edwin C. Not a meml:)er 
of any church or of any society, but is a man of 
broad and liberal views, kind-hearted and of ten- 
der sympathies, square and upright in his deal- 






t) ">y 



'k^. 



864 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



iiigs. Politically, he was formerly Democratic, 
but. since Buchanan's administration, has been a 
stanch and solid Kcpul)lican. 

MRS. CECILIA CR1.>WHLL, P. 0. Lodi. 
Mrs. Criswell was born March 21, 1838, in 
La Fayette Township, and is a daughter of Will- 
iam A. Carlton and Lydia Ann Thomas, his 
wife. He was born in Canada Feb. 7. 1812, 
and is of English descent. His wife was a 
native of New York, and came West with her 
parents when she was an infant. He came 
West to Portage Co. at the age of 1 5, where he 
married Miss Thomas, Nov. 11. 1836, and came 
to La Fayette Townsliip. where they settled in 
the woods. Of twelve children born them 
(eight bo3'S and four girls), ten of the number 
grew to manhood and womanhood. 3Ir. and Mrs. 
Carlton still reside in that township. Mrs. 
Criswell was first married Jan. 29, 1857, to 
William Lewis, who was born in this township 
April 12, 1832, son of fllisha and Jane (Hunts- 
man) Lewis. Mr. Lewis was accidentally shot 
April I, 1873, leaving no issue. He was a 
member of the ^Methodist Episcopal Church, and 
a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Criswell was 
married to B. F. Criswell. who was born in 
Stark Co. Feb. t>, 182(5. who was a son of John 
and Dorothy (Gregory) Criswell. Mr. Criswell 
began in business in Lodi May 5, 1879, in the 
merchant tailor and clothing business. Mrs. 
Criswell has a good form, which she carries on. 
yet resides in Lodi. Mr. Criswell is a member 
of the Presbyterian Church, and of a good 
family. 

Dli. A. E. ELLIOT, physician, Lodi ; born 
Aug. 15. 1851, in Port Robinson, Welland Co., 
Ontario, Canada, son of Andrew and Elizabeth 
(Darvy) Elliot. Andrew Elliot was born in 
Albany Co.. N. Y.. on the site where the cit}- 
now stands. He was a son of Andrew, who 
was born in Aberdeen, Scotland. Elizabeth 
was a daughter of George A. Darvy. to whom 
were born four children — Barrett, Niary, Mar- 
garet and Elizabeth. Andrew Elliot, the 
father of our subject, was a cattle dealer, and 
was (juite extensively engaged in the stock 
trade in Canada. The early boyhood of the 
Doctor was spent in school. At the age of 18, 
began reading medicine, and pursued his studies 
until graduation, receiving his honors in 1873, 
at Cleveland Medical College, when he began 
practice in .\Iedin.'i with Dr. Bean. In Januarj', 
the following vear, he moved to Lodi, and has 



since remained. His training and education in 
a medical way, being of the Homeopathic 
school, is in accord with the major portion of 
the citizens in this locality, and with the Doc- 
tor's popularity as a practitioner. He is hav- 
ing quite an extensive and lucrative practice. 
Few young men in the line of Materia Medica 
have been more successful than he, or are hon- 
ored with a larger practice. Feb. 17, 1875, 
was married to Ella Gilbert, born in Akron, 
Summit Co., daughter of Joseph and Jerusha 
(Pettibone) Gilbert, both of whom were natives 
of Hartford, Conn. Jerusha was a daughter 
of Theophilus and Esther (Wetmore) Pettibone. 
Esther was a daughter of Jabius Pettiijone. 
To Theophilus were born eleven children. Jo- 
seph Gilbert was a soldier in the late war ; was 
a member of Co. G, 64th 0. V. I., and died of 
disease at Nashville. 

AARON ELDRED, farmer; P. O. Lodi. 
Among the old and highly respected residents 
of this township, who have seen much of frontier 
life, and was among the number who, during 
the war of 1812, were driven from home to seek 
shelter from the bloodthirst3' savage, is Aaron 
Eldred. He was born Nov. 19, 1803. in Rome, 
N. Y., son of Moses and Pattie (De Witt) El- 
dred, to whom were born twelve children, Aaron 
being the fifth in order of birth. The family 
moved to Cleveland in 1811, which was, at that 
time, but a trading-post — one rude tavern, kept 
by one Carter, who was the first settler ; ahso, 
Nathan Perr}-, who kept a store and traded 
with the Indians. The war breaking out, they 
were driven from their home at Do^•er, where 
they had located, they fleeing to Newburj- for 
refuge. His father was out in the war. and was 
shot in the arm by an Indian, which rendered 
him unfit for further duty during the continua- 
tion of the war. His mother, in the meantime 
and afterward, kept tavern to maintain the fam- 
ily while at Lockport. He remembers being at 
the river, one day, and helping to transport 
some of Hull's prisoners across the river in a 
canoe, who, when across, said to him : " Son, 
we have no money ; but, if we could get hold 
of Hull, we would use his hide for razor 
strops !" After the fixmily left Lockport, they 
moved to North Ridgeville, where his father 
kept public house. At the age of 15, Aaron 
left home to ■■ paddle his own canoe." He first 
learned the tanner's trade, at which he worked 
three years; then went to New York, where lie 






1^ 



Jdi 



HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



863 



worked as common laborer on the canal ; after- 
ward returned to this State, where he was mar- 
ried to Louisa Emmons, who was born in Hart- 
ford, Conn.; she was a daughter of Harris Em- 
mons. After marriage, he located at Elyria, 
where he purchased 60 acres of land in the 
woods, where he remained until 1838, when he 
located in this township, purchasing 101 acres, 
which has since been his constant home. He 
was formerly a Democrat, but, the question of 
slavery perplexing him, he could not harmonize 
it with his construction of Democracy, and has 
since cast his lot with the Republicans. Eight 
children have lieen the I'ruits of his marriage ; 
all grew to maturity. Tlu'ee of his sous served 
in the late rebellion — Jackson, in the 100-day 
service ; Columbus anil Dauford served through 
the entire struggle, and were true and valiant 
soldiers. Danford is now an engineer on the 
Ft. Wa3"ne Railroad ; Wesley, in Michigan ; 
Jackson, on Kelley's Island ; Columlnis died 
at Washington ; Dama, now Mrs. H. Palmer, 
of Green Springs ; Rosilla, Mrs. George Swift; 
La Fayette, a bachelor, and at home. 

WARREN ELMER, retired, Lodi ; was 
born Dec. 3, 1811, in Otsego Co., N. Y., son of 
Warren and Sarah (Johason) Elmer. He was 
born in 1788 in New York, and died about the 
year 1818, leaving his son without a home. At 
the age of 1-1, his first business adventure was 
to borrow $10 of a friend, which he invested 
in medicine, and peddled. He commenced 
learning the shoemaker's trade, which, on ac- 
count of the loss of an eye, he abandoned. In 
1833, at the age of 21, he came West on the 
Erie Canal, reaching this township May 12, 
1833. Began working out and has worked at 
25 cents per da}', and paid it out again to post 
a letter. Taking Mr. Elmer's life through, he 
has had quite a checkered career. July 10, 
1836, he was married to Margaret Park, who 
was born in Green Township, Beaver Co., 
Penn., Nov. 12, 1811, daughter of John and 
Sarah (Patterson) Park, who came to this State 
in 1818. Came first to Wayne Co., and then to 
this county in 1830. He died in this count}- 
in 1864. she in 1876. Soon after Mr. Elmer 
was married, he moved into the hotel at Lodi. 
After running this a short time, he moved to 
the West part of the township and engaged in 
farming. Then followed teaming for several 
years. Afterward purchased a farm, which he 
subsequently traded for a stock of goods at 



Crawford's Corners, remaining here about five 
years. He then engaged in the show business 
of the panorama order, which he plied for three 
years. In 1861, he bought the Myer Hotel, 
and ran the same until the fall of 1870. Dur- 
ing this time, he ran a hack and mail line from 
Wooster to Oleary's ; at the same time carried 
on a livery stable. Sold out his hotel in 1870, 
and bought the place where Albert Harris now 
lives. Kept it but a short time, then sold out 
and built the house he now occupies in Lodi. 
He has since been retired from active lousiness. 
Has Ijeen a stirring and bustling personage, 
sharp and shrewd, keen and quick sighted in a 
horse trade, always having an eye to the ■• main 
chance." As a hotel proprietor, his table was 
always well furnislied, and he was noted as be- 
ing an excellent provider, and. whatever the 
traveler might have to say against Mr. Elmer 
I personally, he could never find fault with his 
; table. Is a member of the Masonic Fraternity 
and a Democrat in sentiment, and has been from 
Jackson's time, and will ever remain true to 
those principles. Of seven children born him, 
but one is now living — Warren, born April 10, 
1841. He was married, March 12, 1865, to 
Virginia M. White, who was born in Westtield 
Township Dec. 3, 1844. She was a daughter of 
Earl and Mary Ann (Mallory) White. War- 
ren has three children — Katie, Maud and Mor- 
gan. 

CHARLES FENSTERMAKER, farmer; P. 
0. Lodi. The above-mentioned gentleman was 
born Aug. 8, 1816, in Bedford Co., Penn., be- 
ing the second child of a family of ten children 
who were born to his parents, John and Eliza- 
beth (Smouse) Fenstermaker. Charles emi- 
grated to Trumbull Co., Ohio, with his parents, 
when a lad of 8 years. His grandfather's name 
was Dewald. His wife was from Germany, 
whose services were sold, upon her arrival in 
this country, to pay her passage money. 
Charles' youth and early manhood were spent 
in hard labor. His father settling in the woods, 
much labor was required to prepare the land for 
cultivation. His father died in 1840. leaving the 
farm in iiis charge. He remained on the same 
and cared for his mother until Feb. 10, 1846. 
when he united his fortunes with Deliah Moyer, 
born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Gabriel and 
Hannah (Andrews) Moyer, who came West 
when she was quite young. Until 1853, Mr. 
F. has lived in Trumlnill (now Mahoning). 



-f^ 



^f 



866 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Since that time, lie lias resided in tliis town- 
sliip. Has now 19G acres of land, which he 
has been enabled to attain bj' laborious appli- 
cation to his business and the exercise of fru- 
gal habits. Began with his hands and two 
shillings, which his father gave him. He 
worked hard and faithfully se\'eral years at 
low wages, the acciuuulation of which enabled 
him to make a purchase of a few acres, which 
was subsequently augmented bj' other pur- 
chases at ditt'erent times, until he accjuired what , 
he now has, and with it the esteem of his 
neighbors and associates. Seven children have [ 
been born to him in the following order, viz. : 
Melissa (now Mrs. Levi Dague, of Chatham j 
Township), John W. (this township), Gabriel 
F. (in Homer), Alice (Mrs. Dr. Britton, of 
Spencer Township), Augusta (Mrs. Joseph 
Rice, of Chatham). Hainiali E. and VAiie yiay 
(at home). Is a member of the Reformed 
Church, his wife enjoying the same relation. 
In politics, he is liberal, yet adheres mostly to 
Jeffersonian principles. ' 

JOHN W. FENSTKRMAKER, farmer; P. 
Lodi ; was born in North Jackson Township, 
Mahoning Co., this State, Jan. 11, 1849; son 
of Charles and Delia Fenstermaker, who are 
among the highly respected citizens of the 
county. John was raised to farming ; remained 
with his parents until he was a free man. Jan. 
7, 1873, he was joined bj' the laws of the com- 
monwealth to love, cherish and maintain Miss i 
Nancy J. Woods, who was born in this county 
in 1851, whose parents were William and Catha- 
rine (Berkey) Woods, both from Pennsylvania. 
Since his marriage, he has been a resident of 
the place he now occupies, and is engaged in 
harassing the soil for his maintenance. He has 
three children — Myrtie, Maudie and Willie. 

HIRAM A. FULLER, farmer: P. O. Bur- 
bank ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Nov. 
22, 1830 ; was the second of a family of six 
children; three of the number grew to maturity. 
His parents were Augustus and Kunice Perkins. ; 
He was born June 28. 180-1, in Bristol, Conn. 
He was a son of John Fuller. The Fullers and 
Perkinses are of English descent. Eunice Per- 
kins was born Feb. 28, 1802, and a daughter of ! 
Elias Perkins, whose wife was a Hitchcock. 
Augustus Fuller emigrated to this State from 
Connecticut in 183(!, and located in Wajaie (lo. 
at a place called Jackson, in Canaan Township, 
where he purchased 80 acres. Here the elder 



Fuller resided until his death, which occurred 
June 28, 1843. His business had been for 
several years in traveling for the Seth Thomas 
Clock Company in Connecticut. Hiram was but 
12 years of age when his father died ; was then 
raised by his uncle. After becoming of age, he 
learned the carpenter's trade, which he worked 
at some time. Afterward, he was engaged with 
Howard, Peebles & Compauj', and traveled for 
them four years. He then purchased 83 acres 
of land in Canaan Township, where he lived three 
years ; then moved to Erie Co. February, 18G0, 
purchased the farm he now owns, situated in 
the southeast part of Harrisville Township. He 
was twice married, first Feb. 12, 1857, to 
Amanda High, born in Springfield. Ohio, in 
1833, daughter of John High, whose wife was 
a Sailor by name. Mr. High is of Wayne Town- 
ship, Wayne Co., parents of Dutch descent, and 
from Lancaster Co., Penn. She died Dec. 28, 
1869, leaving three children, two boys and one 
girl — David B.. Sarah J., dead, and Frank. Nov. 
2, 1872, was married to Mar^' J. Burns, born in 
Canaan Township, Wayne Co., Nov. 28, 1843, 
daughter of Edwin and Martha (McCreary) 
Burns. Has one child — Myra. He is a mem- 
ber of the United Brethren Church — wife, of 
the Presbyterian Church. His father lost his 
property by bailing, and Hiram began poor. 
He has now a good farm of 100 acres, and one 
of the best farm residences in the township, and 
an excellent farmer. 

ELI M, FRARY, farmer; P. 0. Burbank ; 
son of Orange Wells Frary. who was born in Ver- 
mont in 1801, in the month of May, and emi- 
gi'ated West with his father, Elihu, who located 
in East Union Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, when 
Orange was 12 years of age. Elihu Frary. hav- 
ing been a man of business and considerable 
means, he became embarrassed in Vermont, by 
bailing the Sheriff, and, having it to pay, sought 
to better his fortune by migrating Westward. 
He was a blacksmith by trade. After several 
j-ears' residence in Wayne Co., he moved to this 
township, locating in the south part, where he 
purchased 120 acres. Orange W. was married in 
1828, to Jerusha Perkins, who was born in 1803, 
in New York State ; her father's name was Jo- 
siah ; the Perkins family are known as early 
settlers. Orange had learned the stone-cutter's 
occupation, which he worked at some time, 
assisting in preparing the stone for the Nor- 
walk Court House. After his marriage, he lo- 



^ 






w 



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HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



867 



cated in Huron Co.; lived there four years; 
returning to Waj'ne Co., where he purchased 
130 acres "in the woods," where he built him 
a cabin and began clearing up his land ; re- 
maining here until 1848, when he located on 
his father's place, now owned by Eli M.; he 
died Sept. 1. 1852 ; was a consistent member 
in the M. E. Church, to which he was much at- 
tached, and gave the timber for building the first 
church erected in Burbank. Eli was born in 
Wayne Co., April 19, 1840, of a family of 
eleven, ten of whom grew to maturitj'. Octo- 
ber, 1862, he enlisted in Co. I), 120th 0. V. I.; 
was discharged, on account of disability, De- 
cember. 1 864 ; was at the siege of Vicksburg, and 
other important engagements. April 19, 1868, 
was wedded to Hattie Spiker, born in Wayne Co., 
Feb. 24, 1846, daughter of Jonathan and Eliza- 
beth (Wiler) Spiker, both natives of Pennsyl- 
vania, and now reside in Wayne Co. Mr. 
Frary is a member of the United Brethren in 
Christ ; has iieen Class-leader for several years. 
ARCH T. FEAZEL, farmer; P. 0. Lodi ; 
was born in Wayne Township, Waj^ne Co., 
Ohio, March 15, 1818. He was the second of 
a family of twelve children, all of whom grew 
to manhood and womanhood. His parents were 
William and Catharine (Clarke) Feazel, of Vir- 
ginia stock, but, tracing back, are of Scotch 
and German extraction. William Feazel came 
West with his father. Barnard, about the year 
1809, thej' locating in Wayne Co.. entering land 
one-half mile north of Wooster, which was 
composed of a log tavern and one or two cab- 
ins. At the outbreak of the war of 1812, Will- 
iam Clarke, who was the grandfather of Arch, 
on the side of his mother, enlisted, and was 
made Drum Major, and served in that capacity 
through the war. Barnard Feazel was also a 
participant ; he drove a four-horse team ; Arch 
T. remembers of hearing him speak of hauling off 
the dead upon his wagon, where they were bur- 
ied in long trenches. Arch T. made his father's 
house his home until after he was 30 years of 
age. During the early part of his life, he was 
engaged in carpentry. Jan. 24, 1856, he was 
united by marriage to Clara Hastings, born in 
Jefferson Co., N. Y., in 1825, and is a daughter 
of Sidney Hastings, who was born in Massachu- 
setts, and emigrated West in 1843, locating in 
(xuilford Township, where he purchased land 
two miles and a half east of Seville ; subse- 
quentl}' moved to Westfield Township, where 



he now lives. Feb. 22, 1872, he celebrated 
his golden wedding. Mr. Hastings has al- 
ways been prominently identified with the Bap- 
tist Church, officiating as Deacon for many 
years ; he is a strong advocate of the principles 
of temperance. Mrs. Feazel was for thirteen 
3-ears a successful teacher. After Mr. Feazel 
was married, he settled in Wayne Township, 
Wayne Co., remaining there until 1874. when 
he moved to this township, locating in Lodi, 
where they lived until 1879, when he purchased 
the farm he now owns, situated north of Lodi 
about one mile and a half and is composed of 
107 acres, and is well improved, and a good 
body of land. They have two children — Clara 
J. and Ella L., the latter now 31 rs. Dell Rogers. 
Mr. Feazel is a self-made man. and is affiliated 
with the Republican party. 

A. W. FULLERTON, insurance; P. 0. 
Lodi ; was born March 23, 1834 ; son of John 
and Julia (Shriver) Fullerton, to whom were 
born ten children, A. W. being the eighth ; all 
of them came to maturity ; the first death oc- 
curred at the age of 32. John was born Sept. 
11, 1791, in Franklin Co., Penn.. and was mar- 
ried, Nov. 7, 1820, to the above-mentioned 
lady, who was born in Washington Co.. Md., 
Nov. 18, 1799. Her father's name was Henry, 
and was born in >Iaryland ; his wife was JFary 
Ann Harbaugh. A. W.'s gi'andfather's name 
was Jolni : he was a native of Ireland, and 
emigrated to Maryland and settled near Chara- 
bersburg. John Fullerton, for several years 
ere he emigrated West, was superintendent of 
some iron manufactory in Pennsylvania. In 
May, 1844, the fiimily emigrated West ; located 
in Milton Township, Wayne Co.; purchased a 
farm ; he remained until 1857, when he sold 
out and came to Westfield Township, and en- 
gaged in farming. April 3, 1866, the family 
moved to Lodi, where he died the year follow- 
ing, Dec. 9, 1867. For twenty years previous 
to his demise, he was blind, and A. W. being 
the youngest bo}', his duty was at home to care 
for his parents. In 1860, he began in business 
for himself, and, for twenty years past, has 
lieen engaged with the Ohio Farmers' Insur- 
ance Companj-, one of the stanch firms in the 
West. He is one of their most efficient repre- 
sentatives. The length of time he has been 
with the company fully attests the appreciation 
they have of him. April 12, 1860, he was 
married to Mary Ann Luce, born in Wayne Co. 



(T- 



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fe 



P68 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



She died Feb. 5, 1865, aged 24 years and 10 
months. Dec. 12, 1872, he was married to 
Katie Fasig, born Oct. 4. 1841, in Wayne Co., 
Ohio, daughter of John and Eliza Ann 
(Rickel) Fasig. Mr. Fullerton is a member of 
Harrisville Lodge, A., F. & A. M., No. 137. 

WILIJAM F. FORD. Pension Clerk; Wash- 
ington, D. C; was born on the Emerald Isle, 
County Down, June 22, 1833, only son of John 
A. and Harriet (Hamilton) Ford, who were bom 
March 12, 1778, and Aug. 23, 171)0, respectively ; 
are 3'et living. April 4, 1851, William set sail 
from Belfast, and, after a voyage of twenty-six 
days, he landed on American soil. September, 
same year, he came West to Ashland Co., mak- 
ing this his place of abode until 1855, when he 
came to Lodi. Up to this time, he was engaged 
in tarming, not being afraid to labor. His 
hands were never idle. Maj' 17, 1853, he was 
wedded to Lucinda Merryfleld. who was born 
hi Craftsbury, Vt., August, 1823. She died 
March 16, 1868, and her remains now repose 
in Lodi Cemetery. By her side lie her two 
daughters, Ellen A. and Effle E., the latter hav- 
ing attained 18 years of age at the time of her 
death. Had been attending Oberlin College, 
and only lacked two months of graduation. 
April 18, 1861, he was the first man in Medina 
Co. to respond to the nation's call, joining the 
8th 0. V. I., Co. K. for three months. Before 
his time expired, lie re-enlisted in a regiment, 
Maj' 26, and served until his discharge, March 
2, 1863, which was on account of a wound re- 
ceived at the battle of Antietam, being shot in 
the hip with steel ramrod, and for several years 
after his return home he was unable to walk 
without the aid of crutches. In 1S70. he was 
appointed as census enumerator, and had charge 
of five townships. March, 1871, through the 
influence of his many friends, obtained a situa- 
tion as Pension Clerk at Washington, I). C, 
and has since been engaged in that citj- in the 
line of liis duty, yet regards Medina Co., Har- 
risville Township, his home, showing his devo- 
tion to his friends and the town where the ashes 
of his loved ones sleep, by returning annually 
to vote, and, unlike the majority of the mass 
who hail from Erin's (Jreon Isle, he is a true 
and loyal Republican, and has ever manifested 
his fidelity to the emblem of his adopted coun- 
try. He has never recovered from the injuries 
he received at Antietam, the (Jovernment rec- 
ognizing liis disabilitv. having him eni'olled 



upon thoir list as a life pensioner, setting apart 
to his individual use S288 per year. Was for- 
merly, before receiving his injuries, a man of 
superior strength and of splendid physique. 
Free and open in his manner, he is generous 
and public-spirited ; his frank and manly man- 
ner has secured him a host of friends and ad- 
mirers. In social life in Washington, he bears 
a prominent part. In Masonry, he is promi- 
nently identified, being officially connected with 
the Lodge, Chapter and Commandery of that 
city. 

L. M. GRANT, farmer ; P.O. Lodi ; was born 
in the town of Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y., 
July 22, 1810 ; son of Eliliu and Amy (Marsh) 
(Irant ; the former being a native of Massachu- 
setts, while the latter was born in ^''ermont. 
The Crant family are of Scotch descent, and 
came West in 1831. At the age of 19, Loring 
began learning the shoemaker's trade, and since 
1831, he lias been a constant resident of this 
county. July 4, 1833, he was united in wed- 
lock to Sallie Rogers, who was born December, 
1811, in Smithville, same county and State as 
her husband, whose parents were James and 
Betsey (Marsh) Rogers. The fruits of this 
union are Julius A., now of Eden Co., Mich. ; 
Francis (J., now the wife of (leorge Palmer, and 
Harriet (.Mrs. William Drake). For several 
years after Mr. (irant came to this count}', he 
was busily engaged at his bench, seeking to 
clothe the pedal extremities of his neighbors, 
and administer " lasting " benefits to the " soles " 
of his fellow-man. For several years past, 
he has abandoned his bench and " kit," 
and given his attention to his little farm. 
While his early school advantages were 
meager indeed, yet he has since his school-boy 
da3's, accustomed himself to continued reading 
and study, which have resulted in his being 
among the well-informed citizens of to-day. 
Has never Ijeen eager after this world's goods, 
being the rather content to have enough, than 
to ■' heap up " tor others to absorb or squander, 
and has endeavored in his walk and life, to 
harmonize his religion with his acts in life, both 
socially and politically. During the existence of 
the anti-slavery party, he was in full accord with 
them, his sympathies being strongly enlisteil 
in favor of the down-trodden race, and never 
failed to befriend them whenever opportunity 
afforded, and now that their shackles have fallen, 
his fnrthcr desire is to see them enjov their 






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HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



869 



rights, such as the Constitution guarantees all 
its citizens. 

ISAAC W. GATE8, farming ; P. 0. Lodi ; 
is a native of Medina Co. ; son of Martin and 
Barbara (Amsbaugh) (Tates. Martin was born 
Aug. 17, 1805. in Washington Co., Penn., and 
emigrated West, to Richland Co., when a young 
man, where he sub.sequently became the hus- 
band of Miss Amsbaugh. who was born in 
Richland Co. After their marriage, they lo- 
cated in (Juilford Township, this county, where 
he had previoush" purchased laud ; here the}' 
located in the woods, and from that time for- 
ward have been constant residents of the town- 
ship. To tiiem were born live children, among 
whom was Isaac W., whose l)irth occurred July 
21, 1842. Farming being his fatLier's occupa- 
tion, Isaac's 3'outh and earl}' manhood were spent 
at school, and assisting his father in the home 
duties. At the age of 20, volunteered his serv- 
ices in defense of his country's flag, enlisting 
in Co. I, 103d O. V. I., and served from Aug. 
11, 1862, until the termination of the war, and 
was engaged in many of the hard-fought bat- 
tles of the war ; was in the 3d Division, and 
23d Armj- Corps, and accompanied Sherman as 
far as Atlanta, thence with Cen. Thomas back 
to Nashville, to look after Gen. Hood's interests. 
tinalh' joining Sherman's army at Goldsboro, N. 
C. During his entire term of service, was only 
absent from his command one week. Since his 
return home, has been engaged in farming. 
January, 1S66, he was married to Mary Carlton, 
who is likewise a native of the count}', born in 
La Fayette Township Aug. 26, 1847, and daugh- 
ter of William Carlton, one of the prominent 
citizens and early settlers of that township. 
Two children, Eva L. and Lula H., are the 
fruits of their union. 

W. B. GAYLORD, wagon-maker, Lodi ; is 
among the thrifty mechanics of Medina Co., and, 
since 1852, has been identified with the me- 
chanical, as well as the general interests of 
Harrisville Township. He was born July 8, 
1827, in Portage Co., Ohio. His father was 
twice married. William being the second child 
of a family of four children bonr to his father's 
first wife, whose maiden name was Cynthia 
Bigelow, to whom he was married Jan. 14, 
1819. Josiah, the father of William B., was 
born in Miihlletown, Conn., about the year 1795, 
and made his advent into this State cotempo- 
raneous with the war of 1812, and was amoncj 



those worthy pioneers whose strong arms and 
willing hands have leveled tiie forests and 
braved the hardships that have .secured to their 
posterity the improvements of to-day. William 
was raised to maturity in Portage Co. ; re- 
mained with the family until he arrived at 
maturity ; then learned the wagon-maker's 
trade, and, in 1 852, he left the place of his na- 
tivity and cast his lot with the people of Medina 
Co., locating at Lodi, where he associated in 
business with H. Selders, of this place, under 
the firm name of Selders & Gaylord, which part- 
nership existed about five years. Since that 
time has conducted business on his own account. 
Oct. 10, 1853, he was wedded to Sarah Ann 
Gassau, a native of New York, born in 1831, 
and came West with her parents about 1832. 
Have one child — Mabel M. Mr. Gaylord's 
father was an old-line Whig of the stanchest 
type. His son has always been attiliated with 
the Republican party, and has served the town- 
ship as Clerk for fifteen consecutive years ; 
upon his last election, he declined further serv- 
ice. Has also served as Judge of Election 
for many years ; and, since he was old enough 
to exercise his right of suffrage, has never 
missed an election. 

NELSON HARRIS, merchant, Lodi; is a 
grandson of Judge Joseph Harris, who settled 
in this township prior to the war of 1812. 
Here upon the same ground that his grandfather 
purchased, was born Nelson Harris, the only 
child born to Albert and Evira Harris, whose 
birth occurred Sept. 11, 1831. Nelson was 
raised to farming, which he followed until 1865, 
when he turned his attention to mercantile pur- 
suits, under the firm name of White & Harris ; 
this partnership existed one year and a half; 
then M. E. ^lihills bought out Mr. White ; then 
the business was continued on under the firm 
name of Harris & Mihills, which partnership 
lasted until 1875. when Mr. Harris bought his 
interest and carried on the business until 
April, 1879, when he moved to the place he 
now occupies, where he keeps a general stock 
of goods, including millinery. Feb. 22, 1855, 
was married to F. E. Jenne, who was born in 
this county, Litchfield Township, and is a 
daughter of A. S. Jenne, who was one of the 
early settlers in the county. By this union he 
had four children — Joseph W. (who, at his 
birth, had eleven grandparents), Rachel J., Ada- 
line and ■■ Bert" Is now serving as one of the 



al>y 



^ 



870 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Directors of the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Com- 
pany, which position he has filled for several 
successive years. His farm, which is adjoining; 
the town, he keeps stocked with cattle, and 
farms successfully. He is a member of the A., 
F. & A. M. Lodge, No. 137, and, like his 
father, he is true to the principles which Gen. 
Jackson advocated. 

ALBERT HARRIS, retired farmer; P. 0. 
Lodi. Prominently identified with the histor}- 
of this township is the Harris family, who.se 
name it now bears. Albert, whose name heads 
this sketch and also whose portrait appears in 
this work, was a son of Judaje Joseph Harris, 
who was horn in Middletown. Conn., and emi- 
grated West to this State in 1801, locating in 
Randolph Township, Portage Co.. where he was 
married, Dec. 20. 1807. to Rachel Sears, who 
was born Dec. 22, 1792, in Connecticut. By 
this union, two children were born — Albert and 
Elvira. His liirth occurred Sept. 20. 1808, and 
three years afterward moved with his parents 
to this township, his father having been out the 
year previous and made the selection and built 
a house for the reception of the family, which 
spot is where the town now stands. Here 
amidst the earl^- and exciting scenes attending 
the Indian war. Alliert Harris was reared. Tlie 
settlements being far distant from each other, 
his earl}' associates and playmates were the 
dusky youths of the red men. who roamed in 
lawless freedom over these hills and dales. As 
could be reasonably expected, school privileges 
were few, and Albert was not schooled within 
college walls, but received his "rudiments" 
within the confines of a log cabin, with its rude 
paraphernalia. At the age of 18. his father's 
health failing, the care of the farm devolved 
upon him. Feb. 15, 1830. he was joined in 
wedlock to Adeline DeWitt, who was born in 
Westminster. Vt. She died Feb. 21. 1873, 
leaving one child — Nelson. Since Mr. Harris' 
first arrival in this township, he has been a con- 
stant resident, and during a resi<lence of nearly 
seventy years among the varied scenes, from 
the earliest to the present, he has ever main- 
tained that uprightness and dignity of manhood 
that have been characteristic of him as a neigh- 
bor and valued citizen. Farming has been tlie 
business of his life. For several years was en- 
gaged in stock-trading, buying mostly for East- 
ern dealers. Oct. 28, 1874, he was married to 
Mrs. Lovica Parsons, whose maiden name was 



Thayer. She was a native of Massachusetts. 
The Harris family trace their nationality to 
Wales, whence emigrated three brothers, who 
settled in Middletown, Hartford and New York, 
respectivelj-. and it is supposed tliat from these 
brothers, have sprung the Harris familv. 

J. W. HARRIS, clerk, Lodi ; is of the fourth 
generation of the Harris family, beginning 
with Judge Joseph Harris : Joseph W. is the 
son of Nelson, who was the son of Albert, who 
was the son of Joseph, the pioneer of Harris- 
ville Township. Joseph W. was born Oct, 1, 
1859, in Lodi. and is the eldest of a family of 
four children born to Nelson Harris. Since at- 
tending school, he has been clerking in his 
father's store. June. 1879. he was married to 
!May Loomis. oulj- daughter of T. G. Loomis. 
one of the prosperous merchants and success- 
ful farmers in the township. One fact is 
worthy of especial mention, in connection with 
this brief sketch ; at the time of Joseph's birth 
he was blessed with eleven living grandparents. 
A. A. JOLINE, agent and farmer; P. 0. 
Lodi. The Joline family are of French ex- 
traction. Henry, the father of Aaron, was 
born in Orange Co., N. Y.. in 1797. and em- 
igrated to this State aliout the year 1820. 
locating in Cliatham. His father's name was 
John, and was born in France, and emigrated 
to the Fnited States not far from the middle of 
the seventeenth century, finally locating in 
Princeton. N. J., where Henry, his son. was 
born. Tlie elder Joline was a minister, grad- 
uated at Princeton. N. J., and for forty years 
held the pastorate of one church — Presbyte- 
rian — and was an able divine. Henry, the 
father of Aaron, was a great hunter, and the 
woods and his gun had a greater fascination 
for him than the ax or agricultural implements. 
His wife was Eleanor Parsons, whose foraily 

j were early settlers. Aaron's mother died when 
he was quite young, and he was then thrown 
upon his own resources early in life, without a 
friend or advisor. Scliool advantages being of 
a limited character, working at whatever he 
could get to do at 25 cents per day, and by the 
month, he continued on until he obtained 

' means to better his condition. April 20. 1853. 
he was joined in wedlock to Elizabeth J. 
Lewis, who was born in this township Feb. 1, 
1835; she is a daughter of Elisiia and Jane 
(Huntsman) Lewis. After Mr. Joline was mar 
ried they moved to Chatham Township, wlicn^ 






IZ 



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HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



871 



they lived until 1867, at which time they moved 
to Black Hawk Co., Iowa, where thcj- lived un- 
til 1872, then returned to Lodi. .Mr. Joline has 
an excellent stock farm of 320 acres near 
Waterloo, in Black Hawk Co., all of which is 
improved, and is now rented, bringing its 
owner a good per cent. Mr. J. has also choice 
property in town, which is snug, neat and at- 
tractive. He is a member of A., F. & A. M., 
Harrisville Lodge, No. 137, and is J. W. of 
said Ijody, and agent for the White Sewing 
Machine. 

JOSEPH W. LINNP]LL, farmer; P. O. 
Lodi ; was born in Hartford Township. Licking 
Co., Oct. 14, 1838, the eldest of a family of three 
children, who were born to Joshua P. and Han- 
nah B. Sampson. He was born in Licking Co., 
Granville Township, Dec. 11, 1809. His fa- 
ther's name was Joshua also. He is of the 
Linnell family who came from Granville, Mass., 
and located in Licking Co., in the early part of 
that county's histor}', mention of whom is 
made in the ■■ Historical Collections of Ohio." 
Mrs. Linnell, the mother of Joseph W., was 
born in Newark, Essex Co., N. J., Feb. 1-1, 
1816. She was a daughter of Benjamin Samp- 
son, who was from Pennsylvania, and was a 
hatter by trade ; afterward became a farmer, 
then settled iu the West. He died Dec. 12, 
1861. He was born in 1770. His wife (the 
mother of Mrs. L.) was Abigail Ball before 
marriage ; she was born in 1775, in New Jer- 
sey, and married in New York, and to them 
were l)orn twelve children, Mrs. Linnell being 
the fourth in order of birth ; but six of the 
number came to maturity. After Joshua P. 
was married, he settled in Licking Co., where 
he was born, making this his home until 18-12, 
when he moved to Brun.swick, this county. He 
was a trader, and dealt in patent rights, antl 
was a successful manipulator in this direction. 
He died in March, 1870, in Pittston, Penn., 
while on a business trip. Joseph W. was 
raised at home and had excellent school ad- 
vantages afforded him. attending the common 
district school, and, afterward, Heidelberg Col- 
lege at Tiffin. After leaving school, his time 
for several years, was spent in seeing the sights 
and sowing his wild grain. Jan. 18, 1870, he 
was married to Clare Partridge, who is a native 
of Licking Co., born in November, 1843, a 
daughter of David and Laura ((rale) Partridge, 
who were natives of Vermont. In April. 1872. 



Joseph moved to the farm he now owns, sit- 
uated two miles southeast of Lodi, consisting 
of 85 acres. Three childnui have been born to 
him, who are Mary, Mabel and Harry. For a 
young man, Joseph is much interested in polit- 
ical matters, and would think more highlj- of a 
man that would vote the Democratic ticket 
than one who was of his own political faith, 
and would not exercise his right of suffrage ! 
Has served the township as Trustee for two 
years, and is enterprising and thorough in his 
business transactions. 

TIMOTHY (}. LOOMIS, merchant. One of 
the prominent and influential citizens of Har- 
risville Township was born in La Fayette 
Township, Medina Co., Jan. 28, 1834. He was the 
child of Milo and Lucy Ann ((ireenl}') Loomis. 
His father was born in Litchfield Co., Conn., in 
November, 1802. He emigi-ated West with his 
family in 1833, locating in La Fayette Town- 
ship, Medina Co. At a later date, he removed 
into the Harrisville settlement, and located per- 
manentl}'. In common with nearly all of the 
other settlers, his store of earthly goods was 
rather limited. At the age of 13, young Tim- 
oth}-, the subject of this sketch, after having 
been given an education such as the settlement 
afforded, was indentured out, and, after serving 
a term of three years as clerk in the village 
store, he hired out to others, and gathered expe- 
rience and showed business tactics. At the age 
of 21, he commenced business on his own re- 
spousibilit3-, at Homer, having Mr. H. Ainsworth 
as a special partner. He remained in Homer 
two years, and then returned to Lodi, entering 
into the business firm of Mr. Ainsworth, and 
became one of its regular partners. This lasted 
for two years, and then, he, in the fall of 1856, 
embarked in a business venture of his own in 
Lodi, continuing in it until the present day. 
His portrait will be found in another part 
of this work. On March 27. 1855, Mr. 
Loomis was married to Susan Richards, who 
was born .March 25, 183(1, in Connecticut, and 
is a daughter of Chauncey and Susan (Root) 
Richards. Of this union there were two chil- 
dren, May C, now Mrs. J. W. Harris ; and 
Milo R., who died at the age of 13 ^-ears. Mr. 
Loomis and iiis wife are members, in full con- 
nection, of the Congregational Church of Lodi. 
He is als(j a member of the Masonic Order, be- 
longing to Harrisville Lodge of F. & A. M. 
In the fall of 1S61. he enlisted in Co. G. 42d 






^ 



2a: 



k. 



873 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



0. V. I. (Garfield's regiment) as private. He 
was soon elected First Lieutenant, and served 
until July. 18G2. when, on account of failing 
health, he returned to his home in Lodi. Two 
brothers. Aaron M. and Finney R., served in 
the Union armies from the beginning of the 
war until its close. Another brother is now 
Judge of Common Pleas, of Cook Co.. 111. 
Although Mr. Loomis has most of his life-time 
been engaged in commercial pursuits, his incli- 
nations are decidedly for farming. He owns 
one of the finest farms in Medina Co.. being lo- 
cated a mile west of Lodi. and embracing 375 
acres of fertile land. He was the first to intro- 
duce short-horn cattle in Harrisville Township. 
The Loomis familv traces its ancestors back to 
Joseph Loomis. who came over with the Pilgrim 
Fathers in the Mayflower. He has at all times 
been prominently identified with all educa- 
tional, religious and social movements, and has 
always taken an energetic hand to promote the 
welfare of the communitv and the countv. 

MOSES A. MIHILLS, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; P. 0. Lodi ; is among the worthj- 
}-oung farmers and representative stockmen in 
this township ; was born Sept. 29, 1840 ; a son 
of William L. ami Caroline (Frost) Mihills : he 
was born in Canada Nov. 15. 181 G ; son of 
Moses, to whom were born a family of ten 
children — William L., Washington, Xorris, 
Uriah, Darius. Sylvester, Charlotte. Mary E., 
Alice and Amanda. To Aaron Frost were born 
Caroline. Harriet, Matilda. William, John ; by 
Mr. Frost's second marriage were born Aaron, 
Rosetta, Charlotte and Sarah. William L., the 
father of our subject, came West in 1830 ; first 
located in Chatham, where he lived until 1847, 
when he purchased 50 acres in this township, 
where Moses now lives. To him were born 
four children — Merick A. 
at Painesville ; Merib A. 
wife of William >Liin ; 
borne Co.. Kan., an attorney at law. Moses 
A. was reared to farming, and has always re- 
mained on the farm. Nov. 29, 1866, married 
Blizabeth Brinker. born in Westmoreland Co., 
Penn., Jan. 17, 1844 ; daughter of Jacob and 
Margaret (Poorman) Brinker ; her father's 
name was Jacob Poorman. to whom were Ijorn 
Leonard, Jacob. Elizabeth. C'atharine. Marga- 
ret and (Jeorge. To Jacol) Brinker were born 
(ieorge, Catliarine. Henry, Mary, P]lizabeth K., 
Abram. Saraii C.. John S.: all iivins but 



now a manufacturer 

, in Ashtabula Co., the 

hee K., now in Os- 



Abram and Sarah. The familj- came West in 
185G. locating in Chatham Township. Jacol) 
Brinker was killed in July. 1876. being (57 
years old. His wife now resides in Ashland Co. 
with her children. Since Mr. Mihills' marriage, 
he has been a resident of thetarm ; has IGl acres 
of land. Since 1875, has been engaged in 
breeding and raising high-grade and thorough- 
bred short-liorns and Berkshire swine. His 
cattle are known as the Woodland herd, and 
he is doing what he can to encourage the intro- 
duction and growth of fine stock in his town- 
ship and county. Mr. ^lihills' brother Merick 
was a Lieutenant in the 178th 0. V. L. and 
served through the greater part of the war. 
Mr. Mihills is enterjirising. and deserving of 
success. He has two children — Ida M., born 
July 9. 1SG9, and Lyman U., born Sept. 13, 
1872. ?Ir. M. is a Repulilican and a worthy 
citizen of the township. 

PERRY MUNSON. farmer ; P. (). Lodi ; 
was born on the farm he now owns May 4. 
1830. His grandfather. Timothy Munson. emi- 
grated West with his famih prior to the Indian 
war, and subsequently located in this township 
upon a tract of land now owned by E. C. 
Loomis. His first place of stopping was at 
Wooster, where lie remained one season only, 
then made his final settlement in Harrisville 
Township. Perry was a son of Samuel R. and 
Maria (Stockwell) Munson. Samuel was born 
at the close of the last century, in Vermont, 
and emigrated with his parents when a youth 
to Wayne Co. He was married to Maria S. 
Sept. 10, 1820, and soon after made the settle- 
ment where Perry now resides, and was one of 
the pioneers of the neighborhood. He died 
Nov. 9. 1842. aged 43 years ; his wife Jan. 14. 
1879. Timothy Munson died Aug. 25. 1845. 
aged 78 years ; his wife, Abigail. .Alay 5. 1S2.S, 
aged Gl years. Perrv was married, at the age 
of 25. to Rebecca Dawson ; she died in ISoG. 
leaving one child — Henry I>. March 4, 1850. 
he was married to his present wife, whose 
maiden name was Emily Rogers, born March 
17, 1835. in this township; daughter of Perez 
and PoUv (Phelps) Rogers, who was born in 
New York Aug. 24. 1800. she in Jefferson Co.. 
same State. Jan. 22. 1811. and came West at 
the age of 25 : to them were Viorn four chil- 
dren ; Perez died Sept. 1. 1838. Mrs. Rogers' 
mother's name prior to her marriage was 
Cynthia Lee. who married Roger Phelps, the 









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lIAKIilSVILLE TOWjS"SHIP. 



873 



grandfather of Mrs. Perrj^ Munson. But three 
of Perry's brothers and sisters now sur\1ve — 
PoIl3-, now Mrs. John Poe, of California ; Eliz- 
abeth, now Mrs. E. Chapman, of Wisconsin, 
and Lucy, Mrs. E. F. Miner, of Homer Town- 
ship. !Mr. Munson has four children, viz., De 
Witt, Herman C, Vernon and Altha J. 

S. C. MUNSOX, stock-raiser and farmer ; 
was born March 24, 1825, in Wayne Co.. Ohio, 
the third child of a family of seven children, 
born to Henry and Mary (Cutler) Munson. The 
Munsons are of English stock, and were among 
the early settlers in Connecticnit. Isaac Mun- 
son. the grandfather of our subject, was a sol- 
dier under (^len. Washington, during the Revo- 
lutionary war, entering the ranks at the age of 

15. Henry Munson was born in 1796. and came 
West to Wayne Co., in 181(5, and was married. 
May 15, 1821, to Miss Cutler, and for nearly 
fifty years lived happily together, and raised a 
famil}', who have done honor to their parentage. 
He passed to his rest Dec. 1, 1861 ; his wife 
survived him until !May 4. 1872. Samuel did 
not leave home until 23 years of age, ^larch 

16, 1848, when he was married to Jane Hughes, 
born in Wayne Co., Franklin Township, May 
20, 1826, daughter of John and Jane (Fleniken) 
Hughes ; he was born in Fa3ette Co., Penn., 
March 13, 1785 ; she was born in Greene Co., 
Penn., and came West with her husljand in 
1816, locating in AVayne Co., Ohio. The 
Hughes are descendants from the Emerald 
Isle, and, like the Munson family, were among 
the early settlers in Wayne Co. John Hughes 
settled in Franklin and was for some length of 
time Justice of the Peace ; he died April, 1861. 
For three 3-ears after Jlr. Munson was married, 
he lived on his fatiier's farm; since 1851, he 
has been a resident of this township, and is en- 
gaged in farming and stock-raising, sheep be- 
ing the kind he deals in most, and is success- 
ful as such, as well as his general farming ; he 
has 500 acres of land, which compares favora- 
blj- with any in the township. Of seven chil- 
dren born him, but six are living — Maria, 
Sophronia, Emma, Ezra, Cephas and Matie. 
Democratic in sentiment, j'et not a partisan, he 
has always been independent of sects and de- 
nominations, and, though not at war with them, 
yet prefers to lie unbiased and untrammeled by 
any strictures as such might impose. His aim 
has been to assist and co-operate with all meas- 
ures that conduce to the public good, honesth' 



and fearlessly laboring to promote good morals 
and encourage fallen humanit3-. His benevo- 
lence and generosity are commensurate with his 
means, and he is among the stanch citizens of 
the county. 

ALEXANDER MAIN, farmer ; P. 0. Lodi ; 
is a native of Scotland, born May 13, 1807. 
His parents were William and Margaret (Reed) 
Main, to whom were born thirteen children, 
seven bo3-s and six girls. Alexander was raised 
to farming, and lived at home until he was 18 
years of age, when he decided to learn the stone- 
mason's trade. At the age of 20. he was mar- 
ried to Elizabeth Wilson, who was born July 
22, 1809. daughter of James and Elizabeth 
(Richie) Wilson. In 1835, Mr. and Mrs. JIain 
bade old Scotland good-bye, and embarked for 
America to cast their lots with the Western 
pioneers, arriving in Jul3'. The3' came to Me- 
dina Co., and located in Chatham Township, 
where he purchased 100 acres of land for $350. 
No improvement had been made ; " not a stick 
was amiss. " They erected a rough log cabin, 
12x12 feet ; parlor, kitchen, hall, dining-room 
and up stairs were all embraced in one. AVith 
some poles and an auger a bed was constructed, 
and some pegs inserted into blocks, afforded 
them chairs, and, with a few dishes they had 
brought with them from Scotland, they managed 
to make a showing of furniture, which, simple as 
it was, enabled them to make a commencement. 
They visited their neighbors, though distant, 
guided by the " blazed " trees. He subsequently 
added to his original purchase 75 acres, making 
175 in all. In 1870, he sold 100 acres at §50 
per acre, and the remaining at $35, and moved 
to Medina, purchasing 30 acres within the cor- 
poration. Disposing of it in 1873. he moved to 
Harrisville ; located on a small place three- 
quarters of a mile north of Lodi, where he and 
wife are enjoying the evening of their life in quiet 
and happiness. Of eight children born them, 
six are living — William, now of Ashtabula ; 
John, in Down ; Henry, traveling ; Elizabeth, 
Mrs. George Coy, of Westtield ; JLun-, Jlrs. 
Alonzo Hyatt, and Margaret Ann, at home. 

EDWARD MIXXS, farmer and stock-raiser ; 
P. O. Lodi. Foremost in the ranks of self- 
made men. who have arisen from povert3' to 
plenty, is Edward .Minns, who is a native of 
England, born in Norfolk Feb. 9, 1818. whose 
parents were David and .Margaret (Dunt) 
Minns, all of whom emigrated to this State in 



■fv" 



±=-i>^ 



814 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1836, locating in wliat was then Lorain Co., 
since Asliland. Edward's father was a man of 
limited means. He purchased, however, 23 
acres of laud, which he was unable to paj^ for, 
which Edward, from savings accumulated by 
dav's work, applied to the discharge of the 
debt, and sa\ed the home for his parents in 
their declining 3-ears. Edward remained with 
his parents and assisted in their maintenance 
until he was 25 years of age. Dec. 10, 1845, 
he sought the hand of Rachel Norton in mar- 
riage, who was born in Yorkshire. P^ng., Jan. 1, 
1819. Her parents were Richard and Sarah 
( Richardson ' N'ortou. Six children have 
crowned this union, viz. : Margaret ( now Mrs. 
Frank Richardson . Russell (who is now farm- 
ing in this township', Sarah P. > Mrs. H. Wag- 
goner i, Emeline and Cecelia; Nelson died in 
infancy. Mr. Minus association with this 
township began in the year 1841, when he 
worked the Timothj- Burr farm (where he now 
resides i on shares for two years. He then 
moved to Chatham Township, where he had 
purchased 120 acres of unimproved land at 
§6.50 per acre. Building a log cabin and barn, 
he lived on tliis place two years, then moved 
aci'oss the line into this township, where he had 
purchased lOO acres at 817.50 per acre. Upon 
this iarm he remained until his removal to his 
present farm, in ISiil. consisting of about 3<32 
acres, costing him nearly S9,000. He has 
since deeded to Russell his farm in the north 
part of the township, and now gives his atten- 
tion to his home farm, where he combines 
stock-raising with his farming, sheep being the 
kind he deals most in. From a poor boy. work- 
ing at low wages, making his commencement by 
day labor, cutting and splitting rails at 50 
cents per hundred, working for sucli wages he 
could obtain, making it a rule, if he could not get 
his price, he would accept such as was offered 
him, rather than remain idle. He has at 
length, by these means and the exercise of 
rigid economy, risen to liis present position. 
Is an Episcoiiaiian, receiving his confirmation 
before leavinii Knirland. 

RUSSELL E. Sunns, farmer; P. (). Lodi : 
is a young and enterprising farmer of this 
townsliip, who was t)orn March 7, 185(1. in 

Township : is the second child and only 

son l)orn to Edward Minns, one of the self-inade 
men of .\ledina ('i>. Edward was raised upon 
the farm, liaviu'r received common and select 



j school advantages. October, 1871. formed a 
matrimonial alliance with Helen F. Brown, who 

i was born in Cleveland Oct, 29, 1850. She is a 

i daughter of John C. and Orpha (Richards) 
Brown. He was born iu the Empire State in 

j 1829 ; she in Connecticut in 1S30. In 1872, 

! Russell located on th'e farm he now owns, situat- 

j ed in the north part of the township, and con- 
tains 95 aci'es, which is high, arable land. 
Four children have been born to him. three 
girls and one son, whose names are Loua E., 
Eva L., Orpha R. and Edward R. Mr. Minns 
and wife are both members of the Congre- 
gational Church, and. like his paternal ancestor, 
is a good Republican. 

SAMUEL NORTON, farming; P. O. Lodi ; 

I was born Dec. 17, 1825, in Yorkshire, England ; 
born of a family of nine children, he being the 
seventh, eight of the number lived to be grown. 
His parents were Richard and Sarah (Richard- 

j son Norton. He was born July 24, 1784 ; she 
Nov. 5, 1737. Their nuptials were celebrated 
Dec. 17, 1806. Emigrated to this township 
from England June, 1832. making his selection 
on the spot where Samuel now lives, where he 
purchased 49 acres, there being but 5 acres 
cleared. Erecting a rough cabin, he moved 
into the same ere it was graced with either 
doors or windows. Upon this plat <if land he 
spent the remainder of his life, passing over 
May 12. I860. His wife joined him June tlie 
year following. Samuel alwa^-s has lived upon 
the home place. In 1860, Jan. 6, he was mar- 
ried to Mary Jane Berge. who was born Feb- 
ruary, 1842, in SuUivau Township. Ashland 
f!o.. Ohio. She is a daughter of Jacol) and 

' Mary Ann Minns. He was l)orn Jan. 31, 
1814, in (Termany. and came to this State in 
1832. She was born April 15. 1815, in En- 
gland, and. arriving in this State, located with 

; her parents in North .Vmherst. Lorain Co. 
Mrs. Norton was the eldest of a family of five 
children. Ihrin^ girls and two l)oys. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Norton liav(! l)een born live children, 
three of whom are living, viz.. Sarah J., Clara E. 
and Eva M. George L. died aged 14 months, and 
('larence S., aged 5 months. Mr. Norton has a 
farm of 12(1 acres of land. His father was a 
miMiiber of the old-line \Vliig party. Since the 
dissolution of that party. Sanmel has l)een atlili- 
ated with the itepublican element. 

(;. S. I'ALMER, farmer; P. O. Hurbank. 
This branch of the i'almer faniilv oriijinated 



^'i 



HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



875 



from England. Three brothers emigrated to 
America several years prior to the Revolution, 
one locating in Dutchess Co., N. Y., the other 
in Connecticut, and were associated with those 
stirring and eventful scenes which occurred in 
the Colonial period. One (Jabriel Palmer 
served seven 3'ears under Gen. Washington. 
He was the grandfather of Sherwood Palmer, 
who is the father of our subject, and who was 
born in Warren Co., N. Y., May 23, 1811 ; he 
was a son of Hanmer, a native of New York, 
who emigrated West in 1816; landed at what 
is now Akron, but was then Portage Co., Nov. 
18, the family arriving the year following; re- 
mained there during the winter, and came to 
Westfield Township April 3, the ensuing year, 
where he purchased 340 acres of Thorndyke, 
remaining here until 1845, when he moved 
south into Jackson Township, Wayne Co., 
where he lived ten years, then returned to 
this county, and died at his son Sherwood's 
home, in Harrisville Township in 1871, being 
in his 93d year. His wife was a Lewis, who 
died as earl}- as 1840. The LewLses are of 
Quaker stock. Her father, or grandfather, An- 
drew, was one of three who were captured by 
the Indians and taken across the line to Que- 
bec. He was a millwright, and was engaged 
at his vocation when taken ; the object of his 
captors was, probably, the hope of a ransom ; 
after three months' captivity, he escaped from 
them, and for some time afterward kept him- 
self and family secreted in a cellar, where his 
eldest son was born. Sherwood Palmer, the 
father of our subject, was the second of a fam- 
il}' of six children, he being now the sole sur- 
vivor. When he came with his father into 
Westfield, they had to cut their way through, 
the country- being an unbroken forest. His 
early life was during the days when labor was 
severe, and compensation low. He worked 
some time on the public works and cutting 
and clearing timber, receiving therefor 37^ 
cents per day to $12.50 per month. Was mar- 
ried March" 26, 1833, to Rebecca Reynolds, 
born in Hillsboro Co., N. H., May 23" 1808. 
She was a daughter of Joseph and Rebecca 
(Ja(iueth) Reynolds. Since 1833, he has been 
a constant resident of Harrisville Township, 
having 90 acres situated in the southeast part 
of the township. To him have been born 
seven children ; all grew to manhood and woman 
hood ; they are George S., Louisa, Mrs. G. S. 



Winston; Charles H.. Milton A., Elizabeth 
(deceased) and Harriet; Alfred H. died at the 
age of 22. .^Irs. Palmer died Feb. 2, 1877 ; 
since her death his daughter Harriet keeps 
house for him. Mr. Palmer, the father of G. 
S., is a devoted member of the Masonic Frater- 
nity, as was his father, who was a Royal Arch 
Mason. Mr. Palmer has always been a stanch 
Democrat. Sent two sons to the late war — 
Milton A., who served three years in Co. K, 
16th O. V. I., and George S., who was in the 
66th 0. N. G., who was born on the farm where 
he now lives, Nov. 18, 1836. W^as married 
Jan. 5, 1859, to Sevilla Mohler, born in Wayne 
Co., Ohio, 1838 ; daughter of John and Susan 
Mohler ; four children have been born to him ; 
but two are living — Charles and Jennie L. 
G. S. is now serving as Township Trustee for 
third term. He and wife are members of the 
M. E. Church. His farm, consisting of 72 
acres, is situated adjoining Westfield Township. 
ROBERT PARK, farmer ; P. 0. Lodi ; was 
born July 6, 1808, in Beaver Co., Penn. His 
parents were David and Margaret (Pattei'son) 
Park, who were of Irish and English descent. 
John was a lad of 13 years when his parents 
came to this State, first stopping in Chester 
Township, Wayne Co., about two years, then 
moved to Congress Township. Robert left 
home before he was of age. His father was a 
cripple, and had bought land, and was unable 
to pay for it, which debt Robert took upon him- 
self to liquidate. Robert first went to work on 
the Ohio Canal, where he worked until the same 
was completed, and rode into Cleveland on the 
first boat. He then went to Pennsylvania and 
worked on the canal running from Pittsburgh 
to Johnstown ; remaining here until it was 
completed, he returned home and paid ofl" his 
father's indebtedness. He then went to Homer 
Township, where he purchased 237 acres of 
land, at $1.37i per acre, giving his horse, sad- 
dle and bridle in payment, and the balance to 
stand in yearly payments of $100 each. At 
this time there was but one other house in the 
township. Shortly after, he jjurchased 200 
acres more, at $2 per acre. Building him a 
cabin on his first purchase, he kept bachelor's 
hall for a time, which, becoming severel}' mo- 
notonous, he wooed and won the hand of Jane 
Machan. Their nuptials were dulj' celebrated 
Oct. 28, 1835. She was a native of Beaver 
Co., Penn.; she was a daughter of Robert and 



r'^ 



•^ 



ll^ 



876 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Hester (Carlin) Machan. After his marriage, 
he located in this township, where he now re- 
sides, where he had purchased 240 acres ; but 
a small portion of the same was cleared. Of 
ten children born unto him. but four are living, 
viz., David, Ilobert (in this township). Joseph 
(in Wajne Co.) and Matilda (now Mrs. E. J. 
Moore, of Michigan). Mr. Park, in his j-oung 
days, was an officer in the Light-horse Cavahy. 
His father served in the war of 1812 ; died in 
1848, aged 62. When Mr. Park first came to 
Waj-ne Co., it was fifteen miles to Ashland from 
his father's house, but one house between the 
two places, and that course was only traced by 
blazed trees. He has always been a loyal and 
true Democrat, and whose faith has ever been 
that a change in the administration is yet to 
occur. He cast his first vote for Jackson, and 
yet expects to live to see a Democratic execu- 
tive officer in the White House. Twehe years 
ago. he was stricken with the palsy, and is now, 
in a great degree, helpless, but his mind is yet 
active, and he is a gi-eat reader, and a liberal 
patron of the public journals. 

HAIL A. PRENTICE, farmer; P. 0. Lodi ; 
was born in Lodi. March. 1848 ; son of W. W. 
and P. A. (Morgan) PreiTtiee. When Hail was 
about the age of 20. his father died, and the 
care of the homestead farm devolved upon him. 
He was subsequently married to Lucy Haskius. 
whose parents were Samuel and Louisa (Kench) 
Haskins. He was a native of Canada, and 
finally located at Cleveland, where Lucy was 
born. May 14, IBfiG. Her father died when she 
was very young, and she knew Ijut little of his 
family. Her mother was born in London ; she 
is now the wife of W. W. (IriflTen, fif this town- 
ship. Since the marriage of our subject, he 
has been a resident of the old Prentice estate, 
which was settled b}- his grandfather. He is a 
young man of temperate and industrious habits 
and bids fair to become one of the township's 
prominent farmers. 

CHESTER PROITTY. farmer ; P. O. Lodi ; 
was born Sept. 28, 183fi. in La Fayette Town- 
ship ; the eldest son of W. D. Prouty. to whom 
were born two children. Feb. 3. 1859. Chester 
was married to Jane M. Logan, born Aug. 31, 
1837. in Montville Township. She is a daugh- 
ter of Robert and Jennett (Conning) Logan, 
who were natives of (ilasgow, Scotland, who 
emigrated to this country about the year 1835, 
and located in Montville Township. To them 



were born seven children, five boys and two 
girls. Four of the boys volunteered in the late 
war. Mrs. Prout3''s parents are both dead ; 
her mother died in August, 1848 ; her father 
several years afterward. After Chester's mar- 
riage, he located in La Fayette Township ; in 
1869, he moved on the farm he now occupies. 
Mrs. Prouty's parents were members of the 
" Seceders. " Mr. P. and wife are identified 
with the M. E. Church, being consistent mem- 
bers of the same. 

M. L. PANCOAST, farmer and mechanic; 
P. 0. Burbank ; is a native of the Ke3"stonc 
State, born Feb. 26, 1810, in Union County. 
His parents were William and Vashti (Cooper) 
Pancoast, who emigrated to this State in a 
wagon, when Mr. L. was a lad of 4 summers. 

; There were seven children born to them, our 
subject being the fifth in order of birth. Upon 
the family's arrival, the\" located in Wayne 

j County, near Wooster, upon 160 acres of land, 
which he had purchased previous to his arrival. 
There being no house for their reception, the^' 

' lived in their four-horse wagon until the}" could 
provide themselves with a suitable domicile. 
They drove out with them a cow, which, soon 
after their coming, got choked to death, and 
her calf, of premature birth, was skinned, and 
the family IJible was covered with the same, 
which is now held in the family as a valued 
heirloom. His father was a splendid mechanic, 
and manufactured augers and gimlets, and had 
no superior in this direction. Mr. L.. early in 
life, turned his attention to the anvil and forge, 
and though e((ual to his paternal ancestor in 
(jeiurul work, in the manufacture of tools, 
he could never come up to his standard. In 

j 1847, he was married to Marj- Cook, who was 

! born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., 1811, daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Mary (McFarland) Cook, 
both of whom were from Maryland. After 
Mr. Pancoast was married he lived eight 
years in Meigs County, where he carried on a 
large shop, running four hands. Subsequently 
moved to this township, wiiere he has been a 
resident aliout thirty-four years. Has a snug 
farm. and. for the last twelve years, has aban- 
doned his trade and attended only to his 
place. Began poor, made a good start, but 
parties owing him took the benefit of the bank- 
rupt law, and he lost nearly all he had ; went 
to work again with renewed vigor ; he soon re- 

I trieved his loss, and afterward became fore- 



^ 



^! 



'U'' 



HARRISVILLE TOAVNSHIP. 



877 



handed, and has a good home and [ilcnty for 
his maintenance. Of seven children liorn him, 
five are living — Elizabeth, Mrs. Lewis Frank, of 
INIichigan ; Mary Jane, Mrs. John flellman ; 
Samuel : William ; and Drucilla, Mrs. H. Snyder. 
He is a member of the Presbyterian Church, has 
been identified with that church for many years, 
and has always been found in Republican ranks. 
W. W. PRENTICE, deceased, l;0di ; was 
born in the p]mpire State April 20, 1818, son 
of John P. Prentice, of Yankee birth and par- 
entage. He emigrated to this county about 
the year 1829, locating in the north part of 
Harrisville Township, where he jjurchased 100 
acres of land, then densely covered with heavy 
growth of timber. Here, upon this farm, Mr. 
Prentice spent his early manhood, and was 
schooled in a log cabin, and was thus educated 
to discharge the duties which afterward de- 
volved upon him. Jan. 18, 1843, he was united 
in matrimony to Miss P. A. Morgan, who was 
born in Litchfield Co.. Conn.; was a daughter of 
Elijah and Polly (Strong) Jlorgan, who came 
West, locating in this township about the year 
1830. After Mr. Prentice's marriage, they lo- 
cated in Lodi. He was a carpenter, and fol- 
lowed this vocation for several years. Subse- 
quently, was elected Justice of the Peace, in 
which position he served the people acceptably, 
who honored him by repeated re-elections. 
During his first terms of service, before render- 
ing his decision in case of doubt, would defer 
giving it until he could consult good authority. 
His mature judgment and ripe experience, com- 
bined with his strict integrity in business atfuirs, 
being recognized, secured for him quite an 
amount of business as administrator in settling 
estates. For sixteen consecutive years, he 
meted out justice to his constituents, and died 
in the discharge of his duty. He was, for sev- 
eral years. President of the Bank at Loili. and. 
though not a member of any orthodox church, 
yet endeavored to act upon the square with all 
mankind, guided by the principles of morality 
and virtue ; was a member of the Slasonic Fra- 
ternity, and aimed to be governed bj- its pre- 
cepts. May 26, 1868, he was called from his 
labors on earth, and his remains now repose in 
Lodi cemetery, where a suitable monument was 
erected by loving hands, to perpetuate his 
memory as a worthy citizen, kind husband, and 
an afi'ectionate father. His wife and four chil- 
dren survive him — Hail, who resides on the 



Prentice farm ; Florence, now Mrs. H. Prouty, 
of La Fayette Township ; Wade and Elsie, at 
home. Mrs. Prentice is a member of the M. E. 
Church, and is yet a resident of the town. Her 
mother died March. 1876, her father about the 
year 1848. 

WILLIAM D. PROUTY, retired farmer ; P. 
0. Lodi. Is a native of Vermont, born in 
Windham Co, May 23, 1813. His father, 
Stephen, was a soldier in the Revolutionary 
war, enlisting in the service at the age of 16, 
and served in that struggle for five years. He 
was afterward married loCdith Devol, by whom 
he had eight children. William I), being the 
youngest of the numlier. The family emigrated 
to St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in the year 1826, 
when William was a lad of 13. In the spring 
of 1833, William came West, having 75 cents 
in money upon his arrival. He worked b}' the 
month for his brother some time, and after- 
ward worked by the day at 50 cents, and did 
job work wherever it was to be had. He flnalh 
purchased 135 acres of unimproved land in La 
Fayette Township, at S4 per acre, paying $100 
down. No improvements had been made, it 
was all w^oods. being at this time, but nine 
voters in the township. Erecting a rude log 
cabin, he began clearing up the timber for the 
reception of a croj). He marketed his wheat at 
Cleveland, at 3 shillings per bushel, pork being 
then sold for $1.50 per hundred, other products 
proportion atel}' low. Such articles as they re- 
quired for home consumption, were purchased 
at high rates. Dec. 17, 1835, he was wedded to 
Lydia D. Foster, who was born in Jefferson Co.. 
N. Y.. Nov. 6, 1815. daughter of Albrough Fos- 
ter. To Mr. Prouty have been born two chil- 
dren, viz.: Chester, who now occupies the home 
farm, and Luther, of Chatham Township. Dis- 
posing of the greater portion of his land to the 
infirmarj-, he came to this townsiiip in 1835. 
locating where Chester now resides, living on 
the same until May, 1879, when he left his farm 
and moved to Lodi to spend the remainder of 
his daj'S in the enjoyment of the fruits of his 
labor in quiet and retirement, enjoying the 
esteem of the citizens with whom he has been 
associated and identified for nearly one- half 
a century. Though a Democrat in principle, 
yet has never been ultra in his opinions, 
having always been contented to abide liy the 
decision rendered by the masses, and to ciieer- 
fully conform to the " ijowers that lie.' 



'■C 1 



.!. 



878 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



GEORGE REPP, farmer ; P. 0. Lodi ; born \ 
Jan. 10, 1819, in Schuylkill Co., Penn.; born of j 
a family of ten children, whose parents were 
Solomon and Eve (I)elcamp) Repp. George is 
the eldest living male representative of the Repp 
family. He was 10 years of age when he emi- 
grated West with his parents, who located in 
this township, near the place where G(!orge now 
resides, where his father purchased 438 acres ; 
but a very small portion was cleared at that 
time of his settlement, (.leorge continued his 
residence with tlie family until he was 2(1 years 
of age. About this time, he was married to 
Mary Kime, who was born in the same county 
and State. She died, lea\ing to his care three 
children — Josiah, Emeline and Polly Ann, now 
the wife of William Harvic. His present wife 
was Mrs. Sarah Kime. To them have been 
born three children, William and Iverna V. and 
Idena \ . who are twins. Mr. Repp is among 
the well-to-do farmers of the township, having 
270 acres of land. He is a member of the 
I'nited Brethren ; his wife of the P^vangelical. 

FRANK RICHARDSON, farmer; P. (). 
Lodi ; is a native of Lorain Co., Ohio, born 
Aug. 10, 1835. His parents were William E. 
and Mary (Dalton) Richardson ; both were 
born in England, and emigrating to America 
in about LS30, locating in Grafton Township, 
where they lived until their deaths. He died 
1868 ; she 1874. in March. Frank's father was 
a farmer, who raised his son to this vocation. 
At the age 19 he began the carpenter's trade, 
which he has followed since. In 18G8, he 
turned his attention to farming, which he is 
now pursuing. In 1802, he volunteered and 
was assigned to Co. B, 42d 0. Y. I.; served 
about four months, and was discharged on ac- 
count of impaired health. Feb. 8. 1860, he be- 
came the husband of Margaret Minns, born 
1845, in this township. She is a daughter of 
Edward Minns, one of the prominent farmers 
in the township. His children are Libbie, 
Charley, Cora anil Bina. Since his mar- 
riage, he has been a resident of the township. 
His farm, situated north of Lodi one-half mile, 
consists of 78f acres. He is a member of the 
Republican party, and of the Masonic Frater- 
nit}' Harrisville Lodge, No, 137. 

J. C. RlTCHFY,farmer; P. O. Lodi; is a 
son of John and Sarah (Xorton) Ritchey. John 
Ritchey was born May 21. 1815, was a native 
of Pennsylvania, and was united by marriage 



to Sarah Norton, who was born in Yorkshire, 
Eng., April 21, 1814. To them were born three 
children, whose names are Julia, who is now 
the wife of George Nelson, of Chatham ; Flora, 
wife of S. W, DeWitt, of Harrisville, and John 
C, who was born in this township Aug. 12, 1846. 
His father died July 21, the same year of 
John's birth, hence they never saw eacli other. 
John's father made his first place of settlement 
in the southeastern part of the township, on the 
farm now owned by Joe Liunell. where he was 
for some time engaged in running a woolen 
factory, the first enterprise of the kind run in 
the township ; farther notice will be made of the 
same in the history of the township. John's 
mother was afterward married to Andrew (iil- 
ley. and with them our subject lived until he 
attained the age of 25, June 12, 1872, he was 
married to Arabella Rogers, born in La Fayette 
Township April 23, 1847, daughter of Isaac 
and Isabella (Chapman) Rogers; she was the 
eldest of a famil\- of five children. Since the 
marriage of this couple they have resided on 
the farm he now owns, consi-sting of 80 acres 
on Lot 94, one mile and a half southwest of 
Lodi. Milo M. and Minnie M. are the names 
of the children born to them. 

JESSE RICHEY, deceased. The above- 
mentioned personage, who now lies slum- 
bering in the grave, was born in Westmoreland 
Co., Penn., Jan. 7, 1794 ; he was a son of John 
Richey, who emigrated West to Ohio, and set- 
tled near Wooster. Jesse Richey was twice 
married ; to the second wife, Maj- 1, 1834, 
to Eliza George, who was born Dec. 12. 
1812, in Columbiana Co., Ohio ; she was a 
daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Arm- 
strong) George. The George family are of 
Irish stock. The day following the marriage 
of Mr. Richej', he moved into this county, pur- 
chasing 1 28 acres of land in the southeast part 
of Harrisville Township — this land was entirely 
covered at that time with heavy growth of 
timber, which he cleared up ; he died at his 
home Sept 1. 1847, was a member of the I'res- 
byterian Church, and a zealous worker in the 
same, and one of the worthy ineml>ers of society 
at large. To him were born four children by 
his second marriage, viz.: Sarah, now deceased, 
was the wife ot W. B. Chapman, of La Fayette 
Township, died March 6, 1808 ; Andrew died 
Oct. 28, 1854, aged 10 years. Elizabeth, born 
in 1840, March 6, and Maria, wife of Adam 



^ € r- 






HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



879 



Shilling, of Wayne Co.; she was born Feb. 1, 
1845. The lamil>' are all members of the M. 
E. Church. Klizabeth was married in July, 
1861, to James Young, who was born in Penn- 
sylvania Jan. 23, 1830. After marriage they 
moved to Burbaiik, where he engaged in busi- 
ness ; he was among the number who offered 
up his life upon the altar of his country ; he 
was a member of Company F, 76th 0. V. I.; he 
was killed at the battle of Vicksburg. Since 
his death Mrs. Young has resided with her 
mother, who yet occupies the homestead. 

S. B. ROGERS, farmer ; P. 0, Lodi ; was 
born in this township Sept. 4, 1828, the fifth 
child and third son of his parents, Isaac and 
Anna ( Brainard) Rogers, who were among the 
pioneer settlers of this township ; he died 
March 20, I860 ; she in the year 1846. Sher- 
man left home at the age of 22, having $45 ; he 
applied it toward the payment on twenty acres 
of land. August, 1850, he was married to Par- 
melia Dean, who was a native of this township, 
whose parents were David and Sophia (Brown) 
Dean. After his marriage he located in La 
Fayette Township, where he had made his pur- 
chase, afterward adding to it 50 acres, then 47: 
subsequenth' moved into this township, where 
he purchased one-half interest in the farm he 
now owns ; has now 275 acres ; has one child, 
Wilbert \V., born 1857, who is now .settled on 
the farm, and married Jermie Gilbert. Mr. 
Rogers has devoted his life to agricultural pur- 
suits ; has always been a substantial member of 
the community ; October, 1880, was elected to 
the office of County Commissioner b}' a flatter- 
ing majority ; has always affiliated with the 
Republican party, and has ever been found 
loyal and true to the principles that part}- es- 
pouses. 

ISAAC ROGERS, bakery, Lodi ; 1825, July 
25, was one of the most important eras in the 
history of Mr. Rogers' life, as upon that da}' he 
first began his observations on the farm his 
father located upon, which was situated near 
Lodi. His father was born in Connecticut ; his 
name was Isaac, and he was married to Anna 
Brainard. to whom were born eleven children, 
Isaac being the third. The Rogers family came 
to this township in 1817; when Isaac, Sr., arrived, 
he had 50 cents in money and his ax, which he 
had bought on credit ; he, however, succeeded 
in securing 75 acres of land, which he settled 
upon. Indians still occupied and traversed 



these woods ; bears, wolves and wild game were 
in great abundance. Isaac well remembers see- 
ing his father stand in his cabin door and shoot 
deer and other wild game as they passed 
through the woods in front of their premises. 
Isaac remembers at one time, when going to 
school with his sisters, of meeting a bear with 
two cubs in the woods, the cubs playing about 
them, while the mother stood upon her haunches 
a short distance away, watching with evident 
satisfaction the antics of her ofl'spring ; the 
children, being frightened, hied themselves 
away, but not molesting the cubs they were 
not pursued. October, 1845, he was married 
to Isabela Chambers, born in Milton Township, 
Wayne Co., 1821, daughter of John Chambers, 
a native of Pennsylvania. After Isaac was 
married, he settled in La Fayette Township, 
where he engaged in farming, which business 
he has followed continuously until 1868, when 
he left his farm and moved to Lodi, where he 
has been engaged in milling and running 
butcher-shops ; more recently has been carry- 
ing on a bakery and grocery store ; has five 
children — Arabela, Mrs. John Richey ; Ursula, 
Arthur, William and Cora (Mrs. Lee Ellis). 

MRS. ELIZABETH ROGERS, farming ; P. 
O. Lodi ; was born in Germany Dec. 19, 1831 ; 
daughter of Francis and Catherine (Hanour) 
Moore, who emigrated to this State when Eliza- 
beth was a babe, locating in Stark Co. Her 
father died when she was less than two years 
old ; her mother afterward was married to John 
P. Musser, and with them she lived until her 
marriage to Joseph O. Rogers, who was born 
in this township ; son of David Rogers. After 
their marriage, they located in the northeast 
part of the township, on the Medina road, upon 
a piece of land given him by his fatlier. where 
they resided about thirteen years ; then moving 
to Harris Township, Ottawa t'o., near Toledo; 
here he had purchased a good farm, where they 
lived until 1877. He died Jan, 10. same 
year ; had purchased the Baker farm, where Mrs. 
Rogers now lives, in 1876, and purposed mov- 
ing there soon, thinking the change would be 
beneficial to his health, but death had marked 
him as his own. His remains now repose in 
the cemetery in Westfield Township, where a 
suitable monument marks his last resting-place. 
He died in the triumphs of a living faith in his 
Redeemer. He was past 52 years of age. was 
an excellent man to his family, an accommodat- 






J^ 



d^ 



880 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ing neighbor and valued citizen. In March, 
1878, !Mrs. Rogers was called to mourn the loss 
of her son, Joseph Franklin, who lost his life 
coming in contact with 'the damps." while de- 
scending a well at her home ; he was aged 21 
years 1 montli and 9 days. Emery T. died at 
the age of 4 years and some montlis; three 
cliildren are now living — Isaac A., in Chatham ; 
William H. and Ida L.. at home. Mrs. Rogers 
has 5tJ acres of land, and is comfortably sit- 
uated in life. 8he is a member of the M. E. 
(yhurch, with which her husband was ideutilied. 

JOHN STERN, farmer ; P. 0. Lodi ; born 
March 23, 1827, in Pennsylvania. His father's 
name was Christian, and he was a native of 
Pennsylvania, and was married to Elizabeth 
Miller, who was a native of ."Maryland. To them 
were Ijorn nine children, six of wliom grew to 
maturity. Emigrating West in 1820, they made 
a lialt of about three years in Wayne Co.. and 
located permauently. in 1835. on the farm now 
owned Ijy our subject ; only one-half acre was 
cleared. Upon this place they spent the re- 
mainder of their days. His death took place 
in 18G7 ; two years later, his wife joined him 
in the " house appointed for all the living." 
John has made the homestead farm his iiome 
ever since the family located. Nov. 13, 1870, 
he took the hand of Ardell-.i Smith in marriage, 
who was born in Wayne Co. July 1. 1850, being 
a daughter of (leorge and Margaret (Hutchin- 
son) Smith. He was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 
20. 1815 ; she was born in Allegheny Co.. Penn., 
April 12. 1821, and they were married Dec. 25, 
1838. To them were born nine children, six 
now living. After their union, they located in 
Wayne Co.. where they resided until 1859, 
wiien they came to this county. Mr. Smith died 
Nov. 15, same j-ear of their advent to this town- 
ship. To Mr. and Mrs. Stern have been born 
two children, whose names are Rena L. and 
Mark B. His [jarents were members of the 
church, Lutheran and Presbyterian, respectively. 
Politically, Mr. Stern was formerly atliliated 
with the Democratic party, more recently with 
the Greenijack element. He is a snug and 
economical farmer, whose real estate comprises 
75 acres of land. 

ELI Sl.MCON. farmer: P. (). Lodi ; liorn in 
Wadswortli Township Feb. 0, 1822 ; is the 
eldest of a family of children born to Benjamin 
and Jane (Falconer) Sinvcox, botii of whom were 
natives of I'ennsylvania. Benjamin was a son 



I of S-amuel Simcox, who was one of the early 
j arrivals to Wadsworth, there being at the time 
of his coming less than one-half dozen families 
in the township. In 1832, Benjamin located in 
Harrisville, on the farm now owned by Eli, 
where he purchased 144 acres, and lived upon 
the same until his demise, which occurred Dec. 
30, 1855. Since the death of his father, Eli 
' has continued his residence on tiie same place. 
March 10, 1853, he was joined in the bonds of 
matrimon}' with Polly M. Stern, born November, 
1832, who was a daughterof Christian and Eliza- 
beth (Miller) Stern. Her grandparents were na- 
tives of Germany. Mr. Simcox has a snug farm 
of 41 acres, which he farms quite successfully. 
Four children have been born to him, none of 
them are now living. His family, consisting of 
himself and wife, who enjov their solitude, but 
mourn the loss of their little ones, as those only 
who have had similar experiences. 

ALFRED SARGEANT, retired farmer; P. 
0. Lodi. Among the old residents of this 
township, who wa,s born on British soil, is the 
above-named gentleman, whose birth occurred 
May 5, 1805, in the District of Montreal, in 
Shefford Co., Lower Canada. His parents were 
Roswell and Phoebe (Allen) Sargeant, both of 
them born in Brattleboro, Vt. To them were 
born nine children, Alfred, the third in order, 
and was reared to agricultural pursuits, after- 
ward learning the carpenter's trade, wliich he 
worked at the greater pcjrtion of his life. 
March 3. 1830, he was married to Irene Brill, 
who was born April 23, 1807, at St, Armand, 
Lower Canada : daughter of W, and Eunice 
(Chapman) Brill, who were born in Dutchess 
Co., N. Y., at Fishkill, in the j-ear 1777, and 
Connecticut, respectively. Mr. Sargeant, like 
many others, in order to better his condition, 
emigrated West, and cast his lot with the rug- 
ged frontiersmen who had preceded him, he 
reaching this State upward of fifty years ago, 
and, since 1838, he has been a resident of this 
township. His first purchase was 50 acres, for 
which he paid $8 per acre ; afterward added to 
it until he now has 110 acres, situated in the 
nortli part of tile township. Has now retired 
from active business, his farm being carried on 
b\' his son. Mr. Sargeant has been a man of 
good information, iiaving been considerable of 
a reader and close observer. Eight chihlren 
have been born to him, five of the number liv- 
ing, who arc Elnathan S,; Freedom E., now 






^ 



L^ 



HARRISVILLE TOWNSHIP. 



881 



Mrs. John N. Ward ; Harry A., iu Iowa; Al- 
fred A.; and Irene A., Mrs. William Sajies. 
Politically, he is on the side of Repuldieanism 
and its principles. 

ALBKRT H. SANFOllD, farmer; P. O. 
Lodi. Mr. Sanford now resides upon the same 
plat of ground where he was born, which event 
took place Pel). 24, 1835, where his father, 
Beers Sanford, located in 1833. AUiert's moth- 
er's maiden name was Rachel Ackerley, and 
was married, in New York, to Beers Sanford, ' 
who was a native of Chenango Co., and of 
Yankee stock, the Ackerleys being of Dutch 
extraction. To this couple were born nine 
children, two sisters and seven brothers, Albert ' 
being the youngest of the family. With the 
exception of two j-ears which he spent in Mich- 
igan, he has been a constant resident of the 
township. In December, 1863, he went out 
with Co. E, 128th (). V. I., and remained with 
them until the termination of the war. In No- 
vember, 1857, he became the husband of Har- 
riet Bissell, born Feb. 3, 1831), in New York; 
daughter of John and Harriet (Parker) Bissell. 
This couple emigrated West in 18-15, locating 
in Chatham Township. Mr. Bissell is a native 
of Otsego Co., N. Y., his wife of Massachu- 
setts. To Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have been 
born two children — Rilej* A., died eight months 
from birth, and Harmon, born April 12, 1867. 
Both Mr. S. and wife are members of the M. 
E. Church. His farm of 57A^ acres is well 
tilled, and yields the possessor a good return 
for his lalwr rendered. His (arm is located in 
the north part of the township, and has never 
changed hands since his father located upon it, 
in 1833, when it was unimproved and covered 
witli a heavy growth of forest trees. 

GEORGE; L. SHAW, farmer ; I'. 0. Lodi ; 
the Shaws are of Scotch descent. George was 
born April 7, 1828, in Orleans Co., Vt.. being 
the third of a familj' of six children born to 
his parents. Hiram and Mahala (Washliurn) 
Shaw; he was born 1800 in Massachusetts, she 
one year later in Vermont; 1834, came West 
to Wayne County, locating in Canaan Town- 
ship; 1838, they moved to Medina County, 
locating in Guilford Township, where he made 
his first purchase of land. George began learn- 
ing his trade at the age of 19, as carpenter and 
joiner. Aug. 3, 1849, was married to C3'nthia 
Litchfield, who was born in Canandaigua Co.. N. 
Y., Sept. 12, 1825, whose parents were Israel 



and Chloe (Keth) Litchfield, both born in 
Hampshire Co., Mass., and settled in Lorain 
Co., Ohio, 1833, when leaving the Ba3' State. 
George L. was married in Lorain, where he 
found his wife ; living here two years after 
marriage, he removed to Whiteside Co., 111., 
purchased 80 acres of land, remaining two 
years and a half, wiien he returned to this State ; 
he located in Wellington, where he engaged in 
the grocery business two years ; 1859, he pur- 
chased 184 acres in Westfield Township, which 
he retained about ten years ; leaving the farm 
in 1867, he located in Lodi, and has since been 
a citizen of the town ; has since sold his land ; 
1870, he started a cheese-factory at this town, 
which he conducted successfully- about six 
j'ears. Of four children born him, two are now 
living, viz. : Hubert L. and Alvin L. ; Ethan 
A. and Frank C. died at the ages of 12. Since 
the organization, he has been a member of the 
Kepublican party. Mr. Shaw is self-made ; what 
he has accomplished in life, has been done by 
hard toil and economy. Mrs. Shaw was the 
fifth child of a family of nine, all of whom 
grew to maturit}'. 

HENRY SELDERS, blacksmith, Lodi; was 
born Jan. 24, 1829, in Tuscarawas Township, 
Stark Co., Ohio. His parents were natives of 
Pennsj'lvania. His father was born about the 
year 1772, and emigrated West soon after the 
expiration of the war of 1812, when he after- 
ward married Mary Aukerman, to whom were 
born eight children, Henry being the j'oungest. 
The family arc somewhat remarkable for their 
longevity ; three of his grandparents lived to he 
over 100 years of age, one lived to be 101, 
another 103, and the other, 105. George Sel- 
ders, the father of Henry, was a blacksmith, 
which trade, having attractions to his son, he, 
likewise, turned to it naturally; his father pur- 
chased land and cleared it up. yet did it through 
others, he, himself, worked continuously at his 
trade, hiring others to do the farm work. 
Henry left home at 18, when he went to Holmes 
Count}-, where he learned his trade ; after its 
completion, he i-eturned to Stark County, where 
he worked a short time, afterward worked 
nearly two years in Wayne County. Sept. 4, 
1850, he came to Lodi, where he afterward asso- 
ciated, in a business way, with W. B. Gaj'lord, 
for about five years ; since that time, has been 
doing business upon his own account, formerly 
did general blacksmithing, but. of late years, 



V 






882 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



makes more a specially of horseshoeing, being 
one of the best in the country ; although com- 
ing here poor, he has since acquired a good 
property and a pleasant home. Has always 
been identified with the Republican party, has 
filled different offices of trust and responsibility 
as Trustee of the Academy, Director and Teller 
of the bank, and is now serving as Township 
Trustee, which he has filled for thirteen years ; 
has always been on the side of progress, a man 
of sound judgment, public spirited, and a use- 
ful citizen in the community. June 10, 1854, 
he was married to Juliet Towslee. who was 
born Feb. 22. 1832. in Chenango Co.. N. Y., 
daughter of Darius and Sarah Marsh. He was 
born in Nine Partuers Township, Dutchess Co., 
N. Y., Dec. 24, 1778, and died Sept. 20, 1850 ; 
she was born Nov. 21, 1787, in Bennington. Vt. 
To Mr. Selders has been born one sou, Adel- 
bert, who was born March 14, 1855. 

DYER STRONG, retired farmer ; P. 0. Lodi. 
Mr. Strong, whose portrait appears in this book, 
was born March G, 1802, in Litchfield Co.. Conn., 
town of Warren, son of Stephen and Lydia 
(Hine) Strong, to whom were born seven chil- 
dren, he being the sixth in order. Dyer was 
raised to farming, and remained with his par- 
ents until he was married to Hannah Griffcu. 
born July 17, 1809, daughter of John and 
Electa (Wares) Griffen, who were born, respect- 
ively, in Connecticut and Vermont. Their wed- 
ding was duly celebrated Feb. 5, 1831. Soon 
after their marriage, they came West, locating 
in this township, on 90 acres of land, which he 
had purchased the fall previous. Building him 
a log cabin in the woods, they lived happily to- 
gether for years. Soon the forest was hewn 
down, and the old log house was replaced by 
one more convenient and modern. In 1867. 
having his farm under excellent improvements, 
and being desirous of retiring from business. 
he sold his farm, and has since been a resident 
of Lodi, where he is ver^' comfortably and 
neatly situated, having built all of his build- 
ings according to his own plans, and has everi'- 
thing handy and convenient about him. and is en- 
joying the evening of his life in peace and (juiet- 
ness. No children have graced their fireside. 
The only thing that will be left behind him to 
perpetuate his memory is a beautiful shaft of 
Scotch granite, which he has caused to be 
erected in the cemetery adjoining the town, 
which was erected at considerable expense. 



Though not a member of any church or soci- 
ety, he has ever been charitably disposed. 

G. W. TOWSLEE, farmer; P. O. Lodi; was 
born June 10, 1825, in the town of Smithville, 
Chenango Co., N. Y.; is of a numerous progenj-, 
of a family of fourteen children, who were born 
to Darius and Sallie (Marsh) Towslee. The 
Towslees are of French origin. Three brothers 
of that name emigrated to America many years 
ago, and from them have descended all those 
of the name. Darius was born in ■ Nine Part- 
ners," Vt., and went from there to the Empire 
State, and finally to this State, locating in this 
township in 1839, purchasing 87+ acres, but a 
small portion of which was cleared, having a 
small cabin and log shed, and threshing-floor 
outside. George W., being a lad of 14 years 
at the time of his father's arrival, well remem- 
bers the unpromising surroundings. His par- 
ents remained on this farm until their death. His 
fatherdied Sept. 21. 1850. aged 71 years9 months 
and 4 days ; she, Sept. 16. 1858. aged 70 years 
9 months and 26 days. June 10. 1854. George 
was married to Maria Pollock, who was born in 
Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio, July 26, 1826. whose 
parents were Samuel and Sarah (Harper) Pol- 
lock ; both were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Towslee is among the well-to-do farmers in the 
township ; has a farm consisting of 220 acres 
of excellent land, all of which is under cultiva- 
tion except 20 acres. In connection with his 
farming, he is interested in the township dairy, 
and furnishes about twenty cows for the same. 
His familj- consists of two daughters — Lillie 
G., graduating in June, 1881, in the Conserva- 
tory of Music at Oberlin ; Ella Harper, a miss, 
now " sweet 16. " Mrs. Sarah E. Pollock died 
Dec. 1, 1870; Samuel, her husband, in July, 
1874. Mrs. Towslee is a member of the Con- 
gregational Church. 

A. B. TAYLOR, manufacturer, Lodi. Among 
the young representatives of this township, who 
have a bright and prosperous future awaiting 
them, is A. B. Taylor, who was born in this 
count}- July 12, 1846. the only son of John 
Taylor, one of the prominent and self-made 
men of this township. Mr. Taylor's father was 
a tinner. This business not interesting him 
sufficiently to make it a life business, he en- 
teral the store of T. G. Loomis at the age of 
14, remaining with him until 18 years of age, 
at which time he engaged in business, under tlie 
firm name of F. R. Loomis & Co., at Lodi, 



^'^ 



lL±^ 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



883 



which relation existed a term of years ; then 
F. R. Loomis dropped out, T. G. taliing his 
place. The new firm was then known as 
Loomis & Taylor, which partnership lasted nn- 
til 1877. Since 1874, Mr. Taylor has been 
Postmaster at this place. Sept. 1. 1869. he 
was married to Mary J. Strong, who is a native 
of Westfleld Township. Both he and wife are 
members of the Congregational Church. Mr. 
Taylor is now engaged in running his mills at 
Lodi. Has recently refitted the mill property 
formerly owned by Mr. English. In connec- 
tion with his saw-mill, he has a planing-machine 
and turning-lathe, where he is prepared to do 
work in that line, and is also manufacturing 
step-ladders and clothes-racks, which are ligiit. 
durable and cheap. This enterprise of Mr. 
Taylor's is destined to be a very useful one to 
the people and lucrative to its proprietor, who 
is a 3'oung man of thorough business qualifica- 
tions, and will drive his business in such a 
manner as to insure success. 

JOHN WISE, farmer ; P. 0. Lodi ;. first 
saw the light of day June 1, 1832, in Congress 
Township, Wayne Co.. Ohio. His father's 
name was Peter, who married Christina Grove. 
They were natives of Pennsylvania, and emi- 
grated to Wayne Co. about the year 1820, and 
were among the early settlers in that locality. 
To them were born ten children, John being 
the sixth in order of birth. Nine of this num- 
ber gi'ew to maturity. After many years of 



usefulness in his " day and generation," he 
passed over in February, 1875, being at the 
time of his death 77 }-ears of age. His death 
occurred in Indiana, where he had moved in 
1858. His wife still survives him. Farming 
being the business to which John was raised, 
he has continued at the same since he has been 
doing business for himself In 1854, he caught 
the gold fever, and straightwa}' turned his 
course to California, where he spent five years. 
A portion of the time he was engaged in min- 
ing, and afterward worked in a grist and saw 
mill in Oregon. Finally returned to his native 
State with more experience than money, and, 
though the expedition, he states, was a financial 
failure, j'et he has never regretted making the 
trip. June 7, 1858, he was married to Eliza 
J. Pittenger, who was born in Wayne Co,, 
daughter of Thomas and Catharine (Smith) 
Pittenger, who were of Irish descent. On her 
father's side, the familj' are of Dutch descent, 
her grandfather being a native of Holland. In 
1860, John located in Spencer Township, where 
he purchased 80 acres. He j-emained there 
until 1865, when he moved to his present 
home, two miles southwest of Lodi, where he 
has 202 60-100 acres of choice bottom land. He 
has six children — William A., Peter, Thomas, 
Mary, Maggie and Minnie, He began poor, 
having no aids to begin with, excepting his 
hands and inclination. He and wife are mem- 
bers of the M. E. Class at Lodi. 



WESTFiELD TOWNSHIP. 



GOTTLEIB BURRY, farmer ; P. O. Friends- 
ville ; was born Oct. 1, 1825, in Beaver Co., 
Penn. ; the fourth child of his parents, who were 
John and Ann Buny, both natives of Switzer- 
land. His parents emigrated to Fairfield Co., 
this State, in 1824, but, finding the oountj' very 
sparseh' settled and sickly, they removed to 
Beaver Co., Penn., where they lived about 
twelve 3'ears ; then located in Butler Co, His 
business was that of a drover and stock-trader. 
He had a farm, which was generally carried on 
bj' his boys, his time being mostly employed 
away from home in the prosecution of his busi- 
ness, the nature of which gave him quite exten- 
sive travel and acquaintance with the people. 



Gottleib remained upon the farm until he at- 
tained man's estate, about which time he was 
joined in wedlock to Susan Sechler, their nup- 
tials being duly solemnized April 16, 1846. 
She was born in Butler Co. Jan. 14, 1827, 
daughter of Abram Sechler, whose wife was a 
Boyer. After marriage, he engaged in farming 
upon his own account. Afterward purchased 
his father's farm, where he remained until his 
emigration to this place, which occurred April 
2, 1866, where he purchased 138 acres of land ; 
has since added to the same until he has 242 
acres. Of ten children born him, but six are 
living, viz,, Abraham, John F,, Mary A., Sarah, 
DaNid and Ellen ; of those deceased are Calvin, 






V 



884 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



who died in Peiins34vania at the age of 6 ; 
Sammie, when 4 years, of scarlet fever ; Charles 
met with a sudden death on the farm at the age 
of 12 ; he w;is thrown from a horse and killed ; 
Nancy died after attaining to ripe womanhood. 
Abraham and John F. are married and doing 
for themselves. The former married Elmira 
Fox, daughter of Aaron Fox. John F. married 
Ellen Unaugst. Mr. Burry's farm is located 
about one mile and a half north of Morse's 
Corners, and is one among the best farms of the 
neighborhood. For several years past his 
health has been very much impaired — heart 
disease and lung trouble being the principal 
ailments. Mr. B. is one of the representative 
men in his neighborhood ; is a successful farm- 
er ; a man of extensive reading and a candid 
thinker, and never adopts any new measure or 
theory, without first weighing the matter in all 
its bearings. As a business man, he is just 
and upright in all his transactions. Is a friend 
to progress, and has been liberal in his contri- 
butions in the support of the Gospel and of the 
church. Is one of the efficient members of the 
Reformed Church of this township. 

EZRA BOOTH, farmer ; P. 0. Le Roy ; is a 
son of one of the prominent farmers and agri- 
culturists of the county. Ezra was born Aug. 
18, 1816, in Belmunt Co., the third of a family 
of nine children, live .sons and four daughters, 
all of whom were born to Levi and Olive (Coe) 
Booth. Levi was born near Hartford. Conn., 
she in Massachusetts. When a young man. 
Mr. Booth, the father of our subject, came to 
Wheeling, where he served some time as Dep- 
uty Sheritf, under his uncle, who was Sheritf. 
He afterward returned to Connecticut, where 
he was married ; subsequently moved to Meigs 
Co., then to Athens Co. ; afterward came to 
Portage Co.. in 1832 ; then sold out and moved 
to Orange, then to Brooklyn, then to Cuyahoga 
Co. ; finall}' located in this county and town- 
ship, in 1842, where he purchased several hun- 
dred acres of land ; afterward returned to 
Athens Co., where he remained several years ; 
after making several changes, died at Brook- 
lyn, in 186(5. being 73 j'ears of age. His wife 
is now living, being 87 j'ears of age. Mr. 
Booth was a man of excellent business (juali- 
fications, and an upright and conscientious 
Christian gentleman ; was for man^- years an 
active member of the M. E. Church ; he was a 
warm friend of Bishop Morris and other prom- 



inent church officials. His house was often 
their home and place of meeting. Ezra, our 
subject, left home when a lad in his teens. His 
first adventures were in Meigs Co. After 
making several changes, he finalU" came to this 
county and located on the farm he now owns. 
In Novemlier, 1S48, he was married to Julia 
Jones, born in Waj-ne Co., (_)hio, in 1828. She 
was a daughter of Sj'lvanus Jones, F]sq. Mr. 
Booth has 228 acres of land. Since 1874, he 
has been a resident of Le Roy or WestBeld 
Center, to secure the school advantages af- 
forded. Has seven children, all at home, Mr. 
Booth and wife are members of the Methodist 
F]piscopal Church, and are surroiuided by all 
the comforts and conveniences that affluence 
affords. 

OLIVER M. COin.TER, farmer ; P. 0. Se- 
ville ; whose portrait appears in this book ; was 
born Jan. 17, 1820, in Fayette Co.. Penn., the 
youngest of a family of four children, but two 
are now living — Elma. Mrs. George Palmer, of 
Guilford, and our worthy- subject are the sole 
survivors of the Coulter famil}-. His parents 
were Samuel D. and Nancy (Stewart) Coulter. 
He was born Dec. 10, 1784, in Bedford Co., 
Penn. ; she in same county, March 4, 1792. 
They were married in 1 81 2. She was a daughter 
of John and Rhoda (Shin) Stewart, to whom 
were born four children — Charles, John, Mary 
and Nanc}'. Their parents were born as fol- 
lows : John Stewart, Feb. 15, 1756 ; Rhoda 
Shin, July 25, 1765, Shortly after the marriage 
of Samuel D. — the war then lieing in progress — 
he turned out, and was assigned to Capt. Wads- 
worth's company, and, being superior as a judge 
and manager of horses, he was assigned duty as 
teamster, and drove one of the first teams loaded 
with provisions for the soldiers on the road 
leading from Pittsburgh to Ft. Stevenson. He 
was at one time the bearer of a very important 
dispatch from (xen. Harrison to Ft. Stevenson, 
making the trip safely and with haste. After 
the war, he came to Fayette Co., Penn. : from 
here he removed to Jefferson Co., and flnallj- 
died of cholera while on a business trip to In- 
diana, in August. 1832. About four vears aft- 
erward. Oliver and his mother came to this 
State, locating where he now resides, purchas- 
ing at first 70 acres, at $15 per acre ; about 20 
of the number was " slashed." They began in 
pioneer style ; lived in a small cabin, with pun- 
cheon floor, for four years ; sat on stools, not a 



-^7 



^1 



AVESTFIELl) TOWNSHIP. 



885 



chair in the house at this time ; for a l)ed. Oli- 
ver knocked out the chinking of the cabin at 
the side, and inserted cross pieces, which was 
upheld witii a support on the inside ; this con- 
stituted their bedsteads. He has now in the 
house a set of chairs (splint bottom), the first 
that succeeded the stools. For twenty-four 
years, Oliver never was ab.sent from his mother 
overnight ; he was ever a kind and dutiful son 
to her. She died Oct. 10, 1876. and for many 
j'ears was a member of the M. E. Church, and 
a noble woman and indulgent paient. Oliver 
has in his possession a heavy pair of silver- 
framed spectacles which she owned, which fell 
to her from her grandmother ; also, two patch- 
work quilts of her haniliwork, which are models 
of workmanship, which he prizes most sacredly. 
He has also a i)iece of old Continental money 
of early date. Oliver is yet a bachelor, good- 
natured and jolly ; is intelligent and well read 
in the sciences and medicine. He has a farm 
of 171 acres, which is located two and a half 
miles from Seville. 

HARRIET H. DICKEY, farmer; P. O. Chip- 
pewa Lake ; was born Aug. 22, LSI 6, in Camil- 
lus Township, Onondaga Co., N. Y. Her parents 
were David and Cornelia (Houk) Hugunin. both 
of whom were natives of New York. To them 
were born twelve children, who are Betsey, 
Rachel, Martin, Lucinda, Jacob, Harriet, Peter, 
David, Chester, Hiram, John and Nancy, all of 
whom lived to be grown and married except 
Martin, who was a bachelor, and died in the 
late war. The above-mentioned sisters and 
brothers are scattered over several States — 
Betsey in Wisconsin, Lucinda in New York, 
Peter in Minnesota, David in Michigan, Chester 
in Wisconsin, Hiram in Michigan, John in this 
township, Nancy in Indiana ; the others are 
now deceased. Peter Hugunin, the grandfather 
of Mrs. Dickey, was a native of Holland, as 
was her mother, who came over when a babe, 
October, 1833, landing in this township Oct. 8, 
when she was 17. Her father was in poor 
health, and was unable to give his children anj- 
assistance, further than good advice and coun- 
sel. She worked out bj- the week at 75 cents, 
continuing three 3'ears, and gave the result of 
her earnings to her parents to assist in their 
maintenance. Feb. 28, 1839, she became the 
wife of Samuel R. Dickey, who was born Jan. 
9, 1817, in Jetferson Co., N. Y., son of John 
and Polly (Ramsej-) Dickey. He was born in 



Pennsylvania, she in Virginia. After their 
marriage, thej* began keeping house near where 
she now resides. Their commencement was on 
a cheap scale. Their home was a log cabin 
with puncheon floor, bedstead made of poles, 
had board table, and stools took the place of 
chairs, and, with a few old disiies and a kettle, 
they managed to get along until they could 
afford better. For three years she never bought 
a yard (jf cloth ; she spun, out of flax, material 
for sheets and clothing. After making their 
purchases for keeping house, Mr. Dickey had 
two shillings left, which he kept, as he said, for 
a " nest-egg," for years afterward. The place 
where the}' settled was but 3 acres cleared, but 
soon Mr. Dickey had a large portion of his 
place improved, he being a ver^- hard-working 
man. They moved to the place she now lives 
in 1850. Mr. Dickey died in 1871. on his birth- 
day. He died from a tumor, which was ex- 
ceedingly painful, making his life, during the 
last six months, almost unendurable. He was 
a man of good information, was a great reader, 
and took a lively interest in political matters. 
Since his death, the care and the responsibility 
of the farm has rested upon her mostly. Mr. 
Dickey was successful in his business affairs, 
having, at the time of his death, 340 acres. 
Since the division among the children, Mrs. 
Dickej- has now 240 acres. Four children — 
Mary, Mrs. G. A. McCabe ; Alice, Mrs. Jacob 
Schemp ; Martha J., Mrs. W. Emmons ; and 
John, who resides with his mother. Since Mrs. 
Dickey was 18 years of age, she has been a 
member of the M. E. Church. She has a good 
home, and ample property to maintain her 
handsomelv as long as she may be spared. 

DA VID^ DUDLEY DO WD, farmer; P. 0. 
Pike Station ; whose portrait appears in this 
book, was born in the town of Saybrook, 
Middlesex Co., State of Connecticut, June 10, 
1806. His father was Luther Dowd, born in 
the town of Guilford, Madison Co., in the year 
1770. whose father was Ebenezer. who was the 
son of Ebenezer. The Dowd family originated 
from one Henry Dowd, who emigrated from 
Wales to Connecticut, near New Haven, in 
1639. The mother of our subject was Abina 
Field, sister of Dr. Field, who was the father of 
C3rus W. Field, of submarine telegraph fame. 
Her father was Capt. Timothy Field, who com- 
manded a company in the Revolution. His 
father's name was Zachariah, who, for his tiiird 



^FU 






it 



^ 



BIOGRAPHICAL .SKETCHES: 



wife, married a young woman, Timoth}- being 
the issue ; were it not for tliat alliance, Cyrus 
W. miglit not have Ijeen born. Ebenezer Dowd 
served througli ttie war of tlie Revolution, re- 
turning home unharmed. Luther Dowd died 
in 1820. Shortly- after, our sulijeet began the 
carpenter's trade, which he soon abandoned for 
the blaclfsmith occupation. In 1829, Jan. 15, 
he was married to ^L'^rv Harris, who was born 
July 16. 1803. in Killingworth, Conn., who was 
a daugliter of Dyer and Temperance (Waters) 
Harris. Her father. Elijah Waters, was an old 
Revolutionary soldier, and died at the age of 
98. In the spring of 1831. Col. Dowd emi- 
grated West, locating at Seville, where he fol- 
lowed his trade three years ; then moved north 
of the town, and engaged in farming for six 
years ; then returned to Seville, and engaged 
in milling for eight years, and for fifteen years 
was engaged in the hotel business at that place. 
In 1854, removed to Kankakee Co., 111., where 
he pre-empted a farm of 160 acres, where he 
stayed five years ; returning to this county, was 
for eight years mail contractor and ran stage 
and mail line to Cleveland. From 1862 to 
1866, was United States Assessor and Internal 
Revenue Collector, and dealt in real estate — 
mostly in Western lands. His wife died in 
1875, leaving three children, eight having 
been born : >Iary E.. Mrs. Parker ; Mrs. C. M. 
Strong, of Colorado ; and Manford M. During 
the times when •' general training " was in 
vogue, our subject was Colonel of the 2d Regi- 
ment. 3d Brigade. 9th Div.. 0. M. July 18, 
1878, he was married to Mrs. Mary Decker, 
who was a native of Ashland Co., daughter of 
John and Mary Denham. He was born in 
Pennsylvania. Lancaster Co.; he died in 1876, 
being 77 years of age. She was born May 
24. 1804. in same count}'. They emigrated 
West, and were among the early settlers. 
Mrs. Dowd's first luisliand was Rev. Auga.stus 
Decker, horn in l*ennsylvania. 1838; son 
of Jacol) and Sarah Decker. To Mrs. Decker 
were born by him two ciiildren — Sidney E. and 
Benjamin F. Mr. and Mrs. Decker have one 
child —John H. Moved to his present home in 
1873 ; the year following, built his present 
residence. He has always been a stanch mem- 
ber of society ; his experience in life, though 
varied, has generally been characterized by suc- 
cess. In the times of slavery, he wa-s ever in 
sympathy with that down-trodden race, and did 



what he could to ameliorate their condition 
through the ballot box, and was alwa^'s ready 
to give the fleeing one shelter and substantial 
aid. He has ever been a man of temperate 
habits, and would rejoice to see the triumph of 
the prohibition element. For years he has been 
a consistent member of the Presbyterian 
Church. He is a liberal patron of the public 
journals, and is a friend to progress, and a 
worthy citizen of the commonwealth. 

S. A. EARL, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. 
Friendsville. Esquire Earl was born in Guil- 
ford Township, this county. Jan. I. 1831. His 
parents were Henry W. and Lucinda (Morgan) 
Earl. He was born about the year 1797. in 
New Jersey ; was a blacksmith by trade, learn- 
ing the same in New York City. Was there 
married to his wife in 1819. who was born in 
Truxton. Jefferson Co.. N. Y.. 1803. After their 
marriage, they emigrated West to this State, 
selecting as their place of location what is now 
Seville, where he engaged at his trade, his shop 
being located where the bank now stands. Re- 
maining here until 1831. he then removed to the 
west part of the township, at Morse's Corners, 
and there followed his trade for several years. 
Was a member of the Baptist Church. His 
death occurred November, 1865. His widow 
is yet a resident of this township. Stewart A. 
left home at the age of 12 years. He worked 
out two summers, attending school during the 
winter, working for his board. At the age of 
14. went to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving 
four years apprenticeship. He then engaged in 
business for himself, and followed it until 1868. 
For a short time carried on a store at the 
Corners. May 15. 1851, was married to Eunice 
Chapman, who was born in this township. 
March 27, 1831. whose parents were James and 
>Lary (Hammond) Chapman. He was a native 
of New York, and came West with Warren 
Brainard, locating in the west part of the town- 
ship, and cut the first tree in that locality. His 
first wife was Kunice Brainard. Mr. Chapman 
fii'st purchas(>d fifty acres, which he cleared, 
then moved south a short distance, where he 
purchased 200 aci'es. and improved it. Re- 
mained here until his death, which occurred in 
1851. His wife preceded him oue year. Siie 
was born in Hartford, Conn.. 1796. Came West 
with her father, Jason Hammond, who pur- 
chased 600 acres in Summit Co., Ohio, the 
place being afterward known as Jason's Cor- 



-RT 



WESTFIEI.D TOWNSHIP. 



887 



ners. He was a man of considerable wealth, 
but going bail down East. Lis resources were 
crippled in consequence, and came West to re- 
trieve his loss. Since 1870, Mr. Earl has been 
a resident of the place he now owns, consisting 
of 80 acres, formerlj- the Chapman property. 
Mr. Earl is now serving as Justice of tiie Peace 
for the third term, with credit to liim.self and to 
the evident satisfaction of the people. He is 
interested in the best stock of horses, keeping 
the Ch'des and Hiatogas. and breeds for tlie 
market. Also keeps Durham cattle, and is doing 
all he can to raise the grade of stock in this 
countrJ^ Of five children born, but two are 
living — Earnest H. and Maude P. Ladora F. 
and Clara, died young. Linna at the age of 15. 
J. R. ENGLAND, lumber and farming ; P. 
0. Le Roy, John was born Feb. 15, 1842, in 
Clearfield Co., Penn., is the second child of a 
family of eleven children born to Theodore 
and Martha (Spencer) England. Theodore I). 
England, was born in the same county Aug. 
14, 1817 ; he w:i8 a son of Job and Martha 
(Williams) England. The family are of Irish 
and Scotch descent. Mrs. England's father's 
name was Joseph Spencer, who was married to 
Lydia Moore, and to them were born ten chil- 
dren, Mrs. England being the fiftii child ; she 
was married to Theodore D., Nov. 25, 1838, 
and emigrated West about the year 1855, lo- 
cating in La Fa3'ette Township. Mr. England 
was carpenter and millwright, which business 
he followed in Penn., and though he owned and 
carried on a farm there, yet his attention was 
chiefly given to mechanics and working about 
machinery. Upon his arrival here, he pur- 
chased a farm in La Fayette Township, with 
the intention of settling down to farming pur- 
suits, but soon returned to his first love, after a 
residence of two years there, exchanging his 
farm for the mill property now owned by his 
sons, John R. and Miles, situated one-half mile 
west of the center ; shortly afterward he built 
a grist-mill, which was run in connection with 
the saw-miil ; he died Maj- 22, 1870. There 
were eleven children born him. ten living — 
Lydia A., John R., Miles S., Hannah J., Joseph, 
Nathan. William, James, Vina and Theodore D. 
Prior to the death of his father. John and his 
brother ^liles purchased the mill property-, and 
have since conducted the business. Soon after 
their ownership tliey removed the grist-mill to 
Lodi, selling it to other parties, the lumber bus- 



ness being all they could attend to. They buy 
timber and manufacture the same at their 
mills, shipping to Cleveland, and are doing 
a thriving business, al.so do custom sawing, 
when not otherwise employed. November, 
18G6, J. R. was married to Sarah Bottortf, who 
was born in Chester Township, Wayne Co., 
Ohio. Sept. 21, 1846 ; her parents are Jona- 
than and Elizabeth (Kindy) Bottorfl', both na- 
tives of Pennsyh'ania ; her father came west to 
Columbiana Co. on horseback, fording streams ; 
was a millwright and l)uilt the first log mill in 
the county ; he finally located in Wayne Co., 
and purchased a farm ; is a resident of this 
township, and is past 90, years. Mr. England's 
residence is situated one-half mile south of the 
Center, where he has 4G acres of land. His life 
and dealings have been of such a character as 
to entitle him to the confidence and esteem 
with which he is held in the eommunitj' ; has 
two children — Lodema May and Clement Miles. 

1 MRS. LOUISA EDWARDS, retired. Seville. 
Mrs. Edwards is a representative of the St. 
John family, who were among the early settlers 
in this township. Their first settlement was in 
the southern part of the township, on the farm 
where Jlrs. Bauer now resides. Here the fami- 
ly- settled and grew up with the country', and 
were among the substantial members of the 
commonwealth. The St. Johns, including the 
Whitney family have a very extensive family 
history written up, which gives an account of 
the family for nearly three hundred years 
back. The St. Johns are from the Eastern 
States. Myron St. John, the tather of Mrs. 
Richards, was born in Weybridge, Vt., June 
12, 1792, and moved with his parents to Fabius. 
N. Y., in 1797. Myron was a son of Elijah 
St. John, who was born in November, 1700. 
While in Fabius, N. Y., Mr. St. John marrieti 
Philena Allton. who came with her parents, 

1 Amos and Philena (Rice) Allton, to that State 
in 1816. Mrs. Edwaixls was married to John 
p]dwards in 1857. He enlisted August, 1862, 
in Fairmount, III., in Co. E, 73d I. V. I., and 
died at Murfreesboro in 1863. Mrs. Richards 
now resides witli her mother on the homestead, 
having no children. The religion of the family 
is Baptist. Politics, Republican. They came 
to the farm they now own in 1830, there being 

! but four or five acres cleared. The farm con- 

' sists of about 135 acres. Mrs. St. John, the 
motlier of Mrs, Richards, was born in Vermont 



r?]- 



t) \ 



i*^ 



^w 



888 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Sept. 29, 1802, and came to this State in 
1828. 

JOHNF. FLICKINCER. farmer; Cliippewa 
Lake ; was born in Somerset Co.. Penn.. Aug. 
7, 182(5 ; of a family of nine children eight of 
the number grew to maturity, who were Harriet. 
Mar}" Ann. John F., .losiah. Susana. Caroline. 
Noaii and Cassic ; four of the eldest were born 
in Somerset Co.. Penn.. to their parents. Daniel 
and Catharine (Lowrv) Flickinger ; he was born 
Nov. 10. 1800, son of Jacob, whose father came 
from Germany. Daniel's mother's maiden 
name was Susan Witt. The Flickinger family 
are long lived, and are noted for their longev- 
ity. Jacob Flickingei; w-as a stone-mason, by 
trade, and to him were born eleven children, all 
of whom lived to be grown, and raised families. 
Daniel was the eighth of tiie number born ; he 
remained upon the homestead eight years after 
he grew to man's estate. FVb. 10. 1822, he was 
married to Catharine Lowry. who was born 
June 30, 1797; she was a daughter of John 
and Mary (Curtz) Lowry; in 1829. he emi- 
grated West and located a piece of land in 
Milton Township, in Wayne Co.. Ohio. His 
brother Peter and brother-in-law Joseph Ar- 
nold had moved out in 18 14. locating in Greene 
Township, near Smithville. Mr. Flickinger 
purchased 1G4 acres, which cost §600, and was 
unimproved ; he cleared up this farm, putting 
out an orchard, iiuilt a bark barn and other 
buildings, and sold it in 1855 ; then moved two 
miles north in Chippewa Township and bought 
105 acres ; this he also improved quite as well 
as the latter, remaining upon this farm until 
August, 1872. when he left the farm and moved 
to Orville. selling his farm two years afterward. 
After a life companionship of nearly sixty j-ears. 
his worthy companion, who for many years 
walked with him adown the journey of life, shar- 
ing with him in the toils and hardships of life, 
passed to her reward Aug. Ki. 1880. leaving 
five children to mourn iier departure, who are 
Mary Ann, the wife of Mr. Jacob Copenhaver, 
of Allen Co., Ind.; John F.; Josiah.in Kansas; 
Noah, in Carroll Co., 111.; Catharine. Mrs. Ru- 
dolph Dague. Since the death of his wife Mr. 
F. has resided witli his son John ; has been a 
man of remarkable power of endurance ; has 
an excellent memory, and. though now four- 
score, his step has the elasticity of youth and 
is unusually vigorous for one of his years. 
Since 16 years of age he has been a member of 



the German Reformed Church, in which he 
alwa3-s held important olRcial stations. His 
mother's brothers were soldiers in the Revolu- 
tion ; she herself saw Ocn. WashingU^n at the 
time of the war. John F.. whose name heads 
tiie above, was raised up under the guardian- 
ship of his worthy parents. Feb. 24. 1851. he 
was married to Hannah Swagler. who was 
born in Milton Township. Wayne Co.. Oliio. 
Jlarch 29, 1829. daughter of Jacob and Han- 
nah (Howe) Swagler. who came West in 1822. 
Of six children born to them, but three are 
living — Mrs. Alvin Kiramel and England, her 
brother, who now reside in Wayne Co.. Ohio. 
Mr. Swagler died in 1874; his wife in 1859. 
Since 1851. Mr. Flickinger has been a resident 
of this township. The farm he now owns was 
once the property of Mr. Swagler, his father-in- 
law ; said farm is situated in the northeast part 
of the township, adjoining the lake, and con- 
sists of over 200 acres. He and his family are 
members of the M. E. Church. His union with 
Miss Swagler has been crowned by the birth of 
five children, four living, who are Melvin S.. 
Lakey J., England and Jlina D. Mr. Flickin- 
ger is one of the Township Trustees and one of 
the substantial and reliable members of the 
community. 

HENRY FETZER, farmer; P. 0. Friends 
ville ; born in Canaan Township, Wayne Co., 
Ohio, Dec. 25. 18H8. He is of a numerous fam- 
ily, who originated from across the sea. His 
grandfather's name was Barnhard. who was a 
native of Als:u-e, then a part of Frances, who 
emigrated to this State with seven sons and 
three daughters, whose names are Jacob. Barn- 
hard, Martin, Frederick. George. Valentine. 
Peter ; the girls are Magdaline. now Mrs. Oiler, 
of Spencer; Elizabeth. Mrs. Demus Summers, 
of Canaan Township, and ^Margaret. Mrs. Jacob 
Repmen, of Spencer. Canaan, Wayne Co.. was 
the place the family settled, where they still 
remain, the seven brothers residing in the town- 
ship, where they have remained since their ar- 
rival, which was when the country was of forest 
growth. The father, [}arnhard, has long since 
gone to his rest, yet in his stead remain a hardy 
set of farmers, who have done him honor by 
their thrift and enterprise, and as worthy cit- 
izens of the community. Henry's father was 
Martin, the third of the family, who was mar- 
ried to Margaret Younker, who is likewise a 
I native of the same locality as her husband ; 



\^. 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



her fathers name was Jacob. Henry is the 
second of a family of six children ; Init four 
are now living, who are John, now of Canaan 
Township ; Henry, our subject ; William and 
Sarah of Canaan ; Daniel and Mary died young. 
Henry, when of age, turned out for himself ; 
was raised to hard labor, and began by the 
month, and worked on until the year 1868, 
when he was married. Dec. 23, to Julia A. 
Shook, born Nov. 26. 1846. in (Juilford Town- 
ship, being the (ifth child of a family of nine 
children, who were born to George and Cath- 
arine (Walker) Shook, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania, and removed to Guilford when 
the country was new. and cleared up a farm. 
In the spring of 1869, Mr. Fetzer moved to the 
farm he now occupies, which he bought from 
A. Coover, which consists of 85 acres of choice 
farming land, which is chiefly the result of his 
own labor and judicious management. Himself 
and wife, as well as his father and uncles, are 
all members of the Reformed Church. To Mr. 
Fetzer have been born two sons — Elmer F. and 
Alvin M. Mrs. Fetzer's father. George, was 
twice married, she being the issue of the first 
marriage ; six children in all, who are Phillip, 
Harriet, William, Kdward, herself and Adaline. 
JOSEPH H. FREEMAN, farmer; P. O. 
Seville. The Freeman family have borne a 
prominent part in the history of this township. 
Joseph was born on the farm on which he now 
lives, Jan. 8, 1826 ; he was a son of Rufus, 
whose father was likewise named Rufus ; 
Joseph's father was born in Vermont State, and 
was married to Clarissa St. John, a native of 
Cortland Co., N. Y. Rufus, the elder, had 
moved and settled in Ashtabula Co.; subse- 
quently his son, Rufus. Jr.. came out by wagon 
in 1823. From Jledina they reached what is 
now Seville, by the blazed trees, and cut a road 
into the place he located, now owned by Joseph 
H.; here he settled, and lived a life of useful- 
ness ; was a minister of the Baptist Church, also 
his fatlier before him, who afterward became 
blind, and was a fluent and ready speaker, and 
was generally selected as the orator on Fourth 
of July occasions. Both of these gentlemen 
were pioneer ministers, and were instrumental 
in doing a great amount of good in their time, 
in administering to the spiritual wants of the 
pioneer members, for aliout forty years. Rufus. 
Jr.. whose portrait appears in tliis work, 
was, for several years prior to his death. 



President of the Farmers' Insurance Company. 
His efficiency as a ruling officer was fully 
attested by his long occupancy of that honored 
position. Our subject remained at home until 
28 years of age ; was married to Caroline Wil- 
cox, who was born in 1827, in Lewis Co., N. Y., 
daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Ward) Wilcox, 
who came West in 1835. After leaving home, 
he removed to Scott Co., Iowa, where lie pur- 
chased 360 acres of land, and engaged in fann- 
ing and stock-raising. In ISdl. he was among 
the number wlio rc^spondc^d to tiie nation's call 
for volunteers, and went out with Co. C. 2d 
Iowa Cavalry, and was afterward commissioned 
as Adjutant of the regiment, and did eflfeetive 
service. In 1875, on account of the decease 
of his father, the home farm was about to go 
into other hands, and desiring to retain the 
same in the family, he was constrained to 
dispose of his interest in Iowa, and returned 
to tlie place that gave him birth, where lie will, 
in all probability, spend the remainder of his 
days. His farm consists of over 3(10 acres, 
and is one of the best in the township, excel- 
lent land, and farm premises being desiralile 
for situation. Four children have been born 
to him, who are James A., now of Davenport, 
Iowa ; Horace. Charles D. and Clara E. Farm- 
ing and stock-raising has been the business of 
his life ; keeps a choice stock of cattle of the 
Durham class. Mr. Freeman has always been 
a friend of progress, public-spirited and always 
ready to lend a helping hand to any worthy 
enterprise which promises to redound to the 
interests and common good of the community, 
always endeavoring to do his part as a good 
citizen, faithful friend and consistent Christian ; 
has been lil)erul in his contributions to educa- 
tional and charitable purposes. He and wife 
are both members of the Baptist Church. Po- 
litically, he has always been identified witli the 
Republican party, j-et is not partisan, l)ut ever 
willing to abide by the expression of the major- 
ity as evinced by the result at the ballot-box. 
'ELISHA HAYES, farmer; P. 0. Le Roy; 
was born Oct. 21. 1808, in Jefferson Co., Ohio. 
His parents were Thomas and Mary (McCoy) 
Hayes. He was born in 1776, in Baltimore 
Co., Md., she in Berkeley Co., Va., m 1778. 
Both the Hayses and McCoys are of Scotch 
descent. The grandparents of Elisha died of 
the plague when their offspring were young, 
hence but little, if anvthiuir. can be given of 



1^ |5 



-^ 



JA 



890 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



their history. Thomas Hayes and wife emi- 
grated to Jefferson Co., Ohio, in 1SU2, where 
they raised a family of twelve children, Elisha 
being the seventh. All of this number grew 
up; none died under 40 years of age, Elishawas 
a member of the household until he was 23 
j'ears of age. His father was in limited cir- 
cumstances, and could not afford his children 
any pecuniary assistance, which threw them 
upon their own resources. Aug. 25, 1S35, he 
became the husband of Jane McElroy. born 
Feb. 4, 1813. in Cross Creek Township, Jeffer- 
son Co.. Ohio, daughter of James and Jane 
(Hallowell) McElroy, both born in Pennsylva- 
nia. He died in Washington Co. in 1S7U. 
James McElroy's fathei-'s name was William, 
who was born in Ireland, emigrated to this 
country when 8 years of age, and was a soldier 
in the war of 1812. Mr. Hayes came to Guil- 
ford Township in December, 1838, where he 
bought .40 acres of land and cleared it up. re- 
maining there fifteen years. He then moved to 
Westfleld Township, where he purchased 60 
acres (which was settled by A. King), where he 
has settled for life. Six children have been 
born to him. but are now sleeping Ijeneath the 
ground ; William J. died at 1 6 months from 
birth : Thomas lived to be years old ; Mary 
died at 6 ; Alice when young. Three of the 
above named died in May, 1847. of scarlet fe- 
ver, inside of three weeks. Lawrence died 
when very 3'oung ; Alice M. was the wife of 
Richard Hogan ; she died in 1866, leaving one 
child — Lawrence — then five weeks of age ; he 
now resides with his grandparents, and will 
bear their name in the future. 3Ir. Hayes and 
wife are now spending the eve of their life in 
the enjoyment of their home, which has been 
secured through the e.xercise of hard labor and 
frugality. Reared in log-cabin times, schooled 
to privation, early in life he was taught self- 
denial, all of which have been conducive to his 
success. He has always acted independent of 
sects and denominations. Early in life, he 
was identified with the Whig party, and has al- 
waj's been a warm friend to the bondsman, and 
acted with the Abolition element, and later 
has been a Republican, and has ever acted the 
part of a worthv citizen and good neighbor. 

AMBROSE HOU(JHTOX"(deceased), whose 
portrait, with that of his wife, appears in this 
book, was born Sept. 4. 1788. in the town of 
Colerain. Hampshire Co.. .^Ia3s.: he was the 



son of Nathaniel and Anna (Stone) Houghton, 
both of whom were natives of the town of 
Roxbury. Mass. The Houghton family is de- 
scended from three brothers, John. Jonas and 
Ralph, who came early from England. This 
was a prominent family in the old country, and 
possessed a large estate, Houghton street in 
London, England, taking its name from this 
fact. This property ha.s been in litigation for 
years, owing to the difliculty in tracing back 
the connection of the American liranch of the 
ftimily. The grandfather of our subject was 
Ebenezer Houghton, whose children were Na- 
thaniel, Reuben, Oliver, Hannah. Jerusha and 
Rachel. Nathaniel's children were Oliver, 
Thomas, Nathaniel, Ambrose. Pattev. Prudy, 
Pollie, Roxie and Lucretia. Ambrose Hough- 
ton, Esq., was thus the fourth son in a family 
of nine children. He remained at home in 
JIassachusetts until he was 20 years of age, 
when he went to the State of New York. Three 
years later, he went to Canada, but stayed only 
about eighteen months, when he returned to 
New York State. While in Canada, he was in- 
itiated into the mysteries of ^lasonry in the 
Prince Edward Lodge. He was very fond of 
the order, and, during the Morgan excitement, 
when his relation with the Baptist Church 
or with the lodge must be broken, he severed 
his connection with the church, though he had 
been a member since 1820. In 1832, he re- 
moved from New York to Ohio, settling in 
Westfleld, where he lived until his death. Nov. 
15, 1880. He was married, June 11. 1815. to 
Miss Lucy Powell, at Fabius. Onondaga Co., 
N. Y.. by whom he had eight children, only 
two of whom are now living^^Mrs. Elbridge 
Cole and Franklin A. Mrs. Ambrose Hough- 
ton died Jan. 27, 1876. She was born in 
Great Barrington. Mass.. April 21, 1707, and 
was the daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(King) Powell. Elizabeth King'.s mother was 
Rebecca Nash, and her grandmother Experi- 
ence Clark. Her parents died before she was 
10 years of age, when she came to Fabius. N. 
Y., living with a sister until she was married, 
when she removed to Cortland, N. Y., where 
all her family were born. Mrs. Jllbridge Cole 
was born Oct. 6, 1822, and lived with her 
father until his death. She was married. Jan. 
13. 1862. to Elbridge Cole. He was the son of 
Ira and Susan (Hill) Cole, and was born in 
McDonough. Chenango Co.. Mav 12. 1825. He 



^ 



^ — ^t^l 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



891 



came with his parents, who were natives of 
New England, when a mere laii, and settled in 
Spencer. He died March 20, 18t>7, leaving a 
wife and two children — Martin E. and Oresta 
I. Mr. Houghton was a itoyal Arch Mason, 
and was buried with Masonic honors. 

HALSEY HULBIIRT. Some time before 
1630, William Hulburt, a native of Wales, came 
to the United States and settled near Dorches- 
ter, Conn. He married, and from him sprang a 
hardj' and intelligent race. One of his descend- 
ants — perhaps his grandchild — was Obadiah, 
the great-grandfather of the subject of this 
sketch. Obadiah, born in 1703, was the father 
of Obadiah, born in 1738, and the latter was 
the lather of Obadiah, born March 9, 17(39. 
On tlie 2d of April, 1805, the last-named mar- 
ried Rachel Burr, a near relative of the dis- 
distinguished Aaron Burr, and to this union 
was born the following famil}' : Halsey, born 
Jan. 27, 1806; Daniel B., born April 23, 1808, 
who is yet living at North Amherst, Lorain Co., 
Ohio, and William, born Dec. 20, 1810, who 
settled in Westfield Township, and died May 5, 
1875. The father of Halsey died when the lat- 
ter was but 8 years old, and soon afterward 
the boy was thrown upon his own resources, 
and began to carve his future from the busy 
world about him. He began teaching school 
when 20 years of age, and followed that occu- 
pation eight winters. In 1830, he came to 
Westfield, where he spent the summer in com- 
pany of Mr. Chapin, the two, in the meantime, 
"underbrushing" 17 acres. In the fall of 1830, 
he returned to Connecticut, where he passed 
the winter, and there was united in marriage 
with Miss Betsey, the daughter of Thomas and 
Abigail (Brown) Moses. Mrs. Hulburt is the 
only member of her fatiier's family of five sons 
and five daughters now living. In the spring 
of 1831, Mr Hulburt and wife moved to West- 
field Township, Medina Co., Ohio. Here the 
husband and wife began their married life in a 
rude log cabin, and, for many long years, they 
shared together the bitter experiences of pio- 
neer life. After the lapse of many years, and 
after countless trials and denials, they have a 
comfortable home in which to pass their declin- 
ing daj'S. Eight children have been born to 
them as follows : Julia, William, Mary, Ilirani, 
Obadiah, Rachael, William .and Eleanor. All 
are dead except Julia, William and May. The 
latter is the wife of H. E. Matteson, and Will- 



iam became the husband of Caroline Chambers. 
To the last couple have been born the following 
children ; Flora, May and Harold C. Hiram 
was killed by a threshing machine when a boy, 
Julia and William are living at the old home. 
Mr. Hulburt served as Township Trustee sev- 
eral years, and, in 1856, was elected to the 
responsible jwsition of Director of the Ohio 
Farmers' Insurance Company, in which two 
capacities he served with fidelity and honor. 
He was formerly a Whig, and was one of three 
in Westfield to cast the first vote for the Anti- 
slavery partj'. He has lieen a Republican, is 
at present a Liberal, and has always been identi- 
fied with movements to advance the interests of 
education and morals. 

JOHN HYATT, tarmer ; P. 0. Burbank ; 
born near Willianistown, Oswego Co., X. Y., 
July 19, 1828. The eldest child born to his 
parents, Valentine and Rachel (Devereaux) 
Hyatt, to whom were born seven children. 
This couple were born in 1799 and 1802 re- 
spectively, in same county and State. The 
Hyatt family descended from the Emerald Isle. 
The Devereauxs, as the name implies, are of 
French extraction. The family emigrated West 
in 1850, and have since been residents of this 
township. Soonafter John came to this county, 
he set about planning for himself, and, having 
nothing to commence with save a pair of will- 
ing hands, he at once resolved that, as he was 
the architect of his own fortunes, the sooner he 
set about its construction, the earlier his ex- 
pectations would be realized. He was not ad- 
verse to labor; and began with a right good will, 
and betook to any labor that promised the most 
satisfactory returns. At the age of 26, he was 
married to Sarah Shaw, born in Steuben Co., 
Ohio, in 1833 ; daughter of Otis and Sallie 
(Daj') Shaw ; their marriage was celebrated 
April, 1856. After marriage, he located in 
this township, upon land that he had previously 
purchased ; remaining upon it a short time, he 
sold out after making several minor changes ; 
he moved to Steuben Co., Ind., purchasing 75 
acres of land, which he owned a short time ; 
then returned and located in October, 1870, on 
the land he now owns, situated in the southwest 
\ part of the township, consisting of 97 acres, 
j formerly owned by Henry Baldwin ; lost his 
I wife in February. 1867, leaving two children — 
j Otis T. and George. Feb. 25, 1868, he was 
married to Jane Stone, born Oct. 16, 1831. in 



^1 



Wl 



89-' 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Jefferson Co., Ohio. She was a daughter of 
William and Anna (Elliot) Stone, both of Irish 
descent. Mrs. Hyatt was the second of a 
family of four children, herself and three 
brothers. To Mr. and Mrs. Hyatt have been 
born two children — Anna and Jennie. He and 
wife are both members of the United Brethren 
Church. In the earlier part of his life, was 
identified with the Democratic party, but of 
late years has affiliated with the Republican 
party. 

S.' S. HASTINGS, farmer ; P. 0. Seville. 
According to tradition, in the year 1636, three 
brothers bearing the name of Hastings, came 
from England and settled in Plymouth Colony. 
From these have sprung a numerous progeny, 
now widely dispersed throughout the country. 
One of these brothers was named " White " Hast- 
ings from the color of bis hair ; from this one 
sprung the Hastings so noted as composers of 
music. The two other brothers settled in Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass.. and were among the prominent 
and substantial citizens of that commonwealth. 
In 1 703, when the town of Deerfield was burned 
by the French and Indians, one Ilinsdell Hast- 
ings was carried away captive by the Indians. 
In 1753. when the town of Greenfield was or- 
ganized, Benjamin Hastings was chosen Mod- 
erator and Town Clerk. Constable and " Sealer 
of Leather, " and was for many years Beacon of 
the church. In the Revolutionary struggle, the 
Hastings family bore a prominent part. The 
reader is referred to Willard's " History of Green- 
field," where may be found an account of the 
events succeeding the reception of the news of 
the battle of Lexington, in which especial ref- 
erence is made to some members of the family. 
The father and grandfather of our subject were 
in the battle of Bunker Hill, and present at 
Burgoyne's sun-ender. After the w.ar, he settled 
with his sons upon a large farm in Greenfield, 
and lived until the age of 80. S. S. Hastings, 
our subject, was born .March 10. 18U0. His 
father's name was Oliver, who was born in 
Massachusetts in 1764. and afterward became 
the husband of DoUey Carey. To them were 
born eight children, six sons and two daughters. 
S. S. being next to the youngest. His brothers 
Richard, States. Warren and Onesimus were 
soldiers in the war of 1812. Benjamin, the 
grandfather of S. S., was Lieutenant and after- 
ward Captain in the Revolutionary war. His 
son Oliver was only 15 years of age when he 



was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and, at one 
time, had a narrow escape from being captured 
by the Indians. A party of thirteen were cut- 
ting hay and were surprised by the Indians, all of 
the party being captured save two. His grand 
ancestor was of the twain. At the age of 17, 
S. S. was apprenticed to learn the wagon-mak- 
ing and carpenter's trade. After the completion 
of which, he went to Jefferson Co., N. Y., and 
set up in business as wagon-maker, having no 
capital to start with, Feb. 22, 1822, he was 
married to Miss Clarissa Fitch, who was a na- 
tive of Delaware Co., N. Y.. born July 26, 
1799, daughter of Col. Silas Fitch, whose wife 
was Clarissa Howell. In the spring of 1837, 
Mr. Hastings emigrated West to this State, lo- 
cating in this county, first in Guilford Town- 
ship ; subsequently to the southern part of the 
township, where he now resides ; where he pur- 
chased 230 acres, having now 168 in all. For 
over sixty 3ears Mr. Hastings has been a con- 
sistent member of the Baptist Church ; for 
twenty-five j-ears has been Deacon, and been 
active and zealous in his blaster's cause. The 
fruits of his marriage, aside from the acquisition 
of a good home and a competence, have been 
nine children, of whom five are living, viz., 
Clarissa, now the wife of A. Feazel, of Harris- 
ville Township ; Sidney, in Gratiot Co., Mich.; 
Russell J., at home with parents ; Esther. Mrs, 
O. Graves, of Merrick, Neb.; Emeline. of Pike 
Station, Wayne Co.. Ohio, the wife of J. A. 
Dyer ; Silas, the eldest son, lost his life before 
Yicksburg ; was a member of the Engineer 
Corps from Michigan. Feb. 22, 1872, Mr. 
Hastings celebrated his golden wedding, and is 
3'et in good degree of health, and is a constant 
worker. He has been a worthy and substantial 
member of societ\' and community at large ; 
has been liberal in his contributions to charita- 
ble, church and educational purposes, and a 
stanch and useful citizen, and will be long re- 
membered. 

A. H. HAWLEY, insurance. Le Roy ; is a 
native of this State, born Dec. 14. 1840, in 
Worthington, Franklin Co. His parents were 
A. G. and Helen M. (Brown) llawley. The 
former was born Aug. 18. 1814. in Madison 
Co., Ohio, son of Dr. Gideon Hawley, a native 
of Vermont, who emigrated West to this State 
in the early part of the present century, locat- 
ing in Madison Co, He had throe children 
born him, viz. : A. G., Micah and Marv. One 



"S "V 



ihL^ 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



«93 



onl}' of the number is living — Mieah, in Can- 
ada. Helen M. Brown, the mother of Amos 
H.. was born at Haverhill, N. H. A. G. Haw- 
ley moved to this county and settled in Se- 
ville in 1849, remaining there until 1857, when 
he moved to Westfield, and the following year 
was elected Secretar}' of the Oliio Farm- 
ers' Insurance Company, and served until the 
fall of 18G(). Amos H., our subject, has, since 
his youth, been identified with the county. Ho 
received the advantages afforded in the schools 
of Seville, and a thorough commercial business 
education at Duff's College, Pittslnirgh. Re- 
turning, he became his father's successor in 
ISGti, and has since filled that position with 
credit to himself and to the satisfaction of the 
patrons. Oct. 16, 1867, he married Sarah E. 
Phillips, born Feb. 13, 1848, in this township, 
daughter of Ellery and Ellen (Doty) l^hillips, 
who were natives of New Yoik, and were 
among the earl}' settlers in the township. Mr. 
Hawlej" has three children — Frank H., born 
May 24, 1869; Emma N., born Sept. 1, 1870; 
Robert A., born Aug. 16, 1877. Mr. Hawley's 
parents were, for many years, members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. A. H. and wife 
are of the same faith. Mr. Hawley is an en- 
thusiastic member of the Masonic Order, hav- 
ing been advanced thirtj'-two degrees ; mem- 
ber of Harrisville Lodge' No. 137'^, A., F. & A. 
M.; Medina Chapter, tlie Commandery at IMas- 
sillon. of Eliadah, Grand Lodge of Perfection 
of Bahurim Council of the Princes of Jerusa- 
lem. Ariel Chapter of Rose Croix at Cleve- 
land, and also of the Orient of Ohio, of Cincin- 
nati. Ohio (located). 

WILLIAM H. H. JONES, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; P. 0. Friendsville ; born in this town- 
ship Oct. 25, 1840; is the youngest of a family 
of six children ; all grew to maturity, save one ; 
names of cliildren arc Eleanor J., now j\Irs, G. 
W. Collier, of Dakota ; Chaplain in the United 
States Army ; Julia, now Mrs. Ezra Boothe ; 
A. P.. now a minister of the North Ohio Con- 
ference ; Nathan S., who died in the service of 
his country, at Cumberland Gap, was a mem- 
ber of the 86th 0. V. I.; Sylvanus, died young ; 
all of whom were born to Sylvanus and Elvira 
(Hossington) Jones. He was born in Bristol, 
Mass., May 8, 1794, and removed with his par- 
ents to Oswego Co., N. Y., and to Wayne Co. 
in 1820. In 1824. he was married to Jliss 
Hossington, and settled in tliis county and 



township in 1831, on the farm now owned by 
George Berry, where lie remained until the 
death of his second wife. Mardi 17, 1864 ; tiicn 
lived with his children until his demise, which 
occurred at the liome of our subject in Febru- 
ary, 1880. He was during his life a successful 
business man. and gave lilierally to the church 
and to all benevolent enterprises ; was a valued 
and worthy member of society ; was a man of 
character, decided and firm in his purposes of 
action, and a friend to the poor and the bond- 
man ; his trust in his Maker was firm and un- 
wavering, and died in the triumjihs of a living 
faith, exclaiming as his feet touched the'-chilb 
ing wave," "All is bright." "The Lord is my 
Shepherd" — Rev., xiv, 13 — was the text 
preached from at his funeral. His wife pre- 
ceeded him June 14, 1845. William H. H. be- 
ing the youngest, remained at home. At the 
age of 20, he enlisted, 1S61, in Co. I, 2d 0. V. 
I., and serving in tiie Western Department until 
February 1863. when he was discharged on ac- 
count of disability from brain fever, induced by 
sunstroke. I^pon his return home, he resumed 
labor on the farm. Nov. 26, same year, he was 
united in matrimony to Adaline Rogers, I)orn 
in Harrisville Township, being the youngest 
child of Isaac and Anna (Brainard) Rogers, who 
were pioneers in that township. The old fam- 
il}- Bible tells the following tale : Isaac Rogers, 
born Feb. 3, 1704; Anna Brainard. April 8, 
1801 ; Amanda, May 18, 1820 ; Clarissa. Dec. 
25, 1821 ; Isaac, July 25, 1824 ; James 0., Sept. 
10,1826: Sherman,' Sept. 4, 1829; Sylvanus, 
Sept. 18, 1832 ; Cordidon, April 20, 1838 ; Hen- 
rietta, Dec. 20, 1840 ; Adaline, April 23, 1843. 
l\Ir. Jones has 175 acres, which he keeps stocked 
with sheep of a good quality. He is an official 
member of the M. E. Church at Lodi : experi- 
enced religion at the aiie of 12. His children are 
Frank S.,'Carrie B., Willis C. and Carl Shurz. 
Mr. Jones is a true and loyal Republican and 
an enterprisinsj; member of the community. 

GEORGE KUDER, farmer ; P. O. Chippewa 
Lake; born April 21, 1822, in Columbiana Co., 
Penn. His parents were Adam and Esther 
(Pealer) Kuder, to whom were born twelve 
children ; our subject being the third in order 
of birth ; of the number born, ten lived to 
be grown. The number living and places of 
residence are as follows : Susanna. Mrs. (Jeorgc 



Traver. 



Iowa ; Sylvester and George, in 



Clinton Co., Iowa ; Eli, in St. Joseph Co.. Mich. 



ix: 



^±: 



ll^ 



894 



BIOGRAPHICA], SKETCHES: 



Barbara, Mrs. Theodore Biieher, in Cleveland ; ' 
Adam, in Xew York ; Sarah, Mrs. Frank Mack, 
of Cleveland. The grandfather of our subject, 
on the Kuder side, was (leorge. He was born 
in Crermany. and emigrated to Pennsylvania 
when he was young, the country being almost 
in a wilderness condition. Here he settled, and 
grew up with the county, and raised a numerous 
progeny. Sixteen children were the fruits of 
his marriage. About the 3'ear 1835. in the \ 
early part, George came West with his parents, 
who selected Sharon Township as their place of 
settlement, purchasing KHI acres, for which he 
paid $800. Raised upon a farm from his youth, ; 
our subject, after becoming his ■• own man," 
took to farming as a life business, which he has 
since followed. Mr. Kuder has been twice mar- 
ried ; his union with liis first wife was of short 1 
duration. Her name was Matilda Woolford. a 
native of Wayne Co., Ohio, who died eleven 
months after marriage, leaving no issue. March 
22, 1849, he was married to his present wife, 
whose name was Sarah J. Frank, who w^as born 
in Canaan Township, Wayne Co.. Ohio, Jan. 7, 
1828. of a family of seven brothers and two 
sisters, eiglit of the number grew to be men and 
women. She was tlie eldest of the number. 
Of those living are Daniel, in Wayne ; Mar}' E., j 
Mrs. Daniel Collier, of Summit Co. ; Isaiah, in 
Wadsworth ; Henry A., in Summit, and Hughs, 
in Sharon Township. Mrs. Kuder's father was 
one of the pioneers in that county ; his name | 
was Peter Frank ; her mother's maiden name ; 
was Nancy Ball : he was born June 23, 1789, in 
Washington Co., Penn. : she was born in Mary- 
land, and went to I'ennsylvania when young. 
Mrs. Kuder was rocked in a sap-trough. Her 
father walked out from Pennsylvania and en- 
tered the land from the(iovernment. and cleared 
up a farm in the woods. He lived until Feb. 8, 
1872. She died March 23. 1864. Both were 
members of the Reformed Church. Mr. Kuder's 
parents were members of the Lutheran Church. 
He died June, 1858. at the age of 63. Mr. 
Kuder has now 170 acres of land, and in state 
of cultivation. His commencement in life was 
like many others who came West. He was 
poor ; had nothing to begin with for the first 
three years. He rented land ; finally purchased 
about 91) acres in the nortiieast pari of th(^ town- 
ship, and, by diligence and careful management, 
assisted by his prudent wife, he lias made a 
comf)ctence for himself and family during the [ 



thirty j-ears of his residence in the township. 
Of four children born them, but two are living 
— Ada L. and Marcia .May. Both Mr. and Mrs. 
Kuder are members of the Presbvteriau Church. 
NATHAN MINER, farmer ; P. 0. Pike Sta- 
tion ; born March 8, 1810, in the town of 
Milton, Saratoga Co., N. Y ; was the youngest 
of a family of five children. His parents were 
Asa and Ruth (Barrass) Miner ; he was a na- 
tive of Connecticut ; she, of Saratoga. After 
several years' residence in Saratoga Co., they 
removed to Truxton, Cortland Co., where they 
lived until 1825, when they emigrated West, 
which journey occupied nineteen days and a 
half locating in this township, west of Seville 
one mile, on the farm now owned by Halsey 
Hulburt. Their journey from Medina to their 
stopping-place was attended with difficul- 
ties, in consequence of the primitive con- 
dition of the roads. Remaining here about 
five years, they finall}- moved farther south, 
where they remained until their death. Na- 
than's father was a farmer, but was unable to 
give his children much, if any, financial aid. 
Hence Nathan embarked for himself at his ma- 
jority ; with ax in hand, he took jobs clearing 
off timber. For cutting, clearing and fencing, 
he would receive $10 per acre for his labor. He 
continued at this business for several j'ears, 
working both in this and in Wa3ne Co, in dif- 
ferent townships. While at the business, he 
was enabled to acquire means to make a pur- 
chase of 70 acres of land, for which he paid §3.50 
per acre, where he now resides, which was un- 
improved. Building him a log cabin, he opened 
warfare against his wood}' surroundings, and 
was afterward rewarded bj* the garnered prod- 
ucts from off the cultivated fields as the fruits 
of his toil and hardy endurance. At the ageof 27, 
he was married to Rosetta Stanford, born April 2, 
1817, in Jefferson Co., N. Y. She was a daugh- 
ter of William and Rebecca (Eastman) Stan- 
ford, to whom were born eight children. Three 
children have crowned the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Miner. But two are living — Helen M., 
now Mrs. Samuel Benjamin, and Emily C, 
now Mrs. Myron (t. Owen. Mrs. Miner came 
ont with her parents in 1822. who located in 
the northwest part of the township. Mr. Miner 
has ever been a worthy member of society, a 
good man and an accommodating neigiil)or. 
Having divided out some of his land to his 
children, he lias 40 acres left, and valuable 



^ 



:fy: 



^^ 



lW 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



895 



property at Pike Station — good house and lot | 
and 17 acres. 

MRS. EMMA MEAD, farming; P. 0. Bur- 
bank ; born in Massillon, Stark Co., (3hi(), in I 
Januar}-, 1843, daughter of Michael and Sarah 
(Earl) Kinder. Micliael Kinder was a native of ' 
Germany, emigrating to this State at tlie age of i 
21, and was married to his wife, who was a na- 
tive of Tennessee. To them were born seven 
children, Emma being the sixth in order of 
birth. The famil}^ were raised in Stark Co., 
where the^' were born. Mrs. Mead's parents ' 
died when she was 3-oung, and was thus left 
without any paternal counselors. In 18G7, she ■ 
was united by marriage to Ezra M. Mead, whose 
name she now bears, who was a native of New 
York State — place of nativity, near Rochester 
— and came West at the close of the late war. 
He was among the successful farmers of the 
township ; was a man highlj- respected as a 
good neighbor and substantial citizen ; he died 
June G, 1877. Since his death, Mrs. Mead has ^ 
remained on the farm, which slie conducts in a 
creditable manner, having, since his death, pur- 
chased 92 acres known as the George Bowman 
farm. Slie has recently built a neat and sub- 
stantial dwelling, where she and her son Ezra 
reside in comfort and comparative retirement. 

GEORGE Mccracken, farmer ; P, 0, Le- 
roy ; was born in Franklin Co., Peun., in 1820, 
and came West in 1848, locating on the farm 
he now owns. He was married in Pennsylva- 
nia, March 5, 1840, to Hannah Byers, who was 
born May 2, 1824, five miles east of Chambers- 
burg, in Franklin Co,, Ponn.; is a daughter of 
Frederick and Anna (Ebe}') Byers ; both were 
born in Pennsylvania, in the year 17C8. The 
Mct'rackens are of Irish extraction. The par- 
ents of George were Thomas and Polly (Gates) 
McCracken. lie was born in Franklin Co,, and 
received good school advantages, which were 
improved ; afterward, was engaged as teacher 
for several years ; was a man of good informa- 
tion, and had well-defined ideas of business, in 
which he was very successful. He came West 
in 184G, making his first stop in Canaan 
Township, Wayne Co,, remaining a short time, 
locating permanently in this township, where 
he lived until removed I13' death, whicli oc- 
curred in 1875, Upon his arrival in this coun- 
ty, he made several land purchases, in Ca- 
naan, Westfield and Harrisville Townships ; 
was a good financier, and went upon the ready- 



pay principle ; was not a member of any ortho- 
dox church, yet was in favor of Christianity ; 
generally attended churcli, and gave liberally 
toward their support, and was a sf)lid man in 
the community. Of eight children born to our 
subject, five are living, viz,, William, now of 
Jasper Co,, Mo.; of those yet at home are 
Anna, Lizzie. Frank and Frecl. 

OLIVER MORTON, farmer ; P. O. Leroy. 
Prominently identified with the early history 
of this township is the Morton family. Oliver, 
whose portrait appears in this l)ook. was born 
in Allegheny Co., Penn.. May 15, 1819, and 
came West with his parents, on horseback, 
when he was o weeks old. His father had been 
out two years previous, and returned to Penn- 
sylvania and made preparations for removing 
his family. Oliver's father's name was John J. 
Morton, a native of Chester Co., Peun., and a 
near relative of the Morton whose signature 
appears on the Declaration of Independence, 
John J, was married to Jane (Jliver, and bj- 
her had seven children, among whom was 
Fannie, the first white child born in this town- 
ship, Oliver's father made his first settlement 
at Morse's Corners, where he purchased 40 
acres of land, which was, as the surround- 
ing country, all a dense mass of heavy timber, 
Oliver's father was a poor man, and, early in 
life, our subject learned to ■ rough it, and, at 
the age of 13, he was thrown upon his own re- 
sources. For the first pair of leather shoes he 
ever wore, he paid Si. 75. which money he 
earned b\- cutting cord- wood at 18 cents per 
cord. Their diet was of the plainest character 
— corn bread three times a daj- — and he 
quaintl}- remarked, that to such an extent did 
they use this diet, that he -'was almost ashamed 
to look a hog square in the face. " His school 
advantages were such as the backwoods af- 
forded, attending a few dajs each year. Their 
desks and seats were of the rudest kind imag- 
inable ; the light admitted through crevices in 
the logs, or greased paper, in the place of win- 
dow-lights. He was glad to receive §9 per 
month for his labor, and has swung ■ Arm- 
strong's reaper" many a long day for 75 cents. 
At the age of 25. he was married to Delilah Mc- 
Conkey, who was born in Doylestown, Wayne 
Co., July 4, 1820, daughter of Samuel and Sa- 
mantha McConkey, who were among the earlj' 
settlers in that county, Ohio. Mr. Morion made 
his first purchase of land at Westfield Center, of 



37i; 



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896 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



55 acres at $13 per acre, and, while it was 
freely predicted tiiat lie would never pay for it, 
every payment was promptly- met. He boiiglit 
him a team of horses aud a wagon for §90 ; 
hired out, working at $1.25 per day, thus en- 
abling him to meet his payments. Since that 
lime, he has made several additions and 
changes, until he has become forehanded. 
Later in life, he engaged in stock-trading, buy- 
ing and selling cattle, hogs and sheep, at which 
he was successful. His wife died April 3, 1801, 
leaving six children, live living — Charlotte ; 
Harriet, now .Mrs. Allen McC'abe ; George ; 
Frank and Johnnie. In IS(il). lie was married 
to .Mrs. Jane Ilickeard, born in September, 1833, 
in Wayne Co. Mr. Morton has always borne a 
prominent part as a citizen in the township 
in which he has so long been a resident. Dem- 
ocratic from a political standpoint, yet he has 
never been a radical or an extremist in his 
views, but decided and positive in his opinions. 
In theory and practice, he has been a Temper- 
ance man — has yet to drink his first glass of 
whisky or intoxicating liquor. Hc^ has for sev- 
eral years been a member of the M. E. Church, 
adorning the same by an upright walk consist- 
ent with his profession. Since 1858, he has 
been an efficient member of the Board of Di- 
rectors of the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Com- 
pany, one of the most worthy and prominent in- 
stitutions of the county. For a further account 
of the same, see township history of Westfield. 
B. B. NORTON, farmer ; P. O. Burbank ; is 
one of the pioneers of this township. Born 
Aug. 15, 1807. in Litchfield Co., Conn. His 
parents were Miles and Lois (McNeil) Norton. 
Miles was born Dec. 0, 1775, and was married 
June I. 1797, to Lois McNeil, who was born 
Dec. 5. 1779. To them were born ten children, 
B. B. being the sixth. This venerable couple 
died Ma\- 25. 1835 and 1843, respectively. Lois 
McNeil's lather was named Isaac, and was 
born in 1748. May 23. and was married Jan. 24, 
1771. to liois Baldwin, who was born Feb. 29, 
1752. and died, respectively, Sept. 20, 1839, and 
May 14, 1843. Our subject emigrated West 
with his parents in 1823, he being a lad of 15. 
His father purchased 6-13 acres, all of which 
was unscathc<l by the woodman's ax. Their 
nearest neighbors were the red men of the for- 
est ; bears, wolves and wild game '• roamed the 
wooilland o'er." The family came out in a wag- 
on, which was their carriage by day and their ' 



house at night. B. B. now resides upon a por- 
tion of the land his father settled. In 1833, 
our subject was married to Krail3' Ward, who 
was a native of Canada. By this marriage, six 
children were born ; of those living, are Samuel, 
Charles, David, George and Anna A. Wife 
died in 1855. His present wife was Clarissa 
Rogers, who was born December, 1821, in Har- 
risville Township, the second child of Isaac 
and Anna (Rrainard) Rogers, who were among 
the earliest settlers in that township. Isaac 
was born Feb. 3, 1794, near Hartford, Conn., 
and was married July 8, 1819. To them were 
born ten children ; eight of the number lived 
to be grown. Mr. Rogers was 4 years of age 
when his father died. He then moved with his 
mother to Cayuga Co., N. Y., remaining there 
until he came West. Came with a horse aud 
sleigh in 1817, with Squire Fitts, and boarded 
with Judge Harris until he built him a 
cabin, returned East, got married, and re- 
turned in 1819. Their commencement was with 
with furniture of the rudest sort. Mrs. Norton 
was lulled to sleep in a sap-trough. Her mother 
had but three sheets when they set up house- 
keeping. Mr. Rogers being a hard-woirking 
man and a good manager, he had accumulated, 
at the time of his death, 700 acres of land. 
He died Feb. 3, 1801 ; wife, Oct. 30, 1847. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Norton has been born one 
child — Ida C, now the wife of Andrew Rey- 
nolds, of this township. Mr. Norton has been 
a soldier of the cross for fifty-two years. Ex- 
perienced religion at the age of 19, at camp 
meeting, and soon after identified himself with 
the M. E. Church, and for many years afterward 
was Class-leader, and is now like a shock of 
corn fully ripe, and lit for the Master's use. 
Since the dissolution of the Whig party, he 
has been a member of the Repui)licau. Sent 
two sons to the war, who served three years — 
George B., in 103d 0. V. I., and Lauren D., in 
124th O. y. I., and were true and valorous sol- 
diers, and imperiled their lives in many hard- 
fought battles of the war in defense of their 
country. Mr. Norton is yet residing on the 
same land his father settled. He has 100 acres, 
and Mrs. Norton 75, in her own right, and are 
spending the evening of their lives in the quiet 
of their pleasant home. 

S. H. I'OMHKOY, retired farmer. Samuel 
H. Pomeroy was born March 15, 1810, in Bris- 
tol, Ontario Co., N. Y . His parents were Sam- 






^'- 



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WESTFIELD TOWNSHII'. 



897 



uel and Penelope (Allen) Pomeroy, who were 
natives of Connecticut. To them were born 
ten children, wliose names are Allen. Eli.sha, 
Mary S., Lucy, J'enelope, IJrina, Moses, Cyn- 
thia, Hannah and Richard The Aliens and 
Poraeroys are of Englisli extraction. Samuel 
was raised to farming, and, at the age of 21. he 
began worlcing by the month, continuing four 
years thus employed. In 1833, he came West 
and toiilv up a piece of land (127 acres) in this 
township, which was unimproved. Returning 
to Xew York that fall, he remained until the 
spring of 1835. when he retraced his steps to 
his wilderness home. In Juno of the same 
year, he married Almina Simmons, wiio was 
born in Ontario Co., N. Y., in October, 1810, 
who was a daughter of Jonathan and Ruth 
(Gooiiing ) Simmons. Having erected a log 
cabin, lie moved into the .same in September. 
His place of settlement was in the northwest 
part of the township, now owned bj' Mr. 
Unangst. Mr. Pomeroy continued on this 
purchase for about twenty- years, and after- 
ward made a purchase of 75 acres, re- 
maining liere until 1863. He then went to 
La Fayette Township, where he had charge 
of the County Infirmary for seven years. 
Then sold his farm and purchased a small 
farm in Montville Township, where he lived 
three years ; then located in Westfield Cen- 
ter, where he has since lived. His wife 
died in 1873. By her he had five children, 
who are Allen, Ruth, Mary, Jonathan and 
Simpson. March 23, 187-1, he was married to 
Mrs. Christina Hicox, born in April, 1821, in 
Ontario Co., N. Y., whose maiden name was 
Allen. Her mother's name, prior to her mar- 
riage, was Ruth Simmons. Mrs. Pomeroy's 
first husband was a King, and by him she had 
four children. Mr. Pomeroy and wife now re- 
side in their comfortable home, enjoying the 
eve of their life in contentment and happiness. 
Few men in the county have been more promi- 
nentlj' associated in an official way with their 
township than Mr. P. He has served as In- 
firmar3- Superintendent, Justice of the Peace, 
Township Trustee, Constable, Assessor, and 
now as one of the Directors of the Ohio Farm- 
ers' Insuranc^e Company. He is one of the 
Trustees of the Universalist Church, and was 
one of its first members, and has ever sustained 
the character of an honest man and worthy 
citizen, and a loyal and true Republican. 



N. N. REESE, farmer and fish propagator ; 
P. O. Le Roy ; was born in Sharon Township, 
this county, April 2, 1844. Twelve children 
were born to his parents, nine of the number 
now living — William, and Aurelia, now Jlrs. ij. 
Frazier. in La Fayette ; Jeannelte, Mrs. J. Ham- 
ilton, in Sullivan Co., Mo. ; N. N., in Westfield ; 
Laverna, Egbert and Freeborn, in Wadsworlii ; 
Lauren, in Montville ; also Clara, Mrs. Watters ; 
Franklin F., Gertrude anil Fremont were the 
number born to Jacob N. and Jane S. (Phelps) 
Reese. Jacob was the son of Nicholas Reese. 
Jacob Reese was born June 20, 1814 ; his wife, 
Maj' 22, 1820. The Reese family are supposed 
to be descended from Hollanders. The Phelps 
are of Yankee stock. Both families emigrated 
West many years ago, and were among the first 
settlers in Summit Co. Here Nicholas died. 
His son Jacob, after leaving Summit Co., located 
in Sharon Township, where he purchased 100 
acres in the " Woods ;" built a double log house 
in the forest. Soon after its erection, one Ham- 
ilton occupied one end, he the other. Ow night 
in a storm, a huge oak blew down, falling di- 
rectl}' between the two rooms in the open court, 
and, fortunately, no one was injured, but most 
terriljly frightened. Subseijuently. he moved 
to Wadsworth, and purchased the Hard farm ; 
still later, the Phelps homestead. He made 
several changes, and finally settled in Guilford 
Township, where he now resides. Newton was 
raised to farming ; his bo3'hood days were spent 
at school, and making himself useful in assist- 
ing in the home duties. July 4, 1863, enlisted 
in Co. G, 86th 0. V. I. ; served eight months. 
During this time, was in active service in and 
about Cumberland Gap, and assisted in captur- 
ing that famous raider, John Morgan. Upon 
his return home, he was married. July 4. 18()4, 
to Maria Beck, who was born in Northampton 
Co., Penn., Oct. 12, 1846, whose parents were 
Joseph and Eliza (Long) Beck, who came West 
in 1851, and located in Guilford Township, on 
the River Styx, where he novi resides. Mrs. 
Beck died Dec. 24, 1874, at the age of 53. Mrs. 
Reese is of a family of seven children, five 
sisters and two brothei's, she being the third in 
order of birth, all of them now living. Since 
Newton was married, he has made several 
changes. He was burned out once, losing all 
his house chattels. In 1876, purchased the old 
Henry farm, one mile east of the Center, and is 
engaged in farming and in fish culture. In 






'k 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



1878. began the growtli and propagation of gold- 
fish. He has four ponds, and is making the 
business his study, and intends to engage in 
this enterprise upon a large scale, and is now 
prepared t<) till orders for large or small quan- 
tities, and is awakening considerable interest in 
the minds of the people who have a taste for 
gohlen finny species as house ornaments. He 
keeps glass globes of all sizes, and can supply 
aquariums to order, and at reduced prices. He 
has four cliildren, viz., Melville K, Minnie L., 
Jeannette M. and Maggie M. He and wife are 
members of the Lutheran Church. In matters 
of politics, the Reese family are all strongly 
Republican. 

8. R. RICHARDS, insurance ; Le Roy. 
The efficient I'ostmaster of this township is 
Samuel R. Richards, who was born June 25, 
1817, in Coventry Township, Chenango Co., 
N. Y.; son of Gideon and Mehitahle (Hunger- 
ford) Richards, who were natives of Connecti- 
cut. Gideon was the son of Noah, who was 
a son of Samuel R., who was the great-grand- 
father of our subject. Noah was a hatter by 
occupation, as was his son Gideon ; the latter 
was the head of a family consisting of eleven 
children. Samuel R. being the youngest of the 
number. Of those who arrived to maturity, 
besides S. R., were Emily, Eliza, Maria and 
Susan. Gideon removed fy) Chenango Co. from 
Connecticut, after the war of 1812; remained 
until 1819. when he moved to Tyler Co., 
Va.; 1823, emigrated to Medina Co., with his 
family. Medina at this time had two or three 
frame buildings. Remaining in Medina a short 
time, the family removed to Akron, Summit 
Co., at the time of the building of the Ohio 
Canal. Gideon Richards died Oct. 23. 1827, 
aged 55, and was buried near where the college 
now stands. He was a member of the Masonic 
order the greater part of his life ; while at Me- 
dina, was Secretary of the Lodge, his son, 
Samuel R., having liis apron now in his posses- 
sion, which was made in 1812. His wife died 
March 15, 1851, aged 72. Samuel went to 
learn the blacksmitli's trade in 1832, at Bruns- 
wick ; completing the Ham(% worked one year at 
journey work; lS3i», set up for himself, remain- 
ing there until 1842; afterward worked two 
years in Liverpool Township ; 1844, he came 
to Westfield Township, and since has made it 
his constant place of residence, working at his 
trade until 1 855 ; since that date has been in 



the insurance business, in the employ' of the 
Ohio Farmers' Insurance Co. and, with one 
exception, is one of their oldest agents. His 
territory is Crawford Co. and part of Huron ; 
is one of the company's successful agents ; 
since November, 18G2, was appointed Postmas- 
ter, and has since served in that capacit}', and 
through his etforts and good management, the 
people are enjoying the luxury of a daily mail. 
Nov. 16, 183!), he was married to Amy Eggles- 
ton, by whom he has had seven children, who 
are Maria, now Mrs. John C. Ramsey ; Will- 
iam G., in Westfield ; George I., in Page Co., 
Iowa ; Albert, in Buc^tus, Crawford Co.; Irwin 
(deceased), and Cora. Mr. Richards has ever 
been a consistent and enthusiastic supporter of 
Republican principles, cast his first vote for 
Joseph Vance. Universalist in doctrine, has 
been the Recording Clerk of his church many 
years, and a member of the A., F. & A. M. 
since 1857. Mr. Richards has alwaj's sustained 
in the community the character of an upright 
man and worthy citizen of the commonwealth. 
PETER RICE, farmer ; P. O. Le Roy ; was 
born Nov. 26, 1813, in Lehigh Co., Penn., of a 
family of ten children — five boys and five girls 
— whose parents were Henry and Elizabeth 
(Sipes) Rice, who were natives of Lehigh Co., 
near Allentown, and moved to Butler Co., 1815, 
where they remained permanently. Jul}- 14, 
1839, Mr. Rice was married U:) Elizabeth Weiz, 
who was born May 9, 1818, in Butler Co., 
Penn., daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Boy- 
er) Weiz, who were natives of Bucks Co.. and 
had nine children, six of whom grew to matu- 
rity. Mr. Rice was raised to hard labor — had 
not the advantages now aflbrded the young, he 
grew up without any education. After his 
marriage he had nothing to begin with, except 
his hands, which he industriously employed — 
worked out by the month and daj-, at low 
wages, cutting cord- wood at 25c per cord, 
threshing rye with a flail for the ninth bushel ; 
thus he labored on for several years, and with 
the assistance of iiis faithful wife, he was ena- 
bled to accumulate sufficient means to purchase 
some land, his first being 35 acres, afterward 
adding 10 ; kept the same several years ; sold 
it and bought 71, which he afterward sold and 
bought 101 of his father-in-law, which he owned 
until November, 18G5, when he emigrated to 
this count3', locating where he now resides ; has 
got a good farm, consisting of 80 acres, at 



■TT^ 



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WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



899 



Westtield Center ; has <;o()il iinprovoineats, hav- 
ing recently built a substantial barn and re- 
built and remodeled his house, having now an 
excellent home, in which to enjoy the remain- 
der of his days. To hiin liave been born eleven 
children, eight of whom are living, who are 
Jacob, now in Butler Co.. I'enn.. born Ma}' 5, 
1840; Hannah, born March 16, 1844; Lizzie, 
born Jan. 28, 1847 ; Katie, born 1849 ; Henry, 
born Sept. 17. 1854 ; (Jeorge. born Sept. 30, 
185(j ; Julia, born March 20. 1858 ; Mary, born 
Oct. 4, 1850; children all married and doing 
for themselves, with the exception of the 
youngest, who is unmarried and is one of the 
teachers of the township. 

ANDREW R. REYNOLDS, farmer ; P. 0. 
Leroj' ; is of the fourth generation of the name, 
who have descended from one John Reynolds, 
who was a fisherman from Marbleliead, Mass., 
and who was born in the year 1743. From him 
descended the grandfather of our subject, Joseph 
Rej'nolds, who was born Oct. 12. 1775, and was 
married to Rebecca Jaquith, who was born 
July 9, 1782, and were married Nov. 11, 1802. 
To them were born five children, the eldest be- 
ing Joseph, Jr,, the father of our subject, who 
was born Sept. 20. 1804. and was married to 
Harriet Henderson. The Reynolds family emi- 
grated West in October, 1831, where Joseph 
purchased about 200 acres of land in the west 
part of the township, a portion of which is now 
owned b>' Andrew. He was a shoemaker by 
trade, and, for some years after his arrival, plied 
his trade, which vocation he taught his son — 
Joseph, Jr. His son first made a short stay at 
Morse's Corners, then moved to La Fayette 
Township, where he took up a piece of the 
" Fowler land ;" remaining there a short time, 
he aliandoned it and removed to this township, 
where he finally located on a portion of the land 
his father had purchased, and settled perma- 
nently. Here Andrew was born, where he now 
resides, Aug. 7, 1851 ; is the3'oungestofa farail}- 
of nine children, eight of whom grewup-Joseph, 
Jr.. died March 24, 1863 ; his wife, Harriet, 
died Oct. 24, 1877, aged 68 years 4 months and 
13 days ; Joseph. Sr., died Feb. 15, 1853. An- 
drew R. was married Dec. 25, 1879, to Ida C. 
Rogers, l)orn Feb. 3, 1858 ; daughter of B. B. 
and Clarissa (Rogers) Norbjn. both of whom j 
arc early residents of this county. Andrew and | 
wife are members of the Univcrsalist Church, : 
and is now engaged in farming, j 



S. SIMMONS, farmer ; P. O. Le Roy ; is 
among the worthy representatives of Westfield 
Township, who have been associated with its 
interests for nearly one-half a century, and has, 
since 1832, been a constant resident of the farm 
he now owns. He was born in Bristol, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., Oct. 10, 1805 ; son of Jonathan and 
Ruth ((rooding) Simmons. The old family 
Bible has the following record : Jonathan 
Simmons, born Jan. 31, 1768; Ruth Gooding, 
born Feb. 20, 17G9. Their children were, 
Ruth S., born March 25, 1792 ; Lucy, born Jan. 
24,1794; Jonathan, born March" 24, 1796; 
Isaiah, born Oct. 23, 1799 ; Simpson, born 
March 24, 1802 ; Sally, born Aug. 20, 1803 ; 
Simpson, born Oct. 10, 1805 ; Harriet, born 
Dec. 20, 1807; Elmina, born Oct. 16, 1810; 
Erastus, born Sept, 16, 1814, The Simmons 
family are of English descent, as were the 
Goodings. The first arrival of the Simmons 
family in Westfield Township was in 1820, by 
Jonathan, the brother of the above, who settled 
and cleared up the farm now owned b}' Isaac 
Jones ; afterward removed West, where he 
died. The grandfather of Simpson was Con- 
stance Simpson ; he was in the Revolution, 
and was born in Dighton, Bristol Co.. Mass., 
and there raised his family. Simpson was mar- 
ried in April, 1832, to Sallie Austin, who was 
a daughter of Levi and Sarah (Mack) Austin, 
natives of Massachusetts. The Simmons fam- 
ily came from Maine to Massachusetts, and 
were mostly engaged in the lumber business. 
Simpson emigrated West with his father in 
1832, who located where Erastus now lives. 
Simpson, having bought 50 acres where he now 
lives, remained with his father until he had 
erected a rude cabin, with one door, which he 
soon occupied, and, notwithstanding its home- 
made furniture and rough interior, he lived 
happily for years. The first year, he put in 3 
acres of wheat ; the next year 4 acres of corn, 
which the coons and other denizens of the 
woods harvested for him ; could not raise 
enough to support his family- ; worked out by 
the day at excessively low wages, taking barter 
in exchange. For wheat, 3 shillings per 
bushel was all they could realize for it, and 
trade it out. He has a butcher-knife in his 
possession, for which he worked hard one day ; 
said knife had no handle, being made by the 
l>lacksmith ; he afterward added 50 acres more. 
Mr. Simmons has been a man of excellent health 









900 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



and of strong constitution, industrious and eco- 
nomical in his liabits. and has accuinuhited a 
deal of property ; yet, through bailing, lie has 
lost several thousands of dollars, yet has a good 
farm of 150 acres of good land, and, although 
he has passed the time allotted to mankind, he 
is now ill the enjoyment of his (juiet home, and 
is held in high regard bj- all those with whom 
he has been associated. \las alwa\-s been a 
man of retiring disposition, been a lover of 
books and instructive literature, and. though 
he never had the advantages of a good educa- 
tion, yet he has always been in favor of educa- 
tion, and always been ready to contribute lib- 
erallj- toward school and church purposes. 
Politically, he is a Democrat of the Jetfersonian 
school, yet never took an active part in polit- 
ical matters, yet has alwa^ys been firm and de- 
cided in his opinions, which he rarely failed 
to give expression to at the ballot box. In re- 
ligious matters, he has always been of the Uni- 
versalist faitli. Has three daughters — Lucretia, 
now Mrs. J. V. Olin ; Lydia, Mrs. J. Branard, 
and Adaline. now Mrs. Avers Alexander. 

MRS. BHXJAMIX SHAW, retired. Le Roy ; 
is the relict of Benjamin Shaw, who was one of 
the prominent farmers and highly esteemed 
citizens of Westtield Township, who was born 
Dec. 1, 1815. in Ciienango Co., X. Y.; his 
father's name was Benjamin F., who died when 
his son was a small lad, who emigrated to this 
State with his mother and grandfather, Benja- 
min F., who raised his grandson to mature age ; 
early in life implanted in his mind the princi- 
ples which in after life were adhered to. and 
secured tn him the success and reputation he 
acquired. Sept. 1. 1842. he was wedded to 
Miss Eleanor Lyons, whose name she now bears, 
who was born Dec. 2H, 1820, in Jefferson Co., 
Ohio ; was the second of a family of seven chil- 
dren, five of whom attained to mature age. Of 
the number now living, are Thomas M.. of Al- 
legany Co.; Eliza Ann, now Mrs. Elliot; 
Mary M.. Mrs. McFadden. both of Jefferson Co., 
Ohio. All of these were the issue of her par- 
ents. Hugh and Sarah (Moore) Lyons. He was 
a native of Mercer Co., I'enn., born in 170!). she 
of New York, in 1800 ; they were married in 
Virginia in 1818. and soon after I'lnigrated to 
the AVestern wilds, to cast their lots with the 
pioneers of the Buckeye State, selecting as 
their future and permanent home. Jelfer.son Co., 
where they lived until their death, his occurring 



in 1876, that of his consort, four years after- 
ward. They were among the prominent fam- 
ilies in that county, and consistent members of 
the Presbyterian Church. In 1845, Mr. and 
Mrs. Shaw moved to La Fayette Township, and 
purchased 120 acres, 14 being cle;ired, upon 
which were a log cal)in and rough barn. Re- 
maining here eight years, they sold out and lo- 
cated in the western part of this township, pur- 
chasing 120 acres, which was finally increased 
to 228 ; here he spent the remainder of his da^-s, 
passing to his rest Dec. 27, 1872. leaving a 
family of seven children, whose names are, 
Emiretta V., the wife of H. McCrag. of Ashland 
Co.; Elvira E.. Mrs. Al Reynolds, of Ashtabula 
Co.: Milliard F., now of Indiana ; Orrie E., 
Mrs. L. Jones ; Benjamin F., on the farm ; 
Mary and John E. Politically, Mr. Shaw was 
Republican in principle, active and positive in 
his sentiments, but not a partisan ; was a mem- 
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and always en- 
deavored to make its precepts the rule and 
guide of his lite ; Mrs. Shaw is a member of 
the M. E. Church ; since 1877, has resided at 
Westfield Center, the farm being yet in her pos- 
session. 

DANIEL SHOOK, farmer; P. O. Seville; 
among the solid and substantial farmers in this 
township, who have emigrated from the Key- 
stone State, is Mr. Shook, who was born in 
Center Co., Penn., Dec. 31. 1821. His parents 
were John and Christina (Long) Shook, who 
were highly respected citizens in that com- 
munity, and among the enterprising farmers of 
that locality. Daniel was of a family of ten 
children. Remaining with his father until he 
was 22, he having entertained favorable opinions 
of the West, and seeking to better his condi- 
tion, concluded to drift VVestward. arriving in 
Wayne County, this State, 1846. The year fol- 
lowing, he purchased 100 acres in this township, 
for which he paid $1,500. Not being content to 
fight the battle of life alone, he sought the hand 
of Caroline Coolman in marriage, its acceptance 
being celel)rated June 6, 1847 : she was born 
in Milton Township, Wayne Co., August, 1829; 
she w^as a daughter of John and Elizabeth 
(Reed) Coolman, who emigrated from Pennsyl- 
vania as early as 1812 to Stark County, where 
they remained until 1815, when they removed 
to Wayne Count\-, where Mrs. Shook was liorn. 
Since Mr. Shook came to this county he has 
been one of its worthy citizens. Has an excel- 



^ a 



Ll^ 



WKSTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



901 



lent fariu, consisting of 205 acros, which ranks 
among the host in tiic township. His farming 
has always lieon conducted on true liusiness 
principles ; been hard-worliing and economical, 
his farm bearing evidence of the enterprise and 
thrift of its owner. His health having failed 
him. he has given up active labor on the farm, 
and employs his spare time attending to his 
apiarv, he being among the successful bee-cul- 
turists iu the county. Has two children, John 
J. and Sarah Ann (now Mrs. Chauncy) Hollo- 
well. John J. is now carrying on the farm ; 
Mr. and Mrs. Hollowell residing on same farm. 
Mr. Shook is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
as were his parents before him. Takes but 
little interest in political matters — content to 
attend to his own business affairs, and rank 
among the useful members of society, than to 
aspire for political honors. 

SAMUEL S.MITH, farmer; P. O. Le Roy ; 
born March 5, 1821, in Canaan Township, 
Wayne Co., Oliio, of a family of nine children, 
live sisters antl four brothers, born to .James and 
Keziah (McCoUough) Smith. Both were na- 
tives of Washington Co., Penn. They were 
married June. 1812, and emigrated West to 
Wayne Co. in 1820. Samuel left home at the 
age of 15, and was engaged for some time as 
clerk in a store ; afterward in buying stock 
and running a threshing machine. Then went 
into the mercantile business at Canaan Center, 
associated with .Mr. Solomon Zuver, under the 
firm name of Zuver & Smith, whicii partnership 
continued several years. His next enterprise, 
was in the milling business, running a saw and 
grist mill for ten years. Then removed to Seville, 
Guilford Township, embarking in the mercan- 
tile business until 1873. when he located on 
the farm he now owns, situated one mile south 
of Westfield Center. His farm consists of 140 
ficres. March 1, 1855, formed a matrimonial 
alliance with Jane Armstrong, who was born 
July 12, 183G. in Canaan Township, Wayne Co., 
daughter of William and Mary (Rose) Arm- 
strong. The former born in Pennsylvania, and 
came West in 1815, locating in Wayne Co., 
where he was mairied, six children resulting 
from this union. His wife died when Jane was 
15 3'ears of age, and was afterward married to 
Catharine McPherson. Two children were the 
issue. Mr. Smith was out in the late war, serv- 
ing as Captain in Co. K, 16th 0. V. I. Since 
1875, has been serving on the official board of 



the Ohio Farmers' Insurance Co. as Director. 
Five children have been boi'n to him, but three 
living — Frances E., Rebecca Jeannctte and 
William C. 

JAMES II. TAYLOR, farmer and stock- 
raiser ; P. O. Seville. Among the noted horse- 
men in this county is J. H. Taylor, who was 
born in Salem, Washington Co., N. Y., July 4, 
1830. His parents were E. W. and Jane (Nel- 
son) Taylor, all of same county and State. The 
Nelsons are of Irish, and the Taylors of Yan- 
kee descent. James was ten years of age 
when his parents came to Guilford Township, 
his father dying three years after his arrival. 
J. H. then lived with his mother until he at- 
tained his major years. Early in life he mani- 
fested great love for a horse, and, at the age 
of 10, he began riding races, which he kept 
up until 19. and, being an expert driver, he 
drove and fitted horses for the speed ring ; for 
several years has driven some A^cry important 
races, where a high rate of speed autl a large 
amount were at stake ; in 1861, was offered 
S 1,000 and expenses to go to California and 
drive Sherman, Jr., in a single race where $15,- 
000 was wagered ; he went and won the race. 
Upon his return home came upon the steamship 
America, on her trial trip, having on board 
OOO passengers. Shortly after leaving Gray- 
town, they were caught in a gale and came 
near being "swamped ;" lost their rudder, and 
were for several weeks without the use of engine 
or rudder, being, as sailors would say, '• water- 
logged.'' While on this trip, came on to the ill- 
fated Golden (Jate, and took aboard her pas- 
sengers and crew. He succeeded in reaching 
his destination, losing his baggage and eflects. 
For several years past, he has been engaged in 
buj'ing and selling horses ; his superior judg- 
ment combined with his ripe experience have 
served to cause his opinion to stand as an 
oracle among the lovers of fine horses ; his ex- 
tensive acquaintance with horsemen and deal- 
ers has given him an enviable reputation in 
that direction. Persons at a distance often 
send orders for him to fill, for fancj* matched- 
teams, trotters or heavy draft, and are fur- 
nished and guaranteed to suit. He is now en- 
gaged in farming and raising horses for the 
market, which are of superior kind and quality, 
they having taken some flattering premiums at 
the State and agricultural fairs. May 1, 1854, 
was married to Julia Hosmer, born in Guil- 



^F^ 



■1' 



w<^ 



_s^ 



902 



BIOGHAPHICAl. SKETCHES: 



ford Township, May 1, 1838, ctaugliter of Judge 
Hosmer, of Seville, one of tlie old pioneers of 
the county. Her mother's maiden name was 
Lucy Hays, who was one of the pioneer school 
teachers in the southern part of the county. 
After Mr. Taylor was married, he located in 
Seville until 1872, when he moved to his farm, 
consisting of 100 acres, located one-half mile 
we.st of Seville ; lias three children — Wallace 
E., Hubert E. and Maude B. 

JACOB WIDEM AN, farmer and stock-raiser; 
P. 0. Seville ; was born Jan. 23, 1826, in Mark- 
ham, near Toronto, Canada West, the se\'enth 
child born to his parents, who were Jacob and 
Hannah (Geisinger) Wideraan, who were natives 
of Bucks Co., Penn., and emigrated to that 
province at or near the beginning of tiie present 
century'. To them were born eleven children, 
who were Sarah, Barbara, .Mary, Philli|), Daniel, 
Ludwick, Jacob, Catharine, Henry, John and 
George, all of wiiom attained maturity, and 
came to this State with their parents. Sarah 
was the wife of John Leatherman, who settled 
in Wadsworth ; she died in 1879; Barbara, 
Mrs. Bartshee, in (Juilford; Marj, now in Spen- 
cer; Phillip, in Indiana ; Daniel, in Lorain Co.; 
Ludwick, in Seville ; Catharine, Mrs. Ephraim 
Wright ; Henry, in La Fajette ; John died in 
1879, never married ; (Jeorge in Michigan. 
Jacob was about 1 year old when he left Can- 
ada with his parents who settled iu (iuilford 
Township and purchased 200 acres of land, 
which the}' cleared up. remaining on the same 
until their death, which occurred Oct. 28, 1853, 
and April 18. 1879. respectively. The\' were 
among the solid and highly' respected citizens 
in that looalitj'. and identified witii its religious 
inti^ests, lioth being members of the M. E. 
Church. Jacob grew up under the paternal 
roof; attaining his major j'cars, remained upon 
the farm. At the age of 27, was marrieil to 
Martha A. Webster, which event was celebrated 
in April, 1853. She was born in Clearcreek 
Township, Asldand Co., Ohio, May 12, 1833. 
She was the fourth of a family of ten children 
born to Francis K. and Rachel (Cowell) Web- 
ster. He was born in New Jersey, siie in (Jreene 
Co., Penn. Tiiey came West about the year 
1829. He was a shoemaker by trade, but car- 
ried on farming also. To them were born four 
children, who are Cordelia, Mrs. Smith ; Har- 
riet, .Mrs. Wideinan, in Wooster ; Martin V., in 
Michigan, and Mrs. Jacob WMdeman, the wife 



of this subject. Parents died iu fjorain Co., 
he in 1879. she seven years previous. Since 
Mr. Wideman was married, he has made several 
changes. After one year's residence on the 
h(jme farm, then moved to North Chatham, pur- 
chasing a farm, lived nine years; then returned 
to (iuilford, lived four jears ; sold out, moved 
to Seville, lived one \-ear ; then purchased a 
farm in Wa3ne Co., where he li\ed seven j-ears, 
then traded farm and came to his present farm 
in 1870. Has now 227 acres of good land, and 
is among the best farmers in the township, as 
well as one of its tirst-rate citizens. Is raising 
the best of stock, consisting of Durham cattle, 
full-blooded Cotswold sheep, and the best of 
horses, of the I'ercheron, Jersey. Eclipse, Hia- 
toga and Hainl)letonian. Has three children — 
Justin, Altha O., Mrs. Foskett. in Wellington, 
and Elmer K. 

JAMES WACJONER. farmer ; P. O. Le Roy ; 
born Feb. 15. 1815. in Markliam Township, near 
Toronto. Canada West. His parents were James 
and Margaret (Long) Wagoner, who were na- 
tives of Pennsylvania, and migrated to Canada 
about the commencement of the present cen- 
tury. In 1825. when a lad of 10, our subject 
came to this county with his uncle, John Long, 
who located in Wadsworth Township, remain- 
ing with him until his majority. Nov. 1 1, 1834, 
he was united in wedlock to Mary Wideman, 
who was born Feb. 25. 181G, in same locality as 
her iiusband. Her parents were Jacob and 
Anna ((ieisinger) Wideman, who were Pennsyl- 
vanians. Mr. W'agoner's school advantages 
were of limited character, what he did obtain 
was within the confines of the rude log-cabin 
which the neighbors hastily constructed — hiring 
the teacher by subscription fund. After taking 
upon him the marital relations, he set about 
.seeking a livelihood for himself and spouse ; he 
had neither money nor land, but had his hands_ 
and will-power, which were brought into requisi-*' 
tion. He cut a cord of wood for 25 cents ; cut 
and split rails at 40 cents per 100. taking store 
pay, S7 per month was the rale received. One 
liushel of whe.at was often given in exchange 
for a day's labor, which would not command in 
money one-fourth of a dollar. He did a great 
deal of '■slashing" timber (cutting down), the 
price being $1.50 per acre, and about S3.50 for 
cutting and trimming. I le afterward took leases 
of land, .\fter a succession of years, he suc- 
ceeded in saving enough to enable him to pur- 



^v , 



V 



lA 



WESTFIELD TOWNSHIP. 



903 



chase a small tract of land in Pntuam Co., 
where he removed, but, finding it very sickly, 
he retnrned to this connty after two years' resi- 
dence ; he since has been a constant resident of 
this township. Notwithstandinji' his unfavorable 
beginning, he has ai'quired of this world's goods 
sufficient to enable him to spend the remainder 
of his days in the enjoyment of his family and 
comparative independence. He has always ad- 
hered to the tenets embraced in the Old Whig 
party. At the outbreak of the rebellion, tie 
sent two sons, who did him honor by their true 
and soldier-like deportment. Jacob went out 
in the first call, serving three months in Co. K, 
8th Ohio ; afterward enlisted in the lOSd, Co. K ; 
served as Orderly Sergeant, remaining until the 
close of the war. Ludwick E. served three 
years in the 42d Ohio. Both returned home 
sound in health and limb. To Mr. Wagoner 
have been liorn eight children ; of those living 
are Jacob, now residing with his father — was 
married in 1875 to Ella White, born in 184!t, in 
Westfield Township, daughter of Stjuire E. O. 
White, of Lodi, whose wife was Mary .Mallory ; 
he was a native of Vermont, she of this county ; 
Jacob has two children — Gertrude M. and 
Early. Ludwick E., now of Detroit ; Henry, 
in Lodi ; and Francis A. Religiouslj-, Mr. 
Wagoner is a Ihiiversalist in belief and profes- 
sion. He has the esteem of the community in 
which he has been a resident for over one-half 
a century. 

G. C. WRIGHT, window l)lind manufact- 
urer, Le Roy ; was born July 1, 1829, in Litch- 
field Co., Conn., and carae West with his parents 
in May, 1839. There were seven children in 
the family, of which number he was the third 
in order of birth ; their names were Joel, H. 
B., G, C, Clarissa, Sarah, Phrebe and Fannie, 
all of whom were born to Martin S. and Fan- 
nie (Halloek) Wright, lioth being natives of 
Litchfield Co., and were born June 21, 1803, 
and July 4, 1800, respectively. Upon their 
arrival they located on the farm now owned by 
M. T. Ward, south of the Center ; there were 
96 acres in the farm, but a small portion of 
which was cleared. He was a carpenter by i 
occupation, which business he followed for sev- j 
eral years, being one of the best workmen in ' 
the county, and one of its worthy citizens, 
whose infiuence was felt for good, both in 
church and in the community at large. Both 
he and wife died of erysipelas in 1849, in the 



month of April — her death occurring on the 
15th, his the 17th. George (,". work(ui with his 
father at his trade tluring his minority. Nov. 
12, 1852, was married to Maria Collier, who 
was born Nov. 28, 1830, in the township, her 
parents were George and "Hoppie" (Steele) 
Collier, both born and reared in Hartford, Conn., 
there married, in 1817, anil emigrated West 
shortl)' after ; located on the I'arm now owned by 
Henry Yergin, one mile southwest of Westtield 
Center. Their family consisted of nine chil- 
dren, of those living are — Henry, now of Cin- 
cinnati ; George, now Chaplain in the U. S. 
Army, in Dakota Territory ; Kmeline, now Mrs. 
H. B. Farnum, of this township ; Maria, the 
wife of Mr. Wright ; Mary, Mrs. C. W. Norton, 
of Cediir Co., Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Collier died 
in 1864 and 1879, respectively. Mr. Collier 
was one of the charter members of the Ohio 
Farmers' Insurance Company, as well as Di- 
rector of the same, and was one of the stanch 
citizens of the community. In 1853, Mr. 
Wright engaged in the business which he is 
now conducting, where he manufactures window 
blinds. Having some ingenious devices of his 
own invention, in the way of machinery, which 
enables him to manufacture work which sur- 
passes that imported of the kind, receiving 
therefor better prices, he and son. Almon J., 
are doing a good business, which is largely on 
the increase. Having a buhr attached to his 
machinery, is prepared to do grinding to order. 
Six children have been born to him, who are, 
Almon J., Emma, Clara, Edna, Henry and 
Clarence, 

HIRAM WHITMORE, farmer, P. O. Bur- 
bank ; born in Franklin Co., Penn., Nov. 30, 
1827. Early in life, he learned the wagon and 
carpenter's trade, which vocation his fattier fol- 
lowed for a livelihood. At the age of 22, Hi- 
ram came West, living one year in Canaan 
Township, Wayne ('o., with his brother, who 
had preceded him two years. Hiram returned 
to Pennsylvania and assisted in removing his 
parents to this country. After three years' res- 
idence with them, he returned to his native 
State, and was married, Nov. 23. 1853, to Sarah 
Harnish, born March 8, 1828, in Washington 
Co.. Md.. daughter of John Harnish, whose wife's 
maiden name was P^etterhotf. After his mar- 
riaufe, he returned to this county, locating at 
Morse's Corners, now FriendsviUc, where he pur- 
chased 40 acres at SI .300. and engaged in farm- 



J 



J^ 



4 



I^L 



904 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



ing. After nine j-ears' residence at tliis place, 
lie disposed of his interests there and purchased 
where he now resides, where he has 118 acres, 
situated in the southwest corner of the town- 
ship. Mr. Whitmore began life poor, without 
any pecuniary aid. He has secured his present 
competence, and, with it, has merited the esteem 
with which he is held in the communitj-. For 
thirty-five 3'ears, he has been a member of the 
United Brethren, and Class-leader for twenty- 
five. In political matters, he takes but little 
interest. Prohibition principles are more in 
harmonj" with his views than either of the 
others. To him have been liorn six children — 
John A.. Jane, Valeria, Elmer, Laura and Ar- 
minta. The father died in 1867 ; the mother is 
now in her 01st .year. 

HENRY YERGIN, farmer ; P. 0. Le Roy ; is 
of good old Pennsylvania stock, born in Hunt- 
ingdon Co., Penn., Feb. 24, 1816. His paternal 
ancestor was Henry Yergin, born April 3t), 
1788, and was married Feb. 18. 1809, to the 
mother of our subject, whose maiden name was 
Catharine Coble, born June 21. 1701, in Wash- 
ington Co.. same State. Tliis union was blessed 
with an offspring of twelve children, who were 
as follows ; John, Susanna. Elizabeth, Henry, 
Mary, David, Christian, William, Andrew, So- 
phia. Catharine and Joseph — all of whom lived 



to be men and women. The family emigrated 
West to Wayne Co., arriving in March, 1816. 
Henr}" being but 3 weeks old. The country 
being new and the family large, industry and 
econom\' were essential to the establishment of 
a home, as well as to obtain the common nec- 
essaries of life, hence our subject was reared 
amidst privation and the attending hardships 
of pioneer life. His schooling was principally 
obtained witli the use of the ax and the imple- 
ments of husbandry. What little education he 
got of a literary character was within the con- 
fines of a log '• academy.'' where he was in- 
itiated into the rudiments of reading, writing 
and arithmetic. His marriage was with Chris- 
tina Kintner. born in 5Iay. 1S17, who was a 
daughter of Jacob and Christina (Ihrig) Kint- 
ner, natives of Washington Co.. Penn. To Mr. 
Yergin have been born five children, but three 
living, viz.: Rosana E., Caroline (now Mrs. Eli 
Stahl, of Wayne Co.), and I'riscilla ; Rebecca 
died in 1870 ; she was the wife of Jacob Farmer. 
Mr. Yergin remained in Wayne Co. until 
1874 ; since then he has been a resident of this 
Township. He lias a good farm of 103 acres, 
which he has accumulated by his own industry ; 
beginning poor without a dollar, he has made 
a success, and is one of the neat and substan- 
tial farmers in the township. 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



JOHN AMERMAN. Granger. Albert and 
Ellen (Peterson) Amerman. parents of this gen- 
tleman, were natives of New Jersey. The for- 
mer was born in 1784, and the latter in 1701. 
They were married in 1813, and are the de- 
scendants of old and respected Holland fami- 
lies who came to America in Colonial times. 
Mr. Amerman. in early life, learned the shoe- 
maker's trade, but after his marriage he devoted 
his entire time to farming and stock-growing. 
In 1826, he removed from his native State to 
Long Island, where he remained some eight 
years, and then came to Sharon Township, Me- 
dina Co.. Ohio, where he and wife passed the 
remainder of their days. They were the parents 
of three children — Joiin. Peter, and one that 
died in infancy. Mr. Amerman departed tliis 
life in 1863. and his wife in 1843. John Amer- 



man was born Sept. 6, 1819, in Somerset Co.. 
N. J. He was rai.sed upon a farm, and received 
the benefits of a common-school education. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Euieline 
Castner April 28, 1847. She was born in New 
Jersey Aug. 21, 1823. Five children were the 
fruits of this union, viz. : Albert S., born Jan. 
7, 1840; Edward E., Nov. 27, 1850; Edith J . 
July 20, 1856; John M., Oct. 24, 1852, and 
died March 21. 1853; John C, born April 5. 
1850. and died Nov. 4, 1861. Albert S. is sin- 
gle and resides in Dakota Territory ; Edward 
E. married Miss Ada A. McMillan Dec. 31, 
1873, and now resides in Nebraska: Edith •). 
married -Mr. Henry Hawks Nov. 26, 1874. He 
was born .lime 4. 1853. Tliev have one child 
—Ethel E, born .May 16, 1879. Mrs. Amer- 
man died Mai\-li 27. 1870. Mr. Amerman has 



M^ « 



SI 



CHANGER TOWNSHIP. 



905 



been a resident of Granger Township since 
1848. He owns '200 acres of well-improved 
land, and is one of the successful farmers and 
wool-growers of the count}'. He is a man of 
retiring disposition, broad and liberal in his 
views, but firm in his convictions of right and 
wrong. Politically, he is a Republican. 

BENJAMIN BURT, P. 0. Granger. Dan- 
iel and Hannah (Trafton) Burt, parents of this 
gentleman, were born, reared and married in 
Massachusetts. During the early settlement of 
Ontario Co., N. Y., they were among tiie first to 
go there. Here, in 1813, Mr. Burt died, leav- 
ing his wife and eight children to mourn ids loss. 
Some five years later, when quite a number of 
persons from Ontario Co. came to settle in 
Medina Co., Ohio, John and Daniel Burt, sons 
of the above gentleman, came to the county 
and began the improvement of a piece of land 
in what is now Granger Township, which they 
had traded for the same year. In February, of 
1819, the mother with the family, started for 
the new home in Ohio, arriving at their desti- 
nation on the 5th of March the same year. 
The two sons had been out the year pre- 
vious and built a log cabin, into which the 
family moved on their arrival. The house had 
no windows or doors, and to make matters 
worse, the day after they arri^'od there was a 
heavj' snow-storm. The mother, however, sup- 
plied this deficiency by hanging quilts at the 
doors and windows, which in a measure kept 
out the cold until warm weather set in. Ben- 
jamin Burt was born in Ontario Co., N. Y., 
Feb. 14, 1804. and was but 15 years of age 
when the family came to Ohio. He started a 
day or so before the family, with tiie cows, and 
expected they would overtake him in a short 
time. This, however, they did not do, for he 
arrived the day before the family at their new 
home, having walked almost the entire distance. 
In 1820, John Burt built a iloublo log cabin 
where the village of Grangerburg now stands, 
and the next year returned to New York, where 
he was married, returning to Ohio in the spring 
of 1822 ; his wife dying the same year that 
Benjamin went to live witii him, the two broth- 
ers kept bachelor's hall for about eighteen 
months. Their house served the various pur- 
poses of a dwelling, a church, a tavern and a 
schoolhouse. John Burt taught school in the 
house in the winter of 1822. and (juite fre- 
quently the scholars arrived at the schoolhouse 



before the two brothers had their work done 
up. In this case the larger girls would assist 
in sweeping, washing dishes, etc. The year 
after their arrival in Ohio, Benjamin wanting a 
pair of shoes, and not having the money to 
purchase them, worked nine days at 25 cents 
per da\- for a man who olitaincd them for him 
by making a turn with a third party. 

In 1826, Timothy Wilder and wife came in a 
lumber wagon from New York, to visit their 
friends in Oiiio. On their return, Benjamin 
Burt and his mother accompanied them, and 
spent some time visiting friends in New York 
and Massachusetts. Mr. Burt remained in his 
native State some years, workingliy the month. 
He was united in marriage with .Miss Parmelia 
Hatch, Dec. 31, 1829. She was born in Ontario 
Co., N. Y., in 1812. In the spring of 1830, he re- 
turned to Ohio, bringing his wife with him, 
Eben Bissell and wife being also in the com- 
pany. On their arrival at Cleveland, it was 
necessary that one of the men should go to 
Granger and procure teams to bring the women 
and goods to that place. The distance was 
about thirty miles, and Mr. Burt walked the 
distance in a half-day, and this when the 
country was almost an uniuhaliited wilderness, 
filled with logs, groups of underliru.^h. ravines, 
etc. The furniture of their new home was of 
regular pioneer order. They used a chest for 
a table until a more fashionable article could 
be procured. When they iiad company, two 
chests were placed together, one being much 
lower than the other. In this way began 
Benjamin Burt and wife, who have been well 
and favoralily known to the people of Medina 
Co., for over half a century. They are the 
parents of three children, viz.: Ozro Seymour, 
born Jan. 31, 1831 ; Charles .Milton, born Oct. 
9, 1833, and Lueretia K., born Oct. 3, 1837. 
These children are all married and the heads of 
families. Ozro S., was married Nov. 11, 1854, to 
Miss Mercy A. Shaw, She was born in Sum- 
mit Co., Ohio, Oct. 7. 1834. They have a family 
of eight children — EIroy C. Bion U., Diana, 
Minnie, Benjamin, Elbridge, Grace E. and Mary | 
G. After marriage and tmtil 1867, this gentle- 
man was engaged in farming, dairyingand deal- 
ing in live stock. At this time, he purchased a 
half-interest in a store in Grangerburg, of his 
brother-in-law, although he remained on liis 
farm. In 1870. he purchased the entire stock 
of goods and has since conducted the business 



J) "V 



4^ 



906 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



alone. He carries a large stock, and is doing a 
large and steadilj' increasing business. In 
1868, he and James McMillen erected a large 
cheese manufactory at (Irangerbiirg, having a 
manufacturing capacity of 1.300 pounds daily. 
It is now, and ever has been since built, in 
active operation, during the cheese-malving 
season. Besides the above property, he owns 
a nicely improved farm of 250 acres adjoining 
the village. He is an intelligent, progressive 
gentleman, and has held all the township offices 
in the gift of the people. He has been for some 
years a member of Medina Lodge, No. 70, F. & 
A. M. 

Charles M. Burt, like his brother, was raised 
upon a farm. He attended the common schools 
of the neighborhood until he was about 17 years 
of age, when he attended school at (JV)erlin, 
Ohio, for some time, and then came home and 
worked for his fattier until about 24 years of 
age, at which time he and his iirother Ozro S. 
purchased the old homestead of 170 acres, 
which they farmed in common for two years, 
when he purchased his lirother's interest. He 
continued to deal in real estate and make addi- 
tions to the home farm until he owned 400 
acres in one body. In 1871, he went to Wads- 
worth and purchased the Exchange Hotel, which 
he owned and run for about eighteen months 
and then traded it for one-Hfth interest in the 
Eureka Lead Works of that place. After about 
two years, lie disposed of this and he and Mr. 
H. Z. Chandler purchased 2,700 acres of pine 
lands in Miciiigan, paying $30,")ttO for the same. 
This he now owns, together with 2H4 acres of 
land in Granger Townsliip. and a valuable and 
nicely improved home property in Wadsworth. 
which he now makes his home. He was united 
in marriage with Miss E. A. Hills. Marcli 
28, 1859. She was born in Granger Township 
in 1841. They have two children — Elno O. 
and Abbie J. Lucretia E. Burt married Mr. 
James Hopkins, and is now residing in Akron, 
Ohio. Thus it will be seen that the three chil- 
dren of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Burt are well- 
to-do people, and have |n-otited by the examples 
of sobriety, economy and industry set them by 
their most wortiiy pai-ents. Benjamin Burt has 
devoted nearly all his life to agricultural pur- 
suits, never seeking the publicity of office, 
although he has tilled many township offices 
with much credit to iiimselfand lasting benefit 
to those for whom he lal)ored. He tield the 



office of County Commissioner six years, and 
was a member of that body during the period 
when the new court liouse was built, and was 
the onl}- member who voted against the remod- 
eling of the old house. He has always acted 
independent of sects and denominations, favor- 
ing everything known to lie right, and promptly 
opposing everything known to be wrong. He and 
sons are stalwart Republicans, and liave been 
since the organization of tliat part}*. He is now 
in his 78th year, and, with his silver locks and 
tardy steps, is (juietly awaiting '■ the last of 
earth." His wife is nearly 70 years of age. 

M. C. CODDING, Granger.' The name of 
Codding was originally Coddington. and their 
progenitoi' was from England. Some years after 
the Plymouth Colony had established itself on 
this continent, there came to the colony one Sir 
William Coddington, from England. He was 
descended from the nol)ility of his native coun- 
try, l)ut, througli misfortune, had lost his prop- 
erty, and, to recuperate, had come to America. 
He was a man of much more than ordinary 
ability, and of very decided views regarding 
religion and men. He held that infant baptism 
was not necessary to salvation, and that every 
man had a right to worship God as he saw fit. 
He was pronounced tiy the Council a heretic, 
and an order i.ssued that he should be sent back 
to England. Before this could be executed, 
however, he had left the colony, gone to Rhode 
Island and joined the Williams Colony. Here 
he remaineil the rest of his life, becoming, at 
last. Governor of Rhode Island, and one of the 
wealthiest men in the colony. All the Cod- 
dings now in the New World, so far as known, 
are descendants of this gentleman, and the coat 
of arms used l)y himself and family is still to 
i)e seen in the old State House at New])ort. 
(leorge Codding, the father of our subject, was 
born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., March 31, 
1800. He was reared upon a farm, receiving 
but a limited education. In 1821, he left his 
native State and came to Granger Township, 
this county. He had traded for Lot 28 belbre 
leaving home, antl. upon his arrival iti the town- 
ship, he at once l>egan preparing his land for 
tillage. His marriage with Miss Jei'usha Spen- 
cer occurred Nov. 22, 1822. She was born in 
Seneca, Ontario Co., N. Y., Aug. 18, 1802. 
From this union there were seven childn-n 
viz.. Myron V... Spencer F., Nancy T.. All)ert T., 
Harriet M.. William K and Lucv A. Mrs 



h- 



^^ 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



907 



Codding died May 1, 1S41. On the 18th of 
Ma}', 1842. Mr. Codding was united in marriage 
to Kliza Johnson, who was the mother of one 
child— Helen L. This lady died June 20, 1861. 
Mr. Codding departed this life April 15, 1845. 
Although never aspiring to political promi- 
nence, he was honored, during his lifetime, with 
a number of positions in Granger Township, 
and was, for a number of years. Captain of a 
company of militia. He was of a retiring dis- 
position, devoting his entire lifetime to agri- 
cultural pursuits, the temporal and spiritual 
welfare of his family, and the promotion of the 
best interests of the community in which he 
lived. Myron C. Codding was born upon the 
farm he now owns and resides upon, March 1, 
1824. Although his educational advantages 
are somewhat limited, yet he has become a fair 
scholar in the English branches, and has held, 
during the last decade, man}' positions of honor 
and trust in Granger Township. He was united 
in man'iage with Miss Phabe H. Ganyard 
Sept, 13, 1848. This lady was born in Granger 
Township Feb. 8, 1828, and is the daughter of 
Festus Ganyard, Esq., one of the first settlers 
of the township. From this union, four chil- 
dren were born, viz., Albert T., George, Harriet 
E. and Lena R. Mr. Codding has, for a num- 
ber of j'ears, been engaged in farming, stock- 
raising and dairying, in all of which he has 
been very successful. Although he never 
learned any trade, he readily turned his hand 
to anything required to be done, especially ex- 
celling as a wood-workman. He has been a 
remarkably industrious and hard-working man, 
very frugal in his habits, and has accumulated 
quite a competency by his regard for these 
manly virtues. He is a substantial and useful 
member of the community, and has been 
quite liberal in contributions for charitable and 
educational enterprises. He owns a nicelv im- 
proved farm of ] 32 acres ; is a stanch Repub- 
lican in politics, and a consistent member of 
the M. P]. Church. Medina Co. would be much 
better off had it more such men as M. C. Cod- 
ding. 

JASPER A. CODDING, farmer; Remson^s 
Corners ; is a native of Granger Township, 
where he was born in 181 9 ; he is the oldest per- 
son born in the township now living ; his par- 
ents were John and Hannah Spencer Codding ; 
his father was a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., 
born May 2, 1797 ; his mother was a native of 



Connecticut, they were united in marriage in 
Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., and came to 
Granger Township in March 1818 ; his mother 
died in the township ; his father subsequently 
sold his farm and removed to Medina, where 
he departed this life Oct. 20, 1806, after a stir- 
ring, eventful life, regretted bj' all who knew 
him ; he served in active public life for a great 
many j-ears, representing all of the township 
otfices, and serving as Justice of the Peace for 
many terms ; he was well posted in law and 
business, and was largely employed by his 
townsmen, to transact their business and legal 
matters ; he represented his district in the 
State Legislature, and subsequently was chosen 
State Senator, offices which he fulfilled with 
ability and honor ; he was chosen as one of the 
Commissioners for the appraisement of the 
Western Reserve school lauds, and at one time 
was a Presidential Elector. In his early man- 
hood, John saved the life of a neighbor named 
Moore, who was bitten b}' a rattlesnake, by ap- 
plying his mouth to the wound and drawing the 
poison out ; it was an office of great danger, 
and illustrates the nobility and courage of his 
nature ; his children now living are as follows : 
Jasper A., Wilder M., a resident of Wadsworth 
Township; Elsie A. McFarland, living in Summit 
Co. ; Charles G., a resident of Medina. Our sub- 
ject passed his early life upon his father's farm, 
teaching school several winter sessions, until 
25 j-ears of age, when he was united in mar- 
riage to Miss Phoebe J. Huntley April 17, 
1844 , she was born in New York State in 
March. 1827; her father was John Huntley, an 
old resident of Medina Co. Mr. and Mrs. C. 
have been blessed with the following children : 
Johu S.. living in Portage Co.; Frank D.,a res- 
ident of Knox Co., 111.; Emma L. Perrin, living 
in Granger Township. After his marriage Mr. 
Codding engaged in forming for a year and a 
half in Summit Co., and then removed to 
Granger, where he has since resided ; he lo- 
cated in 1850 one-half mile east of Remson's 
Corners, where he now lives ; he has 63 acres 
of fine improved land ; he is a useful and re- 
spected citizen of the township, having served 
the township for six terms as assessor, and al- 
ways taken an active interest in schools and 
township matters. 

SAMUEL CUTTER, farmer ; P.O. Remson's 
Corners ; is a prominent citizen of Granger 
Township, he is a native of Columbia Co., 



^ 



<« 



908 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



Penn., where he was born in 1801 ; his parents 
were Samuel and Mary (Cole) Cutter, natives 
of New Jersey, they were pioneers of Holmes 
Co., where they located in 1819, and residents 
of that fount}' the remainder of their days. 
Samuel when a j'outh went to Wooster and 
learned the blacksmith's trade, which occupa- 
tion he followed there for a number of years. 
While a resident of Wayne Co., he was elected 
to the office of Sheriff of the county, and served 
for two terms ; at the expiration of his last term 
of office ho farmed in Wayne Co. for three years, 
and then removed to Homer Township. Medina 
Co., where he resided for nine years upon a 
farm. In 1861, he removed to his present lo- 
cation in Granger Township ; he has a farm of 
125 acres, located in the northeastern portion 
of the township, well improved. He was united 
in marriage in 1831, to Miss Deborah Sprague, 
she bore him two sons, Henry and Charles — 
both now deceased. Henrj' was in the service 
nearly three years and Charles 100 days ; his 
wife died in Wooster. Mr. Cutter was mar- 
ried to a second wife, Miss Mary Mason, Jan. 
9, 1840 ; she is a native of New Hamphire, and 
was born in 1804, they have two children liv- 
ing. Harvey, he is married to Miss Ann Baker, 
a native of Michigan, they have four children — 
Frank, Charles, Israel and Mary ; Harvey resides 
with his parents; Ellen Young, another daugh- 
ter living in Kansas ; Mr. and Mrs. Cutter are 
both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
Cutter, while out hunting in Chatham woods, in 
the night of Nov. 13, 1833, was a spectator of 
the great meteoric showers which occurred at 
that date ; he relates that the sight was one of 
grand and indescriliable splendor, and lasted 
from 12 o'clock until daybreak. 

EBEXP]ZEll COMSfOCK ; P. 0. Granger; 
was born Oct. 20. 1820, in Montville, New Lon- 
don Co., Conn. He is the son of Ebenezer and 
Hannah (Stimpson) Comstock, both natives of 
Connecticut. By this union there were the fol- 
lowing family of children ; Mark, Jeremiah, 
Ebenezer, M.arv S. and Elizabeth A. Mr. Com- 
stock's first wife was a Miss Turner, who was the 
mother often children, viz. : Elisha. Henrietta, 
Nancy, Ficha, Desiah, Lucretia, Catharine, .\rt- 
lissa and two not named. The father served 
his country in the navy during the war of the 
Revolution ; he was taken prisoner by the 
British. l)ut escaped and joined Gen. (Jreene's 
army. He died in Connecticut in 1835, and his 



wife in Medina Co., Ohio, in 1864. For thirteen 
3'ears after the death of his father, the subject 
of this sketch followed the life of a sailor ; he 
served in all capacities, from a common sailor 
to commander and owner of a vessel. In 1848, 
he came to this county, which he has since 
made his home. He was united in marriage 
to Miss Sarah Krieble May 2, 1856 ; she was 
born in Pennsylvania March 9, 1838. They 
have had four children, three of whom are yet 
living, viz. : Eunice, William and Frank ; the 
one deceased was named Job. Mr. Comstock 
began life as a poor sailor boy, and has made 
what he now possesses b}- his own exertions. 
He owns a well-improved farm of 153 acres, 
near the center of Granger Township. He has 
in his possession a number of old deeds that 
were made to his grandfather for Connecticut 
land during the reigns of George the Second 
and Third, of England. In politics, he is a 
stalwart Republican. He is a well-informed 
man, of liroad and lil)eral views, generous to a 
fault, but firm in his convictions of right and 
wrong. The county would be much better ofl' 
had it more such men as Mr. Comstock. 

DANIEL FLUENT, farmer; P. O. Wey- 
mouth ; was born in Steuben Co.. N. Y.. in 
1814. His parents were Jonathan and Meliita- 
ble (Dudley) Fluent, natives of Maine, where 
they were married, subsequently removing to 
New York State and then to Ohio, locating in 
Steuben Co. Our subject passed his early life in 
that county ; at the age of 20, he came to Hinck- 
ley Township, where he took up 50 acres of land, 
remaining there about eight years ; he then 
moved to Granger Township, where he has 
since resided. His farm consists, at present, of 
88 acres, located in the northwest corner of the 
township, and is fine farming land and well im- 
proved in every respect. He was united in 
marriage in 1837, to Miss Alice Conant, a 
daughter of Timothy Conant, of Hinckley 
Township ; she was born in Richfield Township, 
Summit Co., July 6, 1821. Tliey have six chil- 
dren, as follows : Louisa Hall, living in Wayne 
Co.; Jennie Williams, a resident of Cleveland; 
Margaret Smedlev, living in Weymouth ; J. K. 
Polk, "Vnola and Edgar B. Mr. Fluent has de- 
voted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, 
and is spoken of as a first-class farmer and a 
prominent and respected citizen. 

GEORG E M. G AN Y A KD, Granger. About 
the year 1750, two brothers, James and Peter 



:^ 



GKANGER TOWNSHIP. 



909 



Ganj'ard by name, embarked from France, their 
native country, in a merchantman owned by 
tliera, for the West Indies, intending to estab- 
lish themselves in the mercantile business on 
the Island of Hajti. The^- must have been 
quite wealthy, for they owned several vessels, 
and, after establishing themselves in business, 
opened trade with the colonies of North America 
and their mother country. Both had received 
good educations in their native country, but 
they soon found that to do a successful Inisi- 
ness with the people of the New World, would 
necessitate their becoming more proficient in 
their English education. To this end, Peter, 
who was at this time a minor, was sent by his 
older brother to America to attend school, 
while he remained in Ilayti to look after the 
business. The younger brother was supplied 
with plenty of monej- and admonished to im- 
prove his time and talents acquiring an English 
education, and learning the customs and habits 
of the Colonists. Quite the contrary did lie do, 
however, for, after a time, he ran awaj- from 
school and went to what is now the State of 
Connecticut, where, at Killingworth. he ap- 
prenticed himself to a shoemaker. While here 
he became acquainted with Miss Esther Merritt, 
to whom he was married in 1760. The elder 
brother not hearing from Peter, made diligent 
search and inquiry, but could learn nothing of 
him. He had. in the meantime, become Gov- 
ernor of Hayti, and was ver}- wealthy. After 
about fourteen years, the Captain of one of his 
vessels hearing that there was a shoemaker by 
the name of Ganyard, in Killingworth, Conn., 
determined to visit the place and see if it was 
not the long-lost brother. Arriving at Kil- 
lingworth. he visited the shop of the shoe- 
maker and began questioning him in regard to 
his ancestors. The j-ounger brother stoutly 
denied his identity, and it was only after the 
earnest entreaties of his wife and the Captain, 
that he confessed and expressed his willing- 
ness to go to Hayti and see his brother. The 
younger brother's family, at this time, con- 
sisted of himself wife and five children. He 
was placed in charge of a large sugar and cot- 
ton plantation belonging to his brother, where 
he remained some years. At last he became 
tired of his occupation, and the year 1772 
found liimself and family at their old home in 
Killingworth, and he working at his trade. It 
may be as well to state here that James, the 



elder brother, died of yellow fever, and that his 
wife returned to France. The}- had no children, 
and it is said tliat all the Ganyards in America 
are descendants of Peter Ganyard, the shoe- 
maker. The older brother's property was nearly 
all destroyed during the rebellion on the Island, 
in 177li and 177o. The younger brother went 
there after order was restored, and managed to 
obtain about $3,000, which, on his return, was 
invested in a farm of 300 acres in Litchfield 
Co., Conn. Here he passed the remainder of 
his days, as did his wife. They were the parents 
of ten children, one of whom, James, being 
the grandfather of our subject. He was born 
Jan. 14, 1772, and married Miss Pha?be Hatch, 
who was born at Saybrook, Conn., April 20, 
1767. The}' were married in Hartland. Conn., 
Nov. 30, 1792, and began housekeeping in a 
portion of Peter Ganyard's house in Litchfield 
Co., Conn. They were the parents of quite a 
large family, of whom appropriate mention will 
be made in another part of this work. In 
1798, James Ganyard went to what was then 
known as the '■ Phelps and Gorliam Purchase," 
in the Genesee country. New York. Liking 
the country, he returned to Connecticut, and, in 
January of the following year, removed to that 
countr}', which, at the time, was considered the 
very verge of civilization. He purchased 90 
acres of land of Simeon Hatch, in North Bristol, 
Ontario Co., and began its improvement. He 
was a hard working man, and, in a few years, 
had a comfortable home for himself and fixmil}'. 
In October of 1817, Mr, Ganyard, in com- 
pany with Elizur Hills, Anthony Low and Burt 
Codding, came to Ohio to view Town 3, Range 
3, of the Western Reserve. After viewing the 
land, and being satisfied with soil, climate, loca- 
tion, etc, they returned to New York and con- 
tracted with Gideon Granger, the proprietor of 
the land, for three-fourths of the township, at 
$4 per acre, giving their lands in Bristol, N. Y., 
in part pay, and securing tiie balance by giving 
mortgage on their lands in Ohio. This mort- 
gage, in after years, was a great draw-back 
to the settlers of the township, and caused 
many of them considerable expense and anxi- 
ety. After the agreement was made, and 
Ijefore the article was signed by the purchasers. 
Mr. Ganyard transferred his right to Mr. John 
Codding, reserving only to himself such lands 
as he had paid f(jr. This is tiie reason why 
his name never appeared on any of the origi- 



"^0 



a) \ 



910 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



nal ret'orrls of the company. He came to 
Granger Township in 1810, and located on Lot 
35. where he ever afterward resided. He died 
Dec. 20. 1844, and his wife March 2, 1840. 
They are buried on the old home farm, and a 
humble stone, bearing their names, is the onl\- 
memorial which marks the spot where rest two 
of the first pioneers of Granger Township. 
Tlieir son, Festus Ganyard, was born March 
27, 1795, in Litchfield Co., Conn, When his 
parents removed to New York, he was but a 
child ; his early education was quite limited, 
but in later years he acquired quite a knowl- 
edge of the sciences ; he became quite proficient 
in botai)}- and history, and was often called on 
to prescribe for the sick of the neighborhood. 
He attended his first term of school in East 
Hollow, Ontario Co,, N, Y,; in this school he 
was taught his A B C's by Miss Jane Gid- 
dings ; she was a sister of the Hon, Joshua R. 
Giddings, so well known to the people of the 
United States. In after years, Mr. Ganyard 
often spoke of this school and of Jliss Giddings 
as being a model teacher. Festus Gan^-ard 
came to Granger Township one year prior to 
his parents, and began improving the land 
owned by his father. He was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Betsey Burt, March 27, 1822 ; 
she was born ]\Lirch 13, 1802, They were the 
parents of three children, viz.. Harriet, Phcebe 
and George M. 5Ir. Ganyard. during his life, 
held man}- positions of honor and trust ; he 
assisted in the organization of civil govern- 
ment in Granger Township ; it was he who, 
with others, formed the Congregational Church 
of Granger, the first Christian organization in 
the township, and he and his wife continued 
worthy and exemplary members of this church 
until their deaths, Mr. Ganyard was a man of 
much more than ordinary ability and natural 
powers of mind. He was of a retiring dispo- 
sition, and did not meddle much in political 
affairs. jX't he held decided opinions, which he 
did not fail to express at the ballot-box. He 
did his part as a faithful father, husband and 
Christian. He died March 22, 1868. and his 
faithful wife and companion Nov. 10, 1866. 
He and wife were buried in the cemetery on the 
old homestead, upon land cleared l)y his own 
hand when he was a young man. 

George M. Ganyard, the subject of this sketch, 
was born upon the farm he now owns, Nov, 7, 
1834, His youth and early manhood were 



passed assisting his father upon the farm. He 
was united in marriage to Miss Mar\' B. Haight, 
Feb. 22. 1864. She was born in Sharon Town- 
ship, this county. Sept, 12, 1844. They have 
two children, viz,, Eudosia M. and Alida H. 
Mr. Ganyard owns a nicelv improved farm of 
220 acres, near the center of the township. He 
has devoted his energies to dairying and agri- 
cultural pursuits, and has been very successful 
in his business enterprises. He has never sought 
the publicity of otHce, although he has filled sev- 
eral township positions, at the solicitation of 
friends. He is a stanch Republican, and a 
man of broad and liberal views regardinsf 
men and religion. On taking a retrospective 
view of the Gauyard famih'. it can well and 
truly be said that they have most emphatically 
been a pioneer family. Coming, as thev did, 
from the middle classes, their progenitors 
brought with them those qualities and virtues 
which render them not unworthy of a place 
among a people who were to subdue a wilder- 
ness, maintain their liberties, found a new State 
— in fact, create a new world. 

M. W. GANYARD, Granger : is the son of 
John N. and Lucinda (Turner) Ganyard. the 
former a native of Bristol. Ontario Co., N. Y., 
and the latter of Canfield, Mahoning Co.. Ohio. 
Mr. Ganyard had previously married Miss Eliz- 
abeth Turner, by whom there was one child — 
Turner N. There was one child by his second 
marriage — Marshal ^V. In M^19. Mr. Gan\'ard 
came to Granger Township, this count}-, settling 
on the farm now owned by the subject of this 
sketch. He was a hard-working man, and de- 
voted the greater porti(jn of his life to agricult- 
ural pursuits, although he worked at coopering 
to some extent in an early day. He was a good 
and useful man, and contributed liberally to all 
religious and educational enterprises. He had 
great musical ability, and could perform on 
almost auv kind of an instrument. He died 
Jan, 3, 1861, and his wife Nov, 10, 1876. M. 
W. Ganyard was born June 14. 1835, and 
passed his youth and earlj- manhood upon his 
father's farm, receiving a common-school edu- 
cation, ^Vhen about 18 years of age, he took 
a trip through Canada and the East, From 
this time on until he was about 25 \-ears old, 
he traveled during the fall and winter months, 
his summers being passed in assisting his fa- 
ther upon the farm. He was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Roseltha E. Waters, Dec, 24, 



j, >^ 



^1 



5 >> 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



911 



1868. She was born in Monroe Co., Mich., 
Dec. 13, 1845. From this union one child was 
bora. Flora F. Mrs. Ganyard died June 26, 
1875. Mr. Ganyard was married to Miss Kittie 
G. Bailey March 1, 1877. She was born in 
Canada East, Oct. 29, 1855. They have one 
child, John N. ^Ir. Ganyard has, for a num- 
ber of years, made a specialty of raising fine 
sheep, and has done much to better this class 
of stock in the county. He is a Republican 
in politics, and liberal in his views regarding 
men and things. He owns 148 acres of as well 
improved land as can be found in Granger 
Townsiiip. Although he never learned any 
trade, he readily* turned his hand to anything 
required to be done. He is a substantial and 
useful member of society, and one of the fore- 
most agriculturists and wool-growers in Me- 
dina County. 

R. O. GANYARD. farmer; P. 0. Remsen's 
Corners ; was born in Granger Township in 
September, 1841. His parents were James 
and Sarah (Low) Ganyard, natives of New York 
and pioneers of Granger Township, locating in 
1818, where they were residents for the re- 
mainder of their lives. James died in JIarch, 
1875, and his wife in September, 1869. A 
more complete record of their residence in the 
township appears in another portion of this 
work. Our subject remained upon his father's 
farm until 29 years of age. In September, 
1867, he removed to his present location, where 
he has 82 acres of rich land, the most of which 
is improved. He was married, in September, 
1862, to Miss Caroline Crocker. She was born 
in Montville Township in November, 1841. and 
is a daughter of Jeremiah Crocker, an old and 
respected resident of the count_v, now living in 
Granger Township. Jlr. and Mrs. Ganyard 
have three children — Mary, William and Linn. 
Mr. Ganyard is a J'oung and enterprising 
farmer, and is a trusted and esteemed citizen. 
He has taken an active interest in the educa- 
tional affiiirs of his district, and has served as 
Director and Clerk. 

SEYMOUR A. GANYARD, Granger. This 
gentleman was born in Bristol, Ontario Co., N. 
Y., April 24, 1830. He is tlie son of Seymour 
G. and Esther (Donaldson) Ganyard, both of 
whom were natives of the Empire State, where 
they were married and resided until 1834, when 
they^ removed to Bath Township. Summit Co., 
Ohio. They were the parents of two sous — 



Seymour G. and William N. .Mr. (ianyard has 
always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
and owns one of the best farms in Bath Town- 
ship, upon which he now resides. He is a man 
of decided religious and political views, and a 
useful and inBuential member of society. His 
wife departed this life Nov. 21, 1869. Seymour 
A. passed his youtli and early manhood assist- 
ing his father upon the farm. He was educated 
in the common schools of that daj'. Aug. 25, 
1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Alme- 
da Grirtin. This lad3' was born in Copley Town- 
ship, Summit Co., Ohio, Feb. 1, 1833. From 
this union there were two children, viz., Louisa 
and Sherman. Mrs. Ganyard died Jan. 2, 1873. 
Mr. Ganyard was united in marriage to Miss. 
Alzina Woleott Dec. 30, 1873. She was born 
in Granger Township, this county. Oct. 18, 1838. 
There is one child by this marriage — Eldo I. 
Mr. Ganyard. when 21 years of age, was given 
a colt by his father. This he sold for S70, and 
put the amount at interest, and for the next 
eight years worked by the month and year 
upon a ftirm. lie was careful of his earnings, 
and at the expiration of that time, had accu- 
mulated quite a little sum, which he invested 
in land. He now owns 112 acres of land, which 
is well improved. He is a Republican in poli- 
tics, and a consistent member of the Disciples' 
Church. 

HOEL HATCH, farmer; P. O. Remson's 
Corners ; whose portrait, witli that of his wife, 
appears in this book, is. with Benjamin Burt and 
John McCloud, one of the oklest settlers in 
the township. He was born in Bristol, Ontario 
Co., N. Y., March 10. 1803. His father, Nathan 
Hatch, was born in Connecticut Feb. 19. 1769. 
His mother's maiden name was Lucy Wilder ; 
she also was a native of Connecticut, and was 
born Sept. 14. 1776. They were married in 
Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., Nov. 9. 1796. They 
emigrated to Ohio, and located in Granger Town- 
ship in October. 1818, locating on the western 
town line, where they took up 700 acres of 
land. Nathan died Jan. 10. 1850 ; his wife 
Feb. 17, 1858. Iloel, at 20 years of age, 
started out in life for himself His father 
divided up his land among the children, and he 
received as his share 137 acres, located on the 
center towusbip road. He was united in mar- 
riage, Dec. 26, 1827, in Granger Township, to 
Miss Saloma Treeman. She was born in Canan- 
daigua, N. Y.,Oct. 8, 1805. Her parents, Jere- 



'fZ 



912 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



miah (born Aug. 23. 1782) and Hannah (Gillett) 
Treeraan (born Feb. 20, 1787), were natives of 
Connecticut and pioneers of (! ranger Township, 
locating there in 1818, and residents of the 
township the remainder of their lives. After 
his marriage. Hoel resided upon his farm 
for twent}- jx'ars. In 185G, he removed to 
the farm wliere he now resides. He has 80 
acres of flnel}' improved land, some of which is 
the richest soil in the township. Tlieir children 
are as follows : Natlian F.. born July 0. 1830 ; 
he served all through the rebellion, and for sev- 
eral months after its close among the Indians. 
He now resides in Kansas. Emilv E.. horn Julv 
13. 1832, married Oct. 7, 1852. toUriah F. Sldii- 
ner. They removed to Iowa in 1833, where he died 
July. 1873. and she followed him October, 1873. 
They left five children in good circumstances — 
Hannah A., born Aug. 10. 1834, living at home ; 
3Iilton L., born June 15, 1837, now a resident 
ofLitchfiek! Township; Xane^- S., born April 
18. 1839, married to Thomas Sylvester, living 
in Granger; Lydia L.. born April 23, 1842; 
Jeremiah J., born April 5. 1844, a resident of 
Granger Township ; Julius C.. born Feb. 20, 
1846. now a resident of Sharon Township. Mr. 
Hatch has l)een prominently identified with the 
growth and development of the township, and 
contributes a great man}- incidents and dates to 
the township history. He was one of the first 
Abolitionists of the township. A very pleasant 
incident in the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Hatch was 
the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of their 
married life, upon which occasion Mr. H. was 
presented with a valualile and beautiful gold- 
headed cane, and his wife several pieces of sil- 
verware, by their children. Their years sit 
lightly upon them, although the^' are passing 
into the " sere and yellow leaf" They are lo- 
cated in a pleasant and comfortable home in a 
community where they are respected and be- 
loved, and where the record of their well-spent 
lives can never be etfaced. 

JOHN S. HATCH. Sr., deceased; was born 
in Ontario Co., N. Y.. June 7. 1810. His father. 
John Hatch, was a native of Connecticut, and 
one of the i)ioneers of Ontario Co, John S. 
passed his \-outh and early manhood in his na- 
tive State, receiving tlie benefits of a common- 
school education. He was united in marriage, 
Feb, lit, 1832. to .Miss Laura K. Par.sons, a na- 
tive of the Empire State, wiiere she was born 
Sept. 3, 1806. The year following their mar- 



dustrious man, and 
spected and loved. 



riage, they came to Medina Co., Ohio, purchas- 
ing the land now owned by 3Irs. Hatch, in 
Granger Township. The}- went to work with a 
will, and erelong were very comforlabh" situ- 
ated. They had a family of six children, viz. : 
John S. (whose biography appears in this 
work). Laura A. (wife of Ira Bennett, of Mont- 
ville Township), Martha P. (wife of Arthur 
Crane, of Sharon Township). Altha L. (wife of 
Edward Woodard, of Sharon Township) and 
Lj'dia N. and Timothy W, (single, and living 
with the mother). :\Ir. Hatch died Oct. 31, 
1873. of paralysis. He was an intelligent, in- 
one whom every one re- 
His wife survives him, and 
resides upon the old homestead in Granger 
Township. Timothj- W., son of the above gen- 
tleman, has always remained at home. He is a 
30ung man of ability and energy, and owns a 
nicely- improved farm adjoining the home place. 
He is a member of the Republican party, a 
friend to education and all enterprises that tend 
to build up the community in which he lives or 
benefit his fellow-men, 

JOHN S. HATCH, Jr., P.O. Granger. This 
gentleman was born in Ontario Co., X. Y., Jan. 
14, 1833. He is the son of John S. and Laura E. 
(Parsons) Hatch, both natives of the •' Empire " 
State, where the}- were married and resided 
until 1834, when they came to this county, lo- 
cating in Granger Township, where they ever 
afterward resided. They were the parents of 
six children — John S., Laura X., Martha P., 
Lydia X., Timothy W. and Altha. Our subject 
was raised upon a farm, receiving the benefits 
of a common- school education. Mr. Hatch is 
of a mechanical mind ; even when a boy he 
would seize every opportunity for using what- 
ever tools he could obtain, notwithstanding he 
was greatlj- discouraged in their use b}- his 
father, who took no interest in that line of in- 
dustr}-. He began, however, at 16 years of age, 
to work at carpentering in a small wa}-, and 
has for over thirty years, with the exception of 
some slight interruptions, worked at his trade. 
He was economical and industrious, and as fast 
as he earn(!d money would invest it in real es- 
tate. He now owns 290 acres of well-improved 
land, which he has obtained by his own exer- 
tions. His marriage with Miss 3Iary F. Tall- 
man (K'cnrrcd Dec. 6, 18G0, She was born in 
St, Lawrence Co., X. Y., June 26, 1840, By 
this marriaije there were six children — George 



■r^ 



J, 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



913 



C. Florence M.. Sarah E., Robert W., Nellie 
andJohnS. Mrs. Hatch died Aug. 11, 187U. 
She had been a faithful wife anil atlecti(^nate 
mother, and it is greatly owing to her assist- 
ance and advice that Mr. Hatch owes his suc- 
cess in life. Mr. Hatch was united in marriage 
with Miss Hannah A. Pratt, Dec. 2, 1880. This 
lady was l)orn in Livingston Co., N. Y., May 
17, 1845. Mr. Hatch has devoted his life 
to his trade and in agricultural pursuits, and 
is, in the fullest sense of the terra, a self-made 
man. He is of a retiring disposition, and does 
not meddle much in political alfairs. yet he is 
decided in his opinions, which he never fails to 
express at the ballot box. 

CARTP:R HUNTLEY, P. O. Oranger. Mr. 
Huntle}- is one of the leading agriculturists and 
live-stock dealers of ^Medina Co. He was born 
June 17, 1830, iu Ontario Co.. N. Y., and is one 
of a family of nine children born to William 
A. and Eunice (Newton) Huntley, the former a 
native of Connecticut, and the latter of the 
Empire State. They were married in Ontario 
Co., N. Y., and resided there until 1831, when 
the}- came to this county and purchased a farm 
of 47 acres in Granger Township. Mr. Hunt- 
ley died Dec. 24, 1875, followed b}- his wife 
Nov. 27, 1880. Carter remained at home until 
he had reached his majority. The fall follow- 
ing he entered the employ of William Davis, 
who ran a distillery in Copley Township, Sum- 
mit Co. He was to receive $8 per month, Ijut, 
after working two weeks, he so pleased Mr. 
Davis that his wages were raised to §12 per 
month. At the expiration of three months, he 
had, by working extra time, earned $40. Not 
needing the money, he took Mr. Davis' note. 
He says the happiest period of his life was 
when he carried the note home and showed it 
to his father. The next summer he farmed his 
father's place on shares, and in the fall again 
went to work for Mr. Davis. Some time after 
this, he entered the employ of Dr. I. C. Isbell, 
of Summit Co. Dr. Isbell was a wealthy man, 
and owned a large tract of land in Western 
Wisconsin. In 1854, he sent Mr. Huntley with 
a number of men to Wisconsin to chop cord- 
wood to supply the Upper Mississippi steam- 
boats. In 1856, while shearing sheep for his 
uncle, E. E. Huntley, he was bantered by his 
uncle to purchase fifty head of sheep of him. 
After some thought, young Huutlej' purchased 
them, and. on his return home, was severely 



reprimanded by his father for this bis first 
venture in the live-stock trade. The father's 
fears, however, did not affect the son, for the 
next day he purchaseil twenty more sheep, and 
the day following, sold the entire lot at a profit 
of 12i cents per head. This was his first ex- 
perience in the sheep trade. He has, from that 
time until the present, dealt largelj- in sheep, 
with the same success that attended his early 
effort. He was united in marriage with Miss 
Mary E. Cook, Nov. 5, 1861. She was born 
Jan. 9, 1838, in Medina Co,, Ohio, They have 
a family of three children, viz,: Elnoi'a 0., born 
Oct. 31, 1862 ; A' iola E.. Jan, 9, 1865, and Royal 
N., Oct. 21, 1867. On the 10th of January, 
1880, their only son. Royal N., was accidentally 
killed bj- a large chestnut tree falling on him. 
This was a severe blow to Mr. and !Mrs. Hunt- 
ley. He was an unusually bright and intelli- 
gent boy, and gave promise of a life of future 
usefulness and gi'eatness. Mr. Huntley owns 
337 acres of well-improved land, which he has 
obtained bj- his own endeavors. He is a Dem- 
ocrat, but liberal in his views. He is, in the 
fullest sense of the word, a self-made man, and 
one of the county's best citizens. 

GEORGE H. HODDINOTT. P, 0, Granger ; 
born in Granger Township, this county, Aug, 
2, 1860 ; he is the son of Richard and Ann 
(Hodges) Hoddinott, both of whom were na- 
tives of Somersetshire, England, They were 
married in their native country in the spring 
of 1856, and a few weeks afterward took pas- 
sage for the United States, ^^ here they hoped 
to make a home for themselves. The}' had 
but little or no means, and on their arrival in 
this country came almost immediately to Gran- 
ger Township, where they e\er afterward re- 
sided. They had one child, the subject of this 
sketch, Mr, Hoddinott was an intelligent and 
industrious man, and by his own exertions pur- 
chased and paid for 100 acres of land, upon 
which he resided at the time of his death, Jan. 
6, 1874. His wife died Aug. 21, 1879. During 
their lives, by their exemplary conduct and 
kindness of manner, they greatly endeared 
themselves to the people of Granger Township. 
Mrs. Hoddinott's sister came to this country 
with herself and husband. She married Mr. 
Wm. Valleau. and is now a resident of Gran- 
gerburg. Jacob Hodges had come to this 
country some years previous, and located in 
this countv ; he died some years ago. leaving 



-+ 



^l 



-^ a v 



^ 



z±^ 



914 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



a family of two children. Our subject was 
raised upon a farm, receiving a good common- 
school education. After the death of his 
parents he went to live with his guardian, Mr. 
Benjamin Burt. He now has cliarge of the 
village school, and is spoken of as a superior 
instructor ; although yet young, we liave no 
hesitanc3- in predicting for him a brilliant and 
successful future. 

JOHN McCLOUD, farmer ; P. 0. Remson's 
Corners ; is one of the three oldest settlers now 
living in Granger Township. His early residence 
and identification with the pioneer history of 
the township, and the jH-ominent part taken by 
him in all public questions, make his personal 
history one of interest to all. He is a native 
of the State of New Hampshire, and was born 
Dec. 25. 179!). His parents were Samuel and 
Hannah (Holt) McCloud, also natives of New 
Hampshire, sulisequently removing to Ontario 
Co., N. Y., where our subject's early life was 
passed. At the age of 9 years he was bound 
out to a farmer ; here his life was one of ex- 
treme hard work and cruelty until, at the age 
of 14, the neighbors interfered and he was re- 
leased. At the age of 19, he started for Ohio as 
the driver of an ox team for a party who were 
emigrating, and after a trip of twenty-two days 
they arrived and located in Granger Township, 
in October, 1818, where he has been a resident 
up the present time. The many pioneer tales 
and incidents of his early life and residence in 
the township, we will pass by. as many of the 
dates and facts furnished b}- him will appear in 
the township history. His first purchase of 
land was 50 acres in the eastern portion of the 
township ; here he resided for a number of 
years, adding to his land until at times he 
owned 200 acres. In 1808, he removed to his 
present location, near Remson's Corners ; he has 
50 acres, where he resides. Mr. McCloud was 
married March 13, 1823. to Miss Anna Wolcott ; 
her parents were Joseph and Lucy (Hills) Wol- 
cott, natives of Connecticut and pioneers of 
Granger, locating about 1822, .and residents of 
the townsiiip the remainder of their days. She 
was born in Vermont Oct. (5. 1 803. They have had 
six children — Azubah Botsford, living in Mis- 
souri; Louisa, deceased ; Emeline, the wife of Dr. 
Albertson, of Remson's Corners ; Caroline Wil- 
cox, living in Brunswick Township ; Melissa 
Arnold, deceased ; Henry, deceased, he enlisted 
in Co, L 103 0, V. L, and was in the service 



three years. He was married to Miss Ella 
Amerman, and at the time of his death farm- 
ing the old homestead. .Mr. McCloud has aided 
lil)erallj' every act of enterprise and charity 
within his reach. He was one of the first tem- 
perance advocates in the township, and has 
been an efficient worker in reforms of all kinds. 
At one period he withdrew from his church on 
account of the opposition to free thought and 
speech, and erected a church of his own, which 
he christened the " Church of Libert}'," on the 
spot now known as Liberty Hill. He has been 
a local preacher, and preached as many as two 
hundred funeral sermons, uniting in marriage 
aljout one hundred couples. For thirty years, 
he was an agent of the underground railroad, 
being one of the first men engaged in the pur- 
pose of aiding slaves to escape, and continuing 
until the emancipation proclamation. He paid 
out in this worth}' manner several thousands of 
dollars, and considers it well spent. Manj' 
grateful souls, once slaves, send him from time 
to time worthy expressions of their gratitude. 
He is universallj' respected and esteemed. 

PAGE MOON ; P. 0. Granger. This gen- 
tleman was born in Granger Township, this 
county, Sept. 10, 1842 ; he is the son of ]\Ioses 
Moon, who was born in Brandon, Vt., May 27, 
1803. He was married to Miss Dorcas Page 
Nov. 5, 1835, a native of the Green Mountain 
State, where she was born Feb. 16, 1803. A 
few months after their marriage, they came to 
this county and purchased the farm now owned 
by their son Page. They were the parents of 
four children, viz. ; Martha, Harriet, Maria and 
Page, Mr, Moon was a stone-cutter by trade, 
but, after his marriage, he for the most part 
followed farming. He was a quiet, unassuming 
man, never aspiring to any prominence, but 
devoting his entire time to the improvement of 
liis farm and to making his liome comfortable 
and pleasant. He was a strong anti-slavery 
man, and intimately connected with the " under- 
ground railroad" of Northern Ohio. He died 
Oct. 5, 1879, his wife Oct. 31, 1863. Page 
Moon was raised upon a farm and received the 
benefit of a common-school education. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Parthenia Willits, 
a native of Sharon Township, this count}-. By 
this marriage there were two children, viz. : 
Dora M. and Frank P. Mrs. Moon died Feb. 
22, 1872. Mr. Moon's second wife was Miss 
Alice Barnett, to whom he was married Feb, 



^ 






Af 



:^^ 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



915 



12, 1874. This lady was born in Summit Co., 
Oliio, Dec. 11, 1847. From this union there 
are two children, viz. : Lena I), and Mark H. 
Mr. Moon owns 94 acres of good tillable land. 
He is a Republican in politics, and one of the 
county's most enterprising citizens. 

JONATHAN MUSSER, farmer ; P. 0. Rem- 
son's Corners ; is a son of David and Mai'v 
(Reed) Musser, natives of Pennsylvania and 
pioneers of Trumbull Co., Ohio ; they subse- 
quentlj" removed to Norton — which was at that 
time in Medina Co. — where they resided the re- 
mainder of their lives ; his decease occurred 
June 11,1868, and his wife's Feb. 22, 1852. Jon- 
athan was born in Trumbull Co. March 22, 1822; 
he remained with his parents until he was 23 
years of age. He was united in marriage, March 

13. 1845, to Miss Sophia Randall, who was a 
daughter of Isaac and Patience (Hill) Randall ; 
her father was a native of A'ermont, and her 
mother of Connecticut. She was bom in New 
York May 27, 1826, and came with her parents 
when they removed to Ohio in 1834 ; they 
located in Norton, now Summit Co., where they 
resided for a number of years ; her mother died 
in Norton in 1836 ; her father subseciuently 
returned to New York State, where he died in 
1859. Mr. and Mrs. Musser have but one child 
— Ellen, born Jan. 20, 1849. She was married 
in November, 1875, to William H. Hanson ; they 
reside in Wadsworth Township. With the ex- 
ception of one year. Mr. Musser has been a res- 
ident of Granger Townsliip since April, 1851, 
when he purchased the farm where he now re- 
sides. He has 58 acres of fine improved land 
located on the northern township line. Since 
his residence in the township, has served as 
Trustee, and has taken, in former years, an act- 
ive interest in schools. Mr. and Mrs. Musser 
are both members of the Disciples' Church of 
Hinckley. They are genial and hosfjitable in 
their manners, and in the community in which 
they reside are esteemed members of society. 

NATHANIEL PIKRCE, Granger. This gen- 
tleman was born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Jul}- 
22, 1813 ; he is the son of George and Lydia 
(O'Brien) Pierce. The father was a native of 
Rhode Island, but when he was a child his par- 
ents removed to New York, where they had a 
large tract of land. While here working to 
clear up his farm, the father was killed b}' a 
falling tree. There were two children in the 
family at the time of his death — George and 



Polly. George was married in Rensselaer Co., 
and resided there during his lifetime. He was 
a prominent and much-esteemed man and was 
the Recorder of Rensselaer County for a num- 
ber of years ; besides this he held other civil 
and military positions — he having been a sol- 
dier of the war of 1812 ; he was the parent of 
nine children, Nathaniel being the onl}' one 
now living. Nathaniel was raised on a farm, 
and his education is such as could be obtained 
in the common schools of that daj-. When 
about 16 years of age he purchased four stands 
of bees. By care and attention these so in- 
creased that, in a few years, he had become 
quite noted as a bee-raiser. During his entire 
life, when circumstances permitted, he has 
handled bees, and the same degree of success 
has always attended his efforts ; he has also 
been a very successful wool-grower. At 22 
3ears of age he had oljtained by his own exer- 
tions about 400 head of sheep. In 1834, he 
came to Ohio, and traveled over a considerable 
portion of the State, when he returned to his 
native State. In 1837, he again came to Ohio, 
bi'inging with him a number of fine sheep which 
he readily disposed of in Licking Co., where he 
had stopped ; he remained in this county some 
time, being variousl}- employed ; he was for the 
period of three years employed bj* an Eastern 
company to purchase wool for them. During 
this time he traveled over great portions of the 
State and purchased large quantities of wool. 
In 1840, he came to this county, and, on the 
28th of October, the following year, was united 
in marriage with Miss Harriet Spencer, a native 
of Granger Township, where she was born Oct. 
1, 1821. She was the only child of Thomas 
and Hannah (Phelps) Spencer, both of whom 
were natives of Connecticut, from which State 
they moved to Ontario Co., N. Y. They were 
married in Ontario Co., and removed from 
thereto this county in 1818, which the}- ever 
afterward made their home. ^Ir. Spencer was 
a man whom every one respected and looked up 
to, and in his lifetime did much to advance the 
religious and educational interests of Granger 
Township. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce now own and 
reside upon the old Spencer homestead, which 
consists of 127 acres of well-improved land. 
They are the parents of two sons — George S. 
and Jeffrie S. Mr. Pierce is liberal in his 
views ; his rule has ever been to support men 
and measures, and not parties ; he acts inde- 



916 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



pendent of sects and denominations, and has 
always endeavored to throw his influence in 
whatever direction he thought it would accom- 
plish the most s;ood. 

HENllY M.llEID, farmer ; P. 0. Remsou's 
Corners ; is a native of Granger Township, 
where he was bom in 1834. His father was 
Harris Reid. a native of Connecticut, born in 
1795 ; his mother was Sallj- Spencer. She was 
born in Canaudaigua, N. Y., in 1800. They 
were married in Canandaigua. and came to Ohio 
about 1828, first locating near Sandusky, where 
they remained aliout three years. They then 
removed to (iranger Township, and were resi- 
dents of the township for many jears. His 
father's death occurred in March, ISGti ; his 
mother is still living with a daughter in Hinck- 
ley Township. (3ur suljject's early life was 
passed upon his father's farm. He was mar- 
ried to Miss Persis Treeman April 15, 1857. 
She was born Dec. 28, 1834, and is a daughter 
of John M. and Betsey (Hatch) Treeman, old 
residents of Granger Township. He was born 
in Canandaigua, N. Y., July 12, 1811, and came 
with his parents to Granger in 1818. She was 
a native of Berkshire Co., Mass., where she was 
born Dec. 24. 1811, and came with her parents 
to (j ranger Township in 1833. They were mar- 
ried in Granger, and first located on a farm on 
the Granger and ^Medina Road, where they re- 
sided for fourteen years. They then removed 
to the Remson Tract, where Mr. Treeman first 
purchased 104 acres, and afterward added to the 
original purchase until he had 210 at the time 
of his death, which occurred April 23, 1875. 
His wife still resides upon the old homestead 
with her daughter Persis. After their marriage, 
iMr. and Mrs. Reid remained in Granger Tovvn- 
ship about nine years, then removed to Michi- 
gan. After a residence of four years there, they 
returned to Granger Township, where they have 
since resided. In 1878, they removed "to her 
mother's tarm. and have been located there up 
to the present time. They have two children 
— Lynn L. and Frank L. 

JACOB SPELLMAN. blacksmith. Remson's 
Corners ; is a native of Greene Co., l^enn., where 
he was born in 1825. His father, Charles 
Spellman, was a native of Pennsylvania : his 
mother, Jane Wells, was born in Summit Co., 
Ohio. They were married in Oiiio, and re- 
moved to Pennsylvania, where Jaco!) was l)orn. 
In 1834, thev returned to Ohio and located in 



Wadsworth Township, where they resided for 
nearly twenty years ; then removed to Mont- 
ville Township, where they were residents until 
their decease. His father's death occurred in 
October, 1877, aged 95 years ; his mother's in 
October, 1868. Jacob, at the age of 18, began 
to learn the blacksmith's trade with his brother 
Joseph at Wadsworth. He remained with his 
brother three years, and then went to Bedford, 
where he worked at his trade for one year ; 
thence to Montville for one year, and, in 1848, 
located in Remson's Corners, where he has since 
been engaged at his trade. He was united in 
marriage, in June, 1850, to Miss Mary Wiard. 
She was born in New York in 1820. Her 
father's name was John ; her mother's maiden 
name was Julia French. Thej' came to 
< Granger Township in 1847. John died in Oc- 
tober, 1867 ; his wife still resides at Remson's 
Corners. Mr. and Mrs. Spellman have five 
children — Laura, now the wife of A. Crooks ; 
they reside in Remson's Corners ; John, born 
July 8, 1854 ; he was married to Miss Sarah 
E. Bradley March 17, 1878 ; she is a native of 
Canada, where she was born Sept. 12. 1857. John 
entered the store of Isaac '\Vhitman. at Rem- 
son's Corners, in 1872, and has been engaged 
there since. He is a popular and obliging 
clerk, and has added consideral)le to the large 
trade now enjoyed by Mr. Whitman. Anson is 
married to Miss Leonora Straight, and is a resi- 
dent of the township ; Lucia and William are 
at home. Mr. Spellman is one of Granger's 
most esteemed citizens. He has served as 
Constable aljout fifteen years. In 1862. he en- 
listed in the 1st (Jhio Sharpshooters, and served 
until the close of the war. As a neighbor, he is 
kind and obliging, hospitable in ever}' sense of 
the word, and well worthy of the respect 
awarded him bv his fellow-townsmen. 

FAIRFAX R. SMITH, farmer: Remson's 
Corners ; was born in Madison Co.. N. Y.. Dec. 
10, 1812 ; he is the son of Fairfax and Abigail 
(Tha3-er) Smith, old residents of .Montville 
Township ; his father was a native of Massa- 
chusetts, and his mother of New York, and 
were located iu .Aladison Co., previous to their 
removal to Ohio, Our subject worked upon 
the farm in Madison Co. until he was 20 years 
of age. His father, about tiiis time, desired to 
come to Ohio, which lie did, and bought 260 
acres of woodland in .Montville Township in 
the vear 1833 ; returning to New York State 






JH'- 



l\^ 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



917 



he sent out Fairfax R., to clear the land ; the 
familj- did not remove until the t'ollowing 
spring, in 1S34 ; his parents were residents of 
the township from that time up to their decease, 
his lather's death occurring in 1848, and his 
mother's about five years subsequent. Our sub- 
ject. Fairfax R., worked at home upon the farm 
for three 3ears after he became of age ; he then 
bought 50 acres of new land, which he cleared, 
and then disposed of it. In February, 1848, he 
removed to Granger Township, purchasing 80 
acres of land near Remson's Corners, where he 
at present resides ; he has added about 42 
acres to the original purcliase, making a total 
of 122 acres, atiout 40 of which is timbered 
land ; he was married Dec. 10, 1835, in Mout- 
ville Township, to Miss Desdemona Wilbur, a 
daughter of Smith and Nancy (Falkner) Wilbur, 
early settlers of Montville Township ; she was 
born in Wayne Co.. N. Y., in 1818; her father 
was a native of Massachusetts, and her mother 
of Rhode Island ; they removed from New York 
to Ohio, locating in Montville in the spring of 
1834 ; her father died in 1861, while on a visit 
to Michigan, and her mother August, 1870, at 
the home of her brother. 0. F. Wilbur, in 
Granger Township. Mr. and Mrs Smith have 
four children living — Halsey R., married to 
Miss Nancy Crumb, of Hinckley Township, 
now living in Nebraska, farming : Fairfax W., 
married to Josephine Simmons, they are living 
in Granger Township ; Polly F., married to 
John W. King, and living in Nebraska, and 
Ella Y., living at home ; a son of Francis B., 
died at the age of 21 in Granger Township. 

FRANKLIN SYLVESTER, P. 0. Granger. 
Francis Sylvester, father of the above gentle 
man. was born Nov. 7. 1798, at Kinderhook (now 
called Stuy vesant), N. Y. He was the eldest of 
a family of six children, and, at the death of 
his father, when he was 12 \-ears of age, he 
went to live with his grandparents, with whom 
he remained until 18 years of age. at which 
time he began learning the wagon-maker's trade, 
with Mr. Jason Clapp. of Pittsfleld, N. Y. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Cj-nthia 
Hatch, in 1822, at Barrhigton, N. Y. He con- 
tinued to work at his trade in his native State 
until 1833, when he removed to Granger Town- 
ship, this countj-, where he ever afterward re- 
sided, working at his trade. He was a man of 
much more than ordinary intelligence and in- 
formation, noted for his great conversational 



power's, kindness of heart, and social qualities. 
He departed this life May 10, 1878; his wife 
survives him, and is a resident of Granger 
Township. They were tlie parents of seven 
children, all of whom are now living, the oldest 
being 56, and the youngest 40 years of age. 
This family of Sylvesters are descended from a 
gentleman of that name who came from Holland 
to America previous to the war of the Revolu- 
tion, and located in New York. He afterward 
became a Judge in the •' Empire " State, and 
was well and favorably known throughout the 
Eastern and New England States. Franklin 
Sylvester was liorn in Bristol. Ontario Co., N. 
Y., March 28, 1831. The limited means of his 
parents and the disadvantages of those early 
daj's aflbrded but a limited education in early 
life. He began when about 10 years of age to 
work for the farmers of the neighborhood in 
which he resided, eagerl}' accepting any honor- 
j able business that promised a reasonable com- 
pensation, and carefully hoarding up his hard- 
earned wages. He was always fond of the 
horse, and, when yet quite a boy, by trading in 
sheep and cattle, which he had bought with his 
earnings, found himself the possessor of a tine 
young horse. He kept on trading and working 
by the month and day until after he had reached 
his majority. At 25 years of age, we find him 
the possessor of the snug little sum of $3,000, 
which he had accumulated by his own exertions. 
About this time, he and Mr. R. N. Hickox em- 
barked in the mercantile business in the town- 
ship, also ran an ashery and dealt quite largely 
in live stock. He was united in marriage with 
Miss Eunice M. Reid Oct. 4, 1857. This lady was 
born in Granger Township, this county, Aug. 4, 
1839. She is the daughter of Harris and Sally 
(Spencer) Reid, who came to the township in a 
very early day. Since his marriage. Mr. Sylvester 
has for most part been engaged in real estate 
transactions, and raising and shipping live 
stock. For some years past he has paid con- 
siderable attention to the raising and breeding 
of short-horn cattle. His two-year-old bull, 
■' Buckeye State," is one of the best in North- 
ern Ohio ; his short-horn heifer, " Cora Smith, 
2d," is a calf of " Cora Smith, 1st," who sold 
in Kentucky, when 8 months old. for $4,000. 
He has others of this well-known breed, all of 
them being registered in the American Herd 
Book, where full descriptions of them can be 
obtained. Mr. Sylvester is deservin;:^ '' ji- :if 



>? <i 



^ 



,k 



918 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



credit for his endeavors to better the grade of 
cattle in Granger anil adjoining townships. He 
is a man of broad and liberal views, opposing 
everything known to be wrong, and favoring 
everything known to be right. He is, in the 
fullest sense of the term, a self-made man, and 
his career has been one of signal success — the 
elements of which are found in an excellent 
judgment, a remarkable business tact, an in- 
domitable energy and perseverance, a strict in- 
tegrity in dealing, and a power (which few men 
possess) of keeping his own counsels. Through < 
all his pecuniary prosperity, it is but simple 
justice to sav he has been notably magnani- 
mous in the use of a wealth that a propitious 
Providence has thrown into his hands. His 
donations for educational, religious and other 
charitable purposes have been very consider- 
able ; nor have they been confined to Granger 
Township alone ; many of them are yet unknown 
in the community in which he resides. He owns 
over 500 acres of well-improved land in Granger 
Township, and 160 acres in Kansas, which he 
has obtained by close attention to business, 
combined with economv and industry. 

THOMAS H. SYLVESTER, farmer ; P. 0. 
Remson's Corners; is a native of Granger 
Township, and was born July 28. 1833 ; he is 
a son of Francis and Cynthia (Hatch) Sylves- 
ter, who are mentioned more prominently in 
other portions of this work. Tliomas. at the 
age of l(i, commenced learning the blacksmith's 
trade, and after three years' apprenticesiiii), en- 
gaged in the business for himself in (Jranger 
Township, where he continued for about fifteen 
years ; he then turned his attention to agricult- 
ural pursuits, first renting a farm for two 
years, and then purchasing one on the Granger 
"road, where he i-esided for four years. In April. 
1873, he purchased the farm located about one- 
half mile east of Remson's Corners, where he 
still resides ; he has 103 acres of land, about 
25 of which is timber; his marriage to Miss 
Nancy Hatch occurred Feb. 13. 1859; she is a 
daughter of Hoel and Saloma Hatch, who also 
are mentioned more fully in other parts of the 
work. Nancy was born in Crrangcr Township 
April 18, 1839. Their children are as follows ; 
Grove E., Addie M., Fred. K.. Edith .\. Al- 
though young ir. years, Mr. Sylvester is a prom- 
inent aiiil respected citiy.cn of the townsliip. 

EDWARD TRIFFIT. farmer ; P. ( ». Remson^s 
Corners ; was born in Geneva. N. Y., in 1820; his 



^ 



parents were Richard and Sarah (Carnaby) Trif- 
fit. both natives of England. Richard was born 
in Leeds in 1774 ; his wife in Yorkshire Oct. 10, 
1784; they were niarried in England and came 
to America in 1818, being eight weeks on the 
passage ; they first settled in Geneva, N. Y., 
and from there removed to Castile, Genesee 
Co., where they resided about seven years; 
they then removed to Bath Township, now in 
Summit Co., residing there until his death, 
June 22, 1838; his'wife survived him until 
Nov. 30, 1875. when she died, aged 91 years. 
They had ten children, seven of whom were . 
buried in England. James, a son born in j 
England and a resident of Bath Township, died I 
aliout 1S(')3, leaving a wife and one child; 
Marv, married to Chester Bills and residing in | 
Michigan, died about 1854 ; Edward is now i 
the onlv living child ; at 19 years of age, he 
left home and went to learn the carpenter and 
joiner's trade, which occupation he followed 
for a number of vears in Hudson. Akron and 
CleveUuul. When the land comprising the 
Remson Tract, in Granger Township, was of- 
fered for sale, he purchased 50 acres located on 
the northern township line, where he now re- 
sides ; he was married Nov. 18, 1845. to Miss 
Elizabeth A. Miller, and in August. 1846. re- 
moved upou his farm, where he has since re- 
sided ; his wife died July 17. 1850. leaving one 
child. Sarah A., born Nov. 25. 1847. died July 
28. 1849 ; he was united in marriage to a sec- 
ond wife. Miss Elsie J. Hatch. Aug. 27, 1851 ; 
she was born March 31, 1828, in Granger 
Township; her parents, Simeon and Bethiah 
(Taylor) Hatch, were natives of New York and 
pioneers of Granger Township, locating there 
about 1824. Their union has been blessed 
with two children— Amelia A., born Feb. 27, 
1853, the wife of F. A. Woodruff', who has 
oue child, Ernest ; Lauretta B., born Oct. 7, 
1860. Mr. Trifflt has now 70 acres of im- 
pioved land all under good cultivation, and 
adorned with neat outbuildings and a pleasant 
and eleoant residence. He is a prosperous and 
industrwus farmer and an honorable, upright 
citizen. He and his wife are members of the 
M. E. Church of (^rranger. 

ISAAC WHITMAN. Postmaster and mer 
ciiant, Remson's Corners ; one of the most promi- 
nent business men of Granger Township, is the 
subject of this sketch. He is a native of Massa- 
chusetts ; was born Oct. 1 7, 1884. His parents. 



d^ 



GRANGER TOWNSHIP. 



919 



Isaac and Hannah (Parker) Whitman, were also 
natives of Massacluisetts. Tiiey came to ^le- 
diua Co. in 1842. and flrst located in Chatham 
Township, remaining there eleven years ; then 
moved to Granger Township, where they made 
their homes up to their deaths. His father's 
death occurred March 22, 186?, and his mother's 
March 1, 1863. Previous to engaging in the 
mercantile trade, Isaac, in partnership with his 
brother Alden, operated a saw-mill in Granger 
Township for twelve years ; the}- then disposed 
of the mill property, and Ijought out the store 
of French & Boughten, of Remson's Corners. 
They continued in partnership for eight years. 
and then x\iden sold his share to his brother and 
removed to Chatham Township, where he is 
now engaged in farming. Since that time, 
Isaac has continued in trade alone. His stock 
consists of a general line of merchandise, em- 
bracing dry goods, gi-oceries, boots, shoes, hard- 
ware, etc. He has been Postmaster since 1869. 
As a merchant, Mr. Whitman is deservedly 
popular, being in his manner genial, obliging 
and courteous. As a citizen, he ranks as one 
of the most enterprising and public-spirited, an 
obliging neighbor, and a useful and honorable 
member of society. He was united in marriage, 
Dec. 1, 1858, to Miss Susan A. Perin. She 
was born in Hinckley Township Dec. 24, 1839. 
Her father, Orrin Perin, was a native of Massa- 
chusetts. Her mother. Elizabeth Willey, a na- 
tive of Vermont. They were married in Mon- 
roe Co., N. Y., and came to Ohio in 1833, flrst 
locating in Granger Township, remaining tliere 
but one year ; thence to Hinckley Township, 
where they resided until 1865. They then re- 
moved to McLean Co.. 111., and, in 1875. to Ford 
Co., where her father died in April, 1880. Her 
mother is now living with her children in 
Granger Township. Mr. and .Mrs. Perin's chil- 
dren were as follows ; Asa D., now living in 
Kansas ; he served three j-ears in the 5th Kan- 
sas Cavalry : Reuben W., enlisted in the 36th 
111. V. I., and served- nearly three years, when he 
was killed at Chickamauga ; ('harles H., enlisted 
in the 5th Kansas Cavalry, and was in the serv- 
ice nearly three years. He was killed at Pine 
Blufl', Ark., while in service ; Susan A. ; Orrin 
O. ; he served nearly a 3'ear in the 178th 0. V. 
I. ; he is now living in Hinckley Township ; 
Marj- A. Thompson, living in Kansas ; Eliza F. 
Sprague, living in Nebraska ; Heman L.. living 
in Granger ; Cora T. Rankin, living in Illinois, 



and Clara E. Lewis, living in Kansas. Mr. and 
Mrs. Whitman's children are as follows : Jessie 
E., born Nov. 4, 1861, died .March 3, 1863; 
Earnest W.. July 12, 1863 ; Arthur I., born 
Sept. 27, 1868, and Cora E., Dec. 7, 1874 ; died 
Sept. 23, 1876. Mr. Whitman has a sister liv- 
ing in Granger Township — Harriet N. Raw. He 
has served the township as Treasurer about five 
years, and in educational matters has always 
taken an active interest. 

GEORGE WORDEN, farmer ; P. 0. Wey- 
mouth. Is a son of Zara and Sally (Frisbee) 
Worden, who were natives of Connecticut, and 
early settlers in Medina Co. Thej- first lo- 
cated in Liverpool Township, where George 
was born in June, 1822. When he was about 
a 3ear old, his parents removed l)ack to Con- 
necticut and remained there about three years ; 
then, tired of the rocks and hills of Connecti- 
cut, they returned to Liverpool Township, 
where they resided for a number of years. 
Subsequently, they removed to Lorain Co., 
and then to Weymoutii, Medina Co., where they 
both departed this life. George remained with 
his parents until he was 24 years old ; he then 
came to (jranger Township, and took up 112 
acres of timbered land, which he has since 
cleared and improveil with fences, buildings, 
etc., and where he has resided up to the present 
writing. He was married, Aug. 23, 1852, to 
Miss Mary A. Clark ; she was a daughter of 
Phineas and Saloma (Brown) Clark, natives of 
New York, and pioneers of Brunswick Town- 
sliip. coming there as early as 1817. and resi- 
dents of the township up to 1864, when Phineas 
died and his wife removed to Weymouth, 
Medina Township, where she died in 1875. 
Mary was born in Brunswick in 1834 ; she has 
a sister, Jane Wallace, living in Weymouth. 
Mr. and Mrs. Worden had but one child — 
William S. — who is now living at home. They 
are both members of the ^lethodist Church. 
The children of Zara and Sally Worden, now 
living, are as follows : Nathan, now a resident 
of Henry Co.; George, the subject of this 
sketch ; Joseph, living in Medina ; Sally Ann, 
residing in Medina : Caroline Upson, living in 
Medina, and Tliomas. now living in Medina. 

S. P. WOLCOTT, Granger. This gentleman 
was born in Middlesex, Washington ('o., Vt., 
Sept. 25, I8114. He is the son of Joseph and 
Lucy (Hills) Wolcott, both natives of East 
Windsor, Conn., where tiiev were married and 



*^ 



5 \' 



J^ 



920 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



resided till the latter part of the eighteenth 
centiUT, when they removed to the birthplace 
of their son S. P. They remained in the Green 
Mountain State until 1810. and then removed 
to Ontario Co., N. Y. In the fall of 1820, they 
came to this county and located in Granger 
Township. They were the parents of seven chil- 
dren, four of whom are now living. Mr. Woleott 
was the Captain of a company, and ser\ed his 
country with distinction during the war of the 
Revolution. Three of liis brothers were also in 
this war. He died in 18(j6, at the advanced 
age of 91 j-ears. His wife died in 1S55. S. P. 
Woleott was raised upon a farm, receiving but 
a limited education. He worked for his father 
until of age, and contributed no little toward 
caring for the family. He was frugal and in- 
dustrious, and as fast as he earned money he 
invested it in land. In 1828, he returned to 
Ontario Co., N. Y., where he found employ- 
ment as a farm laborer for two 3-ears. J)uring 
this time he had saved enough money to finish 



paying for the land he had purchased. He was 
united in marriage to Miss Xancj* W. Codding 
Sept. 20, 1835. She was born in Bristol, On- 
tario Co., N. Y., Feb. 13. 1814. From this union 
there were sixteen children — Fernando, Alzina 
M., Horace, Sarah J., Harriet C, Chester, Clay- 
ton C, Clayton, Cornelius, Cornelia, Samuel M., 
Alice A.. Frank L.. Mar^y L.. Amelia C. and 
Ida M. Horace, Chester and Clayton were in 
the late war. After the war, Horace entered 
the emploj-mcnt of the Government and went 
overland to tlie Pacific coast. On his return to 
the East he took a trip South, since vvliich time 
he has never been heard of by the family. Mr. 
Woleott began life as a poor boy, and is, in the 
fullest sense of the word, a self-made man. 
Although too old to work he still has charge of 
his farm, which is one of the best improved in 
Granger Township. He is an iutelligent, en- 
terprising gentleman, a jovial companion and 
one of the county's best citizens. In politics, 
he is a Repultlican of the stalwart kind. 



HOMER TOWNSHIP. 



ROBERT LEE, farmer ; P. O, Albion, 
Wayne Co. ; was born in the latter county Jan. 
23, 18.33, and was married, Oct. 9. 1850, to Miss 
Maranda R. Tanner, who was born July 19, 
1839. Their children were named Sarah J., 
born Oct. 4, 1857 : Rosa M., April 19, 1859, 
died Feb. 26, 18(12 ; Cora B., Jan. 15, 1865 ; 
Lillie G., Jan. 26, 1877 ; Sarah J., now Mrs. 
Aaron Swartz, married Dec. C, 1877 ; they 
have one child — Lucius L. Swartz, lioni Jan. 
31, 1879. Mr. Lee went to California in 1852, 
during the gold fever excitement, taking the 
overland route and traveling in the saddle or 
with the wagon train. It took them three 
months to make the trip, halting a week at 
Salt Lake City to recruit their teams. They 
were threatened on the way by Indians, who 
were probably more in search of plunder than 
a fight. At this time, they were joined by an- 
other train, and, by coralling their teams and 
protecting themselves as best they could, tliey 
passed a very disagrecaV)le nigiit, waiting for 
the expected attack. Morning came, and tiiey 
were left to pursue their way unmolested, with 
the exception of losing some of their stock. 



They entereil the Golden State at Hangtown, 
now called Placerville. He worked in the 
mines in various parts of the State, remaining 
there three j-ears, coming home via the Nicar- 
agua route, landing safely in New York, and 
arriving home by way of Cleveland. Mr. Lee 
has been living in Homer Township for twenty- 
four years, on what used to be called the Albro 
fiirm of 80 acres, but has made additions from 
time to time, until now he owns 181 acres of 
good land, making a farm of whicli he may 
well be proud, as he is pleasantly situated and 
surrounded with home comforts of no ordinary 
degree. His father. Josiah Lee, living in Al- 
bion, Wayne Co.. was born in the State of Con- 
necticut, Thompson Township, Oct. 14, 1796. 
and moved to the State of New York with his 
father in 1798. He married Miss Agnes 
Lafler Nov. 3, 1816, and came to this State in 
1819, settling in Jackson Township. There 
were no improvements on tlie land he entered, 
and no roads but as they cleared them between 
here and Clevclnud. coining by way of .'^ledina. 
whic-h then could boast of one solitary log 
iiouse and another in process of construction. 






K 



^1 



liL 



HOMER TOWNSHIP. 



931 



Before they reached the future count}' seat, it 
grew quite dark and threatened rain. Turning 
the oxen loose to browse in the slashing, they 
sought tlie log house for shelter, but were lost 
in the darkness of the stormy night. Their 
loud halloos were flaally heard, and they were 
kindly taken in and cared for by the pioneer's 
family. They reached Wayne Co. in due time, 
and entered 320 acres of lantl. at $2 per acre. 
Mr. John JIason, three-fourths of a mile east, 
was their only neighbor, and Wooster the near- 
est post office. Their children were John H., 
born March 14, 1818, died Aug. 17, 1822; 
Phojbe, Nov. 24, 1819, died Aug. 11. 1822; 
James, April 30, 1822 ; Josiah, July 2, 1824, 
died Aug. 20, 1851 ; Elizabeth, March 23, 
1826; Jacob, July 12, 1828, died Oct. 23, 
1853 ; David B., Oct. 21, 1830 ; Robert, Jan. 
23, 1833 ; Oliver, Jan. 9, 183G ; Lucene, Feb. 
7, 1839 (now :\Irs. G. M. Reed) ; Elizabeth mar- 
ried Mr. P. C. Bunt ; George, July 14, 1841, 



died Dec. 15, 1854. Mrs. Agnes Lee died 
April 8, 1860, and on Jan. 26, 1868, Mr. Lee 
married Phrebe Smith. They had one child- 
Jessie, born Dec. 6, 1869; she died March 2, 
1878. Three of the brothers were in the army 
during the war of the rebellion. David en- 
listed in Co. B, 4th 0. V. C, and served in the 
Army of the Potomac until the battle of Get- 
tysburg, where he was wounded in the right 
hand. Soon after, he was honorably dis- 
charged from the service, but, upon the "wound 
healing, he again enlisted in the 178th 0. V. I., 
and served to the end of the war. participating 
in the great battle of Murfreesboro and many 
skirmishes between Nashville and the front. 
James enlisted in Co. K, 102d 0. V. I., and 
served for three years. Oliver enlisted in the 
same regiment and company (Capt. J. M. 
Sloan's), and was in the battles of Decatur, 
Ala., Stevenson, Perryville, Frankfort, etc. 




e "V 



Z'- 



922 



V i 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES: 



f2l 



ADDENDUM. 



JUDGE SAMUEL HUMPHREVILLE, Me- 
dina, Ohio, died of apoplex}-, Feb. 4, 1881. 
Tlie following tribute to his memory is taken 
from the Medina Democrat of Feb. 10, ISBl : 
" Our community was greatly shocked on Friday 
morning last to learn of the sudden death from 
apoplexy of ex-Judge Ilumphreville, an old 
and respected citizen of Medina, whose demise 
occurred about 10 o'clock, at the office of the 
Gazette newspaper. The judge, after breakfast, 
as was his custom, came down town and visited 
the Gazette office to look after some job print- 
ing that had been ordered, and while there in 
conversation with Mr. (Jrcen, he suddenly fell 
l)ack in his chair, gasped a few times, aud ex- 
pired. The judge, we are informed, had been 
in his usual health, with the exception of a 
slight headache which had annoyed him for a 
few daj's. and though 73 years of age, had the 
appearance of good health and promise of a 
longer lease of life than was allotted him. The 
deceased was born and bred in Berkshire Co.. 
Mass.; from there he came to Medina, about 
forty years ago. and engaged in the practice of 
law. He represented Medina Co. in the Con- 
stitutional Convention which framed the Consti- 
tution of 1851. Next, he was elected Judge 
of the Court of Common Pleas for this district, 
going on the bench in Februar3-, 1852, and 
serving a term of five ^■ears, he being the first 



Judge elected in this district after the adoption 
of the present Constitution, whence the code 
practice of law dates. Prior to about the year 
1850, Mr. Humphreville was a Democrat, and 
was elected to the above-mentioned offices 
by his Democratic constituents, among whom 
he was a leader. But when the rebellion of 
the Slave States became inevitable, he joined 
the Repulilican party, aud as a member of that 
party represented this Senatorial district in tlie 
General Assembly of Ohio for the period of 
three years, beginning in 1802. He was next 
elected a member of the third Constitutional 
Convention, which met in May, 1873. For 
some years, he has been a member of the Board 
of School F]xaminers for this count}-, and, at 
the time of his death, was at the Gazette office 
for the purpose of getting some examination 
cards printed. He spent considerable time 
during the past few months in writing a history- 
of the bar of Medina Co., which he finished 
about two weeks ago, and which will appear in 
the forthcoming county history. Throughout 
his whole life, he has been a faithful and per- 
sistent worker. As a public officer, he faithfully 
discharged his trust ; as a lawyer he was honest 
and upright and an liouor to his profession, and 
as a neigliljor and citi/.en he was always genial 
and kind to all. •uid a man in the true sense of 
the word. " 



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